New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-06-15
THE pURSE or FORTUNATUS.

THE PURSE OF FORTUNATUS.
II is only since we have had an opportunity
to study the Reports of the Mayor, Controller,
and the various departments of the City Gov
eminent that we have been able to appre-
ciate how great a reform Mr.. Tweed promised
when he undertook to carry on the local gov
| ernments of the City and County OF New
| York, pay the interest on their debts, and the
principal az il fell due, and turn over to the
Controller at Albany the City's share OF
the State taxes, and all this out OF a
sum not exceeding two per cent of the
assessed valuation of the real and personal
estates of the City. This is an undertaking
| from which Hamilton might have shrunk
appalled, In comparison with it, as the Mayor
and The World do not hesitate to boast, Mr.
Boutwell's achievements sink to insigniiicance.
Mark how bold and specific is the pledge. 1t
il in Chapter $50 of the Laws of the State OF
| New-York popularity known as the 1.-TWO Per
"Cent" bill, that the pleasing prospect Is
spread before the taxpayer. We quote the
| whole of Section q
From the sum raised in each OF said years shall
be paid all the expenses Of the CITY and County Govern
mens for all their departments and purposes for each
OF said years, and also the interest on the City acd
| County debts the principal OF such debts falling
| DUE and tho proportion OF the State tax pay
| able by said City and County in each Of said
| years respectively; and no liabilities shall be
| incurred for any purpose in either of said years
which SHALL with the State tax for such year. and the
principal of the City and County debts
able such year. make the aggregates Of the expenses
of the City and County Governments together for each
OF said years amount 70 than two per cent upon the
valuation aforesaid with the addition hereinbefore pro-
vded ii. e. the OF the quota Of the State tax
for NewYork County in 1871 1872 over the quota Of
| 1870.
| Here is a solemn promise, drawn up by Mr.
Tweed himself, enacted by Mr.. Tweed's
Legislature. approved by Mr. Tweeds Gov
ernor, and to be enforced by the COurts-in
fine, a compact fortified by every pledge and
sanction that can surround lava promise that
T. The State tax, 2. All the expenses of the
| City and County Governments, 3. The interest
on the City and County debts, and 4. The
principal of such debts falling due in the, years
| 1871 and 1872 respectively, shall not, all told,
exceed in each year two per cent of the
assessed valuation of the real and personal
estates of the city, plus 81 100000 excess of State
tax, or, to be specific, $23,3OO,0OO Mayors
Message, p. S. This was hailed on all sides
as sgnifying reform. Mr.. Tweed received
credit from both Republicans and Democrats,
and since that time every utterance from the
reconstructed City Governments has been
anxiously awaited and carefully studied. The
public, though not exactly satisfied, and per-
haps not prepared to give Mr. Tweed their
| full confidence, have still not condemned him.
If he carries ont his promises, he doubtless
hopes by this New Departure to carry this
State for the Democratic party in 1872, and
| a., 60, f,,tA thA Tod
States Senate as the successor of Mr.. COnk-
ling
| We are not in a position to know all the
expenses which the City and County will have
to meet in the current year, but the Depart
ment Reports enable us to estimate some of
them, which we have noted down:
The State tax will be. S7i96
The interest the City debt............. 3,74712l
The interest on the County debt ......... 2iOOlll
| The Schools will require, and above the
amount received from the State 2,O0,OOO
| The Prisons, Almshouses, Hospitals, and other
Public Charities. l5Oo0O
The Police Department ................... 2,5OoOOO
The Fire Department IGoOOO
Street Lamps and Gas. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 1,0O00Od
Street cleaning 100000
The Parks 5Oo,OOC
Salaries OF Judges the Courts &c.......... loo00O1
Miscellaneous Legislation. Mayoraty, Finance,
Public Works Health. Rents &c............. 5,oOOOO
,lj9,lS'
We presume Mr.. Tweed would not think of
dispensing with any large portion of the fire.
men, policemen, public school teachers, or
street cleaners He would not close the
courts, hospitals, prisons, lunatic asylums, and
alms-h0uses. He would not leave us in dark
ness by putting out the street lamps, or in
filth by ceasing to clean the streets. We have
allowed handsome retrenchment from last
years outlays in each of the above named
sources of expenditure, while for the mis-
cellaneous" we have gone a step further
than the Board of Appointment, having cut
them down 80 per cent.
We have mentioned but one class of the
demands which Mr.. Tweed undertakes to
meet out Of the proceeds of his two per cent
tax. As We learn from the exhibit of the City
and County finances prepared by Controller
Connolly and Mayor Hall, the following in
debtedness falls due in the fiscal year ending
May I, 1872:
City Revenue bonds IA 800.
County Revenue bonds 10, 500 300
Docks and slips bonds 5000
Volunteer soldiers Family Aid bonds. No t.. 6OoOOo
Total s9lll 100
Mr. Tweed did not promise that he will
carry on the City and County Governments
aud public works for s233OQ.0oO. plus an IN