The New York herald., 1878-01-10

II
Beginning AT the metropolis OF tho country We nnd
that from ls4o 1850 Inc debt had Increased twenty
per cont; the next decade II increased fifty per cent
II llS7On was upward OF $73,0o0O00, an increase OF
nearly four hundred per cent. In the last SIX
years $40 00 more has been added, which increase
is largely attributable 70 the funding OF preceding
floating dcbt-u legacy bequeathed by tho Ring, and
whish should properly be added TO tho statement IN
nothing to snow. It's wharfs and piers arc for the
most part temporary anu perishaOle structures;
tns streets arc poorly p.vsa ne % sd oaor .ns
pubic buildings shabby and inadequate ana therc is
little which the CITIZEN can regard with sstsiacton
save the Aqueduct and public park. Even these
should TO be tho product of tie pubic deot or
tho expense occasionod oy them is, or should have
represents tor the part vast aggregate OF money
wasted, embezzled or misappiied.
This Is also true in lesser degree OF other American
cities. Baltimore, Boston and Philadelphia arc IN u
respectable conditon, but nothing 10 boast OIL chi
what can the other cities how tor their enormous
debis? Their debts are as follows:-
CINCINNATI. S2S, 1000 Newark ~ 0oo goo
Elizabcth.. 5000 900 Pi,tsburs...... l4,oO0, 900
Jersey Cty.... l4.OOOU0o Providence. 10000 600
Louisville .... lo,oooooo ST. Lous...... $4,000, 600
New Orleans. 23.OOOO 900 Washington. rs. 100000
The cities the Uned States have to show for their
dcot OF 00o oO0 rotning but badly paved streets
lily constructed pubic buildings, vast parks, the very
shade trees OF which are lndeliby stamped with tho
word ''steal" railway ventures which have proved
damage rather than benefit, gas rings whose only
object seems plunder, and city officials whose only
aim seems 10 be to play into the hands OF the bum.
MGR element with view TO tee next spring election
PowExs OF STATE AND MUNICIPALITY.
The paper treated OF tho relative powers OF State and
municipality. and stated tnat the interest OF tho mu-
ncIpai ol the city OF Now York, 10 say nothing
Of tho enormous cost OF running The govern.
meni, Is millions OF dollars moro than the
total for carry ing on the government
Of the State An Interesting table. showing the debts
valuations and nrual expenses OF the different States
OF the Union and compiled from special and authentic
Information, hero presented. The iacte brought
out by this table show the total State indebtedness OF
the United States 10 be $685. l70,916 Inc municipal
Indebtedness ol l30 cities, AZ Indicated IN the nrst
table, amounts the enormous sum OF 1885,
upward oil $275 900 more than the entire state
debt which In the Southern states, through bad gov
ernment Is alone upward OF $3.50 600 QUO, and which
IN the better governed States amounts TO nero
bagateo.
The remedy was then suggested GO follows:-Our
municipalities must be wrenched from tho wicked mot
that is Undermining them; political machinery must
be The essayist In conclusion says:-
ut IL Jolly to propose remedy less radical than
either the absolute disirarchsomcnt oil the nom
taxpaying popuation or the election OF second
body OF mon by the heavy taxpayers OF city to rep
resent the properly nterosts anu curta the reckless
disbursements of inc public funds."
THE rhIsox CoXGREss.
A letter received from X. Z. Wines, United
States Commissioner to the Prison Congress 10 held
At Stockholm August 90 1873, asking that the Social
Scicnco Associations OF the Unitcd States urge tho
subject upon Executives and Legislatures OF all OF
the States Tho letter spoke OF the great interest
taken by Oscar H.. King OF Sweden and Norway, IN
the subject.
Colonel Thomas Wentworth Hgginsop, OF Rhode
Island. ana Rev. r. Il. Wines OF Illinois, were elected
delegates TO represent the association at the Prison
Congress to be held at stockholm.