The New York herald., 1877-01-23
The Conference of Merchants with
the Mayor To-Day.
PROBABLE RESULTS OF THE MEETING.
Views Of Comptroller Kelly. William A.
Booth. D B. Eaton and Others
TOO MANY OFFICE-HOLDERs.

number OF the most prominent citizens, Will take
place at the City Hail this afternoon. The consulta-
tion likely important one and Will probably
bring out many interesting suggestions relative TO the
government OF the metropolis. A meeting Of the
municipal reform body hclc last night TO consider
the situation. When the enormous expense OF carry
Ing the different departments is taken into consid
GRAFTON, and the large number OF sinecures found
clamorng at the city treasury, movement OF this
character should bc commended. IL is true that we
have nearly 5000 Office holders in this city. II is con-
tended by some OF rulers Mayor Ely among the
number, that could get along with much smaller
class OF local PATRIOTS that the business OF the different
departments might be conducted with much more
economy than is exhibited present We bave officials
VINO receive enormous fees, amounting TO hundreds
OF thousands dollars The great bulk OF those fees
comes from The city treasury. The Sheriff and Coro-
ncrs may be cassed in this The Office Of
Coroner there four this cty) said 10 be worth
from $50 900 to $50 000pe annum that OF Sheriff Is va
riousy from $1D0 900 to $500 600 for tho
sane period Can these gentlemen subsist on less
amount Would not $40 0c0 or $4,000 year con-
tent them in these hard 1t might he we'll for
the this afternoon TO look into such inter-
esng topics. If assistance is needed from the Legis-
la,ure in the repeal Of odous laws which
saddle the people with payments Of unnecessary fees
then 1t would well for tbs committee OF conference
10 prepare such bills will insure all reforms in this
direction Tho csponsibty OF defeat must then
upon the Legislature at Albany and if the bills de-
feaicd the people will know whose shoulders to
place the blanc.
Many of the local poiicians-of the small fry order,
OF course-cndeavor TO throw cold upon day g
meeting. They prophesy that nothing tangible will
come of it, Mayor Ely and Comptroller Kelly are
OF entirely different opinion. The former gentle:
gave his opinions in interview published in
.loI,
to-day's conference.
COMPTRoLLER KEILY's VIEWS
Since Mr.. John Kelly entered upon bis duties as
head OF the Finance Department he has been down
with ofice-seekcrs their friends He has, there
fore been compelled labor night and day In order TO
attend the business Of his Office. Everything is
now running smoothly in this department.
In convcrsing with the HERALD representative yes
terday to this afternoons conference Mr. Kelly said
that he would cheeruly give all the assistance his
power TO The movement. He had been waited upon by
Mr. Smith, secretary OF The committee, who invited
bin to attend the conferences.
IL presume that you VIII give some general ideas as
TO what should be the proper pohcy in view Of the
present reform agitationy' ~ he was asked
.Wel," !" responded Mr.. Kelly. 'f my opinions are
called for shall certainly give them.
VALUABLE SUGGESTIONS.
ssDo you think the number OF Comm ssioners OF tha
different departments should be cut down.
sAs 10 The Police Commission should think not.
There is vast amount of business 10 be transacted
here and four Commisac ners are req aired. Rcsldes
tho Board should be onpartsan so that the Interests
oi all parties might be protected. ii the Board was
constituted OF one political stripe then there would be
q great deal CT unnecessary pulling and hauling and
improper influences attempted to effect bad OBJECTS"
s'How 10 lie Fire Department. DO you not con-
slider that one Commissioner would be sufficient
here9"
81 am not OF that opinion. There is great zeal of
responsibility resting upon the shoulders OF this de-
parlment they have the care OF ali public property
IN OF nre, and their duties arc Otherwise ardu-
So
uenl OF Charities and Correctiony'
81 am in favor OF retaining that number. 1t would
be too much labor for man TO supervise the whole
business OF that depart tment These Commissioners
have the supervision of all charitable institutions
and the expenditure OF considerable amount OF
money l consider that these gentlemen should be
removed entirely from potica! influence and be also
non partisan in the discharge OF Their duties"
evil not the mode of their appointment by the
Mayor and Aldermen interfere with lhis idea as 10
non partsanshpy"
10 the Police Commissioners, ana the same high sense
pi duty should influence their judgments IN making
what are your opinions as to the Dock Depart
mcntY"
easily be run by head The term OF Mr..
Wales President OF the Commission, expires next May
other Commissioners $4,000 each. great deal OF
money could be saved 10 the city II the absolute con-
iroi OF the docks were under the Dock Commission:
The Offices Of port wardens aud harbor masers should
be abolished They are serious obstacles 10 our com
mcrce.
al should be favor Of taking away the street Clean
ing from control Of the Police Department This
M ght be made independent bureau IN itself. or
placed in the Department OF Public Works Du-
ties police should be confined to protection OF
life and property and the enforcement OF the laws and
ordinances OF the city.
SCHOOLS
''Nearly SO, $50, 900 annually expended In the
III this connection. | opposed to giving
any but PLAIN and substantially English education in
our schools II Is necessarily expensive 10 teach
French, German or music Expenditure Tor the Nor
NAL school is all right enough. We should have su.
peror class OF teachers but afraid We have too
many of them and some are paid higher salaries than
what they really entitled TO- Some principals are
appointed schools, having nothing else to
do and then others appointed TO assist them in
doing nothing. Those positions are wha; may be
plainly termed as unnecessary, and could In my opin-
ION, easily be dispensed with. The salaries oil the
fcachcrs should be graded, TO deduct from those
who are paid much and add on to those who are
paid too little. The majority OF school teachers
hard working Industrious class people. and should
be properly compensated for their iaoors"
s.what do you think TO the expenditures for the
New York Colcgcy'
III think well enough OF the college, but will say
tnjs much about it:rhc largest number who eau.
Gated In this institution comprise the oil those
who could well afford TO pay lor Their education IN
other colleges Thc poorer classes cannot aiord TO
keep their at colleges ana are put 10 work at
carly age II appears me that the law should be
amended as 10 charge a reasonable compensation to
ehosc who eau afford 10 pay. THIS money could be
an.rt enable the boys 10 obtain some advantages
IN pursuing their studies long enough TO enable them
"a graduate. There no reason why the we'll TO do
rcpc should be educated at the pubic expense This
question should be met at once
these we're the only points upon which Comptroller
Kelly treated 10 the present management o the CITY
gvvcrnmcnL
OTHER SENTIMENTS.
Aldermen Lewis and Tuomey expressed views as TO
shc great necessity tor immediate retrcnchmcnt and
vctorm The LATER gentleman was particularly en-
uuatc in drnouncng The salaries paid IN the Depart
nent of Public Works.
Ex-coAPTROILEI: GREEN.
Tad mt
ndr.w IL Green submitted a lengthy docuuent to
sne last Icgis ture, showing way W which the cx
peuscs OF tIc city can he reduced annually some
=, ooo 900 lie also pointed OUT what salaries might
Se reduced and what departments should DC abosicd
and advocated principle OF only one commissioner
for each department HIS propositions then submitted
we're defeated through alliance ot corrupt poti-
~,sns In thc Legislature OF 1915. When called upon
~sscrdsv IN relation 10 his views he declined 10 say
S~-h..-s a .rasani He evidently consdered TINT