The New York herald., 1877-01-24
VIEWS OF THE COMPTROLLER AND MAYOR.
Speeches by William Cullen Bryant, Peter
Cooper. George W. Lane, DOrman B.
Eaton and Ex-Mayor Wickham.
THE REMEDIES TO BE APPLIED.
Looking Toward Albany
for Relief.


proposed reforms in our municipal government took
place yesterday afternoon. The committee OF mcr-
chants and bankers arrived In tho Mayors Office
shortly after three O'Clock.
WERE THERE
Among the gentlemen present were william Cullen
Bryant, Oswald Ottendorfer, Dorman b. Eaton jack
Schults, Henry Bergh, Peter Cooper, Thomas J.
Creamer, Sinclair Tousey, George B. Hall, Joseph Sc
ligman ex-Mayor Wickham, II. b. Clahn, William A.
Booth, Howard Potter John J. Cisco F. d. Tappan,
George w. Lane Theodore Roosevelt, John T. Agncw,
David Dows, John A. Stewart, Lew r. Morton Joseph
H. Choate, A. r. Whitney, George d. H. Gillespie,
Charles s. Smith and about twenty others Comptroller
Kelly, Aldermen Bryan Reilly Pinckney, Cole, Cunt
Ger, Cowing and Hall and other members Of the
city government also present At halfpast
three O'Clock Mayor Ely called the meeting TO order
MAYOR SPEAKS
He said:-Gentlemen OF tho committee, would like
TO say that feel very greatly gratifed by your
herc this afternoon and convinces that my
mercantile and financial friends and the common
people of tho city generally awakening to the
knowledge that their full duty is dis.
charged by merely attending at the polls the day Of
slection that ihey have further duty In the mat
Tor. and that they should look further the affairs
Of the city government and into the condition Of
lhose to whom they have intrus,ed them am very
receive any suggestions you may havo to make. zap
plause.l
LIKE PUBLICITY.
Mr. William A. Booth, chairman OF the committee,
supposed that tho conference would be private and
that it would not have been given much publicity.
Since 1871 there had not been much interest mani
Tested within the last month two. In every
quarter people found discussing matters
ing the affairs of the city government Tho heavy debt
OF the city and the economical administration OF
public affairs subjects which engaged the attcn-
zion Of all public citizens. During the past twelve
years the city debt has increased from $40 O00 900
about $l2 900 or $780, OOO OOO and the taxes had
increased to such extent that they heavy
as could be borne. II was opinion quite general
that tho city and its commercial interests hasten
burdens borne by the taxpayers the business OF the
city was threatened with great reverses. Mr. Booth
ment were honesty efficiency and economy IN Its ad
minstration The present expenses OF the city were
much larger than they should be- Il was thought by
many that the Mayor and Comptroller should be
thorized to dismiss unfaihul member OF any
department and get somo ono else 10 fill his place II
was believed that there were many sinecures which
should done away with The gentleman advocated
reduction OF all the salaries in the different depart
ments II the debt should on increasing great dis
trcss must arise
REFoRMERs MUST BE ABLE MEN,
Mr. William Cullen Bryant was the next speaker.
He felt somewhat embarrassed IN speaking OF financial
matters the presence OF men eminent business
matters were those present. He was glad, how
II, u
fully sensible OF the iorce and application of
great maxim Of government that the affairs OF govern
mont are to be exercised soey for the benefit OF tho
community at large and that he who attempts to per-
vert them into instruments for his own personal ad
vantage Is guilty not only OF an abuse but OF u crime
Scarcely less was the crimnality OF those who
governments, whether national or local. general
municipal, as party machine. The man who set
himself up as reformer in a great city like this ust
be an able man and must be possessed great cour-
age. One OF the objects Of the present commifee was
10 offer to the Mayor, in any course OF reform upon
ho untuht dat m tn anti nj
rmk LArk MAYOR ALLEN.
An alluson was here made by tho speaker TO the
career OF Mr. Stephen Alien as Mayor of this city.
He compIimcnted this gentleman in tho highest TERMS
na' ru no he poll
second term. 1t followed down to the present day
that the Mayor who performed his whole duty TO the
of men, and consequently needed the support OF all
COED citizens.
Mr. George W. Lane, formerly City Cham berlain,
next addressed the assemblage. He said that not
only IN this city, but oil through the State where in
stitutons held the securities of the city, there
feeling OF great anxiety Whenever he tMr. Eane had
been spoken to the subject he had replied that II
no fear IT. however, this debt went increasing he
could not say what the result would be. Many per-
had said to him that If the debt kept on increas
Ing they would not take any more OF our securities
and would sell those which they held. As soon this
took place the credit ofthe city was gone II there
behooved everybody to look tho question squarey
The credit of tho city rested with the pres
cnt Mayor and Comptroller, and 1t would 90 beyond
them. 1t with them to adopt such methods
limits, and If possible insure its reduction.
Mr.. Peter Cooper arose. with long document In his
hand and called the attention OF the meeting to plan
which he had submitted to Mayor Havemeycr In lS42
ments, which. he argued. would save great deal OF
money to the city.
Mr.. Dorman b. Eaton argued in favor Of economy in
the reduction Of the number and compensation of en-
ployes In great many instances they would have
10 90 to Albany, but the Mayor and Comptroller had
authority in other After somo further remarks
Mr.. Eaton presented the following resolutions for
consideration OF the meeting
THE RESOLUTIONS.
Resolved That by words well by presence
Thai il is no less the duty OF ali good citizens and
especially Of men of ntegonce and propery to defend
snS hsD right Of rucS aS
and confront such officer whenever they may be
That is Condition of our city admin
be- upon honest business principles than matter
politics. be managed in the interest of party Of
Thai Of the city debt should be at
equal the current expenscs and moderate sinking fund
T. That there should be immediate reduction Of all
those salaries and expenses which, by reason Of an inflated
high rate; and al the earliest moment practicable there
o ss Of hs and "S o the
city. based careful examination Of the numbers and
g. city debt should be funded in bonds
having long period and the lowest rate OF inter
avaabe the need for tho frequent issue Of short
bonds should be removed by appropriate arrangements aud
IL egisation.
O. That II Is much to be desired that the existing Com
Affairs sho Id make early report that
the be Tor further reforms In the structure OF
VINO pay the taxes larger influence the to be
made Of tho moneys with which they supply tho city
treasury.
A THE LOCAL STATESMEN
After reading these resolutions Mr.. Eaton continued
ais romarks. Ito said incidentally, that they, tho
members Of the committee, ought repent in sac.-
cloth and ashes for not taking deeper interest here
toforo In public affairs IN TINS city They had allowed
partisan politicians pcttoggcrs briccss lawyers aud
otner dsrcpulable characters to pagc and plunder
whine standing Idly by.
COMPTROLLER KELLY REPLIES.
When Mr.. Eaton down Comptiol ollcr Kelly adj
dressed the committees. He was received with np.
plause. lie had listened very atcntivcy to the fst
speakers and what had sai by Mr. Eaton.
He agreed with that gentleman that the abuses which
existed In this city were mainly attributable 10 lcgsa-
lion ut Albany Mr.. Kelly then continued ty sayingI
AQree Will him also lhul lLu nc0ple of lhs cIx.