New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-04
SENATE INVESTIGATIONS.


Controller Kelly testified at length Yesterday be-
fore the senate Committee on Cities. He said that tho
Mayor should not have the sole power OF appointing
heads of departments; that the Board OF Appoii0n-
ment had sufficient power aud that no reduction OF
expenses bad been made by the present Commits
sioner of Public Works. He denied ox-COntroer
Green's statement in regard to the expenses OF tho
Finance Department, and said that not a single
man IN that department could be dispensed with
Mr.. Kelly also answered numerous questions in re-
gard to other matters connected with the city gov
ernment. Some interesting testimony was given
In regard to the treatment of the insane before tho
Senate Committee which IS invest eating that sub
iect. DR.. William j. Morton described the :" col
ony" system in Europe which has been very sue
cessful. and pointed out abuses in the asyums
ON Wards and Backwelps Islands. DIR. T. A. Nc
Bride emphasized the necessity Of more thorough
knowledge OF insanity among physicians. Mrs. j.
S. Lowell also testified.
VIEWS OF CONTROLLER KELLY.
HIS TESTIMONY BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON CITY
EXPENsEs-THg POWERS or HE MAYOR-No
REDUCTION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
woRKs-THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT ECONOMIC
ALLY ADMINIsrERKD-OPINIoNs ON OTHER SUE
JEcTs.
The entire session Of the Senate Committee
Cities yesterday devoted TO the examination Of
Controller Kelly. Mr. Kelly began by admitting that
he had read the Committees subpoena and Senator
Mccarthy read 1t to hun. Mr. Kelly then said that he
had suggestions to volunteer and that be would
fer to be questioned.
Senator McCarthy-In your opinion is the number Of
Aldermen sufficient. and the manner OF their election
satisfactory
think the number is sufficient but Aldermen should
be elected by wards in way differing from the
preseut Way. Aldermen-a-a would improve,
meDt
WHAT do you think OF their payt
don't think the pay fixed by the law. 10 too
much in view OF the large amount OF lbor and election
expenses.
Would It not improve the character Of the ard II
salary at all paid and men OF means elected
for the hOnOri
do not; my notion is that OF do not care
to enter politics.
What have you to say about the clerical expenses Of
the Boardi What would be reasonable gross amount
for that expensei
Ihave knowledge how the business Is conducted or
whether the number Of clerks Is too great. know
nothing at all about IT,
What your opinion OF the powers OF the Mayor with
regard to apponmeltsi
think the Mayor ought appoint, and the Board Of
Aldermen have the power TO confirm / would object
70 placing the whole power in mans hands.
II he used It right taere would ba
no complaint; but IL he used 1t for
ambitious ends he would always ind the departments
IN OF obedience and ready 10 respond To what no
Msvor now has tHe pow,r of remoy al for delinquency
subject TO the confirmation OF the Governor.
WHAT do you think of the expenses OF the Mayors
know nothing about the administration of the Office
POWER OF THE BOARD OF APPoRTiONMENT.
Has the Board Of Apportionment sufficient powerf
Yes the estimates made by tho heads of depart
ments and the Board has the power TO reduce tbcm.
he head of
because the Board exercises this power
Isn't there proper complaint that the taxes are un-
necessarily Target
Yes often the various taxpayers associations ge be-
fore the Board with complaints BUT my impression 10
that they do not have sufficient information 10 rant
them IN asking for reductions.
Does not your position as Controller give you know-
fhe Controller ougb; 10 know, but he is not apt
many things known 10 the heads OF delartmenss.
If the Auditor has any doubt he lakes precautions be-
fore paying bills.
ousl not the Board Of Appornonmeqt to have knowl
edge Of depar mental expenses IN dotalit
II impossible for the Board 10 know the workings ot
departments.
Suppose. for instance that the Police Department a's
for 100000 for streetceaniDg purposes and gets It, 10
power OF superysio III tue Board OF Apporion-
No; 1t is entirely in the power of the department to
spend money prohtably or not II ali depends on
Would You advise giving tho Board any more powerf
NJ; think 1t has power enough; the esiimates arc
made time tor fun examination aud the Board can
send for heads Of departments.
t,oIa
can't gee how any one man coulf have the power
voYor ova,1h' Tie power u ''i''''''" 10 N'''' -
The Mayor couldn't then attend TO his other duties
IL eohp,slni % Mci7 nnId nor tate tne uavnr Long "a
make an investigations
lie has tue power now; he can send Tor heacs OF &c
Ne won d always get q good report from them.
How would he get any other kind OF q repcrti
He mIgut employ detective
lie his tnal power i no~; 30 cne @ bav y in
arc % o, P.Vp1 I'm o az ~ The ,edueIion IN exnenses
oa ,Iar tie ,,reaent Comm ssionsr ~ publ,clyOrks
Iu. ner tne neder h,m has not exoendcd large
suns fnr Irge works such as the boueyar he has
s sus 10, dd e ~ or,"arv erncnses nnd asine thar
v,er1 yveu ,e No. nat eercted sny reduction
VIC" S '' ~ -, n'opny for nv issunc
. Is IS ~ ~ uettul NC W., ,ti ~ ia',o :, ,,i',S n'S "
oVu r W. y, oS n ohain money 10 build works run
nc pIop.t m,so % w III ihnt ope yo be nrmsneut Is by
nng through years anu Az ,he 20 20 ya,rs with such
Doh9s; IL i' ho' ii'r " '"S ~ ''