The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-20
THE CITY DEBT.
Comptroller Green's Memorial to tn.
Legislature.
WHAT HE WANTS DONE.
A Reduction Of Expenses and q Prohibition
Of Expenditures.

A Reduction OF Expenses and q Prohlbltl0D
Of Expenditures.
The following memorial has been sent to the
State Legislature by Andrew H. Green. Comp.
troller for the City OF New York. In IL he gives his
idea OF economy and the methods for securing tho
same:-
FINANCE DEPARTMENT,
CoNrTnoLLER's OFFICE, CITY OF NEW YORK,
To THE HONORABLE THE LEGISLATURE OF 1uS
STATE OF NEW YORK.
spectfuly represents TO your honorable body that
the bonded debt OF that city has reached such an
amount as TO become the subject OF general ana
serious attention. 1t IS SIN Increasing. under
laws passed several years since. The interests OF
the city demand that immediate measures be
taken not only TO prevent the further increase OF
the debt, but TO provide Tor It's gradual reduction.
me agency OF dshoaest ocas con-
ation Tor this city has for years been IN the dlrec
ton OF extravagant expenditures and multiplied
irresponsible powers 10 contract Gebt. As 1t was
impossible to force from taxpayers amounts sum.
Gent 10 satisfy the rapacty OF these consprators.
they proceeded TO mortgage the CITY, It's franchises
and its property To an extent that mas laid very
heavy burden upon its industries and its people.
Laws framed IN these interests have favored
jobbery and extravaganza, and have stimulated
expensive and lIl-tlmed pubic works on vast
scale. the expenses OF which are only met by n
constantly increasing deDt. These works. IN
augurated several years ago, have been contln-
agencies by the means OF laws still operative on
the statute book. It's in vain to look Tor any
dmInution of the public debt or the arrest OF It's
inc ease unless the powers or various depart
ments to contract debt are properly restricted
and retrenchment enforced In ali branches OF the
city government There arc three fundament
conditions essential to the establishment OF tho
financial and Administrative arairs OF the city on
basis that VIII alone be satisfactory TO t3c sub
stantal portion OF the citizens OF New YORK, ana
these derive added force IRON the fact that most
OF the material business interests or the country
are depressed and suffering embarrassment.
These conditions are:-
FtrSt-The continued reduction OF administra-
tive expenses including dlminuton OF clerical
and bureaus forces aud the modification OF salaries
to the reduced figures that have already been
reached In several OF the departments.
SecOnd-An absolute prohibition, not only OF
expenditures to be had from taxation. but OF
amount set apart aud appropriated for them for
the current year, The Language OF the law to
that 1t cannot be construed otherwise than ac-
cordng TO IT'S intent II eacn year bears its own
Ihrd-A repeal OF certain existing laws that
authorize the Unlimited issue OF bonds and the
tive limitation OF power to incur debt. except III
cases OF actual exigency and exceps the debt
Gifted by the improvement for which it is in
CURED. BY Keeping the funded debt within
Vdcd Ior ana taxatson viii be- reduced by judi
ciousy increasing the revenues OF the sinking
fund.
The issue OF assessment bonds should also DO
limteu to fixed amount ample for conducting
the local improvements Of the city. the cost Of
benefited. The amount OF assessment bonds now
outstanding is s2l $4,000 1t is much greater than
it should be, and measures snouli also be taken
Tor its reducIlon to the amount fixed upon as
permanent maximum. Tue city now Is The factor
for WORKS Executed for private benefit The laws al
they now stand favor the contractor. lS Is NOS
unlrequently the case mat after WORK Is nnaMy
OF property owpers are justly made OF the tnsuf
hcient performances OF the work, when It is too
late 20 retain the money from me contractor. The
laws on this subject require amendment
Your memoralist believes that powers to do work
lowest bidder at public letting, after due notice.
should he repealed. and that this metaod OF doug
pubic work, by giving it to the lowest bidder,
after due com etiton, should be the rule with but
mere and there an exceptioual case where the
work is OF an unusual character not readily al.
hitting OF specifications being mace for 1t. This
Will cut or ail private contracts for the benefit OF
iavorites ana more stringent reeulasOns s1 ,c
Tne Completion OF public works in the city IN
progress. sucn as the extension OF the wafer sup
ply os required the improvement OF the docks aud
piers the repaving OF streets and the completion
useful works. need not be delayed, but some dis
elimination should now be exercised between
income or some immediate oeneht and those that
are premature ana tll.advsed; and measures
should be established to insure some degree OF
efficiency and intelligence IN their management.
and 10 prevent the squaudering oil the puollc
moneys IN their prosecutor Inc laws s aud ordl,
Finance Department., not only with respect
to It's own internal operation, but also with
r part@ents and bodies are ''' the ilcon
Irlved and dsJointea product OF series o.
fifty years OF local and State legislation. Their
machlne,y Is so cumbrous roundabout and COM
pllcated as to occasion great embarrassment IN
the transaction or the public business. Inc de-
partment III the execution Of its unctions. is to,
day, with transactions OF nearly $1,000 900 per
annum, and in metropolis wltn 1,0o0,000 people.
struggling IN the garments fitted ior city Of
10000 people ana annual business OF less tnar
Sl.OOO.0OO. JudIcious amendments and readiust
mo q
the capacity and necessities OF the time.
The laws constituting tlc SINKING fund spread
their sautary provisions over less than one.han
OF the debt OF the city. It is respectfully submitted
fund contract IN favor OF It's existing series OF
bonds It's provisions alter that should also be cx.
tended TO the whole funded debt.
The work OF rctrenchment and reform has IN the
past three years moved steadily forward In the
lace OF the most serious embarrassment. Many
public ofncals and many private persons and as.
sOclations have rendered most valuable service 10
scattering the mallgn influences that formerly
controlled the city, wasted It's substance, mort
Much remains - be done to rectfy abuses, &c
elevate the official standard, to retrench expenses
and to systematlze and simply the administra'
ton OF affairs. The subsan tia people OF this city
are determined that the WORK shall continue III
spite OF all MISREPRESENTATION and opposition. and
In spite OIL political schemers, who are already
looking back ward, until SnecureS and cOrrup-
tionists are no longer Dilieted upon the scanty
earnings of honest industry: until uptown corner.
lot SPECTATORS can no longer mortgage the sun.
stance OF the community in ala OF visionary
scnemes OF sel-interest, and until the affairs Of
this CITY are again liked on the solid foundations
OF order and integrity, from whence alone can
proceed the upDuilding OF substantial prosperity.
Your memorialist respectfully requests That such
consideration may be given TO these SUBJECTS as in
the Judgment OF your honorable body they are
entitled 10 receive at the hands OF the Legislature
OF the state. With great respect.
ANDREW II. GREEN, Comptroller.
MEETING OF THE POLICE ROARn