The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-01-04

rates prevailing the market and paid by indvduas
This measure Instituted in concert with another land
as it was at the time supposed with ALL Of the severa
departments which employ laborers, has been the
occasion for expressions OF disapprova by who
honestly consider II mistake; il has also been the
theme OF declarations by others who have had oil
their own TO serve by fomenting discomfort among the
laboring classes
am Al a loss to perceive how the Commissioner
could have done otherwise than he did under the
cumstances-having in view, among other considera-
tons, the fact that the public improvements upon
which the laborers have been employed are
ultimately paid for by assessments upon the
PloPo'Y SUPPOSED DC lmhedlatey DeDe-
pressed by the heavy burden OF taxation and Of the
general stagnaton in business, having had no voice in
determining that the Improvement should be COM
menced option 10 prosecute the works at their own
expense and by methods which, employed by pri-
waite persons, nearly always be expected
results cheaper II not better than those which attend
upon public undertakings of that kind The aborers
employed should be enabled by arrangements for keep
ing them more continuously at work while their names
remain on the pay roll to make, at proper rates per
day larger aggregate average earnings week in and
week out than they have heretofore been able to
cure with the Interruptions to work which now occur
But, for public officers TO take without compensation
the private property Of unconsenting citizens and dis
tribute II TO public employ6s-and that is just what
has been asked TO be done for those in the pay Of this
department in claiming for them wages much above
the market rates-is a method of pundering not likely
TO be long tolerated by any free people.
The reports OF the department. show that the works
public Improvement heretofore prosecuted by days
wages are now nearly or quite completed ana that IL IS
now possible to conduct all the remaining works by
contract | recommend that all public works be done
by contract where the conditions such as TO secure
reliable proposals by responsible contractors
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Upon my accession 10 the Mayoralty received from
my predecessor report from the Commissioners of
Accounts, Just made TO him and disclosing facts upon
which based charges affecting the integrity OF the
Fire Commissioners, particularly In the matters of
contracts for supplies to the department. and OF some
Of the selections them made Of subordinate employees
in and about headquarters
Alter a thorough investigation, which resulted in
further proofs to sustain the allegations; after com
munications TO me voluntarily made by one Of the
Commissioners, VINO corroboraed the Information thus
gathered and after formal hearing accorded to them
upon the charges, the Sd of February transmitted
to the Governor certificate removing all OF the Com
mission ers from once. few days aiterward | for
warded to him various papers showing the several steps
in the proceedings but am not advised that he has
taken final action upon the case on the LIST OF May
the terms Of Of the Commissioners expired, and
Vincent G. KING was appointed
Notwithstanding the dlscredit necessarily attaching
to headquarters because Of the removals made but
which have not yet taken effect the officers and men
OF the various fire companies have admirably performed
their duties and, by thoroughness of discipline and
great efficiency organlzation they fully MAINTAIN
the reputation of the service as perhaps the best fire
department in the country.
The appropriations for 1875 ST. 3l6 900; for 1876
reduction OF $67 GA has been made, without affecting
the amount OF salaries OF the force,
PoLICE DEPARTMENT.
For more than year past there has been general
uttered not only by individual citizens but by the
unanimous voice of the press.
From made to by several of the Police
traton led to hope that this would be corrected
by reforms expected TO be prosecuted after the ls OF
May, when a vacancy occurred in the Board to which
General William f. Smith was appointed-sclected for
the place in order that by his experience soldier
and his ability as an administrative officer, he might
compel more thorough discipline In the force and
better scheme for responsibility among the captains
and inspectors. He promptly instituted proper meas
urcs to secure those results but the cooperation of
two OF the Commissioners necessary TO success in en-
forcing the reforms, was withheld and finally, Sep
TENDER the department was formally presented bv the
Grand In yfnrrn fleta nF nd haVnnr altzaf
Charges against the Board were thereupon made and
each OF the Commissioners was given an opportunity
TO be heard why he should not be removed from Office
General Smith and Mr. Voorhis admitting the depor
able condition OF affairs and their inability TO correct
them without cooperation IN board which consists OF
four members, Immediately rendered their designations
The others attempted defence which was entirely in
adequate, aod they would have been at once removed
but Tor the fact that the general election at hand
and fears entertained that changes made then
might be occasion for misrepresentation that 1t
intended to interfere with so much Of the machinery
the elections by law under the control OF the Police
Department On the 4th day Of November, however,
my certificate was forwarded to the Governor, reinov
ing Messrs Masell and Disbecker from o1ice-and
removals. AS stated by me in my first message
to the Common Council and repeatedly since
with the OF the press and the leaders of
both political parties and with the approval Of the
munty at large-l am In favor of non partisan Police
Board In the fullest sense Of that term. The police
system should not be managed under party influence or
for political purposes.
The new year has been auspiccusly inaugurated by
the reorganization of the Board OF which General Smith
is President and Messrs John X. Voorhs, De Witt
Clinton Wheeler and Joel p Erhardt associate
bors From the high character and recognized capacity
OF those gentlemen II may be expected that the city will
ENJOY the benefits to be conferred by Police De-
partment which efficient in every respect and deserves
the confidence of all good citizens.
The appropriations Tor 1875 So 1885, for 1876
they are 81, OS9, 475-a reduction of $97, $50
CHARITIES And CORRECTION.
The Department of Charities and Correction Is
charged with the control Of all the city PRISONS hosp
tails reformaiories and charitable institutons It also
shape
attendance TO large number of outdoor poor Under
the present Board the department is conducted with
many reforms OF the administration OF its predecessor
The average number Of inmates OF the several nstitu
lions for the year 1875 10000, classified
follows
Prisoners
In the Penitentiary.. Observation-Disclosures. 947
In the CITY Prisons. ......................... 56l
In the WcrKhouse. ...'.'.................... l99l
Total. 8 49s
PauperS 1855
Lunacs. 2O6O
hosllals' iooa
CnliuIeh ................ lOiv
The expenditures for 1875, compared with 1874,
snow cohsueraDle decrease IN the item OF salaries,
but an increase in the amounts spent for supplies and
repairs. The Commissioners have greatly improved
the kinds and added the quantities of the rations
furnished to the sick and insane; and have complied
with the wishes OF large and respectable class OF the
citizens by anordng to the faculty OF homeopathic
physicians the use Of hospital otherwise unoccuped,
on Wards Island, in which TO practise their
methods Of treatment The recent law which provides
nurseries, asylums and reiormatory schools, between
the ages Of three and sixteen years in families in
stitutons not within the jurisdiction OF the depart
ment, has been carried into effect. The object OF this
statute was evidently TO remove Of the agencies
for the promotion OF paupersm 1t Is too soon TO pre-
DICT the results which may Of this innovation;
but If II shall promote the desired end of insurng
places Tor these waits where they viii have chance to
become useful and to learn TO acquire independence
1t will prove beneficial
Perhaps the most notable OF the improvements insi-
tued under the present administration is the Training
School for Nurses, which, IN August last opened
at Charity Hospital Backwells Island The requisites
for admission that the applicants shall be women
between the ages OF twenty and thrty-Gve years,
recommended by clergymen and physicians, and
good health. The inducement offered Is a thorough
education in practical aud theoretical nursing by
means OF nstructlon at the bedside and by lectures
delivered by members of the medical staff of the
hospital OF the numerous applicants forty.six have
been accepted, OF whom four have left aud forty
reman-all Of them intelligent and respectable young
women.
The Commissioners reiterate their urgent representa-
tions that the City Prison. known the ''Tombs," is
Ma 10 fort ha urnho NJ unut