New-York tribune., 1875-02-17
EFFORTS TO INFLUENCE LEGISLATION.

PROTESTS AGAINST TIE COSTIGAN BILL FROM THE
MUNICIPAL REFORM ASSOCIATION AND GERMAN
PROPERTY OwNERS-OTHE MEASURES TAKEN UP.
A meeting of the Municipal Reform Associa-
ton was held evening at No. 43 South Washington
square, the discussion Of the proposed changes in
the City Charter embraced in the Cotgan bill, and also
the contract in the carrying Of public works.
Gen LLOYD Aspinwall presided. F. b. Thurber read q
resolution which was passed. protesting against tho
passage Of the bill now before the Legislature with
reference to the amendments to the City Charter as
being detrimental TO the best interests or the
city. The opinion seemed to prevail among
the speakers that adopting the contract system far
less opportunity would be afforded for robbng the city,
Mr. Earl SAID that the proper administration OF the con-
tract SYSTEM now that the Board OF Assistant Aldermen
had been abolished which formerly acted as check
upon tho days work. system, was the only means OF
the salvation OF property-owners from bankruptcy Mr.
Tburber then read a series OF resolutions which were
passed unanimously, ascrbing the magnitude OF the
city debt departure from the contract system ex
pressing regret the favor with which such departure
ia held by some of the city officials. urging economy in
the prosecution OF improvements, and especially that
none shall be carried except such would yield an
immediate benefit.
IL was further resolved in the event OF any action
relative TO the amendment the charter being doomed
desirable to recommend that board be appointed by
the Governor to consist Of eminent citizens, for the
10 tho charter, and that such charter should
hear moro the character and permanence Of
a constitution, not subject to radical change
by any mere accidental majority In the Legis
lature and that all amendments DO inopera-
tive until submitted to and approved by vote OF the
people. A. Lloyd said that the municipal corruption
was driving the Western business from this city to
Boston, Baltimore, and Albany. w. H. e Price read an
official statement Of the city debt on Dec 81 1874:
Funded debt Sis PAL 55T 24 temporary debt So SOoC0;
revenue bonds. $271l2Oo 76 total SoS'oo ess Sc
currps held by the Sinking Fund, s266l677S net DEBT
sII5ls7 $50 The Association directed Gen. Aspnwall
and Mr.. Thurber, Directors OF the Brookyn Bridge
Company, to ascertain the amount necessary to COM
York to any expenditure therefor -.
The Central Committee OF the German property-own-
ers held meeting last evening at the Fourth-s Ger
man Free School, Ferdinand fraud presiding. 40
owners in other wards: From the Ten h,
Eleventh. and Seventeenth Wards, protests
against ,paving Fith-aye. with asphalt against the
b and against the elimination OF the study OK
German from the public schools from tne Elgnteenta
ward, q recommendation to reduce pohcemen's
salaries 81 600, aud protest aganstthe Costgan Dill;
from the Nineteenth Ward, recommendation 10 orin9
before the Legislature the necessity OF wuenng ah9
deepening the Erie Canal and request that rhe fapu
transit scheme left private enterprise Inc CO-
mttee then proceeded to act upon the communications;
Resolutions were passed against removing tno stt ~
the German Language from the schools ana
after motion made 10 oppose every attempt nade
TO depose Controller Green from once Aier h hsey
ton OF the Tammany Hall party IN inc HOsS severe
terms for the attempt obtain the entire control OF the
cy for the sole benefit OF clique, resolutions were
passed protesting against the passage OF the Costgan
BILL pledging the Committee 70 oppose tne passage
Commissioners OF Education could be removed without
The secretary was directed TO communicate tho first
resolution by telegraph To those Assemblymen VINO had
been supported oy the pro S esa
also delegated to wait upon the members OF Assembly
and persuade them to the M ana S n GTn 7,
passed.