The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-02-21
Comptroller Kelly Reviews Mr..
Woodin's Bills.
SALARIES TO BE REDUCED.
Ex-senator Thomas ]. Creamer Deprecates
Clipping Teachers and Policemen's Pay.
THE MARINE COURT DOOMED.
icy rKLxanAru TO THE HERALD. /

entirely with the Appropriation bill and tho Senate
Vas in Committee Of the Whole measures OF par
ticular Importance or interest.
In the afternoon tho Joint Committee Cities met
IN the Senate Chamber. Nearly every Senator and
member Of tho Assembly from New York
and Kings counties werc present. ana
AZ the shades OF night drow the
rapidly darkening chamber was illumincd by
u score or moro Of local political lights They
present either to give to listen TO opinions
trcnchment and reform in tho government or the
metropolis Comptroller John Kelly. Allan Camp
bell, Commissioner OF Public Works; Police Commits
souor Erhardt, Coroner Dick Flanagan, Colonel
Rush c. Hawkins, John H. Strahnn, ok udge Robert
q. McCord Commssary General Wiley. Seth c. Haw-
10y, Tom Creaucr, cx.Firo Commissioner John J.
German and tho twin reform pismios, D,sbecker ana
Charley Swan. John Morrissey sat by tho side OF
Senator Woodn, tho chairman OF tho committee and
struck in every once In whilo with PLAIN practical
questions, intended to force the ropes any tho
word sparrors who might to dodge the issue.
Mr.. wooDIN's OPENING SPEECH 1
Mr.. WoopIx, In calling the meeting TO order, said
that number OF important measures affecting tho n-
OF New York city had been introduced In
session Of the Legislature In order secure unity
OF action, and to bring tho iabors or both Houses
common point several gentlemen had been invited
TO give their vcws As matters stood now the Senate
might pass bills which would meet with their
qu,etus in tho Assembly, and vice rersa, and SO
they might struggle until the end OF the session
without anything practical being accomplished. For
this the Committee Cities had deferred
ton several bills which before them In order
intosenty to simplify and adjust them before re-
PORTING them Tor consideration He then asked II Mr..
Jonn Kelly was present. and as his name was called
the Comptroller stepped to the front. Being asked to
inside the circle formed by tho Senator's desk Mr.
Kelly picked up stool upon which to lay bundle Of
papers which no took OF his pocket and walk
Ing deliberately forward took his position exactly In
the centre of the floor. facing tho Chairman. Mr..
KeIlys manner, while II could not characterized as
defiant certainly was determined He seemed to plant
his feet squarely tho ground, somewhat the
ner described by Walter Scott in 'Aarmion whcro
he cries out
Come one, NIL. this rock shall ny
From It's firm base IN !.
KELLys SPEECH.
Mr.. Kelly asked II his views were wanted on any
particular BILL and shoprocosded to state his opinion
ot what known woodlns Grant bill Nc said tho
general provisions Of the bill met with his approba-
ton. In regard to assessment bonds the measures
proposed seemed 10 throw safeguards around the IN
fore had arisen rom The iac, thar proner
bad not been taken by the Legislature la
framing laws, and tho complaint made by taxpayers
that they had not received proper notice OF assess.
| mcnt was we'll grounded. He thought well Of the
tho bonds consolidated. IL this dOnc
II would enable all persons who hold city bonds
render them to the city Tor bonds bearing i've per
| interest having longer period 10 They should
DO made of denominations small and large the tor
mer to accommodate persons ana estates OF large
means. who, Tor tho sake OF security, preferred
bonds having twenty thirty years to
than bonds at higher rate OF interest having only
tour or hvc years to run Now, In regard - tho other
bills the County Clerk you propose make u saiaried
officer. He so already. Whatever other amoluments
he derives through tho scArchers who paid by
him. 1t be the desire OF this Legislature effect
form you should take precautions to prevent harm
ultimately coming 10 tho CITY. The expenses OF
vass--the necessary expenses OF election TO such
oiice-are considerable. IL you mako II salaricd
office make IL inr ono, but don't relieve tho incum
| bent Oi responsibility.
| BY Mr. Woodin--Don't you think his election OK.
pcnses would be III proportion to the salary and what
do think would be fair To x tho salary
Mr. Kelly haven't gwen the subject much consd.
Grafton. The County Clerk Is oitentimcs tho Gus
todian OF large amounts OF money, sometimes from
to 100000 the responsibility Is, therefore,
BY Mr. Morrissey--w Would you consider SIC. 600
Mr. Kelly should consider it a fair saiary.
MIR. Morrisscy-Not too much.
Mr.. kely-No; IN consideration Of tho RESPONSE
| btty do not think II would be much. Tho
Deputy County Clerk should also be competent psr-
son, aud DO iarly renuncratcd Tor his SERVICES
Mr. kellv then said IN regard to the County Clerks
and REGISTERS Office they were to be saarad and tho
10 the city there should be person dcsg
mated by law as cashier-somo one responsible person
TO whom ali monies should be paid. II there any
committed by the searchers In the latter office
| you could not hold the city Responsible In good
times large revenue received from Office bu,
l
legislation adopted regard 10 these Offices la regard
to the Sherins Office you can never make II source
| OF pecuniary benefit To the city During each
| term the average number oil SUITS brought agans.
| the Sherin personally Is about 100, involving
| HIM IN endless litigation. You lawyers know hc
Is not protected by any one. would advise this
mttec 10 let the Shoriis onlcc alone IL IS danger
question To handle. fyou make II salaricd oico
you could not get any one TO take the place The
ners should DC paid tar salaries don't think three
coroncrs enough Tor such great city. Tho bll
as read H. provides that ono OF the three shall act
clerk The subject should DC carefully consdcred and
IN tho bill provision made Tor sufficient amount OF
clerk hire. Tho Office Is most important one, made
by the law tor the Coroner Is tho only county officer
who arrest the sheriff.
BY Mr. Woodin- y hat do you think would DO a far
salary for the corouersy The bill nxcs at 81, 900
Nr. Kelly-Hc ought 10 get ut least 5000 don't
think 81 900 TOO much IN travelling about thcy arc
subject less expense II you make II liked
amount II should he placed high enough to pay his
legitimate expenses ahd yet leave enough Tor Q
around tho bill would do great injury many
OF tho faithful and cIcicnt oi the clty's servants
Tho OF Taxes, Tor instance gets So 900
but you idea OF The amount OF labor
iu scrutiny that Official has to perform and
-Four thousand i've hundred dollars not enough and
! s., 900 Is not TOO much Tho Department OF Public
Docks should DO separate department. In The bill
before mo soc they are prohibited from issuing bonds
That perfectly proper Hero restrictions la regard
10 The matter Of issuing bonds by the Park Commits
sioners also. approve OF that One Com to
DO at the head OF Tho Department OF Police is not
enough -Four may be too many, but do not think tho
city would save anything by having the Excise Board
merged into the Police Department do not think tho
police could exercise any greater surveillance than they
40 now and perform Their whole duty. Il might
be possible To merge tho Buildings into tho
Fire Department. There always should bc
three Commissioners OF Charities and Correction IL
would be utterly impossible Tor one man To perform
tho duties. In view OF the financial and commercial
depression AIN OF the opinion that tho salaries tho
police ana bremen might be reduced. How much
do not IL must be remembered that they havo TO
buy their own uniforms Ny impression IL that an IN
vcstigaton would show that our school officers
are pail too high salaries.
By Mr. Morrisscy-ls thore anything you can sug.
gest to prevent an increase OF the public debty
a. lnnwt INN ,sA.nt a.lnrn
salaries wherever practicable, but care should DO
taken not to do injustice TO faithful and efficient
officials.
by MI Morrissey--Your opinion 49, thcn, that no
department can be dispensed with or nicrgcds
MI kclIy-If merged a bureau would have to DO
created, which would amount about tho same thing
by Mr.. MorrisscY==ll tho Excsc Com