The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-11-11

We understand that Comptroller Connolly
and the Commissioners OF the Sinking Fund
will be prepared 10 submit to the State Lsgis-
lature, at an early day OF the approaching ses-
sion, . full repors OF the present condition Of
tho piers and whsrves Of New York, the
amounts and periods for which they are leased,
and the work necessary to be done in order to
put them in . proper coudilion TO meet the
demands OF the commerce OF the port. With
his statement will be submitted q practical
plan by which this valuable public property
n speedily BIS made 10 yield . large revenue
TO the city, instead Of being, as II now is, .
burden to the taxpayers and disgrace to the
great commercial metropolis; and the complex
ion Of the next Lag stature lead, to she hope
that it may be promptly adopted and put into
the shape Of law.
The dock property is worth from one hun
dr. d to one hundred and fifty million dollars
Such an estate owned by q private individual
would be made TO yield princely income
Under honest management It would pay lasge
portion OF the expenses of the city government.
II has not done so for number Of years past
because il has been in the hands Of politicians
who have made jobs out of that ~ out OF all
the public properly, and because number Of
greedy lobby adventurous have been striving
tn get il into their own hands. The city has
made no repairs, and tho leases have be IN held
BY men who have tried 10 make all the money
they could during their term Of occupation,
| needless Of wha! became Of the properly after
wards. Indeed, the rates of wharfage have
not boon high enough to warran. its beng pu,
into proper order. TIE Legislature might
have remedied the evil by proper legislation,
but this has been prevented by the intrigues
and influence Of designing men, who desired
that the docks should fall into dilapidation as
plea for giving them over 10 private hands,
Whatever sum Is found necessary 10 entirely
rebuild or thoroughly repair al the piers and
wharves belonging 10 the city should be
raised at once by loan and the work done.
The leases should then all be made ct fair
rentals, such as private owners would ask for
similar property, the city doing all the future
repairs. The rates Of wharfage should be
raised to an amount that would warrant the
payment Of fair rent by the lessee, 80 as TO
ensure TO the city an income large enough 70
keep up the repairs, pay tho interest on the
loan and set apart proper amount as sink
| ing fund for the redemption OF the bonds. We
understand that the lessess who hold leases run
ming until 1876 would chccrully relinquish
them for Others ~ an equitably increased rent
II this policy should be carried out The
spectators who are striving 10 lay their fingers
on tho piers and wharves would pursue just
such plan ~ this and make enormous for
times out OF the job There Is no reason why
the city should not keep the property in It's
| own hands aud realize the benefits to be Sc
cured from its Improvement and proper
management.
II The very respectable gentlemen who met
| together last Friday to listen 20 food Of
commonplace twaddle about our piers and
wharves, and who raised committee Of .
hundred or hundred and nfty highly polished
fossils to take the matter into consideration,
will back up the City Comptroller In his efforts
70 improve the public properly and increase the
city revenues, instead Of being led BY their
respectable noses by clique Of lobby adven-
turers and speculstors, thief will confer prac-
Hcsl beneat upon the CITY, and In Ne shape Of
dsorcsssd taxstisa win ssvs considerable 81