The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-28

tho different commissions empower them TO ask.
Supervisors aud the Mavor signing the warrants
are compelled 70 appropriate Whatever amount OF
money may DC deemed by said several commissions
people were derived or the most important OF Oil
their chartered rghtsthe control OF their expendi-
lures ana disbursements, and consequently OF the
contr0 or direction for the proper carrying on OF the
cly government. Tue result Is seen Ia the enor-
nous amount or taxation levied upon the citizens,
and which has Kept on steadily increasing from year
to year.
THE CITY TAX LAW.
In 1887 the Legislature first asserted by its acts the
riglt TO interfere with the tax levy Of the city.
Previous to that II only claimed the right to reduce
claimed the right or power t. add 10 the asked
for by the city authorities A disagreement ~ this
time between the then Comptroller and the Common
Council relating TO single item OF appropriations
induced that occr 70 ask the interposition OF the
state Legislature In order to reconcile the difference
The Legislature not only su nmarly settled the qnes'
ton In dispute but then claimed to be and mas since
exercised the power OF sole Judge OF what should DO
the amount OF the different APPROPRIATIONS for the
most cherished prerogative Of all iree people from
the earliest hstory-the right Of taxatton-and fCr
the first time the citizens OF New YORK saw them
selves ana their property subjected 10 the yoke OF
Legislature politically opposed to them. few ng
erect OF this usurpaton by the Legislature the
taxation the city and how limited Is the power OF
the local authorities over II.
alton. The entire amount OF this sum charoeable to
the Common Council and for the expenditure OF
which 1t was directly responsible was $l7l0 700 o.
The county and R0ard OF SUPERVISORY responsibility
therein was $3263, 1853 So leaving to the State and
state Commissioners to account Tor the balance.
amounting to $15,028,0sS H. The Committee on
Finance of the Board Of Aldermen showed ny figures
that the State dsbursing Oieers appointed for the
city expended in 1868 nine dollars for every dollar SO
expended by the city authorities. Further comment
on the subject OF the manner OF raising and expend-
T e S "a a b
probably one OF the first measures which the new
Legislature viii turn Its attention to.
Prior to 1849 the Mayor, Aldermen and Common
Council IN pursuance OF the provisions OF the charter
organized the different municipal bureaus and direct
ed the whole official machinery OF the city govern
ment. making from time to time such notifications
and changes therin as The interests Of the CITY ann
the requirements aud exigences OF its rapidly In
Legislature first evinced desire to encrOach upon
the chartered rights of The people.
In this year the legislature abolished the once
OF Commissioner OF Almsh0nses and created a Board
OF Ten Governors, the members Of which they iegis
from the Common Council the power OF appoint
ing an Amshouse Commissioner and the con-
troll and supervision It had always previously
exercised In this department OF the local govern.
ment. subsequently the act relating to the appoint
ment Of these ten governors was repealed and an
act passed for the appointment OF four Counts
sioners OF Charities and Correction, vesting the
power OF appointment IN the Comptroller Of the city,
this office IL still IN the hands Of the Comptroller,
with marked efficiency In the management OF the
department.
THE REGISTRY LAW.
The act abolishing the old Registry law was de-
signed to etter and tramme the voters OF the city OF
New York at the polls on election day and to ham,
Der their action with regard to registration. Prior
to 1905 the voters In each election district or ward
elected their own inspectors or election and can
Board OF Supervisors, and finally to that political
maestrom ana repository Of all local power.
law, which mas been from time 10 time patched
up and tlnkered to accord with the increasing de-
SIRE Of the radical party IN the Legislature to con-
city to selfgovernment until 1t has become SO exact
ing, oppressive az TO call for immediate repeal or
sweeping amendment by the new Legislature when
ever 1t meets.
TnE cRoroN AcoUEDUcT BOARD.
This Board Is also q State Commission, being en-
tirey independent Of the Common Council. 1t is
one OF these. the duties connected with which make
It peculiarly by right one that should solely belong
the composition Of the Board az soon after the Legs
lature meets or other similar pressing obligations
THE PARK COMMISSION.
II Is generally conceded that the PARK Commission
ers. especially the President thereof have deserved
for the success which has attained their close assd
nous and weldirected labors in adorning the CITY
be no desire manifested to maze any change in this
department OF the public works OF the City.
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
The question OF some contemplated innovations on
the courses OF educational studies pursued under
present school system may come up for debate If not
in the coming session. No radical changes how
ever, VIII be made either as regards the composition
Of the Board or the system OF education at present
advantageouslY carried on.
TIE PAID FIRE DEPARTMENT
was the result Of Oneparty legislation like In all tho
other independent boards and commissions. The
new system mas worked well, however, and the citl.
zens gratefully accepted 1t US one OF the few
measures that the Legislature under republican
dictat0n. bunged into existence.
The FOREGOING review OF past republican legislation
presents also the work That awaits the Legislature
to meet on the opening OF the current new year,
1870. The democracy, SO long deprived OF all power
OF CONTROL once more in the front md controlling
rank and all speculation would be naturally directed
to the question, What Will the leaders do with this
newly acquired powerf Speculation thereon, how
ever, has TO verv great extent been set to rest
by the comprehensive and exhaustive exposi.
ton Of the policy OF the party, As published IN the
HERALD OF Friday last, by Peter Bismarck Sweeny,
in the course OF an interview between that acknow
lodged and ablest head OF the party ana OF our
reporters. The programme is SO clearly and fully
laid down that those who run may read, and II there
10 not some tall running done In the way OF legis
lating present 'ins' out and the 'outs" OF to-day
In. IL Will not be the fault OF the hungry seekers
alter place on the various boards and commissions