New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-01-03
MAYOR VICKHAMS MESSAGE.

THE YEARS ADMINISTRATION REVIEWED.
PRINCIPAL FEATURES OF THE DOCUMENT WHICH
WILL BE PRESENTED TO TIRE COMMON COUNCIL
TO-DAY ECONOMY IN EXPENDITURES - THE
CTTY's CREDIr-PUBLIo IMPROvEMENTs-THE RE-
DUCTIoN OF WAGEs-POLICE BOARD CHANGES
OTHER NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. or RAPID
TRANSIT.
II is understood that the Mayors Annual Message
will be sent 10 the Common Council to-day Ii is an
interesting and exhaustive document. 1t begins by
congratulatiug the Common Council that for the
past year the city government has been conducted
on business principles, Extravaganza, demOraliza-
ton, aud corruption have been checked the stand
ard of qualification for public Office has been made
higher, and public officers have been found who per-
form their duties with fidelity to public trusts. The
government of the city has been carried on with
expenditure of millions of money with
honesty and generally with economy. The message
viii show Improvement in the finances Of the city
for 1873, as compared with 1874. In 1874 there
were issued stocks and bonds making an addition of
$0,G7l,131 rs TO the aggregate debt, while in 1873
the increase was small and only apparent consisting
Of assessment and revenue bonds, which will be
taken up during the next few weeks, taxes having
been paid this year more slowly than usual The
actual Indebtedness of the city has been diminished,
and that the city credit has become better is shown
by the fact that while in 1874 nearly all the bonds
issued at par were at seven per cent interest," those
issued in 1875 nearly all atsix per cent interest
The Mayorexpects the city credit toimproye now
20 allow all bonds be sold at iaterest not exceed
ing five per cent. The amount of the tax levy in
1873 was $32, 171,4 25 : for 1876 it has been
fixed at $30,00i,39J 81, decrease of 81 ,2G7,-
07G 80 in the amount to be raised by taxation.
UPTOWN IMPRovEM MS.
Since 1872, when the conduct Of the work on the
streets and avenues uptown was transferred from
the Park Department to the Department of Public
Works, no public works have been begun except
such as are payable from assessments on the prop
erty benefited. To realize money, city bonds have
been issued. The expense for improvements from
the proceeds OF these in 1874 was $i,0S3,447 D.
and in $780, SO, 239 10 ~ The assessment lists for
completing improvements transmitted by the De-
partment of Public Works to the Board Of Assessors
20 upon and collect from the holders of prop
erty benefited were, for 1874 $G,2I7,717 "a, and
for 1875, $j,Gil,6l0 "a. The amount Of the as
sessment lists forwarded for the two years exceeds
the amount of moneys expended for those two years
by 81 0G6,77S 20, and if the assessments had been
promptly collected from the propertyholders there
would have been q reduction of that amount in the
temporary bonded debt. The appropriations for
39J G4, showing a decrease, as compared with last
year, of S20j2,076 80. Salaries which can be
regulated by the city government have been cut
down nearly 10 per cent i'll the aggregate.
EXPENSES OF THE COURTS.
The message calls attention to the enormous sum
of money expended on the Judiciary. All the
Judges including those of the Police; and District
Courts are held 10 be State officers with salaries
prescribed by acts of the Legislature The Board of
Estimate and AppOrtionment sent circulars to all
the JUDGES. appealing to them 10 reduce expenses.
The Judges OF the Superior Court and Court of Com
mon Pleas made substantial reductions in the out
lay for c,cgls and attendants of those courts.
Attention is called by the message to the Injustice
ia the equalization of State taxes. The City of Now
York. by the action of the State Board of Equaza-
ton, now pays moro than 80 per cent of the State
taxes making the citys proportions 100000 more
than just share.
THE DEPARTMENTS.
The administration of the Department of Public
Works is stated by the message to be better than
ever before The work performed In 1875 WAS done
more thoroughly than in any preceding year. The
appropriation for 1879 was 1852, 000 and for
1876 il ~, 49,, 600 The action of Commissioner
Porter in reducing laborers' wages is approved in the
message. II is claimed that the reduction was made
in accordance with the reduction Of wages Of city
officials since 1872 in some to the extent of %
per cent and the general reduction Of wages by pr
vate persons and corporations.
Reference is made to the removal of the Fire Com
missOners charges, and the failure Of the Gov
ernor to give effect to the removals.
The removal of Police Commissioners Matsell and
DisbeckeT, the appointment Of Messrs. De Witt Z.
Wheeler and Joel b. Erhardt, and the reOrganiza-
ton of the Police Board by the election Of Gen.
Smith as President, are presented in the message
The Mayor believes the new Board will have the
confidence Of all good citizens.
Tho message refers to the reduction of appropria-
tions Tor 1876 in the Departments of Law, Health
Charities and Correction, and Parks, and the belief
is expressed that the efficiency Of these departments
will not be impaired. The Dock Department, since
its reorganization is declared to be more efficient
than ever before. Many works of construction aud
repair are in progress The rentals of wharf prop
erty, which In 1865 were 1912 AIS 6l in 1875 were
over 5000 600. and were increasing.
The public schools continue to be a cause of salts
faction and pride to the citizens of NewYork. The
number of scholars who attended them in 1874 was
2jl $50. and in 1875, 253,So4. The expenses of
the Board of Education were, in 1875, 1876
oI2 ~, and for 1875, $30s9, 500 is appropriated.
This is the only department in which the amount
appropriated for 1876 is an increase over that of
1878.
RAPID TRANSIT.
Rapid transit is declared 10 be an accomplished
fact and cause for congratulation. The message
shows how it will raise the value Of property and
make lighter the burden Of taxation By equalizng
values throughout the entire area of the city, and
attract within the city great numbers of people who
carry on business here, but reside in neighboring
places which enjoy the benefits of wealth invested
f.ar laoo
the business portion Of NewYork than are the upper
end of Manhattan Island and the new districts Of