New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-11-24

partments have grown with increased appropn'
atoms is shown by the figures Of the last two
years. For 1882 the amount appropriated was
$29, 1928 So. The revenues of the General
Fund reduced this $2,O0O,O00 The tax rate
was So % per 800. For 1888 the departments
asked for $32, 1927 10. The members OF
the Board of Apportionment, consisting at that
time of Mayor Grace, Controller Campbell,
President Asten Of the Tax Department, and
President Sauer of the Board of Aldermen,
after a good deal of discussion, the final esti-
mates not being adopted until December %,
fixed the appropriations, as already stated, at
$30,593,535 70. Mayor Grace felt constrained
to apologize for swelling the budget something
over 81 100000 as compared with the preced-
ing year. Notwithstanding the higher valuation
of real estate in nearly every ward in the city,
the tax rate was increased from So % to So 20
per 800.
For 1884 the amounts demanded by the var
ious departments are beyond all precedent.
These sums, together with the appropriations
required for State taxes, interest on the city
debt, ETC., foot up the enormous total Of
35,253,376 80. The Board of Apportionment
has cut down some of the more extortionate de-
mands of the departments, but has allowed
enough to make up a budget of $50, 1878, 1877 80.
OF this staggering burden all but $4,000, 900,
the revenues of the General Fund, must be
raised by taxation. The estimates were yester-
day considered by the Aldermen. They struck
out one item of $4,000, and added and in
increased others to the extent of $483, 1000,
all for the benefit of the Department of Pub
lie Works. The changes made by the Alder
men are merely in the nature of recommended
tons. 1t is optional with the Board of Esti-
mate and Apportionment whether to adopt
them or not. 1t is seldom that any material
change is made by the Board from its first deci
sion Shouldn't not make any decided reduction it
is certain that the tax rate for 1884 will be con-
siderably higher than for the present year and
largely advanced over 1882. The increase in
taxes in 1888 over 1882 was 81, 1858, 1854 %,
and in 1854 over 1888 it will be So, 696,371 60,
or an advance of $1,000, 1875 SO for the coming
year as compared with 1892 This is anything
but pleasant prospect for taxpayers
The views of several prominent citizens, most
of them now connected with the Board of Edu
cation or at one time members of that body,
have been given In The TRIBUNE, relat-
ing to the wise expenditure of the large sums
demanded for the cause of public education
in this city. 1t may be of interest TO give the
amounts demanded and allowed for that pur-
pose in the last three years. In 1882 the Board
of Education asked for $3,750,OO0, and re-
ceived $3,50O,0 900; for the present year it
asked for 81 30O,O 900, and received So, $50, 900;
for 1884 it asked for 4,431 $50, and received
$1,0O0,000.
There are other departments just as extrava-
CANT in their demands. For 1882 the Health
Department received $326,262; for 1888 it
asked for S5i3, 557 and received 1858, POI for
1854 it asked for $74O,799, and received
1922, 100.
The Park Department in 1882 was allowed
$685., 0OO in 1883 it asked for 1915 900, and
was allowed $3.50 in 1884 1t asked for
81 ,107, 800, and was allowed SSs900O.
The public remember the prodigality of the
Tweed era. The year 1868 is only fifteen years
back Tweed was in full power at that time,
and his will was practically law. Let us see
what the expenditures of some of these depart
mcnts were in that year. The Metropolitan
Health Department included NewYorlt and
Kings counties. 1t was engaged in the extensive
and costly work of clearing out from that part
Of the city below FOrtcth-st. the slaughter
houses and other nuisances. And yet its
entire expenditures for that year were
only 1854, 4Ol 80. For Public Instruction
81 900, 900 was appropriated For the main
.enancc of Central Park S2S9,674 81 was ex-
pended. In that year the Department of Chari-
lies and Correction spent $l,1S0,575 80. For
1884 it asked for 81 l07,627 90, and received
81, 96s, 92S go. The Police Department then
expended 5000, s32 49, and for 1884 it re-
,eves So, sol. 534 81. The Fire Department
,eceivcd 1913, 800, and for 1884 81, $50, 1919 20.
There is hardly department or bureau in the
,ity government whose showing is not just as
Dad.
Apparently the over burdcned taxpayer will
wait long time before he sees any earnest
,ffort mado by those in authority to reduce the
yolume of taxation, no matter what professions