New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-21
MAYORS OFFICE,

York, July 13, 1885,
The Hon. David B. Hill, Governor:
Sir appeal to you for Of justice the City Of
New-York which you alone in position render.
special session Of the Legislature has been convened.
which consider only such subjects you may
submit to It, ask to recommend the repeal OF Chap
ter 1897 Of the Laws OF York passed May 49, 1885,
which the Commission for building the Aqueduct for
furnishing the City OF NewYork with supply
OF pure and wholesome water reconstructed This
law enacted by the Legislature and approved by you
against the protest Of the municipal authorities OF this city,
made in accordance with the general demand OF public
opinion 1t has needessy increased the expense Of tho
Commission and excluded the Mayor and Controller from
Its deliberations because they not acceptable to the
contractors Its secretary displaced in order
room for political partisan but rcemployed
other position because the appontee could do
work which the secretary has previously performed with-
out extra compensation. The for
ton OF the work have been confessedy by
letting to subcontactors who would been glad
the work for the city at the reduced price they
PEELED to accept from the contractors Bad work. since
condemned has been accepted paid expensive rub,
he masonry has been substituted for dry filing without
giving corresponding increase in the value the
and in many too numerous mention, the inter.
ess OF the city have been sacrificed the demands tho
contractors and the requirements OF party politics
IL has been openly testified by OF the Commis
that the law, whose repeal request the result
OF politice deal whereby the Republican party secured
patronage and it appears that Democratic campaign debts
incurred in the election OF 1885, subsequently paid
by the and charged tht member the firm
who head OF the State Committee The people Of
this city ssounded by these revelations The opn-
ion is universal that such changes in should bs
promptly made may be required great pub
lie work from further entangement with political per-
sonsl interests.
The situation is without embarrassment but IL pre-.
sents plain duty to which neither you shut
eyes We are Democrats while the Legislature Repub-
lican. This is fortunate coniuncture It will enable
Sponsibiity for this unfortunate legislation II you shall
make endaton for the repeal OF the obLoxious
law. will doubtless be promptly responded by the
Legislature. The FIRST step Will thus tho
publication Of the political atmosphere restoration
of the OF this city to It's right to participate ia
the control expenditure which purely local and Of
vast proportions.
1t be said that lt IS too late repair the evil
which has been done but this is the fact The work
Will require several years for It's completion and II is es.
mated that the expenditures yet be may amount
o twenty millions OF dollars This vast outlay must be
controlled by officers in whom the people city have
nre confidence, and II is indispensable that in part &C
east the Commission shall consist OF derive their
position directly from the sufrsges OF the people.
In this appeal for justice merely doing nv duty IA
he citizens whose Official mouthpiece am and no look
for that protection from ioDbery fraud and waste
public money which the Governor and the Legislature
bound by every consideration honor and Justice TO
ford have doubt that gravity Of the situation
apparent to you is me- and that the result will
such to satisfy the reasonable demands OF public
pinion have the honor be, very respectfully your
bed.ent servant, ABRAM s. HEWITT.