New-York tribune., 1884-01-11

Guard I'm this CITY, under the direction and control Of the
Commissioners Of the Sinking FUND.- aud the Counsel 70
the Corporation requested to prepare an act IO tna
trust this movement win receive the approval and
supnOr of your Honorable Body and the cooperation OF
ali good citizens.
TIE EXCISE DEPARTMENT.
The laws for the regulation of the sale of intoxicating
liquors I'm this city insufficient to accomplish the
proper regulation OF that traffic. Meanwhile the cond
tiop OF things arising directly from the too free exercise
OF the licensing power authorized by present laws and
the consequent practically unrestraned sale OF ntox
eating drink more perceptole rom wear 10 year par
in charge the Department OF Charities ana
and the equally rapid increase m D, tf b ety and in the
increase of crime due to the incorporate use VI 'A
The responsibility for the udcious amendment OF pres
ent laws applicable to this city touching lhls unpoIto
matter rests with the Legislature. Whatever may he
done in this direction all good citizens will join in urging
that provision be made for limiting WITHIN fesoaI INA
bounds the number Of places where liquor may he soi
and for the improvement Of the general character o
licensed places.
NEED OF A MUNICIPAL BUILDING.
want from which city has long suffered ana
which increasingly felt is suitable building centrally
located in which the several Civic Departments can be
conveniently accommodated. Most large cities at home
and abroad have their city halls built scale adequate
to their needs The City Hall in New York however, was
built go many years ago in@t u 1s Epg & for the
Ma yOt the Board Of Aldermen, and Governor ROOM
occupied only State occasions Its style OF architecture
is such that without maring its present symmetry IL
be enlarged 10 the required extent our cy ~
now put to great annual expense hiring in var-
os buildings for very many OF its public Offices and much
time Is lost in passing from one TO anOther Inc nece
siy for Municipal Building s brought airesh TO my at
tenton by the fact that the principal rooms now occupied
by the Finance Department in the Comfy COurthouse
Will be required for the use OF the new supreme
Court Judges 40 commence their sittngs in june Some
accommodation must therefore be speedily provided Tor
At a recent meeting of the Sinking Fund Commissioners
the Question mneI4sr me Ste% bcb bas Inst been en-
trely re-auanged materially strengthened ana rendered
ferred 10 the Controller for Investigation, ana rom IN
formation received through him ard from the e&anha
ton which have made myself am led TO believe that
subject is worthy of careful consideration there-
recommend that disnterestcd commission De APP
estate to ascertain whether the building can be procured
such terms would warrant the city III becoming is
authorize the issue Of the requisite bonds for this pul-
| pose.
THE CIVIL SERVICE OF THE CITY.
In the exercise OF the authority conferred upon the
Mayors OF certain cities, by section Of chapter 3o4 OF
tho Laws of 1ss3 have, after consultation with the
heads OF the departments not excepted by the provisions
OF the act referred with the assistance Of the C
Service Commissioners OF the state prepared rules and
regulations the admission OF persons into me clV
service this city, and have appointed the persons com
posing the Boards OF Examiners, as provided IN the regu
lations, who Will Immediately enter upon the performance
The act excepts from its provisions elective officers all
positions in the Police Fire. Health Educational and Law
Departments all positions the incumDehs OF wcn nav
the custody OF public moneys for which any mead OF al
all positions filled by nomination by the Mayor aud con
frIna0n by Board Of Aldermen. In all other case;
the regulations prescribed will be strictly carried out ant
doubt with bcnchccnt results 10 the city TO th
end besp, ak earnest cooperation IA well as thal
the heads OF departments directly interested.
| CHARTER AMENDMENTS.
[Under this head the Mayor reprints his well-knowI
letter TO the Assembly dated February g. 1888 in whcl
he advocates giving the Mayor the power to appoint anC
remove heads Of departments without the Intervention
Of any other authority. He adds j
My experience in Office has only served to confirm
the views expressed in the communication above referred
to- but fully convinced me that the welfare or TN
city demands the adoption by the legislature OF measure
for the of this city which shall Involve
the principles of accountability and responsibility sub
stantiay forth IN the amendments referred to II
the foregoing letter to the Assembly OF 1853. am no
among those who have faith IN the efficacy OF sprln!
elections, or in any change at present In the une anI
frequency of holding elections: nor DO believe JhaI III
increase in the numher OF elective offices would be con
ducivc the public good: the first would inevitably ea
to a large increase i'm the annual cost OF elections "a
present ly 5000 O0O to bc borne 10y the taxpayers
the city, would add another season OF the compare
tive disorder incident upon political contests already
frcducn the other would tend 10 dtIfa
harmonious working together Of the various depart
the City Government for the common good, an
| 10 defeat what TO mo the essential principle o
good municipal government, namely, the accountability!
OF officials head and that head accountable TO TIL
| peopIe FRANKLIN EDISON, Mayor.