The New York herald., 1877-02-08
THE MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

REDUCING EXPENSES AND INCREASING RE-
souRcEs-sPEEcH OF THE MAYOR AND CONF
rRoLLER-HAvE WE HALF DOZEN CITY
GOVERNMENTS?
Tho arst municipal conference, undcr the resolution
passed by the Board OF Aldermen, held yesterday
afternoon in tho Mayors Office and proved OF great
interest," giving promise Of much future good to the
city, Among those present His Honor the Mayor;
Comptroller Kelly, Dr. Chandler Of the Health Board;
Tax Com issioner Wheeler Dock Commissioner Wales,
President ood or the Board oi Education President
Martin, of the Park Department; Vincent King and J.
L. Purdy, Fire Commissioners, ana Commissioners
Campbell OF the Public Works. The Police Board was
represented One remarkable feature OF the gather
ing the formal inroductions necessary for strange
as II may seem, the hoads OF departments not all
acquainted wi each other.
MAYOR ELY.
Mayor Ely in calling tho Conference order, stated
that he letters Of invitation to all tho heads OF
departments OF the city government to meet in
cordance with resolution passed. by the Board Of
Aldermen. The idea was that by these meetings the
various branches OF the government might bo CON-
bnod and zach give tho other hearty cooperation
arst to reduce tho expenses Of tho city government
and second, to increase its Each head OF
department course knew its requirements better than
others By operating together and obtaining OK.
change of views much light would bo thrown upon
the condition Of the city government and its general
affairs II seemed to him that Tor some time past
there had been least half dozen city govern ments
and battling with the other Here, united, they
could work together Tor the common benefit OF ALL
and any collision between two branches as, Tor in
stance was tho between the Health and Police
boards. would be avoided; Many very valuable sug-
gestions would, doubt, be offered. In respect to
legislation for this city hc thought that department
should act independently to secure whatever cgsIa-
Mayor
President Wood OF the Board of Education, said the
| Mayor had expressed his sentiments.
Commissioner W. b. Martin said that he was certain
the conferences would work much good and give the
people clear insight into the condition u the city IS
Affairs
Comptroller Kelly said there was one point they
were all agreed on and that the dcsirability Uf
having Homogeneous city government. IL his
desire thut every branch Of II should unite and
OF acting separately as department act solidly as
city government When anything needed the
idea to ask IT In the name of the city through the
Mayor. The idea OF nrst ono department ana thon
another running around to obtain special Legislation
for itself was absurd He thought these Conferences
would bring about not only better understanding be-
tween the officers 0i the government. but better
dcrstandng in relation 10 the Legislation really nocdcd
| by the city
| REDUCING EXPENSES
The Comptroller concluded by Offering resolution
| In substance as follows-
Resolved, That each department of the city
sacn The expenses Of the aud ,ss method
OF Increasing ,ts resources to ~ Honor the Mayor nt
the senators be invited that meeting
that may the of the
| to necessary Legislation aud act with them.
| The resolution was seconded by Commissioner Mar.
| tin and was carried.
! Commissioner Wood said additional legislation was
needed In ordcr that the Board OF Education may
qurc new school houses and he should be pleased 10
put the Information boore the Legislature Ia this way.
| THE COMMITTEE OF CITIZENS
Comptroller Kelly offered resolution that tho CON
mittee OF cItizcns who recently conferred with the
Mayor and himself be invited TO attend the meeting
ON Saturday. The resolution was adopted.
| Commissioner Campbell made a short address, In
| which he ioreshadowed good results from the
fcronccs and alter a short and semi nhdcntal DIS
| cussion the Conference adjourned until Saturday.
| PRIvArE PUBLIC
Tho question at an early stage In the proceed
ings whether these conferences should be public OF
private The majority seemed to favor the idca OF pr
| va.e meetings. Tho Comptroller and Commissioner
Martini however, favored the admtance Of reporters
and the public. Private meetings would bc apt "a
breed antagonsm. President Martin thought The
members OF the Legislature would consider some plot
ting order against them " secret sessions were
held and then the newspapers would got IL anyhow.
The Conference yesterday was strictly private.