The New York herald., 1869-06-08

seem to warrant. II, however, the money raised is
submit to be taxed for useful purpose; put u tne
reports OF the recent proceedings oil the boaru vi
are to be relied TINS msy ANA
u would seem, have not always been observer py
that body In the administration OF the anairs n en-
trusted to them. Recent Developments, iet US nope,
WIN result IN a1ordng remedy ior TINS s.a.e ss 0s
things. ! find In the detailed estimate TWO ltenns
amounting to si2 Sooone ior tae O OF OF
music teachers, amounting to $1,000 am iar Irom
believing that 1t was ever contemplated by the mos.
ardent advocate OF free schools that music should
be consd to form such an essential part OF COM
mon school education aS to be paid for Dy TAX. As
well might 1t be claimed that the other branches OF
the 1ne arts the study Of the dead languages OF VI
recondite sciences, should also be included lttle
infusion of old fashioned republican simplicity
lie Schools Less regard for display and greater at
tention 10 the proficiency Of the children III their eie
mentary studies should be the primary object ana
the one test OF the character Of schools and the
measure OF their efficiency and worth.
FIRE DEPARTMENT MATTERS
and hs ces m @ o the De-
partment during the past few years Is reviewed,
showing the steady increase Of expenditures under
the old system. "Ihe actual amount OF money Wnlcn
Will have TO be provided for and put In the next tax
list for Fire Department purposes will be $3.50, $685.
Notwithstanding the rapid and frequent increase IN
expenditures the Department as yet Is but little II
any more efficient than formerly; and It is doubtful
whether the change now contemplated VIII not be
as unsatisfactory as the former changes"
THE GOwANUs CANAL COMMISSION,
in the opinion Of the Mayor. could have paid no
special attention to an economical expenditure ol
the taxpayers money
THE PARKS.
On this subject the message enlarges and states-
When 1t Is remembered that in 1850 it was esti-
mated by the Commissioners and provided by law
that the whole cost OF Prospect Park would not ex-
ceed $43O,OOO for Improvement and that the law or
1861 provided that mo plan should be adopted by
the Commissioners Of which tho entire expense
should exceed $500 00O" will it cause no sstonish
ment to mud that f9r interest alone on the Park
debt, we are already called upon to raise S578 300 for
one year, Which sum Will be increased annually for
some years TO conner Aside from this large amount
for for, interest we are now called % upon to to
ST9,655 additional for improving Washington
Park, making total amount OF s742, 600
T pen sn for one bv
bonds one single dollar. This amount is $4,000
more than was raised by tax only ten years ago. to
cleaning Streets salaries of public officers, and all
other city expenses whatever. Independent OF this
there are sun another hal: million Of dollars Of
bonds authorized by law to be issued.
lt VIII cost millions OF dollars more before tho
Park Is completed, and although the expense Is not
by issuing bands and the time Of payment spread
over years, the interest on this debt may prove
eventually very burdensome to the tax paving COM
munity. 1t already adds very nearly onehaf of one
our taxes are four per cent, they would only be
three and one half per cent without It, 1t will be an
easy matter for our taxpayers to estimate what 1t
costs them annually for park purposes.
OTHER ITEMS OF THE BUDGET
are reviewed, and an increase noted in each one
over the year preceding. For police purposes
S33, 900 OF increase Is called for this year. With
gard TO the suggestion made Tor the establishment OF
public baths by the city the Mayor doubts the au-
thority requisite for such work being vested In
the municipal government without permission of
the Legislature. The message concludes as fol-
lows-The city of Brooklyn is justly considered one
OF the most desirable for residence on this Cont
nent. The various improvements made OF late have
greatly contributed to its advancement and beauty.
Let us continue TO add to these attractions but regu
late our expenditures therefor so that we may re-
tain hourishing ana prosperous population to en-
Joy these advantages and not residents driv
en- away from inability to support the burdens en-
tailed upon us by rash and reckless expenditures.