The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-05

commenced several years since nave made little
or return for the large advances which the city
has made for them; and this delay, which operates
arrears with tSe ius goes far to cripple
the energies oil the city IN carrying on other and
sr eadny NOT onlS by the partes more mmedlstey
I interested but by the citizens generally.
am 10 Isvor o, prScsedlng Win our e pIoc
with the growth OF the city and | consider that
this may De accomplished without increasing the
tention there ought TO De no difficulty IN securing
out OF large amount OF assessments imposed and
TO be imposed return sufficient TO carry on as
EXTENSIVELY as the requirements Of the CITY de-
mand, all the most pressing OF the works in prog
property owners have the solution OF the question
much in their own hands. The assessment debt
tner work be prosecuted, 1t is but due to the city
that this debt owing by them should be paid. and
can obtain further sums 70 De applied 10 new
WORKS.
The construction OF the roadway or arrive adj
joining the Riverside Park should be at once pro-
rct under the OF aw had to pay
large assessment upon their properly Tor the
asR to form this Ho% a ts the pro
itself should be improved am not at present
prepared 70 say bu! the drive or avenue form
and the construction OF tins roadway is but
an act Of Justlce 70 those who nave nave
tnat that work should be at once pros.
ecuted 10 completion. IL VIII secure access 10
an extensive tract OF ground. the value OF winch
Will be thereby considerably enhanced, and this
increased value Will inure to the benefit OF the
city rs an accession to Its taxable fund. recon-.
mend this subject TO your early CONSIDERATION. and
trust that you will concur with me IN the proprietv
prosecution Of the work mentioned.
There Is difierence OF opinion as 10 the merits
Riverside parks. We're 1t an open question it
may be doubted whether at the present DAY the
IDEA would be entertained or su0Jectng the city
m he O
chosen Tor the Morningside PARK But work upon the
road or avenue running IRON 10th to iz2d street,
proposed boundary OF this park on the west has
been PROCEEDED with TO considerable extent
The money already expended Ia tae construction
of this road Will entirely lost to the city II tile
work is permitted to remain as at present; and.
even II further prosecution OF that work Is only
temporarily delayed, the expense OF completing
II will be much increased, because IN Its present
by the elements. That TINS avenue Will be pub
lie benefit when completed there can be no queS-
n nUn n wtnout po any unnecessary delay.
submit the subject 10 your favorable consideration
and prompt action.
WORK FOR THE HUNGRY.
In this connection 1t may not be Improper to
suggest that the immediate prosecution OF the
| work upon the Riverside roadway and Morning.
! side avenue will give LABOR TO many who are at
present suffering through enforced idleness. 1t Is,
to be sure, part Of the business OF government,
as SUCH to furnish work Tor any Of it's citizens;
but in all large cities the public works provide Tor
portion OF the community, who are dependent
pension OF these works is serious mist ,rtune to
those dependent Such persons desire not
anor when Properly areCted Contributes to the
wealth OF the city 1t ought to be secured when 1t
| Is practicable 70 do so.
The manner in which our public works should be
carried on, whether by days labor or by contract,
| Is subject which must necessarily come before
| you. and as to which you will be called upon to
act. Apart from those special laws passed by the
Legislature authorizing The construction OF par
ticular works, the charter provides that any work
to be constructed by behalf OF the city, at an
expense exceeding 81 0oo shall be BY contract, on
dered by q vote Of three-iourths OF the members
elected to the Common Council
OF course, It Is not Tor me now to anticipate
sider 1t TOR the public interest to exercise the
power thus vested in you, but the circumstances,
character and the benefit to the city should be
clear and unmistakable, TO warrant you in per-
ee9s Butt the 5 s s eoHa
Il IS worthy 81 your consideration wnesSer
HSs lowest Ser n0i not be In evsly
instance, aproper person to be intrusted with the
performance Of the work, and r. may be found teat
elimination in the matter Ougnt to be vested in
its onncers must not, however, be understood
as favorinR what are known as special contracts.
TO all such am uncompromsingly opposed.
HONEST WORK ON CITY IMPROVEMENTS.
with the manner In which some OF the pubic
works nave been constructed-the pavements, Tor
instance; and the question recars, How can we
fapeS s Wqd be made n
the work. when completed under IL, shall
be as substantial as WORK OF that character can be
made, and to secure THIS different system oil In
spection from that now in operation is necessary.
No person should be placed, as inspector, superln
work Oh the city, matter Of what descrpton il
may be, whose character and practical know edge
OF themselves a guarantee that t6oroughness on
the part Of the contractors will be exacted before
the work is allowed TO be accepted by the city.
AS this entire matter OF inspection or public
works is regulated by ordinances passed BY the
Common Council the subject Is one which 1t Is Pc
cullary IN your power to remedy
Many OF the pavements south OF Forty second
street and those Of some OF the avenues are today
veloped the fact that wooden pavements, as here
tofore constructed cannot be maintained In such
a condition as to make them useful or safe. All
the streets and avenues in which TINS pavement
has been laid and those in which other pavements
are IN condition to impede travel, ought to be
repavea with trap or granite olocks-the only
classes OF pavements which have met the require
ments OF our commerce and trafic and the best
authorities, however. are not in position to
remedy the evils from which we are suffering
vdes that mo street., avenue or puDc place in
the city OF New York which has been once paved
and the expenses thereof paid Tor by the owners
OF the adjoining property by assessment shall
hereafter be paved at their expense nor shall any
! assessment JnereIOr De imposed unless the same
shall be petitiOned for by majority OF the owners
OF the property Iwho shall also be the owners OF
proposed improvement AS the city has no
authority TO Issue its bonds for paving streets
cept on the security OF assessments to be imposed,
IN all cases where assessments are prohibited the
city Is prohibited from issuing bonds borrowing
money upon bonds Tor improving or renewing the
pavement OF any street or avenue in the city
! which has already been once paved.
AN UNwIsE DISTINCTION
Under the law the property owners alone can
apply the remedy, and It Will be well Tor them to
consider whether n they delay taking action in
the matter, the business in the streets upon
which their property lies may not be driven away
to other localities more favorable because pro-
vided with streets better paved.
The law has made a distIn ctiOn-the reason for
which II is difficult to perceIve--between the pub
lie works OF the city which lie TO the norm and
those to the south OF the Harlem river. The care
| OF all the streets, roads, avenues and sewers Of
the city TO the south OF the Harlem river, except
those In public parks and places is under the SUI