New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-29
THE CITY BUDGET.

The EXPENSES of the city government t0f
1888. as fixed by the Board of Estimate ana
Apportionm, Mt, exceed those Of the present
wear by over 81 600, 900. The total Of appro-
priations for 1882 was 500. 412, S31, while for
1888 an estimate of $50 $4,000 has already
been agreed upon, and the final determination
of the Board will not vary much from this
amount The question of adding sum for the
Improvement of Riverside Park is still under
consideration, with some other minor matters.
After January / the law permits an increase III
the total appropriation of not more than per
cent for deficiencies. Judging from past ex-
perence this may he expected TO add pIOO,OOO
To the sum to be realized from taxation. This,
however, il exclusive of what the LEGISLATURE
may do. We shall have a Democratic State
Government for the first time in many years,
and as Assrmblyman SpinOla declares that this
city is Democratic heritage it may ex-
pect it To he well pucked. a half million dollars
added to the tax levy as the result of laws
authorizing new expenditures will probably be
low estimate. That would give total ct
$31 80 ), 900 as the cost Of the city government
for 1883. The estimated revenue of the General
Fund, which includes interest on unpaid taxes
and 30 forth, is 80, OOO, 900, which will leave
about S2S, S95, 900 to be raised from taxation,
without regard to what the Legislature may do.
Tine Increase in the taxable value of real estate
this year will be about $50 100000, a little
over half of that of last year; but the books Of
the Tax Department show probable large de-
crease in the valuation of personal property.
Taxpayers. therefore, can I've assured of a con-
siderab e addition to their tax bills.
New-York is already the most costly gov
crned city Of its size in the world. There has
been a prevalent belief that this was legacy
from the Tweed regime. The Ring was broken
eleven years ago and its head has long been IN
his grave yet apparently the cost of the city
government is increasing instead OF diminish
ing. An examination Of the budget rs at pres
emf made up shows that there is only one de-
partment the appropriation Tor which is less for
1883 than for the current year. There has
been a reduction of 500, 900 in the final estl-
mate for the Public Works Department. It's
administrative expenses, however, have been
increased, but less money has been set aside for
public improvements Nearly four years ago
this department began work on the plan to III
crease the water-supply by bringing the Bronx
and Byram rivers INTO the water resources Oh
the city, Under a special act it can expend a
million dollars a year for this purpose. This
sum is added to the city debt, and is not
connt. a IN the s.. 497. POO which has been ap-
nr,nriated for the department in 1888.
Although the work was TO be completed in
three wears, it is not yet half done. and the de-
partmcnt is knocking at the doors of the Leg
Islature for power to build new acqueduct, at
a cost of $lj,OOO,OOO, which will require the
issue of more bonds and corresponding iu-
crease in the city debt and the tax rate.
Even the worse tlan useless Aldermen get
1000 more for 1883 than for the present year.
while the increase in other departments is as
follows: Finance, $4,000; Law, $5,OOOj
Parks, 80, 800; Charities and Correction,
Sl6s,Ooo; health, Fl'o''t' o.icc' 90 nov
Iny BO1I1