New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-04
M4YOR CHAPIN'S MESSiGE.
DISCUSSING THE NEEDS OF BROOKLYN.

DISCUSSING THE NEEDS OF BRoohLfN.
TWO OFFICIALS REAPPoISTYD AND TWO OTHERS
RESIGN SOME or THE SUGGESTIONS.
The BROOKLYN Board of Aldermen for $3.50 held
its first and what will probably be ITS most I'M
portant meeting in the City Hall yesterday aiter-
noon to elect officers and to hear Mayor ChaphS
first message. or the nineteen members. the seven
Aidermen-at-largc and three of the District Alder
men were new to their duties. The Democrats
have the overwhelming majority OF ID ivy
Clerk Stanley called the body to order. ana DIS
trict Alderman John Mccarthy. who lives IN the
Fifth Ward WAS elected President by the unani-
mons vote of those present except himself Mr.
Stanley was reelected City Clerk for two sears
committee then called upon the Mayor and ne
sent in his message and an announcement that ne
had reappOinted Corporation Counsel jerks ana
City Treasurer Whecock for term OF two years.
1t was expected that he would retain these OIL
Gals Mr. Wheclocll was first appointed by
Mayor Low in 1884, having previously Deen
Deputy Treasurer eleven years. Mayor whitney
reapp0nted him two years ago lie Is hepnoi!-
can a member Of Plymouth Church, ana man
of such tried integrity that every one believes
his word to be as good as his bond. His salary
is 81, 600 and he gives bonds for 100000.
Corporation Counsel jerks formerly a Re-
publican but he supported James w. Riigeway
for Dstrict-Attorney in 1888 and was rewarded
by appointment one of his assistants ana
thereafter worked with the Democrats lie -
about thirty-cight years of age Yale graduate.
the son of an eminent lawyer; and the sen-in-.aw
Of Bishop LirrlPjohn. After Mayor Nhltney made
him Corporation Counsel he became TIE inspiring
force of his administration. and was credited wiih
the authorship OF the MAYORS eXI aas M;enn,s
letter to the Democratic city Convention IN Qc.2.
ber declining rrnom.nation when Z. .ad nO'
been rendered and then nominated Stare Ooh-
troer Chaplin Tor Mayor The latter has ire
ouenty consulted with him since his c!cc::on.
The salaryc his Office is SIS 900. which Is $4,000
more than the Mayor receives. No intimatioD has
been given by the Mayor in regard 10 n ether
appointments and the FERNS Of the present H.
eumbenis do rot expire until February l.
POINTS MADE by TnE Mayer
In his message Mayor Chaplin made no novel
suggestions ind outlined 10 brilliant pocy. lie
began by pleading that his duties ia State Office
had prevented HIM from gaining full knowledge
o. the city affairs. The finances of the city show
a net city debt of S32,014.502. a decrease in the
year Of 81, 6lo,32l; 80. of which $3.50, 32l.!y IS
tion of the city is $685. sjl.67f. IN six years tho
valuation has increased so per cent. and tho debt
has decreased q per cent. New there Is ono
dollar of debt for each 81 of valuation:
In regard to the tax rate and levy the Mayor
said that they should be sufficient to secure good
government to each citizen. and he world not
attempt to make them less. and so far as he Was
responsible he would do his best TO see that tho
money is not wasted or diverted TO noRg0vern-
mental purposes. He promised to try TO Increase
the acconlm citations and resources Of the school
system to meet the demands OF each years prog
ress. More adequate fire and police protection for
parts Of the city now siendcriy provided was
promised.
rHE CONTROL OF THE BRIDGE.
Bridge matters are referred to in regard 60 the
custody OF BrooiSlyns share Of the receipts being
kept by Bridge officials instead Of the City Treas
urcr and the Mayor went to say:
Undoubtedly the Bridge would he administer Ell with
economy, and With far keeucr Of account
gagged their property 10 pay for it, were is charss
No or 3 Df eharaSir IS the. DOW w ST
Ing. Tie organization centrolns the Bridge
such discretion should exist to the extent of permitting
the Bridge organization 10 go into the warehouse bust
ness to run railroads 10 invest money IN real es.
tate for purposes rental, with but slight direct
opportunity for bearing on the part of The city, may
well he Questioned
The fact that the Bridge fails to contribute
to the Sinking Fund the law prov ides was
noted ard the policy Of the Trustees in investing
contrary to law and promising to b" endless
while the future revenues were recently hypoth
ecated to purchase lands aud buildings 1he
action Of the Trustees in regard to the extension
of the Bridge condemned by the Mayor and he
suggested that the structure he put in charge OF
two officials subordnates of the two cities. and
that all receipts he turned in proper proportions
into their respective treasures, and that the cX
penses of maintainance should be met by an ap
preparation also in proper proportion Such q
method, besides being easy Of application. Would
be far more business like and economical than
that now existing.
SUGGESTING \ CHANGE ~ ELECTION LAWS.
The Mayor also suggested that the election laws
of Brooklyn be changed so that instead Of ballots
being kept a year after they are counted they bo
destroyed soon rs eanvassed as IN other parts
of the State He said:
The ballots thus preserved constant menace
and temptation Those who SEQ some peculiar virtue
In such provision overlook the fact thai We must
In this in all other political and governmental
contrvanccs depend uron human agency and the more
significant fact that the continuous cusody Of such
important records suggests fraud and evidong To many
men who have no such thought or desire while quickly
performing the duty OF sssing and certifying votes
upon election night. The officials who rapidly count
votes upon election evening 90 not know VIVA ,o rel
right that they should not But the officials In charge
may he constantly burensd with tho knowledge that
slight tampering with two or three OF them would
serve to reverse tho election OF Governor or OF
President
A fourth day OF registration was also suggested.
the final day to be within less than two weeks
of the election The fear OF pestence this year
was advertel to and the recent report OF the
State Board OF Health in regard to the Quaran.
tine station was quoted from with approval
RESIGNATION Of PARK COMMISSIONERS.
Park Commissioners Henry Hartenu, Crossman
Lyons, and Arson Ferguson handed in their res
ignations to Mayor Chaplin yesterday Mr.. Harteau
wanted to resign last year and only Myor Whit
ney's personal persuas,ons kept him in tic CON-
mission. Mr. Ferguson resigned to take his
seat as ON Alderman-at -large, being incapactated
from holding both Offices. Mr.. Lyons said that
he resigned 10 relleve the MayOr from auy enioar>
rassment at the beginning OF bis term
>-
REPORT OF THE PILOT COMMISSION
At the Pilot Commissioners meeting Yesterday fiiot
John shanks Of Boat No ei. made report In regard
to tho steamship Neweastle city, which foundered
on the Nantucket Shoals o December %. Mr. shankg
said that nm tho day previous to tho wreck he hailed
tho Newcastle City about fifty miles southeast OF the
Nantucket south shoal Lghtship and offered Ia tako
her into port FREQ Of oshore piloage. The cap
tain refused tho Offer On tho day following mo ssam
sh,p foundered which Mr.. Shanks thought wouli rot
ava happened had his services Doen secured.
The annual report Of tho Commission 20 the Cove
ernor was road The service. It laws. Is erscen(