New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-11-17
NEEDED DOCK Reforms.

II * not matter for surprise that the DOCK
DEPARTMENT has been grossly msmanaSed. Oh
the contrary. it would be altogether remarkable
e Il had not been. The laws under which It's
aTairs are conducted seem to have been de-
vised for the very purpose of making cor
rrption safe and easy, and corruption Is there
fore inst what was to be looked for There
are two provisions of law relating to this De-
,artment 10 the operation of which all the NAL
administration that has been disclosed is d.
rectly due The first is the charter provision
bv which the Dock Commissioners are allowed
to be the primary and ultimate masters OF theit
expenditures. They are not required, as the
heads of the other departments OF the city gov
ornment are to submit their estimates TO the
Board of Estimate and Appointment for ex-
animation and revision They have the night
to spend what they please within the annua!
limit of $4,000 900, and to bond the city at
will for whatever they think fit to name as
their necessities.
Nc. the slightest excuse exists for making
them an exception to the most wise and excellent
rule bv virtue of which the proposed expenses
Of the departments are subjected to the scrutiny
and intimate decision of a board OF elective
officials On the contrary, the reasons for this
rule amply to them with especial force. They
are in Office by virtue Of the Mayors commits
sion. and not through any expression OF the
public will. Their expenses are necessarily
heavy. and relate to affairs as to which there
NAV be large question Of judgment They
should at once be brought under the operation
Of the general rule
To make their opportunities Tor corruption
even lager if they be corruptly disposed and
in any event to open wider the door Tor all
forms OF iobbely and extravaganza, an inter
notation was inserted in that section of the
| Consolidation Act which defines how they shall
let contracts 50 as to give them unrestricted
authority to spend the public money as they
! please and with whom they please. This COM
pletes their authority over the public purse.
These three commissioners have the right under
! existing law first and by charter provision.
10 spend any amount OF money uder $4,000,
600 a year and second. by a statute, to spend
it without any public letting of contracts, but
in such manner As may suit their own judg
ment and conscience. Could any system be
devised more obviously in the interest Of fraud?
The lesson of the investigation which has
thus far been so we'll conducted by the Com
misSioners Of accounts is that we must secure
from the next Legislature thoroughly cor
rective law for the guidance and control Of
the Dock Commissioners. They must he brought
under the Watchfu eyes of the Board of ESti-
mate They must be confined to an honest syS-
TEN Of contract letting. They must be required
to observe some method Of leasing piers and
of collecting wharfage dues by which the piers
and bulkheadS shall fetch all they are worth,
and by which the dues collected by dockmasterS
shall surely and IN full come into the city treas
ury. When these laws are passed and respected
we shall see the Deck Department paying an
annual net revenue Of from 100000 TO
$500. 600 to the city. instead Of being. as it al
ways has been. a source Of public debt