The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-04-15

A public document OF much more than
usual interest is volume just issued. con-
tanning the annual message of Mayor Low,
dated the 9Th Of January last. together with
reports OF the several departments Of the
Brooklyn city Government for the year 1882.
1t is a record OF tho stewardship of Mayor
Low during his first year in the City Hall,
under the new municipal system now on trial
In Brooklyn.
The facts presented may not warrant us In
calling tho administration OF the young
Mayor, SO far, brilliantly successful one,
but they do indicate that 1t has been
prudent, judicious conscientious, and, in
a good sense, conservative. 1t has not
been as bold and aggressive as many
of his friends wished and expected 1t
to be, but 1t has been safe, and on the whole,
crcditable to him, and has proved that tho
unusual powers conferred on the Mayor have
been used for the advantage of the COM
munity
The city debt OF Brooklyn which was $685.
7i,42l.27 on the 31st of December, 1881, was
$37, 493, 723.4O on Dec 81, 1882, a net decrease
OF $3.50, 697.s7. That reduction has been effect
ed despite the issue Of obligations for new
work to the extent OF $4,000, and though,
contrary to past experience, no money has
been borrowed ahead II am happy to say"
remarks Mayor Low, mot dollar belong
Ing to 1888 has been used for the obligations
of 1882. The debt statement, therefore, Is even
more encouraging than it appears to be-"
This result is due to the large collection OF
arrears In 1881 and 1882. Tho matter OF ar
rears Is one which demands special treat
ment at the hands OF tho Legislature, and
accordingly the Mayor has had IL law framed
to deal with the question thoroughly and
finally. 1t is not tolerable, he says, to have
II per cent. OF the tax levy uncollectcd ut the
end OF the year, and possibly half Of this un-
collectible, because of disputed assessments
The completion of the Brooklyn Bridge,
within tho present year, in all probability,
will load the tax levy with a charge which
has not before appeared. Brooklyn's annual
interest charge on account OF the bridge
bonds is now $685. OF which sum only
$4,000 has been raised yearly in tho tax
levy tho rest being paid out of bonds issued
for the purpose, which amount to 81, 800, 625
or course, that has only been device for
putting off the evil day, and it is sort of
flnanciering Mayor Low justly condemns.
II the people had been obliged to pay as the
work proceeded, they would not have been so
tolerant of delays in pushing the enterprise
forward to completion. When tho bridge is
done however, the whole amount OF interest
must be raised through the tax levy, and the
expense will be brought homo to them in the
addition OF S45o,O00 year and moro to the
sum they must pay.
Tho present minimum daily water supply
OF Brooklyn is thrty-nve million gallons,
and the consumption per head So gallons
daily. That is very moderate consumption
as compared to New York, but it is great
enough to nearly absorb tho present supply.
Accordingly, works for the extension of the
water supply arc in progress, and Oh their
completion probably five million gallons
daily will be added. In the expectation that
still more water will before long be impera-
lively required by the city. surveys have
been ordered with view OF securing, II pos
slblc, an additional daily supply OF twenty
million gallons.
From the department reports also we
gather some interesting statistics regarding
tho city. Under a special law limiting the
sum for street cleaning and the removal OF
ashes, only $4,000 year Is spent for those
purposes. 1t is obviously too little for thor.
ough work. There are $50 miles of paved
streets, and when Mr.. RIPLEY ROPES, the
present Commissioner of City Works, camo
Into Ollico thoy were generally in a wretchod
condition, and nearly all Of them paved with
cobblestoncs. These. the Mayor Justly says
belong to the past, and should be replaced
with granite blocks as fast as possible
Brooklyn has 306 miles OF sewers in bot
ter condition now than thoy have been fol-
many years past. In the police force there
arc In all $50 men, and IN increase OF this
number is urged. The number OF arrests
during tho year was 27,75s. The number Of
dogs was 1929.
On Nov. 80 1882, there were 1855 licensed
places for the sale of beer and spirituous
liquors. The Board OF Excise speak OF the
difficulty they experience in dealing will
disreputable houses already licensed to sci
liquor, and say they have steadfastly refuset
to renew such licenses adding that thcy" ow,
adebt OF gratitude especially to the Catholi,
,lcrgy, for apprIsing Thorn OF the location o
these dens OF immortality, vice. and crime.
Mayor Low, by tho way. is an advocate o
the Swedish system Of excise as tho best ye
devised for q great city. Under this system
as We have before explained a city Is dividet
into exciso districts, tho number OF saloon.
allowed In each district Is fixed by law nc
corling to population, and exclusive right,
to soil liquor arc sold at public auction to thu
highest bidder. I'm this way" says Mayor
Low. "the interest Of the liccnsee Ia made t.
lie In enforcing the law, because no pays To-
his license largo sum-" But the same end
II seems to u.s. could be more easily rcachct
by o system OF high license fees
The Sunday law, the Excise Board say, Il
now better observed In Brooklyn than eve
before. while It 10 well known that In othe