New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-02
TIE MAYORS MESSAGE.
A REVIEW OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT.

SERVES THE MORE IMPORTANT REcOMMENDA-
TONS.
| Mayor Edson sent his first message to the Board
| of Aldermen at yesterday. soon after
| The organization of that body. The members
| listened to the reading of it with
marked attention, Psny expecting that IL
would in some way Gor0ihadOT the policy OF the
| Mayor in regard t. appointments bnt IN this they
were disappointed. One thousand copies OF II were
ordered printed, which is the only action That the
Board ever takes In regard to a Mayor message for
the reason chat it has power to act upon his sug-
| eestons, oven If inclined In general way, the
members expressed themselves as satisfied with the
Mayors utteTances yesterday. because, far they
could see there indication that he would in
| terfere with their privileges Of putting meat-racks
aud bsrberpOle on the sidewalks. The following is
the message:
MAYORS OFFICE. Ngw-YoRK. January l, 1888
| To the Honorable the Board OF Aldermen.
GENTLEMEN: IN Difference to ongprevailng custom,
and in compliance with the law requiring the Mayor
to communicate TO the Common Council ut least once
year. general statement OF the finances government
and improvements OF the city," respectfully sub
nit for tho consideration OF your honorable body brief
statement OF the finances and general Wow OF the
government and improvements OF the city, together
with suggestions relating thereto reseryng for
early future confederation many important matters
which require intimate Official knowledge In order
TO render valuable any recommendations might make
concerning them.
The growth Of tho city during the past forty years IN
commerce, industries, population and wealth has been
unprecedented In the history Of this continents and in
the absence Of caamities its aggregate growth during
the four decades in all that goes to make great
city should in the OF things, be far rapid
than during like period in the past AS view IT, there
is nothing essential to intelligent consideration
Of s present needs, and TO preparation for governing
tins future great city, than thorough grasp Of the
storn facts OF Its comparatively recent hisoryacts
which should TO instruct those into whose hands
the people have committed the ctys finances, govern
ment and improvements. shall attempt in this com
munoaton to refer only 10 two matters in order
TO illustrate my meanngj perhaps this reference
il unnecessary tho simple truths may be CLEANED
| from within the reach OF all
In 1872 when the CrotOn Aquednct was completed.
the population of the city numbered $4,000 Our com
merce had made rapid strides since the completion OF
the Erie Canal in 1925, but manufacturing interests
had not yet assumed noticeable proportions To-day the
city has resident population OF fully 100000 and 1t
has become the largest manufacturing city In the United
States giving employment in such industries 20 2l7977
persons lin 1880 and producing manufactured articles
| to the vGlne OF SI4s,200.2is
| Meanwhile tho advancement in commerce and trade
| has been less marked and important.
That the improvements Of the city have lamentaby
failed TO keep pace with THE remarkable growth is
ent condition OF certain prime requisites to continued
prosperity OF our commerce. trade and manufacturing
interests and to promotion OF the health and comfort
OF our citizens 1t will be- observed that wharves
and piers inadequate 20 the accommodation OF the
commerce which seeks hem; that the supply OF water
IA wholly insufficient for domestic and manufacturing
purposes that the force and facilities for extugushng
fires limited in many portions Of the city that
police Accommodations IN several districts by
means VIVA hey should be; that hospital accOmmoda-
uons especially ;or the reception OF those affected with
contagious diseases almost entirely wanting; aud
that the o identifying the city has been neglected
aud cannot Dc viewed with just pride by its citizens.
Proceeding with tho investigation. the fact VIII be re-
vcaled that money in abundance has been provided
from year year by our taxpayers with which mako
all public improvements, not only proporlonate to the
cy's present requirements hut sufficient 70 make rea
sonabe provision ;Or lts future greater growth II
therefore becomes evident that the Organization and
Methods Of city government radically de
fccye md that n order to advance its improvements
to proportions commensurate with present reasonable
demands. aud TO mako suitable preparation for the III
tnre, change in organization, policy and methods is
essential
believe that the time has arrived when Wa must de-
maud, nave the rst Ia demand az the bands OF
the people of Sa e. represented I'm their LEGISLATURE
the adoption o. such measures rs VIII not only give US
hui viii secure 10 MS tne right OF self government
also believe that tho prevailing unity O sentiment
citizens ~ 10 proper organization for Golf
government will enable rs to attain with honest nd
ration, that simplicity aud accountability, and
that efficiency economy and thrit which requisite
The welfare OF the cay IN all lth varied ntou@ts. In
order accomplish such change az an early day. It
VIII be- my pleasure - well "a my duty to cooperate
with yoIr honorable body 10 the fullest extent of my
powers and ability.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
The Finance Department OF the city government has
for macy years bean managed with great skill ab
ty AZ Gar ~ ts has been within the control
Of the officers charged with that duty II should how
ever be borne In mind In considering the Affairs Of hs
department that sums ageregating nearly nineteen
millions Of dollars, annually raised by taxation In the
cty Of New York are not subject To the Judgment and
control Board of Estimate and AppOrtionuent or
OF the CONTROLLED but aie appropriated through specific
The iono~iuI a statement Of the present financial
condition Of The city Gs shown BY the records the
Finance Department:
TIE CITY DEBT.
The aggregate amount ~ city stocks aud bonds out
standing al the close 81 the year 1882 was SI3OI7i
337 o. and deduciing the amount Of the sinking Fund
S3i 49, s 80 the net debt December 81 1ss2 was
4gGl11,0l5 %. being decrease during the year 1882
OF s2,lis2J7 40 The portion thus paid or and can
ceed WAS redeemed from the surplus revenues OF tho
sinking Fund. except the sum OF Sl7J193. which WAS
paid raised for the purpose special acts
the Legislature.
The bonded debt OF tho city. ns Is well kno rn, had.
through a period Of shameful mlsgoyernment swollen
TO appalling amount some ten or twelve years ago,
and during the commercial and financial depression fol-
lowing the year 1873. tho growth aud large amount OF
the deb imposed q heavy burden upon the taxpayers
The settlement Of the boating debt and claims against
the city incurred during the period Of decentralization
referred TO- and the for various public works
authorized and directed by acts OF the Legislature
caused the bounded debt 10 increase annually until the
close Of 1876 when II amounted TO $ll49Is,6ll 10
which date IL has been reduced above TO
S90.l41,9l 0s
The Controller estimates tnat the whole present ex-
listing bonded debt OF the city be paid and can
celed, It's reduction be fully provided for than
twenty years by means of the surplus of the
sinking iund, which already very largc and they
are rapidly accommodating they may reasonably De re-
lied upon augment In the future prOpOrOnaely 10
the Increase OF the population and wealth OF the city.
while Nc old bonded debt may thus be- eItinBulshed
through the beneHcent operation the sinking fund,
aud taxation Tor Tue payment OF the principal wnen due
0e aycrtod aud rendered unnecessary IL must be borne In
mind that debt Ia constantly being Incurred and |
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