New-York tribune., 1885-10-21
MR.. GRaCE'S SUGGESTIONS.
HE INsrRUCTs THE GIBBS COMMITTEE.
DOESN'T WANT TO SIGN WARRANTS AND THINKS
run MAXnR nI,Gur TO HAVE MORE r0MER.

THE MAYOR OUGHT TO HAVE MORE POWER.
The Gibbs Committee did not get TO work yester-
day until shortly before ~ o'clock. Mayor Grace
again appeared aud continued hls testimony. In
reply question by Senator Mccarthy no said
he had made no personal examination OF assessed
valuation of property IN and out OF the CITY whlch
wOuld enable him to show IN what way lul lstice
was done TO New-YOrk City, but mat he had had
presented to mm figures prepared by gentlemen
who We're preparing the nSeIVes 10 90 0eiOfe nS tDe
facts to influence that body against increasing the
valuations Being asked to make further recon-
nendatlOus or suggestions with reference 10 mu-
nicipal management. the Mayor said
think there is one duty imposed on the Mayor which
makes It TO some extent pnysleai N tOr MN
OF better results and that ts the examination ana
ContToller the Mayor and the chs@beIlan
egn and then the Controller signs again Now that the
OF the tyOr 1t would proper hat The Mayor should
appoint an auditor. The auditing department might
auditor. receiving his appointment from toe Mayor
would be his representative and enable him when neces
ry to intervene In the way OF disapproval. Inere
snould he uniform system for disburSing all moneys
The Police ana Ere eupiOyes t go
would take fiom the auditing authorities the power 10
pass upon accounts.
under mandatory laws of money for the construc,
tiOn of armOrIeS while g city was paying rehtal
for offices in whch to conduct municipal business
md asked the Mayors on the propriety OF
such method. The witness replied:
1t would facilitate matters concentrate business
inunlripI building. We pay ont now something like
100000 year for rent Bnt eve" II the clty should
want to construct such building 1t w0nd be Obliged 10
go to the Legislature for authority to issue bonds
The water meter system was next touched upon,
and the witness said he thought great injustice was
doue to citizens as a result of its operations. lie
Thought he powers repOSed in the Commissioner el
Public Works in fixing rates and pu ting III meters
were too great to be vested III any one man, and
the laws relating to the whole suoIect ought 10 be
revised.
Another suggestion made was that the power Of
removal of executive officers should be vested lu
the Mayor Under the existing statutes after he
makes an appointment bis power ceases aAd the
officer cannot be removed except on the appr"Vai
of the Governor ,f the Mayor should make mis-
take II hts selection Of man for DIrticuar ollce
he cannot dismiss hn1 II. II G ne refuses 10 resign
Mr. Grace was asked tc state TO hat purpose the
increased revenues resulting from high license
should be applied. He replied:
think that they should go into the city treasury to
reduce taxation portion of the excise fund has Dcon
assigned 10y the Legislature, against the protest of The
City authorities to the pension Iuhi OF tne foce "
parincnt, and another portion of 1t this year, al'o
against my protest 10 the pension fund al the FIRE Dc
parinent btleVe tne pTIpcpie IS "so"5; II i suCn
funds created it should be done by tho people
directly and they should know Just how the money Is
expended.
Senator Mccarthy asked the Mayor # he thought
81 200 was too much To pay policeman. Ire
Wi aeSs said lie believed that 81 OCO was sufficient
AID thai there was always lUst of aDpllcantS Tor
positions lld lie ha1 30 d)aDt, IL view Of the 5ys-
TEN OF examinations in practice, he services OF
good, intelligent faithful men could be secured at
that salary.
senator McCarthy-I asked that question there
toraI Representatives from NegYOrk City that $1,000
only just about fair pay.
On the subject of the deposit of city funds in
la lks. the witness said tlat the accumulation OF
tu IDS certain periods of the year was 50 great
that II difficult under the present laws limit
ing de post to ind proper BANKS of deposit for
them He ii not think It wise policy TO have
money living Idle IN banks when the city was pay
ing large sums ior interest on bonds. .
Mo-. raX04S fnD as ~ H.
ness hal taken any means TO recover the amount
deposited IN the Marine Bank at the time of It's
failure. He replied
Yes sir have had several consultations with the
Corporation Counsel the matter He advised me that
the time 1ad not sdrve H eenS HG or ct,o
at the proper time Feeling that nasnuch as under the
vested i'm the receiver could not what could
possibly he taken by the Corporation Counsel except
assured me that as the time arrved when he elt
justified. aud could ascertain approximately what the
result would be, he would act
On the general subject of governing the city the
Mayor sal IN conclusion:
At present think people take little interest in the
election of a Board of Aldermen. believe II the re-
slousibIty was put upon the citizens of elccting men
who should have legislative powers OF iage ARE scope
cd. | believe in concenlrating greater power r., III
he shonldot be reelected that he could his
position 10 perpetuate MS political power The people
would then elect men they could trust. believe the
best way the people 10 govern themselves and
not asw them TO he govsrnst by th"5e who d. not u
dersand properly study their interests My idea Il
that this country wehave made great success OF our
government and the question OF ability to make an
Equally grea. in municipal government Is Oh
trial should seriously consider everything that
lands ~ give the people of municipalities opportunity
30 accept the responsibility OF making good govern
ment for themselves would limit the power OF tue
Legislature that II c9ud not special legisla
tnn in regard TO city any more than concerning
private corporation The city safter ALL great business
corporation.
The committee adj ,urae1 to IL O'Clock this
morning.
THE TRIAL OF WARD