New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-01-07
CITY LEGISLATION AT ALBANY.

No higher duty will dcvolve upon the LegiS-
lature at this session than that OF furnishing
relief to the overburdcncd taxpayers of this
city. As soon as the committees are announced
this subject should be taken up in vigorous
manner. The apparent intention of the Demo
cratic leaders to eudeavOr TO thwart any legiS-
lation designed to improve the city government
should in no way influence the action of the
Republicans. Governor Cleveland, while de-
voting space in his message to the consideration
of questions with which the Legislature has
nothing to do, was significantly silent on this
vital question of municipal reform. And Lieu
tenant Governor Hill, in his usual brazen man
ncr, deliberately came to the defense of the
system of municipal government that has
in one year added nearly $3,500,OOO to
this citys tax burdens. The pressing need
of reform is shown in the fact that while the
population of NewYOrk has grown 60 per cent
its expenditures have in the same time in
creased $50 per cent. The per capita tax OF
81 90 in $50 has grown to one of S21 - in
1854. Since 1878 the assessed valuation OF
property in the city has increased $l15OOO,OOO.
But even that, under the existing rate of taxa
ton, has not been sufficient to meet the ra-
pacious demands of the city rulers, and this
year the tax rate must go up from 81 % to
50 80.
1t is this piratiCal system of government that
certain class of Democrats would perpetuate,
in the hope that it will aid their party in a
National election by furnishing an almost un-
limited supply of campaign funds. The Repub-
licans in the Legislature should fearlessly per
form their duty on this question, regard
/ l., inf
Of no politician, Democrat or Republican,
should be allowed to stand in the way OF
reform. If wise non-partisan measures for
relief are sent to the Governor he will hardly
dare to defeat them But if he should refuse
to give them his approval, the result cannot
fail to be beneficial TO the Republican party.
II is not necessary to await the result Of
legislative investigations in order to devise
measures for the relief of the city government.
Irregularities and abuses, such as those pre-
vailing in the Public Works Department, should
be thoroughly exposed with a view of prevent
ing their repetition and bringing to punishment
officials guilty of wrong doing. One Of
the reasons why relief from the evils un-
der which the city has suffered has bccnso often
DELAYED is because the Legislature has waited
for reports of investigating committees, which
are not made until near the end Of the session,
when it is TOO late to pass the proper remedial
measures.
n1sSOa committee of the State Senate began
an investigation into the city government, and
year later 1t reported bill with many excel
lent provisions. One clause in that bill pro-
vIded for the abolition of the unbalanced
bid system and for proper supervision
in executing city contracts. On this
subject the committee said; CAS- is well known,
"the unbalanced bid system was found to be
exceedingly Objectionable when in operation
"sl the public works of the State. On its abO-
clifton an improved system was substituted,
"aud this system has worked to the public adj
! vantage. There is no reason why the same
/ "system If established should not prove
equally advantageous to the city. This the
'bill provides for. and also for the proper in
"spection of public works" Had the Legisla-
ture taken action on this subject, the city would
| have been saved the enormous losses that will
! follow the growth of this unbalanced bid sys-
| TEN under Commissioner Thompson. There
were other recommendations made by that com
mittee which might well be acted upon at once
by the Legislature, without waiting for further
DEVELOPMENTS by investigating committees.