New-York tribune., 1872-07-16
npw-voRK DAILY TRIBUNE. TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1872

fhf nd
the ten years and the details Of the opposition enconn
tered are little curious and interesting The pre-
eating the popular mind up TO the point where II IS
clearly perceiyed that the object and the aim OF the
building ag are g Sny the @ PtSpsh While ff the duties
OF the Department merely TO watch over these inter-
opthv of note however that the chief opposition to
the enforcement OF the reguatOns mas been cOnhed "
gapS tS fbe Object Of The law The adoption OF some eff
Client method Of escape In case vi nie ron 90
party-was each in turn fercey opposed by this class
of persons when FIRST proposed, nave now come huV
general use by good builders not only IN NewIork but
In other cities, where laws TO enforce lhelr
adoption do not exist inc shusucS con cVnoVln i
nortant from its durability beauty, and economy, iron
has generally adopted for building puIposes Dut 70
render ts empoyment quite safe requires 70 De tested
The provision the law making this necessary met WIN
opposition until abundant ehpeIlece;a uDrsSa s
by the best authorities on building have confirmed tne
wisdom OF the law Comparison OF statiscs 9i seVeIa
years also exhibits the substantial growing au paoes %
prosperity Of the city. During the year enus hpl ~ o.
iS2 plans and specifications were suDmteu W lue ~
partment for examination and approval 1
new buildings all classes and l3i3 Old Duiuhgs Ior
alterations and repairs The estimated cost Oh tne new
buildings s3 soOG and OF the ana Teprs m
buildings in year. During the same period z,C9o
buildings completed. and 1883 new ones ones com com
menced; 200 alterations completed ana l,Z2i COM
menced. or the plans offered for approval loS were ~
accordance with law and approved $40 rfgLgd aneeu ]
ment and IO were rejected $50 unsafe buildings were
reported, 81 Of these taken down ana the
made SAFE 1902 violations of law were reported n1aW
recourse 10 the Courts. -.
The growth Of the city and consequent increase OF tne
duties of the Department very apty illustrated III
the summary Of statistics for the several years fOr
in is71 there were 2O6 In 1902 buildings were al
tered and in 1s1 l2O9 During the ten years 5lS new
buildings wereerected and 1859 altered.
TENEMENT HOUSES.
In 1854 there we're but 1900 tenement houses OF all
classes and in the language of the report, in every
possible condition Of danger and diapidation'' flie
escapes unknown. and fire occurring In ono OF
those old buildings became disaster TO an entire hesh
borhOOd There are now over 10000 tenement DOuses o
a far better class and with mostly ehcent means oI
escape IN case OF fire.
DEPARTMENT.
The report OF the Law Department Is especially inter
estng The time Of the Corporation Counsel Is sasiac-
toriy and incesntly occupied In the preparation OF
opinions, and conducting defending suits in which the
corporation entirety is plaintiff defendant For
tunately him tine various departments employ attor
news of their matters separately affecting such
defendants A mscheyous law is the statute book.
which will cost the city great deal Of money In the
end it absolutely prevents compromise OF cor
Controller and the judgment OF the law 0hcers Ins
statute provides that every action brought against the
CorporatIOn must be tried before a jury There
NECESSARILY result accumulations OF costs and
interest. Political corporations, all Tie world over
generally cheaper to compromise than TO tlgate com
promise be had without sacrifice OF principle sooner
or later by hook by crook, the majority OF htgants
against public corporations recover their claims uhuer
the influence Of time and political chances these grow as
and oppofeniIy. killed A notable instance recently
under the Mayors attention Twenty years T agE &
could several times thereafter have COMPROMISED. but
in the end after variety OF compSatlhg @ deg nIus d
unanimous opinion Of the Court OF Appeals GoeG!el
last months Judgment for over SG0OOo me hachli1g
and Deylin claims are, perhaps auditohai hStauces III
additional illustration.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
This Department Is crippled for want OF moneys.
Nlne-tenths Of population know as little aoout the
fl,n lut~u Of has.ll Ia A
child does of the wonders of his mechanical toy there
fore popular obedience health regulations lacks the
inspiration of knowledge Of sympathy W I'm tue requ
tions OF law Inc heal'h r huin0,Ies tt at ~ beaItb
laws only ignorance ana greco, DuL an
tagonishc expenditure of money intended 10 nullfy
them; hence more moneys should be voted for purposes
OF public defense More Inspectors are needed lhese
officers require better salaries. And II the czens Wish
to realize how difficult it is for the authorities to EN-.
force health laws upon community OF @ nlon, t icy
them stop appreciate how hard it Is TO enforce respect
for health upon the members OF even smaI lainuy
community - ,,,opo..,,z.
Tho poard q, street Openings will shortly convene for
the puruose of extending Churchst TO Battery Place
one block and suInvanst to Washington Parade Ground:
another blob and for sre % al nf
the New-York POstOice. Thd board Will also consider
other plans Of city improvements The Mayor hopes That
vour appropriate committees will render such advice
and aid in the matter as may be necessary
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENTS.
The Mayor earnestly begs the Common Council to
enact complete Code Of Ordinances. This is munich
nal matter which has been gTeyOusly delayed State
laws concurrent i'm action with the Charter law, make
an infraction Of every city ordinance msdemean0r.
and Won can exercise enlarged powers 10 Is
now six years since the ordinances were revised Ihey
| have never been adapted TO the present Charter'
The notice and magistrates constantly complain OF con
fusion I'm ordinance enactments. The ordinances respect
ing traffic sales in the public places or use OF streets
and sidewalks opening OF street services Or gas
pines or in respect the deposits OF ashes garbage OF
removing and ice, &C. require especial enarge,
nen and revision. You may fnd under certain laws ana
decisions which have been promugated within the last
wear that the Common Council really possess more power
over y the enactment OF ordinances, than
| either Mayor or Common Council have hitherto sup
nosed You may also accomplish much by investigating
the uerations Of departments in the employed
by discreet Legislative and Congress committees. Agta
| much "a sfafute making, A. OAKEY HALL.