New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-20
THE MAYORS MESSAGE.
OFFICIAL HISTORY OF OUR MUNICIPAL
INFORMATION.

L
INFORMATION.
,ur INCREASE IN THE DEBT LESS THAN ASTICI-
rATED-THs ESTIMATES FOR 1874 UNUSUALLY
sN,II-PuBIIC WORKS DEPARTMENT POWER
TOO CONGRATULATIONS COMMISSIONS AND
SPECIAL LEGISLATION NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
CLAIMS PgNDING-THE REVENUE INCREASED
THE NEW CITY PRISON AND BROOKLYN BRIDGE
CONDEMNED.
The principal interest which attached itself to
the meeting of either branch of the Common Coun-
Gil Yesterday was the reception and reading OF the
annual MESSAGE of the Mayor for the year 1874.
The Board of Aldermen met at $50 p. m. pursuant
10 adjournment, President Vance in the chair, and
all the members present. After the reading OF the
minutes, a communication was announced from the
Mayor. containing his annual Message. Alderman
McCaiferty called for the reading. and the Clerk,
Gen Pinckney. proceeded to do so. Following is
The full text OF this document.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, I
MAYORS OFFICE, Jan. 10, l5I4.}
10 N, Honorable ne Common Council:
GENTLEMEN On the commencement OF another year
OF official life grttulate your Honorable Body and
the Executive Departments of the City Government on
the suspicous close the that is past in the free
dom OF the city from the pesteuce by which some Of
our sister cities have been afflicted, and In the good
order and health which has very generally prevailed.
BIS the Charter IL Is made the duty OF the Mayor to
communicate 20 the Common Council at least once q
year general stltement of the Finances, Government
aud Improvement OF the CITY, and to recommend all
such measures as he shall deem expedent."
Since NV last annual communication to your Honor
able Body the laws relative TO the government OF the
oty have modified IN respect OF certain details OF
administrator. and doubtless. IN some minor matters
improved Fv the PROVISIONS OF what Is called the ne"
(barter III. opporfunity has been afforded to recon
struct the Ber0nslO of the Departments through
the nominations Boz, the Mayor and confirmation by the
Aldermen. The OLD aud vicious system OF pluray OF
heads OF Departments j., however, still retained sys
fem As Objectionable that OF independent commissions
aud almost rs p)ns be The time that has elapsed
since the appointment of the heads OF the Departments
has been altogether too short to Justify comment upon
their acts They have scarcely yet cleared away tue
rubbish left by THOR predecessors In many OF them
economies and sslutaTy regulations have been intro
ducod which have resulted in and will continue to YIELD
the fruits Of substantial reform
TIE CITY FINANCES,
The great subject that underlies the stability, the
progress and the cceptablenesS Of all governments,
the monetary question. 1t always forms the cher
subject criticism, and Is often the one most difficult
a. administer satisfactorily. 1t is very moderate
abatement OF the facts 20 say that of period In the his
tory If this city has the management OF Its finances
bceu attended with anything approaching the difficult
tics aud complications that have surrounded and beset
the present a..mlul- tI5tOn.
Indeed. the condition OF our financial affairs at the
period they assumed by the present head of the
Finance Depatn,ut was without parallel in the annals
81 municipal history IL at the commencement OF a
Transition period epoch characterized by social
Decentralization dsre gard of the Obligations OF public
duty Official D.'y-t, fraud and crime, toward an era
demanding higher morality and pureg and better
standard OF public administration.
Daring this period there has been required the vigor
necessary TO oppose methods of maeyoent and cor
r,p' officials the past and forbearance and patience
.I. inpIt ubp aRE
the restoration Of e credit Of the city and OF protecting
the treasury las involved continued persistent, and
inreuittng cont Wih claimants OF the most desper-
ate ANA corrupt character.
The following tabular statement shows the condition
ol the public deb:
Tue Bonded Debt o tLc CITY ani
amounted ................. 81 81 2O4 81 %
sinking Fund smoaatsd to-. "a Sjs6l7 50
Yet 8.bt..................... slO6S7l s53 70
H.. present Control. assumed
~ .Iem 10 of ~. Finance
O.lsftuelt on lG.l september.
1871 D which date bOadei
.vi Funded Deb. o. CITY and .. - -