The New York herald., 1879-01-07
MAYOR COOPER'S MESSAGE
Important Reforms Recommended to
the City Fathers.
STRIKING AT MoNoPoLIEs
Taxes Should Be Reduced and Useless
HH Officials Discharged.

fg Officials Discharged.
Mayor Cooper sent his first message to the new
Board Of Aldermen yesterday. The document is as
follows:-
MAYORS OFFICE. Jan. 6. 1879.
TO THE COMMON CoUNcII:-
It is the duty of the Mayor Ito communicate to
the Common Council at least once year, general
statement Of the finances. government and improve,
ments OF thecity,' and ito recommend al
such measures as he shall deem expedient Ihis
duty will be performed when shall have been long
enough in office to become familiar with the actual
condition of the various departments of the city
government. In the meantime it will not be out of
place to make q few general suggestions indicating
the policy which II seems to me should DO pursued
In the municipal administration.
The public authorities are charged with the care of
the property of the CITY, the protection of life and
health and the supervision of affairs which affect the
welbeing Of the whole community.
The increase of population and resources which
should be checked through the want OF enterprise
and wisdom in utilizing the natural advantages with
which New York is favored.
BY its commercial relations with all parts of the
Union and with foreign peoples by its manufactures,
which have steadily grown to very large vol
and by its subordinate industries city has
thriven hitherto and must continue to thrive. To
develop these of wealth and prosperity, to
invite and accommodate the interchange Of the pro-
ducts of all countries and to attract additional capi
ta skill and labor. it Is necessary that the burdens
imposed upon commerce by tolls, charges or ex-
actions be lghtened that the facilities of harbor
and its docks and wharves be extended and adapted
to modern cheap methods of handling bulky pro-
ducts that our streets be kept clean and in proper
condition for the passage of persons and merchan-
disc; that life ana property protected; that the
maintained and that in the parts Of the city
the plans for its extension be comprehensively ana
ntellgeny adjusted to the uses for which it will be
occupied.
.a4 REDUCTION IN TAXATION PROPOSED.
These objects 1 oeievo De attained at lower
rate OF taxation than is now imposed and without
any increase of debt.
The accomplishment of these ends is intrusted to
various agencies deriving their powers from multi
farous statutes. the tendency Of which for many
years has been to take from the Common Council ju
rsdicton over one subject after another and to vest
1t in divers departments. boards and officers, in
whom are now found combined both legislative and
administrative functions.
by taxation which, until recently, had been retained
by the Legislature. is vested in body before
mate and Apportionment. This body fixes the
amount OF annual taxation and the appropriations to
be expended by the several boards and departments
among which the executive and Legislative functions
have been distributed.
The result q complex system. in which the limit
OF power is not always clearly defined and RESPONSE
blity not always secured. Experience will probably
suggest to us the necessity for notifications OF this
system. but at present have proceed in the dis
charge of our duties under the laws as We fnd them
The extent to which public works. paid for by the
city and by assessments on property benefited ought
to be prosecuted, is subject that will continually
force itself upon our attention 1t is for us to
slider, in this time OF financial depression and of
In the upper part of the city have precedence In the
order OF public necessity.
NEEDED PUBLIC WORKS.
Additional facilities for crossing the Harlem River,
by bridges tunnels should be provided from time
TO time, as required. At some points this has long
.Deen pressing public need.
The work Of repairing and repaving the ways in
those parts Of the city where the business by which
1t is supported Is transacted, and where people actu
ally dwell, should be pushed more rapidly, and ade
quate appropriations should be made for this purpose.
An abundant supply OF water is of vital inipor-
rre n m anch of
tho Croton. the construction OF which has consumed
nearly four years. completed and filed. The aquo-
duct should be maintained in thorough repair. and
timely consideration should be given to the increas-
ing demand for water Ms the city grows, and to
service works to be commenced forthwith will afford
much needed relief to the elevated portions of the
city, and should be prosecuted rapidly completion.
TOO MANY OFFICIALS.
There are too many city officials. and their salaries
are i'll many instances excessive. To equalize COM
pcnsations to get rid OF sinecures and unnecessary
officials is duty demanding immediate attention.
Compensations should be adjusted to the character
OF the labor and responsibilities imposed Where
discretion s vested in the local authorities that dis
creton should be exercised in the interest of the pub
lie. Where salaries and Offices needless though they
may be- anchored in provisions OF law legislation
alone Gan bring relief Where the compensation of
present incumbens is protected by the constitution
provision should be made for reducing the emolu-
ments OF their successors.
JUDICIAL AND REVENUE REFORMS.
The heavy expenditures involved in the sdministra-
ton of justice in this city form serious item in the
burden Of taxation. No good citizen will desire to
enbarrass the courts by insufficient appropriations.
but these expenses can be reduced without detrment
to the public service.
The question OF excise s in all its aspects deeply
important. The laws now in force. framed for the State
ut large, should be- modified to meet the requ,
ments OF great metropolis and by the proper
regulation of the traffic upon which they operate a
greater revenue in aid OF chai.es and In reduc-
tion OF taxation.
NO PRIVILEGE WITHOUT COMPENSATION
The revenues OF the city should be more efficiently
collected. No lesse:franchise privilege should be
granted without adequate return to the city treasury
NO interest or individual should be permitted to evade
just and legal obligations to the city. But 1t is our
duty to go further and ascertain to what extent
new sources of income can be opened by imposing
taxation upon all corporations and persons who
enjoy special privileges and franchises which do
not contribute In the shape of taxation amount
derive from the public bounty. without discussing
how far IT Is proper to grant exemption from tax
ments 1t is clear that public opinion will not long
justify the enjoyment Of profitable privileges which
escape their tar share of the necessary expenses o
the government by which thoy protected aud
their value is maintained
To the annual budget OF the Board of Estimate and
Apportonmcnt adopted December u, 1878. have
not yet beea able to give such examination as would
warrant review of its various items. In my judu
relieves the heads of departments from respon-
sibity for strict economy They are as truly bound
to effect all Practicable saving of expenditure within
the maximum apportioned to them as IL that max
imum had not been hxed
TO the extent of my power shall hold TO accounta
bility all departments aud officers of the municipal
government. requising and expecting from All "A
hearty cooperation in the efficient discharge Of their
respective duties.
lilo not deem. IL improper to remind you that the
results OF the late election brought about by
deep seated dissatisfaction in the community with
the management of city affairs. To the extent OF the
power vested In us we should remove the causes OF
this dissatisfaction. Where do not possess the
necessary power proper representation should be
made to the Legislature In order to secure remedial
measures. TO the determination and the ogort TO
secure an efficient, economical and enlightened
administration OF the public business we should
subordinate questions OF purely partisan politics,
allowing individual or political differences 70
interfere with the needed work OF retrcnchent and
progress EDWARD COOPER, Mayor
THE NEW ALDERMEN.