New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-20
MUNICIPAL RETRENCHMENT.
THE EXPENSES OF THE DEPARTMENTS CRITICAL
EXAMINED.

| THE EXPENsEs OF The DEPARTMENTS CRITICALLY
| EXAMINED
| The recent publication i'll the official journal
OF the names aud salaries OF the employees in the several
departments suggested to certain members OF the Board
Of Aldermen that reduction in the number and salaries
could he effected without de,rment TO the pablo ser
! vice. Accordingly resolution was passed favorng the
appointment OF Joint committee, consisting Of three
members Of each Board Of the Common Council, TO in
yestigate the details of the business transacted
10y the departments On Feb. 3 the Board
OF Assistant Aldermen concurred in the taken
by the Aldermen. The jolut committee consisted Of
AIdermea Asssgaerty BILLINGS md 9iJteIaas2gier
ana Assistant Aldermen Clancy, KeOgh and Healy
on Feb. Q, Assistant Alderman Healy introduced q
resolution calling attention to the large number OF
residents who hold positions in the city departments
TO the exclusion OF actual residents claiming that such
an unjust distribution of patronage has been increasing
from year 10 year. and there is reason to fear that the
business of the municipal Offices will be entirely con
troned and conducted by those who reside ana pay
taxes elsewhere than in NewYork, and calling for the
appointment Of committee TO examine the rates OF
salaries paid, and report with suggestions az TO the
measures TO be taken TO prevent nonresidents from
holding positions under the CITY Government This
resolution referred to the Joint Committee. The
first session OF the Joint Committee held on Feb II,
but a, there doubt a. TO their power 10 pro-
coed nothing OF Importance done The second
held yesterday In the Chamber OF the Board
OF Aldermen under resolution adopted at the previous
session to begin the work of investigation with the De
partlnent of Docks. Aldermen McCaferty and often
dorfer and Assistant Aldermen keOgh and Clancy OF
the Committee present, Commissioners Budd and
Gardner OF the Department OF Docks, and small
number of residents.
Commissioner Budd, in reply TO Mr. OttendOrfer, said
that he entered his duties May 10 1873 since then
the laboring force under the department has been
increased and clerical force decreased but what
extent he could not tell without examining the records
the number OF has been essened and Of
collectors increased Being asked TO the expenditures
OF the department Mr. Budd said he could not give the
exact amount but referred the Committee 10 the quar-
ery reports printed in The City Record, IN which all the
details given the total expense from May TO- 1873, 10
Feb A. 1874. S57i2ll &C. a million was appropriated
for department. bonds TO the amount OF half mil
lion were sold and drawn against 10y the department.
The expenditures for building and repairing piers
aud making preparations for next seasons work. Mr..
Budd declared that It would he utterly impossible
him 10 questions in regard 10 details without
having the books of he Department.
The Chairman said that man was brought from
Dutchess County to NIL an official position. Such pro
ceedlng disgTdceul while residents OF this city
were idle At tins stage Of the session. the COmmis-
unable TO reply several questions IT
determined to postpone the investigation into the De-
partment OF Docks until Tuesday noon, when IL will he
conducted at the Department office. The Committee
then adjourned until Saturday noon, when the Depart
ment OF Buildings will be taken up.