New-York daily tribune., 1866-04-06
THE PROPOSED CITY TAX LEVY
THE ITEM OF SALARIES

1t is surprising to see how many persons are
in the employ of the City Government. Each
department, each bureau each office, is con-
sidsred by our City Fathers to be Hospital or
Poor House, in which the fayorites Of corrupt
politicians are placed and supported at the pub
lie expense. These recipients of tho public
bounty do nothing and get well paid for it. 1t
is undoubtedly "good thing" for the poor
fellows who would not DO worth farthing to
anybody or any honorable calling, to be allowed
the privilege Of drawing, monthly, large salaries
from the City Treasury for doing nothing, and to
dress well and live well without any exertion,
mental or physical. But for persons who,
through misfortune or incapacity, are unable to
provide support for themselves, the doors OF the
County Poor House or Work House arc open;
where if they are strong and healthy they con
be made TO work at something, even if only to
pick oakum. The chief occupation Of many Of
the clerks in the City Government seems to be
to stand on Broadway, got up by BARRIERS and
talors in the finest style, to sport massive gold
watch-chains and to stare impudently at all the
women who may chance TO pass them. Many
of these gorgeously arrsyed gentlemen are on
the pay.rolls as day laborers on the wharyes and
streets.
We are led to make these remarks after look
ing over the analysis of the Controllers proposed
tax levy, made by the Citizens Association.
In the Board of Aldermen, there are about 10
Clerks and Assistants (under various names), for
whom tho Controller asks the sum of about
$40, ,OOO' for 1866. What are the duties OF
sThi. 1. In addition to equal amount paid clerks to
committees
these officials no one knows The truth is, there
is no work for the great majority of them, and
it is a crying shame if the Legislature does not
intervene, and by express enactment lop OFT
these individuals who are feasting and fatten-
ing upon the public. We recommend that at
least 9 of the l6 be dispensed with by the
Legislature.
In the Board of Councilmen, there are about
I2 Clerks and Assistants, for whom the Control
Ter asks about $l7,O0 On entering the Coun-
cilmanic Chamber, during q session of the
Board, one is Immediately struck by some six
Jolly chaps who sit directly under the Presi-
dents desk, whose only occupation seems to DO
TO pass resolutions from one TO another. We
cannot see that there is anything for them to
do; but this We know, that the people pay dearly
enough for their support. Will not the Legis-
lature make the same disposition of them as is
recommended to be made Of the idle fellows in
the Board of Aldermen We hope so.
For salaries in the Department Of Finance, the
Controller asks $l53,765.
We recommend to the Legislature that this
be cut down to at most $S5 900, and we second
the recommendation Of the Citizens AssOcia'
ton to expressly abolish the positions, in the
Controllers Office, Of Third Assistant-Book-
keeper Second Assistant-AuditOr and four Mes
sengers, the positions of Deputy Collectors and
Messengers of Bureau Of City Revenues the
positions Of Second, Third, Fourth aud Fifth
Clerks, and Messenger Of Bureau OF Arrears, the
positions of Second Assistant.Audit Third
General Clerk, General Clerk and Messenger Of
the Auditing Bureau, and the Register Of
Licenses. The salaries would thus be decreased
to about SIS, 900; which is much more than
sufficient to pay capable Clerks for attending to
five times the amount Of business attended to
in the Controllers Office.
For salaries in the Street Department, the
Controller asks $l37, ,lS0 1t would be well if
this were reduced to about $50,500. We also
recommend that the following positions in the
Street Department be abolished: the positions
of Deputy Contract Clerk Second Book.keeper;
Third, Fourth and Fifth General Clerks to
Street Commissioner; First and Second Assist
ant Messengers; one Inspector of Membranes
on Wbarves, and one Inspector of Membranes
on Streets in the Street Commissioners Office;
the positions of Second, Third and Fourth
Clerks to Superintendent and Inspector OF Side
walks in Bureau of Street improvements; the
positions of Clerk to Superintendent and Fore
man In Bureau of Wharves the position OF
Clerk to Superintendent in Bureau OF Roads;
the positions of Clerk to superintendent, and
ten Keepers Of Parks in Bureau OF Lands and
Places; the positions Of Inspector Of Oil and SIX
Inspectors of Lamps in Bureau Of Lamps and
Gas; the positions Of Second Clerk to Superin'
tendent and two Inspectors of Small Repairs
In Bureau of Repairs and Supplies; and that the
Bureau of Deputy Superintendent OF Repairs
and Supplies be abolished. We have 1t on good
authority that twelve and eight merchants
clerks respectively, at salaries of from 800 to
90 COO per wear. could attend to all the duties