New-York tribune., 1880-01-06
BRooKLYYS MAYOR AND ALDERMEN.

The Democratic minority of the Brooklyn Board
of Aldermen yesterday succeeded IN electlng as
President, Alderman Black Democrat. The Board
is constituted of Ii Republicans and II Democrats.
Two Republicans Messrs. Powers and Smith, voted
for Mr.. Black Alderman Powers. ii is alleged.
was influenced by the promise of patron
age; Alderman Smith is believed to have acted
from dislike of Mr.. Ray the Republican candi-
date. Alderman Black has been dangerously i'll.
and has not wholly recovered. He was carried
from his carriage to the room. and departed imme-
dately after his election. without taking the chair.
Mr.. Black received 13 votes and Mr.. Ray 10, and
the former was declared president.
Alderman Baird, Republican, kindly offered to
"pair" with Mr.. Black. so that lie need not remain
at the meeting. This action was afterward re-
gretted by Alderman Baird. for the Democrats then
proceeded to fill all the minor offices, and the pre-
siding officer, Alderman Dwyer, ruled against
the Republican members in defiance of usage,
even going so far as TO declare motion to adj
iOurn by Alderman Ray not IN order. After scene
of confusion the election of City Clerk resulted In
the choice of the former deputy. Dennis Mcnamara,
the former clerk w. q. Bishop after twenty years
service being now disabled by paralysis. All the
officers were elected by the Democratic majority of
one under the operation of the previous question.
John Dwyer, the former pugilist, whose contest IN
Canada last Spring attracted attention. was chosen
as clerk of the Third District Court. The choice OF
q man. who bad left the State 20 engage IN prze-
FIJI position in q cOurt OF law, bitterly de-
nounced by Alderman Dimon and others.
The Mayors annual message was read afterward.
He shows by statistics that the taxable resources Of
the city have steadily increased since 1878. and al
though the figures of 1879. $232 1925, ,G99 are less
than those for 1873. the shrlnkage is IN personal
property the real estate having increased nearly
So. 600 900. During the last six years the tax
burdens have been gradually reduced nearly
So 600 O0O and the rate of taxation has been re-
duced ST. or nearly 80 per cent The opinion is ex-
pressed that the present tax rate should be main-
tanned but not increased. reduction III
current local expenditure should be made.
A Department of Finance should be established,
| uniting the Tax Department, the Arrears Depart
| ment and the Water Rate Department. the De-
partment of Audit should be abolished ~ needless.
By consolidating departments, $4,000 year
would be saved and business facilitated
The need of one-headed commissions lsurged. The
reduction Of wages 10 public employees is advised as
now they are greater for police and fremen than
skilled mechanics receive and lowering of 10 per
cent would not be more than a far adjustment. At
tenon Is called to the fact that the street railroad
corporations pay little or nothing into the City
Treasury. The Mayor defends his action in regard
10 the Kings County Elevated Railway, on the
ground that the city received 10 compensation and
propcrfy-owners had redress while stating that
be favors rapld transit.