New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-10-20
THE COST OF CITY GOVERNMENT.

THE TRIBUNE's statement of the eXcessiy o
cost of the government of this city was not
based on Spopular error," as The Sun thinks.
A comparison of the expenditures with those
of other large cities, making all fair allowances,
will demonstrate that the per capita expense In
this community is grossly excessive. The Sun
falls into the common mistake OF Assuming that
the sum raised from direct taxes alone repre-
sents the cost of the city government, including
interest on the debt, etc. The money paid out
by the Dock Department is moi incluied In the
tax budget nor is the outlay OF the Excise
Board nor tina; of some other branches of the
municipal machine. A considerable part of
these expenditures is met by the issue of bonds
which go to swell the city debt. This shows
how absurd it would be to exclude the debt or
the interest on it, as representing part OF the
cost of the city government.
It is even more absurd to exclude, as The
San proposes, the expenditures OF the Depart
ment of Public Works, Parks or Education
These are just as much part OF the cost OF the
CITY government as are the expenditures OF any
other department. Indeed great part of the
waste and extravaganza is in these depart
ments, ond much of it is concealed by the ex-
pedient of issuing bonds instead OF levyng d.
rect taxes. The Sun is also mistaken in as
suming that the Board of Estimate has nothing
to do ~ with the appropriations for the public
schools But even where appropriations AFRO
fixed by statute, il the city officials perform
their duty and point out specifically where they
are excessive, it would not be difficult to get
the Legislature to apply the remedy. NJ"
has heard of any snch action on the part oil the
present officials Bat Mr.. Roosevelt accom-
plished good deal in that direction.
Referring to this common error in regard TO
the cost of the city government The WorM on
October II pertinently remarked
The people OF New York living under the belief that
their city government costs them about SoOlo)o yearly
the current expenses OF last having reached e over
that amount They regard this enormous sum, incon
sent with the idea economy AMI integrity on the part Of
our local rulers They this superstition but
they under pleasant deu'on as to the sum the gov
ernment actually costs The nominal OK
pense of So by the fixed by the Board Of
Estimate and AppOrtOnment. were S3lOISiDo vi uhs
a. ODO 900 was supplied OF the General Fund
and $50 O7s raised by tax But the amount actually
e,pended on the city government for that year was
s39679O9O The levy is deception and raud so Tar
"a il Is supposed o be the limit OF our expenses
The Croton water rents, the school money re-
ceiy ed from the State, rents paid by market
men. dock rents license fees and many other
items OF revenue reduce ullccl ldAdlioh, ouU an
this money ultimately comes out of the pockets
of the people 1t is because the municipal mis-
government is so intricate, and so directly due
| to Democratic msrule, that the election of Mr..
Hewitt would be of no service in bringing
| about reform. 1t requires great energy and
determination and familiarity with the methods
| of the Democratic bosses" to enable person
to grapple with these gigantic evils. Mr. Roose-
welt is especially fitted for that work. His
election ought to be the aim of every voter
who seeks municipal reform.