New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-01-19

Legislative act and we Believe its operations
have since saved our taxpayers at least a Mil
lion of Dollars. 1t was composed of two promi-
ncnt citizens of each political party; their pay
is $4,000 each per annum; and they have
general power over all the prisons and poor
house arrangements of our City, contract for
food and repairs, employ all the officers and at
tendants, &C., &c. We never heard that
ANYBODY desired this Commission abolished.
Last Winter our Democratic Controller
Brennan had somehow power to Gust the two
Republican Commissioners, Moses II. Grinneu
and Simeon Draper, and he did it, appointing
Owen w. Brennan and James Bowen in their
stead. We think few if any will soberly con-
tend that this change was an improvement,
while none who are acquainted with figures will
maintain that it has saved the City any money.
Yet proposition is before the Legislature to
raise the pay of the Commissioners from 5000
to s., 900 per annum each, adding $4,000 per
annum to the heavy burden of our Taxpayers.
We most heartily thank Senators Low, Folger,
Sessions and O'Donnell for ably and firmly
resisting this demands and we thank all friends
Of honest and frugal government for every eff
fort they may make in this direction. Our City
has already too many officers at too high
salaries: and she needs a dimnution,
not increase, Of both places and pay.
If there be any functionaries who do not
consider their present pay sufficient,
let them resign; and, whenever fit men cannot
be induced to serve at the current rates, we will
urge their increase But the most faithful and
efficient of all our Commissions-the Central
Parks wholly unpaid, and has been from the
irst and we believe thoroughly faithful, capa-
ble worthy men could be found to serve as
Commissioners of Charities on the same terms.
If change is to be made let us have it in this
direction. The People will rejoice in it, though
our present funotionares may not.
We believe we have not hitherto thanked Mr..
Littlejohn of the Assembly for his movement
initiating a searching inquiry into our Canal
Expenditures, especially those for Repairs. 1t
is certain that at least One Million Dollars have
been stolen in this quarter during the past year,
and that Million has now to be added TO our
already frghtlul load of taxation. If the Leg
isIature had failed TO probe this manifest rot
tenness, the people would have Justly deemed 1t
in partnership with the thieves But Mr.. Little
John il thoroughly familiar with our canals;
he will know at q glance what payments have
been honest and what have been fraudulent;
and we are confident that he will report just
how and where the money went. We shall
await his report with lively interest.
There is probably one point whereon we are
better posted than most legslators-that Of
Printing and Advertising Our City pays not
Gar from 100000 per annum for these two
items, which is at least twice what il should
be. For Advertising, $lOO0 900 is amply suf
ficent; yet she pays at least ialfa Million.
And an effort honestly made by II recent Legs
lature TO restrict Corporation Advertising to the
four city journals oflargest resulted i'll
an iacreas, Of expenditure The four were duly
appointed; but oil those previously employed
were continued and paid as before: 80 the Law
was defeated.
We entreat our present Legislature not to
let tho session pass without going to the bottom
of this business. BE not wheeded, nor bullied,
but require our City authorities to designate
that one City journal of largest circulation which
will do the work at the established rates of
Legal Advertising to print erery official act or
vote of our Boards Of Supervisors, Aldermen,
Councilmen and Education, with every legal
advertisement Of whatever name or nature, and
be paid for it according to law: this being
known a the City Paper. Then let the City
authorities De forbidden to advertise in any other
journal whatever, save TO give legal notice Of
elections. assessments, Hc.-the whole sum %
be paid lor Advertising, save TO the City Paper
aforesaid, being limited to $1,000 for each of
the Boards aforesaid, -, 900 for the Mayor, and
81 900 each for the Boards of Health, Charities,
Crolon Water and Police respectively; which
would save Us not less than $500, 900 per an
num- aud probably far more. And there can
be like saving made in Printing; but of that
We will not now speak.
Again we beg the Legislature to reduce sala-
ries and expenses wherever that mayb be, but in
crease none whatever. Already, the cost of
living is less than it has been; aud it will be
still further reduced as the rayages Of war are
cllaced and as our Currency hardens to par.
Salaries will be worth far more while taxes
will be much harder to pay, year hence than
they now are. A salary of $4,000 III 1865
is fully equal to one of 1880 in 1861. bet
those public functionares who can't live on