New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-07
WRATH IN THE CITY HALL.
PRESIDENT REILLYs RUFFLED DIGNITY.
SINGING WORDS IN THE BOARD OF ESTIMATE
THE MAYORS FRANK ADMISSION.


ton for transfer OF 20s70 from the unexpended BAL
of appropriations for the outdoor poor for tho
years $780, 1881 and 1882 to the appropriation for sup
plies for this year. The Street Cleaning Department.
asked for transfer Of $4,000 from the appropriation
for 1881 TO that for 1853.
President Asten, Of the Tax Department, said: 81
shall oppose these transfers the grounds that
have opposed others made from uneIpended balances OF
previous years. The practice in my opinion, is illegal
and unustifable."
Alderman ReiIly-The Department of Charities needs
the money and ought to have 1t. If 1t don't get it, then
the persons under the charge Of that department.
will have go without their customary Christmas din
ner and how would you like that, Mr. Astenf
No reply was made, but Commissioner Porter ex-
planned why the transfer asked He said the Board
Estimate did not appropriate all the money asked for
by the Charity Department for supplies and that was the
reason wanted the transfer. The money was needed
for food.
"suppose you do not get the transfer, what thenp
asked Mr.. Asten
"Then the Department will have to stop" replied Mr.
Porter.
"That most extraordinary statement for the head
Of any department to make to this Board," said Mr.
Asten. is in effect, stating that we must give you
what money you request the business of your depart
ment will stop"
"Rigbt here" spoke up Alderman Reilly, sharply, "I
would like have the clerk read the following paper"
clerk article printed in PIE TRIBUNE on No
YenDer regard
this President Asten quoted saying that the
practice Illegal that eminent counsel had given him
opinion to that effect and that merely ncreas-
ing the city debt in not contemplated by law
statement made, though not as coming from Mr..
Asten that the why the Park Board asked for
transfer because It had made places for certain poll
cians the strength OF representation from promi-
nent member OF Tammany Hall that he would secure tho
necessary increase Of appropriation by having trans
fer made from the unexpended balances OF former years.
MR.. REILLY IL RAGE.
"As II am the only prominent member Of Tammany
Hall in this Board" said Mr. Reilly, In
defiant manner suppose that statement refers TO me-
II it me- whoever made it stated alshood"
and saying this the Alderman glared at Mr. Asten.
President Asten-I will explain
Alderman Reilly-I don't want any explanation
want a direct answer, yes My character In this
community Ia high II not higher than yours, Mr. Asten
am President OF the Board of Aldermen. was elected
by the people. was not appointed member Oh TINS
Mayor Edison raped for order, there was confusion
in the room several persons having gathered about tue
personal attack Mr. Asten. But quiet restored.
Mr. Asten then arose and SAID .
President Of the Board OF Aldermen Is unfair and un.
called for have always opposed these transfers and
OF Aldermen that ever lived cannot deter ME from doing
my duty" - ...
big man Mr.. Asten, but you can't get up a hgh5
The Mayor again raped for order and the presi
dents took their seats. The Mayor then remarked;
"Mr. Asten you have been asked question whch you
Mr. Asten said: ~ lndorse every word in TIE TRB-
USE article the subject OF unexpended balances In.
deed win 20 great deal further than anything said 10
that article will answer Mr. Reilly or anybody else
Reilly ought 10 know it."
THE MAYOR ON THE MUNICIPAL SYSTEM.
The Mayor proceeded TO explain his position on the
subject OF unexpended balances. saying:
Before became Mayor thought that the City Gov
enment could be administered ON business principles;
found that it could not be done under existing laws
The statutes have TO be obeyed whether they are good
neSs-ke administration. Now, IN regard TO the
department head this year the unexpeded balances OF
former Before voting on that question eonsted GO,
to maHs h m yeT pnoa d % RaSe now got his wrte1
opinion TO the same elect which viii submit the
Board. The principle Of making such transfers Is Co9
men 10 know in advance Just exactly what money may
be needed for department.
THE UNCOLLECTED TAXES.
statement was read fron the Controller showing that
there are uncolocted taxes to the amount OF about
$I6,OOOO0O. OF that sum about $ll,0OO,OOO
are for personal taxes, which it Is admitted
can never be collected. That leaves s5,00O,oOo
in uucOlected taxes which are good The
uneSpnded balances amounted to less than St00000O.
Heuce, II all the unexpended balances were used, it
would only require the temporary issue OF revenue bonds
that could be taken up when the taxes are collected
Mr. Astcn said that the statement not full one.
There were So 600 900 in tax-reief bonds that
issued as an Offset to uncollected taxes II those
bonds were paid from the uncoected taxes as eontem
plated by awtaken IN connection with the @llOo00OO
OF worthless taxes- would be seen that there would Do
! a large deficiency. To talk OF unexpended balances
under such circumstances was absurd 49,, o,.s..rr,
Deputy roller SOrrs said tnat IL was not necessary
for the txelef bonds 10 be paid from the uncOected
Mr. Asten replied that there was no other provision
made payment OF those bonds They were issued
fat way. In reply to the Mayors statement that de-
partment head could not he expected to tell IN advance
said thai they always erred the safe side, which was
why there was such large s0caied tuhd ot
"TRe law requires concurrent vote OF this Board to
make an appropriation" said Mr. Astel, "Dut am9oriy
OF the Board makes transfer OF an unexpcuded balance
which Is only another way OF increasing anappropra-
ried further tns year than before. It is demoraz-
ng the City Government. Months ago gentleman con-
necte with the Park Department told that the force
there increased and that the appropriation for
salaries would be exhausted November Later one OF
enough the appropriation was exhausted and this
Board was asked make transfer. What is the use Of
this Board sitting here To agree upon appropriations
the departments dO not respect our conclusions Y
THE PARK DEPARTMENT A DISGRACE.
"It goes without saying" said the Mayor, that the
Park Department has been disgrace TO the city, do
not say any OF the present Commissioners are re-
sponsble as the management of that department has
/ materially improved this year.
ration Counsel concerned, he would like 10 remark
that other eminent lawyers had informed MN that the
of former years. This opinion, after quoting the pro-
visions OF the law SAYS "The provisions Of these
Cr laws above quoted and all embraced In the Consoli
daon Act, aud may be found In sections 2Oi and 2OI,
addition in the last section OF the wors After al
lowing sufficient To satisfy all claims payable
as IA qualification OF the last grant OF power In my
opinion they cOufer npou the Board OF Estimate and APP
pOrtionment he lower TO MAKE such transfers rs are re-
erred 10 your communication, except that tunexpendcd
balances OF appropriations made in former years may ot
be transferred for during the current year when
they been already disposed Of by transfer 10 The
general fund in the manner indicated IN section 2O7."
The requests made for transfers yesterday referred
| to the Controller without action
PENNSYLVAN LABOR TROUBLES.
| D0uGI AsSYuLE. Dec. R-The Italians en-