New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-01-24
THE PROCEEDINGS.

paycrs assembled at the call of committee of citizens
of which William A. Booth ia chairman, TO confer with
the Mayor and Controller, and to express the interest
felt by the committee i'll the government OF this city ana
q, tender to these gentlemen cordial sympathy and
co6pcraOn in the discharge Of their official duties
The venerable Peter Cooper was welcomed with many
expressons OF the Mayor and members OF the
committee. Marked attention was paid to william Cul
len Bryant also, and he was received with much al'
pause when he rose to speak Following are the names
of other members of the committee who were present
william A. Booth, Howard Potter, H. B. Cafiin JACKSON
g. Schultz George W. Lane, John A. Stewart Theodore
Roosevelt Josiah NJ. Fske, Sinclair Tousey, f. d. Tap
pep Levi p Morton, Oswald 0ttendorfer f. Oelbcrman
John J. Cisco, David BOWS, Dorman H. Eaton, Joseph
selignan John H. Sherwood, William II. Appleton, T.
Van volkenburgh, Henry f. spauldng Joseph H. Cnoa'e
George Cabot Ward, A. X. Whitney. George d. H. Gil
lespe and Charles s. Smith Among the visitors were
Henry Bergh, Aldermen Pnckney, Cowing, Guntzer,
BRYAN Reilly Cole, and Hall Thomas j. Creaner, ana
Col Rush c. Hawkins.
The Office was soon crowded, and many persons were
obliged to remain standing near the doors and IN the
recesses OF the windows. Mayor Ely presided Win
Controller Kelly at his right hand. and exMayor Wick
ham seated near him. At $3.50 Mayor Ely opened the
conference in all informal and pleasant manner He said
that felt very greatly grathed at the large NUMBER
of persons present and by it he was convinced thai MS
mercantile and financial friends and good people OF The
CITY generally were awakening TO the knowledge that
smpy voting on the day OF election but that they had
further duty in the which was to look after the
conduct of those whom they had chosen to preside over
the different departments of the City Government.
william A. Booth, chairman Of the committee. re-
marked that Mayor wickham and Mayor Havemeyer
had complained that they not sufficiently sup
ported in the discharge OF their dntes ny The citizens
This was also the feeling of the late Controller In con
sequence of this the movement had been organized
Continuing, Mr. Booth spoke as follows:
In looking at the alarming increase in Tie city In
debIedness il has occurred to me that there were tree
things which might very properly command the atten
tion OF the Mayor and C0nIToler ana an %no e3et an
Influence in the maer IT'S q, nmr Civ Goyenmept
and next that should have efficiency III every depart
sr va and shEHd ha1e honest men in every
department OF city affairs don't mean honesty III pay
inc ont and receiving money but every man should give
an equivalent 10 the city for what he receives whether
he be day labOTer man In higher oineia losltiO
We don't want economy TO disturb IN any way the en-
ciency Of our city officers We don't by ANYTHING
we say that they shall not be eihcient We "ou nave
sponsbility and If he does not properly discharge his
duty we would have you dismiss him as we do III mer-
In regard to economy there is much to be said We
have impression that there Is large nninDer Oi
sinecures and that the sa acs in all the artmens OF
the CITY ut Ss te P%S In hi s g 2re liked
dq1Iessed state OF business demands When the CITY OF
effected in the City Government, and the INST .i
salaries of all the employees. Their paper had
been dshonorcd in all our banks their credit was zone
and nstcad of being delinquent they were meeting theF
Obligations aud borrowing money at falr rate OF ~
the same condition that Chicago found Itself III a few
r. Ton Mr. Mayor and the Controller will put your
selves forward i'll this movement TO reduce the expenses
and give better city government. yon VIII hayS
visit at the end your of office that some one else
had filed your places
Mr. Bryant said he felt some embarrassment in speak
ing of financial matters before mea so eminent in b1s-
ness He was glad know that lie was speaking to one
oinng to the Mayor who felt the force and appica-
lion of the maxim that the powers of the Government,
whether national State municipal are to be exercised
solely for the benefit of the people II was criminal Ill
INV man to those powers for per-
pona or partisan advantages. in great
city hike this a reformer must be bo!c man. ana
requires much encouragement. The members of this
committee come to offer the new Mayor their cordial
sylnpathy and jealous cooperation. Mr. Bryant spoke
OF MAYOR stephen Allen who was elected for one term
only. He discharged the duties OF the Office with the
nCst infcxblc int gritty. He studied fugaity, and
administered the affairs Of the city on Dusl-
ness principles with strict economy He was
not popular with the politicians. But ever after
be was mentioned man beyond any attempt at dis
loucsty His name was IGNORED everywhere When ne
died, everybody said, "Ibere has gone an honesvfah
Mr. Bryant concluded with these words: Owe WIN sup
port YOU Nj Mayer. and the Controller III any course
you may suggest which viii accomplish the purposeof
this committee and give an honest and economical
City Government Relying upon your desire 10 DO your
perfect duty, we vii help you
George W. Lane formerly City Chamberlain, then said
thai the mOheed institutions Of the city watched the IN
t.casur city debt with great concern Many officers OF
tanks and trustees had called on him and asked advice
The feeling was general that the city securities would
to; be safe investments with further addition to the in
Sol hat milo VIZ a
.oppiug place very soon no more city bonds would De
purchased by financial institutions and those now hed
Peter Cooper said that il had been the labor of HIS life
% what could be done 10 better the City Government
l. then SPOKE at some length OF scheme on reform
sLich he had presented to the Common Council III lei2
ADDRESS OF DORMAN II. EATON.
Dormen e. Eaton said that thing 10 be gained by
ne conference 10 show the city officials that they
would receive the moral support Of the community and
IT, generous sympathy meet its most vigorous oppos-
ton as their administration might merit II has been
Thought said he that should have definite state
mcnt Of what ought to be done and OF how IL ought to bc
rcue We want To economic. We want 10 know how 10
tedace the number and the pay OF city Oc!as but wen
&c undertake do 10 are met 10y seles OF statutes
Thinning back FOR years which regulate All or nearly an
lore 70 go Albany aud bring such Influence and
such pressure 10 bear upon the men thetc VINO make
ese laws tt 80 inv VIZ n, rr the oSer IS in the
Lands Of the ayOT that be must use his disc cuOndiy
Sewer TO bring about this economy. Bat ii requires an
sc crfnes. 10 overcome the selfish desires of
s interruptions selfish voter 10 Will require some
hing more than resolutions to accomplish ts. but fesO
hon preccdcs action. desire 10 oler IL following
sesOlutit MS:
roged That by words well by presence here
y q wish 10 declare oar CONVECTION
H. less the duty ~ ali good cltItis ana
Especially OF Of Intelligence ana properly To defend ana
aid tie ocers Of the city all their efforts FOR good as
Of suCn ciuzcns 10 condemn and
confront officers whenever they NAV be resp0 De iOf
abuses. l.. s... H., Att.
That IL Is condition Of real reform IN our city admins
ao4 that it be eacd fanT aJ aS % sT Of no
bics t. managed the interest OF any parry OF OF any
party leaders. $3.50. III, J.. ~, ,,oo ar
That the Of the city debt should be AT once ar
roseG ard the current city taxation and income be naae
moderate slnElnR 1unu