New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-06
THE MESSAGE.

THE MESSAGE.
MAYORS OFFICE NEw-YoRK. Jan. 3, 1881.
To the Honorable, the Board Of Aldermen!
In dischargng the duty imposed by law upon
the Mayor 10 communicate the Common Council ut
least once year general statement of the fuances
government and Improvements Of the city," shall at
this time refer to such leading facts and considerations
as may seem useful determining the general course of
the City Administrations the responsibility for which
rests largely upon the Mayor and Common Council.
The improved financial condition Of the city is snb-
ject for con graduation.
The heavy burdens consequent upon the Contributions
New York TO tho successuls prosecution Of great
war the scarcely less OnerOus burdens imposed by
the gross frauds in the City Government which prevailed
for Of years after the war; have Deen largely re-
duced through honest and competent financial admin
istration courageOusy inGugurated and wisely carried
out At The time of the overthrow of the municipal ring
the ascertaned Indebtedness OF the city by no means i'll
Guided all the obligations which had accrued u!nS the
period Of lax and corrupt Administrations There existed
mass of claims mostly based upon imaginary services
or gros exaggerated charges the extent OF which could
not determined AL bills for work or services during
the rinC domination open 10 suspicion, and II was
only by resOlute If opposition to the payment
Of accounts shown to be just and loyal by other evil
6euce than the audit OF mpeac,cd Cheers that Inc
credit and honor the city saved BY this course
the payment Of many claims, finally recoverable at law,
was postponed and their settlement hts entailcd upon
the city year ~ year. heavy expenditures not properly
cha!g.abe 10 the current expenses Of the city govern
mcnt The extent OF the bN-dcas imposed ny these
legaccs Of msIule carrot be accurately stated, rs
large portion of the eXpe lture 0: some o: the depart
ments during several years. CccaslOLcd by tie eX
amiuatons and iugdtOns growing out OF these CLAIMS
The recoveries at law trng. compared with tie
amounts claimed in SUIT and very large sum waF
saved by strict examination of pretended Obligations,
which dsmayed holders OF frau luent accounts and
preyeutcd the presentation of many bills winch under
policy less strict might have been paid without ser
tOus question
number Of Old claims against tie city are still unset
ted and their holders anxousiy watching for the
fret Signs OF relaxed gllaree to commence raids upon
the tlca my IDeIeye that the heads OF departments
who must pass upon such claims fully concur With me IN
the conviction that city ipl. the servant OF The Law"
ha1 no right make concessions not authorized by law
person dealing with his private property has rignt
10 be generous. but custodian OF pubic interests mas
10 right do fayOr acts OF justice beyond the
law by the employment OF public funds authority or
credit which mTustod TO hun only Tor such use as
tie law eniOns. II tie law. strictly construed ana
strictly ubeyed works hardship, the clilzen has ms
remedy by application 10 the Legislature II does NOT
liz IN the friendship Or indulgence OF any executive
officer deem proper allude 10 this subject 50 that
the general principles regarding expenditures ana pay
nents upon which the al ,irs Of the city viii b. admins
tered far il i'll y power 10 contr0! tLcn may
De clearly understood.
o. the current expenditures Of the city. very large
proportion are beyond the control OF the May or
departments Tor tie year ls,O,the state taxes imposed
upon The city of Ncw-YOIl amounted 10 9j5l 81 81
and SALARIES fixed by law amounted t. @S,illG5l. q!
The o,a expenditure, tie sun upon VIII Ga sd'nsr might
be effected through admin stratIye economy Il about
S9lOOOUO. Only Il com pdratyey small portouof iAis
sum can be saved wiihOut serious impairment OF tho
efficiency of tine public service or neglect Of Necessary
public DIRK. The amount Of salaries ~ departments
aud bureaus within The control Of the chiefs and otdo
Board o. Estimate ana App0rtonnent m The scar i77O
WA about 81 7l5 Chapter OIL of he Laws Of 80
decreases many salaries ixcd by law and requires
reduction Of Ter cent IN the anOuh pdu 10 depart
mental employees other tEdn DAY laborers
the limits expenditure for 1881 have beer placed
by the Board OF Estimate aud Apporiionment H. t.;e
Final Z. innate. bur II tie duly o. departmental on
cers to save, within those limits. 50 much az ma! be
consistent with efficient administrator ana siia en,
deaVOr to such economy ~ tins regard ma inc
city may obtain Tor It's Ouiays rs m 'iih a. could DC
secured by private persons VI curlOfaliohs
The practice VI spending during large part o. the
year, sums beyOLd proper share OF inc anHuA aPpo
nrlatious must be entirely DISCONTINUED Ii Is true that
IN CERTAIN departments The proler proportion 0l *
tnS Tor ss yfySnqiItrc u reliance
upon obtaining trans from The Board OF Estimate
ANA AppOrtoument under the cOmpuision OF granting
them IN TO prevent total Cessation OF Tie puDhe
service I deeu It my duty to state distinctly that
shall not any expenditure IN disregard u the
limits OF appropriations, and shall even prefer tha
nnge branch or the cy government sba be seriously
crippled for tine al the end Of the year. rather
than that the whole service should be ue9oiazed Dy
cOnd0nng and rewardin2 reckless administration by
transfers meet expenditures in excess Of apOpn-
Heads OF departments responsible for the best
OF departments Wthn thc iiIltS OF cAchul-
ture allo cd 10 them. They responsible II those
limits do not permit their accomplishing all that they
desire But they strictly accountable II they fan 80
10 regulate administrations that tley can be carried
on throughout the year within the limits Of exrendi-
lure laid down for them In advance.
LOCAL SELF-GOvERNMENT.
The City OF NewYOrk the chief seat Of the commerce
and wealth Of America, has now population equal to
onehd OF OF the United states 1T the time Of the
formation of the Uuion and greater than the entire
population OF the States of New Hampshire, Delaware,
Florida, Oregon Nevada and Colorado, which have
twelve United States Senator'S and each Of which has
It's separate State Government with supreme control
over its domestic affairs believe that the great doc
frne community Independence, from which spraDg
the American Revolution is not properly cOnned 10
State lines, but apples In some degree 10 all communities
sufficiently numerous and distinctive 70 require
government for especial concerns Thls great
city bound fealty o. the State IN matters pertaining
To- the state and In loyalty the Federal Government
10 those things which within the jurisdiction OF the
Federal Government shOuldoe free 10 conduct It's local
affairs according TO the commands OF It's own people
The constant changes in laws affecting the CITY made
durng recent years upon the theOh that the affairs OF
this municipality should 5e regulated ia deau bE act Ot