The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-01-31


scarcity Of prime CATTLE and this kind sold at very full
prices Mich cows were irregular and dull prices
varying from SIS TO SIPS $3.50 vcals steady at
loo. 16c. Sheep and lambs were active and higher,
varying from 81 to % $l2 Hogs were plenty, heavy
and lower selling at from 1896 to 1oX. The total
cepts 1928 beef CATTLE 100 cows SIC veais IT, 2S2
sheep and lambs and 10, lS1 hogs
Municipal Anairs-A Complete Revolu-
tiOn OF tho City Governments I'm Pros.
poet.
The national Congress is not the only legis-
lative body engaged in considering the subject
Of reconstruction. While Congress is debating
how to reconstruct the Union, the Legislature
of this State is commencing the work Of recon-
structing the government Of this metropolis.
On Saturday last . vote was taken upon the
motion to refer the resolution relative to the
investigation of matters connected with our
new Court House to the Committee on Cities.
During the debate member stated that, with
one exception, the New York delegation did
not desire any action to be taken upon these
resolutions, thus indicating that all the Assem-
blymen from New York were in some way
controlled by the parties who have charge Of
the Court House job. But the member might
have added that, without exception, the tax
payers ofNew York are anxious for an investi-
cation, and are not at all satisfied with the
manner in which affairs are being conducted
by that ring of republicans and democrats,
called the Board of Supervisors. How
ever, the Assembly supplied this deficiency
in the remarks of the member by
voting to send the resolutions to the
committee above named; and, as the
vote stood seventy-three to twenty-one,
we may regard this as very emphatic express
sion of the sentiments Of the Legislature upon
the necessity of municipal reform here. The
country members have evidently been aroused
by the urgent appeals Of our citizens, and al
though the delegation from this city may vote
almost unanimously against the wishes Of their
constituents, still the members from other dis
tricts will carry through the contemplated re-
form measures. It is a singular fact, and .
striking proof Of our municipal corruption,
that this metropolis, thus deserted by its own
representatives, should have to depend upon
strangers from distant localities for protection
against the manifold abuses Of the present sys-
tenn Of government
But the vote to which we have alluded Is
most significant when we remember that the
Committee on Cities Is now maturing o bill,
which will be reported in the course Of few
days, which may completely reorganize and
revolutionize the city government This bill
creates O Board Of Commissioners Of Control,
consisting of nine members, eight Of whom are
to be inhabitants Of this metropolis, appoint
ed by the Governor and the Senate, TO hold Office
for eight years, and the ninth is to be the
Mayor er oticio. Any vacancy in this Board is
to be temporarily filed by the remaining men,
bers, during their term of Office, and per-
manently by the Governor and Senate at the
next session of the Legislature after the va
cancy occurs. The Commissioners are to file
an oath Of Office with the Mayor, and are sub
ject to removal by the Governor, in the same
manner as sheriffs. They are to choose o
President and Treasurer from their own num-
Der, and are to adopt an official seal. II Is
suggested that, with the exception Of the Presi-
dent Treasurer and Secretary (who is not to
be member Of the Board), the Commissioners
shall receive no salaries. The duties of this
Board of Control are to examine and investi-
gate the official acts Of all municipal officers,
including oil the Metropolitan Commissions; to
remove all officials who are guilty Of gross
neglect of duty or malfeasance In Office, the
vacancies thus created to be filed in the man
ner now provided by law, and the Board to DO
empo wered to send for and examine witnesses,
exercise other judicial functions and compel
obedience to its decisions, which are TO be
final. Besides this, the Board is To examine
and audit all bills and accounts-supcr.
seding the Mayor, the Supervisors and both
branches Of the Common Council In this duty
and no greater amount Is 10 be appropriated
or paid than the Board Of Control directs.
Finally, the Board will take charge of the Sink
ing Fund; and none of the real estate Of the
city can be sold, leased or given away except
with the sanction of this Board, which Is TO rem
der detailed statements Of its operations TO the
Governor once year, and to send to the
Legislature an annual estimate Of the amount
TO be raised for the city and county Of New
York by taxation. II is deemed advisable to
restrict the current expenses Of the Board Of
Control to twenty-five thousand dollars year.
A careful review of these provisions will
show that the purpose Of this new Board Is not
to disturb any Of the existing officers or Off
cials, but simply to regulate and supervise
them. II win only be opposed, therefore, by
those who are afraid Of having their depart
ments examined by committee Of our leading
citizens; for the Board Of Control will be
nothing more than this. II win NOT interfere
with any ofncer who does his work faith
fully and honestly, and II in no way
restricts the right Of the people to elect
men Of their own choice to the Offices
nnder The CITY government Conaennentlv