New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-03-18
KEEP D0TN TIE SALARY LIST

ELIi DOU - mn r-i.~-I%'| |@E'@'
Many of the onicc-holders of this city appear
to be engaged almost as body i'll efforts to
get their salaries raised. This tendency can
be seen in almost every department Of the
municipal government. and It's effect Is appar-
cnt at Albany. Bills to increase the salary Of
this or that man or of some class on grade OF
the citys employees are aarmingly abundant
this year We have already referred to the
proposed act raising the salaries Of the Aquc-
! duet Commissioners TO $4,000 despite The
fact that they are already Literally paid, and
we arc pleased to observe that this movement
seems to be abandoned. The one substituted
for it. however. is just as bad in principle
| There is no sort of reason for the addition Of
one dollar to the sum now being paid to either
the p,csidcnt of the board or his associates.
Their duties now are certainly not more oncrouS
than they were during the earlier stages of
the work and occupy only few hours each
week.
There must be an end some time soon to the
cxactions of the politicians upon the public
treasury. The plan Of creating as many clerk
ships and other subordinate offices rs there arc
drad-beat on the roll of the County Democracy
and Tammany Hall is becoming altogether too
oppressive OF course the taxpayers under
stand that the luxury of possessing two such
prctentous bodies of organized lcccheS Is not
to be had for li'pcnny- bit. They have learned
that the rule Of the bosses Is expensive and they
wouldn't think of indulging in any prcsumptu-
ous hopes But they cannot be blamed for
thinking that the burden is now as heavy IA
it ought to be. Considering that the cost of
,,lr - charities and
corrections its streets. its public works It's
PARKS docks police and other departments Is
now at least twice as great a. 1t should bt
the public cannot be blamed for grumbling at
the prospect Of any further increase.
In such a scheme. at all events. the Repub-
lican Legislature should take no hand Its
interest. no less than It's duty, demands that all
appcals for leave to make salaries larger heIr
should be defeated. 1t is perhaps true that
some of the poor Office holders have Il hard time
Of it. They 90 not actually receive the sums
allowed them. Large slices 20 to the nam
tcnance of " the organization The County
Democracy and Tammnny both have to live
and thrive and they grow fat on assessments
These assessments come ont OF the salaries or
tIcir men and are the subject OF careful pre-
Iiminarv bargaining. But there is no reason
why the Republican members Of the Legislature
shOuld further enrich these factions. Even
surprising that the cty's employees do actual
work for their wages which is not generally
the fact-they arc paid much better than
mechanics of the first class. and such mechanics
are. men Of much higher capabilities. Tho
tendency OF business is not i'll the direction Of
increased expenditures. The country has NOD
enjoyed such prosperity under Democratic gov
crnment as has operated to raise the value OF
labor. Strikes are plentiful and wagc-carncrs
are generally depressed. All considerations
should therefore incline tho Legislature to
lend dull ear to these appeals Of politicians.