The New York herald., 1868-01-07
Respectfully submit for consideration the folio wing

officials Managed as they now are ana they always
nave been aud m1st Do while puolc officers manage
them, they er merely 10 afford places for large
number OF officials who draw large salaries for COM
paratively small services. There 10 no reason why
marse t bssisss The CITY owns tho properly and now
rents In stalls and small parcels 10 numerous lea
sses Ihs CITY Obliged 70 coueci sns len.s 2, rnou
all the repairs. There IL not only constant struggla
for Official appointments In the markets. but sug2le
also among political favortss Tor market stands ana
stalls The city SUFFERS the political party in power
suffers and the market men suffer. LIS .ef5s N
The remedy clearly lies 10 the simple plan OF sale OF
the Zee or the mako. properly, Of leases Of II for
long term OF years for market purposes THIS shoua
not be done however. except witn que regard, NOT
who have established business To the markets The
Iatees Of tho city will not suffer in the least degree
by extending TO the market men the necessary protec
tion. II will be rather benefited by IT,
Ny plan is simply this. viz Tho Commissioners OF
the sinking Fund ito which fund all market rents aud
proceeds Of sales Of marke, property pedged should
be authorized and empowered 10 sell a. public auction,
to the highest bidder all the property now In actual use
for purposes. else 10 sell lease or the same
long term of years. They should impose az con-
ditions upon The purchasers, that The property
should continue 10 be used market property;
that market buildings, of class and style
to be approved by them TO be made known before the
time Of saio should 90 erected upon The premises and
markets the first choice and preference should be given
to the market men who have at the time OF sale an
established business there. valuation OF tho property
in all cases OF sales Of real estate under he ord
nances 10 be made before the SALE would prevent any
oI INC property luero Is no Necessity ia tulS
communication Of stating in greater detail how
this plan could bo carried out IL Is simple and
practicable. The result ! am confident would be that
In single year would have markets which would be
Q credit and ornament 10 the city; aud the Sinking
Fund would receive revenue equal 10 the lawful
interest the actual value Of the property. II II
objected that this plan contempass the retention OF
present market Sites have only 70 reply that their
retention seems necessary ior reason that unoccn-
pied parcels OF ground which In sze location and
value would be adapted 10 The required purpose, can
II these views meet with favor .rus. tho Commits
soners Of the Sinking Fund. with the concurrence Of
the Common Council, will make tne proper effort. dur
passage OF the necessary aw 70 authorize the execution
= - Second--Asto 70 Wnarvss and Piers at
Some Of the wharves which owned BY the city are
under leases Tor long term OF year which leases the
city alone has the right to terminate, the wharves
% wnarves ; are s leased only for single s. year.
with the same right reserved TO tho city
me city alone can resume possession for the purpose OF
public Improvement other public use. No State
board or metropolitan commission could do 1t men
ton this tact as OF great importance. The average
nual expense OF rebuilding and repairing the wharves
and piers exceeds the derived from them. The
present rates OF wharfage and dockage established BY
tho State Legislature SO low that lessee cannot
afford 10 pay rental nearly equal 70 the interest on the
estimated value OF the wharf properly Tnc power to
rebuild and improve and the to establish Of
wharfage and dockaGe should be vested In tho body
II this joint power should be exercised with wisdom
ana discretion have doubt that the from
the piers would pay the interest lhe Of the
property, and the cost OF improvement, and leave
considerable baauce every year for sinking fund for
the payment OF the principal OF such COST and In the
end would yield large 70 wards paying the general
expenses Of The city. To attain this end submit the
following plan, which Is. IN my Judgment as practical
and practicable as 1t is simple
Il will DO recolleced that all rents of wharyes and
PIERS and all proceeds OF the sales thereof belong
Commissioners Of the sinking Fund. This Commission
Is made up Of tho Mayor Comptroller and City Cham
beraiu, tho Recorder, the Chairman OF the Finance
Comn,;es Of The Board Of a Adsrmsn and the Chairman
IL represents therefore, tho Executive Finance De-
Earsmens Of the city, the Judiciary and both
tho Commissioners OF tho sinking Fund, together
with three persons to bo appointed BY the Mayor shall
constitute a Board Of Wnarvos and Piers suggest
this addition of three persons TO be appointed by the
Mayor because it will enable him have representa-
ton the Board OF the commercial interests and OF
men Of practical knowledge and experience In c0nnec.
tion with the subject Tho Board thus constituted
should have the entire charge and control of all the
be authorized to make and adopt general system
Of improvement and 70 carry II into execution and op-
tho necessary moneys (under such limitations as the
Legislature may prescribe to be raised upon bonds TO
be issued on authority OF the Common Council Il
rents u all Cases 70 bc paid, as now, into the sinking
fund.- and should also nave power to nx the of
wharfage and dockage in all cases
These general suggestions my plan The details
Of need not be stated In this Il can only be
BY q new metropolitan District Commirsioa which
venture TO say Is now mpossibeb or by Interested par
ties, who having some personal end TO attain will OPP
connected
have thrown out these Suggestions because am sat.
sed that the great work only be accomplished
public work. see no reason to believe iha, an ab.
soute sale Of the per properly 70 indlvieua owners
called private piers IN this city are but ie any, bet
Ter Than those belonging TO the city. Tho best piers
have arc those which are occupied exclusively BY
improvements adapted to their own wants But this
great commercial city needs a general Improvement
upon general pan and there must be, am satisfied,
n public Dlan operation by publiC
The present rates OF wharfage viii not justify the
ton VI first class piers either by the city or by private
owners. II the city sets the example Of improvement
winch have suggested and the Board be authorized TO
FIX the rates OF wharfage there can be no doubt that pr
vate owners will make equal improv sments as
they could well do under The increased rates.
EXTENSION OF YTrH AVENUE, Ero.
In my last annual message called the attention OF
the Co mmon Council TO the propriey OF extending Fifth
avenue through Washington square, and then widening
Iaurens street to West Broadsay Also to tae exton-
sion OF Centre street TO lafayette place which connects
with Fourth avenue. These suggestions received no
attention from the Common Council OF 1861. trust
your honorable body win appreciate their importance
cosNLusroS
have made this message strictly . business com mu-
ncation. feel constrained now, by reason OF the
length to which II has unavodably been extended. 70
omt any present reference matters interest
ana importancc 10 which shall take occasion from
time 70 time hereafter 10 call your attention shall
endeavor, during the continuance OF our official
connection to maintain relations OF harmony and
confidence with the members Of tho Common Council.
invite and free expression OF opn
umes upon puOuc Questions we may Often
and in such cases shall hesitate 10 speak frankly
and follow tho convictions Of my own judgment and the
dictates OF my own c0nscicncc. Inasmuch - under
present laws Il requires threefourths vote to pass
any measure OF importance and only . two-thirds
vote 70 override the Mayors veto, . veto will bs
OF but little except to enable me 10 express my
own views aud make my record. shall interpose
u only when deem II absolutely necessary, and trust
Il will be considered except fairy and with
spcct Let unite In doing all We can 70 defend the
integrity and 10 assers the right Of our city and w gov
crnment
l close this communication with IN expression Of
my sincere desire. and hope that the year upon
which just entering may be an event
full In the history Of city and our country |;
that We may bc restored At least 70 portion of.our
municipal rights and privileges; that our country may
be prosperous and happy; and that the great CONNER
cia interests OF our city and the H greater interests
real and substantial union Of all the States under the
constitution, aud BY restoration OF perfect peace and
harmony among the people OF our whole land.
JOHN T. HOFFMAN, Mayor.
THE CITY BUDGET FOR 1858.