The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-01-04
THE MAYORS MESSAGE.
Congratulations on the Improvement
in the City Finances.
REDUCTION IN THE TAX LEVY.
He Wants the Public Work
Done by Contract.
THE UNION FERRY LEASES TO Be ADVOCATED,


The following abstract Of the Mayors annual message
90 the Common Council contains the most important
remarks in that interesting document His honor
compares the expenditures during 1874 with those Of
1875 for the purpose OF showing that the floating debt
has not visiby increased and that the levy
Tor the ensuing year is and a quarter millions of
dollars less than 1875 Reviewing the labor OF the
Department Of Public Works he somewhat fully
into the labor question and that all public
work be done by where the conditions Of the
such as to secure reliable proposals from re-
sponsble parties He explains his actions in relation
TO the Fire and Police Commissions, the Departments
OF Parks and Docks touches rapid transit and lets
flood OF light the in which ferry companies
accumulate receipts
Executive DEPARTMENT, MAYORS oFPIcE
AKw YORK, Jan 3, 1876
TO HONORABLE TIE COMMON CoUNCm:-
GESTLRMEN-ln prescribing the duties Of tho Mayor
the city charter requires him not only TO recommend to
the Common Council from time TO time, all such meas
ures as he may deem expedent but also to.communi-
cate TO you az least year. "a general statement
OF the finances, government and improvements OF the
city"
In compliance with that requirement this general
statement is made and, conforming 10 custom, IL is
forwarded for your Information al the beginning OF the
year The term OF an Alderman now but one
year and begins the first Monday of January. This
communication Is addressed therefore, TO new Board
But, fortunately for the city. and guarantee that
the duties imposed upon you viii be discharged with
promptness and intelligence and with proper regard
Tor the interests involved, many of the members of the
present Board Of Aldermen have already served with
credit in the places TO which discerning constituency
has but recently elected Them, and have certain
familiarity with the subjects TO which reference must
now be made
The reports Of the several departments make de-
tailed statements each of the condition and operations
ofthe department which issues They will all
reach you short tine and afford ull information
concerning each of the matters 10 which be given
here but a brief discussion
no HrCt Tuup cat fOryvu rde1 hV ma IN ha
Common Council in January last ended with the
ance that should endeavor so TO perform the respon
administration Chief Magistrate, improvement in the
affairs of the city might be secured am happy to be
able to show that, Notwithstanding the difficulties
under which the local government has been carried on
during the past year, the results attained are in many
them, such as should CRAFTY all good citi-
zens To that extent the baeful influences
which controlled the administration OF public affairs
during and for some time alter the war have been dis
regarded; the government has been conducted upon
business principles; extravaganza, democrat zaton and
corruption have been checked the standard Of qualt
cation for public Office has been made higher and pub
lie officers have been found who perform their tunc
tions with the fidelity due to public trusts While the
scandals OF frauds populations committed else
where by public functonarcs still OF shamefully
frequent occurrence nobody charges that such things
continue here and II thought that nothing Is haz
arded in saying that during the last year the govern
ment of this civ affecting as it does the interests of
the whole country and carried with expenditure
OF millions OF money, has been administered with
honesty throughout and generally with economy and
efficiency
In MAY last the Governor in a special message called
the attention OF the Legislature to the evils arising from
present unstable municipal systems and TO the
listing necessity OF adopting permanent ana uniform
plan for the government OF the cities OF the State
There thereupon adopted concurrent resolution,
which originated IN the senate, and which authorized
the Governor TO appoint commission to consider the
subject TO devise plan and to report to the Legisa
ture which meets tomorrow. commission has been
appointed accordingly OF twelve eminent citizens
chosen from various parts OF the State and without dis
uDoton AZ 10 political party. some OF them have had
actual experience Of the difficulties and defects OF ad
mnistraton in New York and Brooklyn, under the
various charters vouchsaled to US from time TO time
during this generation.
II understood that they will conhne themselves to
considerations hrst OF a general scheme TO secure
responsibility in administration IN the local govern
ment Of each OF the many cities of the State; and
second, of measure Of general application for regu
latng the amount and character OF municipal debt
which may be incurred in any city.
Whilst Ia the present state Of knowledge OF the
subject the wisest and best informed may doubt the
sunciency OF any particular scheme TO secure the OBJ
ject to be aimed at the second inquiry and which
receiving the careful study or economists every
where-the difficulties presented by the first inquiry
have been recently frequently and eNhaustiyely nves
tigated and the solution has been stated with
nimity almost unexampled
One Of the most vigorous Of the writer's upon the
subject has summarized the results Of the discussion In
article, published in 1870 In leading daily news
paper with regard to the charter Of that year. IN these
words THE principles on which any constitution Of
government free people must be founded are few
simple and well ascertained They have been fully DIS
cussed and accurately laid down by eminent pubhciss
and NAV be considered as we'll settled Among them
Is ths:-That there shall be a single executive head to
enforce the laws appointing and removing all his inn
mediate subordinaes, the heads Of departments who,
IN turn select and remove and be responsible 10
their chief for ther agents and subord mates y
Ii may be remarked that in addition to the control
exercised over local executive by the observation OF
intelligent citizens whom he Is responsible ana by
the criticisms Of an enlightened public press safe
guard Is already established against improper eNer
else OF such power-were 1t given hm--by the pro-
vision the existing general law, which subjects the
Mayor him self removal by the Governor for conduct
which is arbitrary caprcious or otherwise obnoxious
20 the public interests to the rights Of individuals
FINANCES.
During the year 1875 there has been n decided i'm
provement the finances OF the city compared with
1874
am informed BY the Comptr oller that during 1874
there issued stocks and bonds amounting 30
S4s qO2 253 aud that those falling due and paid OF in
the same lime amounted to but $50 81, l2l leaving,
January lei5 addition OF $96l l3l TO the aggre
gate debt But while 1875 there issued stocks
and bonds amounting $50 SOC $50 those falling duo
and paid OF IN the time amounted to 500 OsS 266
leaving January l, 1870 an apparent addition OF
81, us 273 10 the debt
The hgures for the year are as follows -
Stocks and Bonds payable from
the sinking Fund 80. ...... s2i5 900 40 l3s 900
Payable from taxation ........ 3Sgg $40 1885 100
Bonds payable from assess
mens. ......... ............ 33g 10 7,S6S, 500
Revenue Bonds ............. % 1872 4a3 q $50 766
Total. SIS. 500 $50 $50 Oss 26s
The Comptroller informs that the Indebtedness
Of .he city outstanding January l. 1870, and repre-
scented by stocks or bonds, Is as follows
Funded Debt
Payable from the sinking fund ........ SOL o2 e63
Payable from taxation. So,Ol424O
sll9, o56, eOs
Less actual amour, in the sinking fund 27,eO2 ga
Total ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. sol, l54, $50
temporary Debt
g.,