The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-03-14
Reduce City Salaries.

dens which now press upon the tax ridden
people of this city
The time is come when no considerations
of sentimental character should hc per-
mitted to stand in the way of a thorough
exploration of the peculiar processes by
which several millions Of dollars are annu-
ally extracted from the taxpayers pockets
to support over eight thousand city en-
rloyees.
The oriminally cxtravagant Salaries OF jn-
diclafoiliccrs in this county wore mo-tlyllX-
ed by the Legislature during TwEED's re-
gime. New York never could, and cannot
now AFFORD to pay Sl7,j)O per annam each for
five Judges of the supreme Court, $4,000 for
a City Recorder. $4,000 for u Mayor. $1,000
each for eleven Police Justices, $4,000 for
twenty-five Aldermen, and so on through
the whole list Those who make and I'M
make our city rulers are becoming FESTIVE
under the continuance Of this state
of things. Leaving entirely out Of the
question the ex-Aldcrmen eX-Judges, ex-
City Surveyors. and other professional poll
ticlans, who pine for the fleshpots of Egypt,
there Is among all Glasses in this city, from
the laborng man TO the merchant. Il wide
spread feeling Of discomfort with those who,
while preaching economy, practically up
hold and continue horde of greatly over
paid officials.
The responses of Comptroller KELLY. Pres
idelt ROBERTS ofthe Board OF Aldermen. Tax
Commissioner WHEELER and Mayor ELY to
Asscmblyman FIsH's communication to the
Board of Estimate and Apportionmcnt ask
ing the views Of its members concerning the
policemen. and ilremcn. are OF deep interest
to those who expect relief from this quarter
Mayor ELY is not in favor OF reducing the
salaries OF those now in Office. Mr. WHEEL
Err is not prepared to say how the salaries of
individual members OF the police force and
Of the hremen now in Office should be dealt
with; he thinks salaries should be graded,
and all new appointees should in every in
stance enter upon the lowest grade at the
salary attached thereto. Mr.. KELLY deals
in generaiities. He thinks the question Of
reduction OF salaries in these departments
involves grave considerations; and he does
not deem it proper for him to express an
opinion on a subject over which he, as
member OF the Board Of Estimate and APP
portionment. has no control. II, however
such reductions are to be made. he thinks it
should Ice with great care and discrimination.
This j. vague and unsatisfactory. MIR.
RODENTS indites long epistle IN which he
gives the Assembly Committee Il short
sketch of his political career. speaks OF
almost everything in heaven above, In the
earth beneath, and in the waters under the
earth, hut fails to express himself concern
ing the reduction of salaries. We gather from
President ROBERTS, letter that he desires
to dodge the question The interests Of
the public and OF those constituents
who, rs he tells us, honor him So greatly
with their confidence are, in his eyes. ap-
parcntly Of secondary Importance as com
pared with the doubtful rights Of New York
oiliceholders to the excessive salaries they
now receive.
Mr.. HENRY L. CLINTON, Chairman OF the
Tammany Hall General Committee. says in
Il recent letter that the Board of Appor-
tionment may be relied upon to enforce re-
trcnchment and hs knowledge of the views
of the Mayor and Comptroller on this sub
ject justiiies him In saying that II the bill
now pending in the Legislature, clothing
the board with the necessary power, shall
become law, they propose to commence
anew the work OF rctrenchment by cutting
down their own salaries, as well as those OF
other city officials and employees. III view
of the letters above referred to from the
members Of the Board Of Apportionment to
the Chairman OF the Assembly Committee
on Cities, We hardly think the public at large
will share Mr.. CLIXToN's confidence.
Fancy Mr.. KELLY and President RoBERTs
voting, rs members OF the Board OF Appor-
tionment, to reduce Aldermanlc salaries
from $4,000 to s2,0Oo The idea Is prcpostcr-
Gus. And yet reduction Of this character
| would be, to use the words of Mr., KELLY
in his letter to MIR. FISH, entirely in conso-
nance with due consideration of the pub
lie interests invovcd.' Two thousand dol
lars per annum each is more than n liberal
remuneration for the time devoted to city
affairs by New York Aldermen leaving en-
trcly out II the question the doubtful ma
| ture OF the services rendered. President
ROBERTS frankly tells, in his very remark
able letter, that this business Of scaling sal
aries would he painful and unpleasant - to
| him. Mr.. KELLY, though more guarded in
/ his expressions gives us to understand the
| same thing We do not believe that the
Board of Apportionment, ms at present COM
/ l'7'Ni ~ NlNtI'N - All' ~ l9ldAAlt WIN lllt
| power Of reducing or scaling city salaries,
would at all come mp To the just require
ments and urgent demands Of the public In
/ regard 60 this matter
Those intrusted with this very grave and
important task should be- wholly free from
even the suspicion OF political influence on
party bias. Moreover, they should not be
chosen from the ranks Of salallcd city OIL
Gals. A few reductions in tho salaries Of
outragcously overpaid officials would suffice
to give employment to many workingmen
now walking the streets in search Of some
thing to do
Those who openly oppose the efforts now
making at Albany 10 procure the passage