The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-20
Review of the Past Years City Admin
iStratiOn, Fiscal and Political
DEPARTMENTAL DUTIES.
Errors of Legislation as They
Affect Local interests.
WAsrED--A RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, /
MAYORS OFFICE, Jan. 10, 1874. /

To THE HONORABLE THE COMMON COUNCn:-
GxsrLKMEs-on the commencement OF another
wear of ofncia life congratulate your honorable
body and the executive depar tments OF the city
government the suspicious Close OF the one that
Is past in the freedom OF the city from the pesti-
Ience by which some OF our sister cities have been
afflicted and in the good order ana health which
has very generally prevailed.
3v the charter 1t is made ''the duty Of the Mayor
to communicate to the Common Council at least
once year general statement OF the finances,
government and Improvements of the city," and
Ito recommend ali such measures as be shall deem
exredient.n
Since my last annual communication to your
honorable body the laws relative TO the govern :
ment OF the city have been modified in respect OF
certain details oil administration, and, doubtless,
IN some minor matters, improved By the pro-
visions OF what is called the new charter
the opportunity has been Afforded to re-
construct the personnel OF most OF the
departments through the nominations by the
Mayor and confirmation by the Aldermen. The old
and vicious system OF plurality OF heads OF de-
partments is, however, still retained-a system as
Objectionable as that of independent commissions
and almost as irresponsible. The time that has
elapsed since the appointment of the heads OF the
depar tments has altogether too short to JUS
tify comment upon their acts. They have scarcely
as yet cleared away the rubbish left by their pred
ecess0rs In many OF them economies and salu-
tary regulations have been introduced which have
resulted H. and will continue to yield, the fruits OF
substantial reform.
The Mayor goes on to say Indeed, the condi-
ton OF financial AFFAIRS the period they were
assumed by the present lead OF the Finance De-
partment was without parallel in the annals Of
municipal history 1t was at the commencement
Uho
lied by social Generalization, disregard Of the
obligations ofpubc duty, official neglect, fraud and
crime, towards an era demanding higher mo-
raty and purer and better standard OF public
administration.
During this period there has been required the
vigor necessary to oppose the methods Of malevo-
lent and corrupt oficals of the past and the for
bearance and patience with the inexperience OF
new incumbents. The task OF the restoration Of
the credit OF the city and Of protecting the
ury has involved one continued, persistent and
unremitring contest with claimants OF the most
desperate and corrupt character.
The Mayor shows by tables that there has been
increase of s10 1o2 s72 80 in the city and county
debt from 1869 to 1874 in assessment bonds alone,
for which the city holds direct lien upon the
properly benented by the improvements, and
that the total increase in the debt from the 10th
OF September, 1871, to January 1, 1874, was
,712 II. The greater portion OF the bonds
representing this increase issued for purposes
belonging to a past era, and not belonging to the
year 1877 and 1873. After crediting the sinking
fund the net increase OF the debt is only
$9.084,42s &c. showing that from money derived
from other sources the debt has been kept down
to the extent OF s., 41o, 2S4 OF.
On the LIST of January 1874. the
amount OF the sinking fund was. 1924, $50, 617 so
On 10th september. 1871, the sinking
Iund amounted TO. 10, ,%3S 4S
showing an increase of............. s5,AO2S4 OF
(Ol this amount only the OF
x64651 ii was derived from the
sale OF public properly and the
payment OF mortgages. The bal
ance, s., 772 II, Is at least in
some degree due to increased
vIgor in collecting and outstanding
the city revenues.l
Tue expenditures Tor maintaining the
government OF the city and county
for the year 1871 were not less than $50 3d. $50 Al
The expenditures for 1872 did not
exceed. 81, 100000 90
The expenditures for 1878 were ABOUT 100000 90
A fair comparison OF the expenses
wOuid show that those OF 1873 are
less than those OF 1871 by more than $1,000 900 90
1t may suit the purpose Of those interested in
the restoration Of regime of misgovernment to
charge upon the present administration the re-
spOnsibty for an increase Of debt and taxation
hch is the direct consequence OF the OF their
pre- decessors in office. How entirely the present
administration is Tree from any reproach in this
after may be inferred from the tact that for 1872
and 1873 in spite OF the bad Inheritance OF previous
years. the current expenses of the government
were met by an average rate Of 7o-l00 per cent
for ca Oh year. while In 1871 the actual distin-
guished from the nominal rate, was about three
and oDe-haif per cent.
II the estimates for 1874 seem TO reveal a less
favorable state OF things the difference is only ap-
parent The Board OF Apportionment has found it
necessary to appropriate $50 70 to meet the
expenses OF government for the present year. OF
this amount $24, 1873 800 10 is required to provide
for expenditures already fixed by law. 1t is SIM
ply over the balance OF S15,O25,546 90 that the
Board could exercise any discretion whatever and
the apportionment of this sum had obviously to be
regulated by the growing wants of the city, In pro-
vfding for ITS increased area, by the imperative
necessities OF the current business and the decayed
condition OF many OF its public buildings and the
Tnc estimate Of expendtsres of ali aseouns
1874 Is but slightly in excess OF the actual
penditures OF 1871. But 1t win be seen tnat under
the PROVISIONS OF law the city and county are re-
quired TO raise during the present year the follow
ing amounts IN excess OF those required for 1871.
The State tax is nearly $1,o00,000 higher than in
1871. Three million dollars more required to
nav the interest on the debt. For the redemption
o. funded bonds nearly ay ye 70 De p5o
The Fourth avenue improvements demand
$500, 900 and the Police Department 81 900 for
street. cieaniuS, aouitions W vhC 90, ~ CA
OF what had to be supplied In 1871. Various
additions and improvements to the city property
which would, under the old system have been paid
for by the issue Of bonds Will this year be met out
OF the proceeds OF taxation.
Under the apportionment OF 1874 the rate OF taxa
ton LOT the year Will amount to 40-lOO per cent on
l2s i3s 623 the assessed value Of 1878. This is so
high rate that 1t Is tmperatfvey necessary tnat
no iurther APPROPRIATIONS or expenditures should
be sanctioned by the Legislature calculated to In
crease the burdens Of the city. To prevent any
sucn legisiation invite the cooperation OF your
honorable body.
The proportion OF the State tax required this
year from New YORK city and county amounts TO
over tweny per cent OF the entire tax levy OF the
city and county, and maintains its usua DISPARITY
with that collected from the rest of the state. II
IL standing injustice to this community that it
should be called upon to pay nearly onehalf of the
entire expenses OF the state government
We are this year required by law TO proyide
$36443s7 ", by the issue Of the bends OF the city
as our portion OF an unexplained absence of over
$6,000,000 In certain sinking funds OF the State
which BY the constitution and laws are made inv-