The New York herald., 1877-01-23


eyes, had discovered the matter and he had heard
already was made the subject Of editorial comment In
several OF tho morning papers, among which Is the
HERALD II the press were too active II might pre-
vent the meeting being held; but v the gentlemen
brought up or discussion and solution would
be, ''hrs, how 10 prevent the city's present
enormous indebtedness from becoming any greater,
anu, secondly, how practse economy amer the
OF debt should be stopped. " As he had SAID
before, the meeting private It's inception, IN It's
carrying OUT and the originators OF II nad hoped II
would be private IN its completion He had talked 10
but three OF tie gentlemen named, and, lar
as he had seen the meeting was favoraby regarded.
when asked what, In his opinion, would principally
clam the committees attention. he replied that ne
thought that various plans would be proposed but no
conferences having been hea beforehand tho meeting
would. no doubt. be an informal onc His views as
remedied ut present debt of a hundred and
thirty or orty million OF dollars saddled ON the peo-
pie and how to stop this load OF debt with us op.
pressiveness; then should follow vigorous and
de ermned effort 10 cconomizc. What opinions were
could not see that they could diner much from those
he had expressed He knew Of nothing that was OF
more importancs to every taxpayer than the crushing
out OF existence unnecessary expenditures
MxKriNG INDEPENDENT CITIZENS.
Mr.. Dorman Il. Eaton said that tho significance OF
the meeting was the mark OF the pervading feeling
among citizens OF all parties that the expenses OF the
Guy government must be reduced and that economy
must be practised 10 degree not known tor many
years, least. 'The gentlemen who will be present.
Mr. Eaton, ''desirc to show tnat Mayor who IS
really advocate of REFORM be he be he
republican, Will the support Of the majority Of
ciizens, irrespective OF party. IN all his endcavors 10
bring abou SO desirable an end Heretofore the per-
in whose hands the reg ulang and systematizing
OF matters have been efl or who have offered TO
confer on such subjects. nave been politicians and
schemers VINO have had keen eye the spolls; but
the gentlemen who Interested IN this movement
who have desire for position or emoumcnt
nj the hands OF the government and whose intention
it to show themselves entirely independent citizens
who will interest themselves in the Improvement OF
and reduction OF expenses imperative but whether
any prepared suggestions by which those ends
be arrived AT Will be offered at the meeting think
there is no laid down plan OF action, but the members
OF ihe committee are thoroughly IN earnest IN what
they have undertaken.'
TO RETAIN BUSINESS IN xxw YORK.
Mr.. A. r. Whitney was found at his olicc, In Hudson
street. In conversation with the reporter spoke
follows :-"rhe Municipal Reform Association among
the members OF which the idea the conference orig.
mated, al probably aware, Is composed OF gen.
emen who represent the interests Of the city
and independent gentlemen OF all parties who desire
to good city government and II Is the purpose of
the association TO establish such government If the
| 10 such an end, and what one Will now be
taken suggested, am unable to say for the reason
that the yet been decided. We sat
sed that Mayor Ely intends do what Is right, and
that Comptroller Kelly wants 10 imVortaIize himself,
and that both will lend all the aid in their power.
Mr.. Kelly has expressed himself az being anxious to
make acquainted with all the affairs connected with
his office. Our object is to keep in New York tho
business hch belongs 10 1t, and unless some step Is
taken toward reform shall lose it, That is our sole
intention. We are perfectly aware that we have a
hard battle to fight, but determined and shall
work the end We do not, Of course, want the gov
ernment TO be parsimonous, but strict economy is
certainly necessary We shall court the acquaintance
and assistance all city officials who hole any inu-
ence; but II they will not cooperate with us we will
do The next best thlng.'
rnE INCREASE OF THE CITY DEBT.
Mr.. Joseph Seligman thought that the purpose OF
tho meeting to impress the people with the enor
nous expenses the city Is burdened with, and 10 take
some action, II possible toward reducing them g
think" said Mr.. Segman, "that If some economy is
cny debt now increasing at the rate OF $9.00O 900
per annum and an eighth OF the city property is
mOrtgaged II such line oi management continues
halt the city will he morlgaged. Some action will
probably be taken at the meeting concerning the up
town improvements which arc going on. am sure
they demand attention II speak It will be on these
theories. Probably somo resolutions will be drawn
up. The movement can do no harm and may result
TAXES, AssEssMESrs, sALAs,Es, &C.
Mr. 7. Van volkenburRh said We are going there
to discuss with the Mayor to the proper improve
CAN'T say what plans Will be suggested, though pre-
same that among the most important viii be the
duclion OF saiares ana thinning out OF the army Of
largessaried ohce-holders There are great many
other abuses which should be remedled Take, for
stance the assessments OF lots above Central Park
Those which sold above So $50 being
at the unrighieous ngures OF from $500 to $1,000"
ASSIST THE MAYOR AND COMPTROLLER
Mr.. W. II. Appleton SAID he had allowed his name TO
be used connection with the natter would in
any movement which promised such palatable fruit
AS he understood IT, the meeting would be gathering
oi a'number OF gentlemen, the majority OF wnom were
republicans, TO prove to the Mayor that there were
greut many virtually independent citizens who desired
Improvement in the management OF the city gov.
ernment regardless OF winch side brought about,
and whose object it. was to display Willingness TO
tain the Mayor and Comptroller the carrying out OF
all that would lead to that result. He
sidered That the list OF names OF tho gentlemen who
signed the call could better that the moral
effect OF the meeting would be great
EXCHANGE WITH
Mr.. c. g. lshum stated the call emanated from the
Municipal Reform Association, which is composed OF,
he believed about third of democrats and thirds
OF republicans. III suppose" continued Mr.. lsham,
''that the association seeing that management
OF governmental affairs has begun, and desiring to
take some steps toward improvement In the old
system have called this meeting 10 furnish oppor
tunty to exchange IDEAS with the Mayor"
Mr. H. /. Spauldng, President OF the Central Trust
Company, SAID that all he knew about II was that the
gentlemen without regard party, 10 call upon
the Mayor, and ask him to strengthen, and offer TO
assist him In his plans for rctronchment aud REFORM
PRINCIPALLY AFFAIR
Mr. F. H. Cosst, OF No. 80 Pine street, had been in
formed OF the proposed meeting Ae had not gwen
the subject much consideration, he had considered
IL to be more OF social and pleasant interview be-
tween the Mayor and other officials and the gentlemen
whose nan.es appended to the call than any
thing else There might have been a formal meeting
on definite plans to be proposed at the conference
but II such had been the he ignorant OF II
He favored the idea Of some change being made in
city AFFAIRS He had his views the present state of
New Yorks management, but TO give them would
tax too long
PRELIMINARY PRIVATE PREPARATION
Tho gentlemen who are to confer with the Mayor
held a meeting last evening to decide upon some
settled plan be when they assemble the
City Hall. The meeting was private, and The members
OF the committee we're careful to keep the dcibera
linn