New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-15
SPENDING THE CITY'S MONEY
WHY TAXES AMOUNT TO MANY MILLIONS.

WHY TAXES AMOUNT TO MANY MILLIONS.
INVESTIGATIONS BY STATE sTNAroRs-ExP ESss
| OF THE COUNTY CLERKS OFFTCE-DUTIEs. Rg-
sPONsBLIrIEs, AND TIE COST OF THR HEALIR
B0ARD-HARD TIMES FOR POLICE SURGEONS
| FACTS SUPPORTED By FIGURES FROM TBE CoUY-
Gil OF POLITICAL REFORM.
The State Senate Committee on City Ex-
penses met yesterday in the Mayors private
ofii Q, and continued it's inquiries into the ex-
pendtures of this city. Among the wit
nesses examined were President Chandler,
of the Health Board, Stephen j. Cook,
police surgeon, Mayor Cooper and
Thomas COstigan, of The City Record.
Professor Dwight presented statement from
ihe Council of Political Reform in corrObora-
ton of the table and statement heretofore
presented to the Committee, which were criti-
cised by Senator Strahan. The figures, it was
stated, have been carefully revised by an
experienced accountant and a Committee
OF the Council They show that while the
population of the city has increased since
1860 about so per cent, the salaries asked
for by its officers have increased nearly 450
per cent.
INQUIRIES OF THE SENATE COMMIT TEE.
The first witness examined by the committee was
j. HcnTy ofu deputy county Clcrk, VINO declarcQ
that the perquisites of the Office We're not large.
and that the idea that it was one Of the best paying
offices in the city was mistaken one He also dis
puted the statement of George Bliss that men wers
on the pay rolls of the Office who did work for
their salaries. He said there were not enough en-
poyes that none of them were incompetent. and
that no one in tho Office paid by the city for
work that he failed to perform. One reason, no
SAID, why the office should be paying one to the
County Clerk is because tho city assumes LA
bihy IN connection with il.
Richard j. Morrison president Of the Board OF
Excise, was the second witness. He sad the duties
OF the Office required the daily services Of at least
two Commissioners all the year round. The clerical
force, be said. was al required. and there were no
snecurcs in connection with the Department Sem
atOr Mccarthy asked the witness whether IL was
necessary 20 have counsel at an expense OF 5000
year, and whether the Corporation Counsel or his
assistant could not give all the legal advice needed.
The reply was that the Excise Board could not call
on the Corporation Counsel for advice, as not
city department in the legal sense. The force, he
said cOud be cut down, but it would be done at the
expense of the fees; it has been found that con-
stant dunning has a better effect IN collecting fees
than arrests for not complying with the laws pro-
duce. The Board has paid to the City Chamberlain
since February, 1873. $1117,990, received as
license fees The general spirit now, he said, is that
OF compliance with the law. but there arc some per-
sons who will not take ont licenses. The number Of
2. 600 is not 500. The license fees as now az
ranged, the witness thought were equitable aud
fair.
TBE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
Professor G. +. Chandler president of the Board
Of Health, said that he received sc. 500 year, while
bis colleagues only got $1,000, probably because
the president had to take all the abuse when things
did not go satisfactorily. He saw no reason, how
ever, why there should be discrimination. The
Health Department could not dispense with conn
sci. Because it vested with certain legislative
functions and its orders had the force OF laws. s
was involved in many law suits. 1t was sued for
100000 in one year. The Department worked
under what nj ght almost be called martial law, for
If tile abatement of nuiSances was entrusted TO tia
slow processes Of civil courts the evil Would be ef.
ie ted before the remedy could be applied, In sa
examination relative TO tie question of streetceau-
ing. Professor Chandler said that II waa perfectly
practicable 10 separate garbage from the ashes "a
such an extent as to make it matter OF indfer-
eBce whether the ashes were used 20 mako
ground for dwelling houses or not. Wheg-
ever the Police Department provided separate
service for the ashes and garbage. the Health De-
AS the case stands people will not 20 ta
he trouble OF separating ashes ana garbage when
they see them both dumped into the same cart He
called the practice OF carrying garbage TO "a most
rldCulOusly expensive waste.
Garbage, he sald can be used in filling up naiA
and can be safely thrown anywhere on the bnlk-
head line. The Health Board only insists thas
garbage shall not tie placed under dwelung-houses.
because the cellars are never tight and tho matter
putrliies and ferments not decaylB entirely for
twenty years. The practical result OF having per-
mtted this to DO done IN former years IS that thers
are 10000 unnecessary deaths annually. He said
he was IN favor of establishing bureau of street
cleaning. under a superintendent, with regular EN-
pOVes the city to be divided INTO districts after tho
plan of the fire districts.
The Health Department. he continued does not
have enough money. Ii spends about 20 cents
head for the population, out OF which it must re-
cord the births deaths and marriages. and TAXA
charge If cases of contagious diseases. Under the
opera ion of the Public Burdens bill it will be neces-
sary 10 cut down the force of the Department. Tho
tenement houses are IN good condition. but the pTi-
yatc dweiln@hOuseS. rule. are III wretched con-
illi0n. owing TO defective plumbing. Plumbers
should hc made 10 register and upon proof Of de-
ectiye Jobs they should be forbidden 10 work attthe
trade until they gave evidence that they would noe
lgdlD blunder.
Stephen j. Cook. police surgeon, testified that
here no more police surgeons than are absolutely
necessary. In his own case on an average he gave
,ght or ten hours day the duties of hs position.
me ambulance system he said, had not lessened
he work OF tho police surgeons who have TO visit
ick policemen, examine applicants for positions
he police force, and attend in of assault or
murder, besides testiiyIug IN the Courts.
John Fitch, Register in Bankruptcy and United
states Commissioner, appeared before tho commit
ee a few moments 10 say that the judiciary ~ no
'ther million and quarter OF people on tne goba
5 so hard driven the New-lorA judiciary. 10
emedy this evil he would cCusol date all the courts
nlo one leaving the Marine Court alone however.
lie would then double the number of judges and do
way with references. The twenty additional
adges should be recommended by the tweDty
udges now on the bench, and then Oc appointed bY
ue Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Ihcir
alarles should not be reduced. as a corrupt jGdge
vas preferable TO p0Oriypad judge. The cX-
,enses OF the increased num0er OF judges cOuld 20
net by charging every person who began a awsuis
go Mr.. EItch recommended that there should be
our surTogates and 1000 salared jurymen.
Thomas COstlgan. supervisor of he CtiJ Record.
Explained 10 the committee the WORKINGS of ms
'ureau and It's annual cost.