New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-01

Total. $40 525 525 SO s194O4 15S "a
(Mr Hewitt here explains the reasons why the In
crease I'm the Public Parks, the Health and Fire Dc
partmcnts necessary. lie also speaks of the
reduction Of $765,6lO 80 in the tax levy, and calls
attention to the reduction of the city debt from
Ss5,746,s34 "a January l. 1883, to 5s, 1884 Il,
January J. 1859, in the face Of tho large issue
of bonds for tho AQucduct the Docks and the Harlem
Bridge, ETC., amounting to IS, 1877 15 49,
During the last two years tho receipts from the
Excise Fund have been raised from 1851 40 IN
1856, TO Sl,1s6,730 in 1857, and to $l42j49O in
1883. The number OF licenses has been reduced, and
tho character the persons licensed has been raised
This department of the city government has received
the unqualified praise of all who arc familiar with It's
operations, and has contributed the sum OF S43 600
toward the reduction Of taxation IN Tie year losO,
besides paying TO the corporate charities and iac
pension funds OF the Police and Fire Departments
the large sum Of S55e79J 81 for which, prior to
1887. the Excise fund entirely inadequate. Dur
ing my term of Office the new parks beyond the
Harlem River have been acquired, the proceedings
An act was procured from the Legislature authorizing
the CREATION OF small parks IN the city, and during
the past year proceedings have been taken TO open
park in Mulberry-st, another at CorleaS Hook,
another for the extension Of the East River PARK
resolutions have been adopted by which tho High
Bridge Park will be finally acquired on terms salts
factory 10 the owners OF properly IN the neehborhood
and 10 citzens generally who have long desired
that this great improvement should be made. -,
prosecuted during the last two years. There is an
absolute dearth 81 proper wharf accommodation. An
expenditure of two or three million dollars a year
can be wisely made, because 1t Is at once repro
duc,ive and adds to the resources Of the sinAing
Fund In the same time additional armory has
been completed, another is under construction third
is ready for contract and proceedings have been
ton of a fourth aruory. Gansevoort Market has
been completed, and is ready to be opened for public
use This great imprOv will relieve the
pressure of business now felt in the streets leading
to West Washington Market. and Will be source OF
polltan Museum of Art has completed the extension
u It's building which has been paid FOR oy , me 10 cav ea
that arrangements have been made by which THIS va
uablc collection will be open 70 two evenings IN he
week for the general use OF the citizens, and look
forward TO the day when It shall also be open upon
sundays. The same statement applies TO the Museuih
Of Natural History whose additional building Is now III
There is great need of municipal building Of sudl-
capacity TO provide for the several departments
of the city government now occupying rented premises
Legislation was secured In 1881 authorizing ths cree
ton of such building In the CITY nan rrA' and
competition for plans was advertised occo alln
the award w has ia Sssn maze Of comms Of
experts. These plans now complete and avail ihe
action Of the Sinking Fund Commission troVision
has also beco made by lay for TIE erection c o.
building for the accommodation OF the county OierA'
the Register and tho Surrogate oorsacrcc IN the
management: Of the great undertaking 10 supply ,he
city with an Increased quantity OF Tatsr apeae ira
extra session. TO reconsiitute The Commission anu re-
store to its membership the Mayor and the Controller
With this request the Legislature promptly complied
and the Aqueduct Commission has accordingly been c
organized TO include the city officials and Jour
new commissioners, whose appointment MAJ eN9n
general satisfaction The work has been vigorously
viii be ready receive the water during the coming
year The Manhattan Bridge over the Harlem RIVER
has been completed during my term of Office, at cost
exceeding millions and half OF dollars, and VIII
shortly be opened for public Arrangements have
been made sink the tracks of the Harlem Railroad
in the annexed district, without cost 10 the CITY, ana
ths work is being vigorously prosecuted involving an
outlay 70 the railroad company of over S2,OOO.OOO
LEGISLATION.
At the outset Of my term OF Office adopted the
principle Of calling together the heads Of departments
to consult as to the legislation wlicr might be
required for the advantage of the city AID The better
conduct Of its business. Every act proposed was
carefully considered by this conference One hundred
and ninety-one bills directly affecting the city OF
New York were passed during the last year The
passage Of many Objectionable bills was thus De
eated, but in important cases The Legislature
acted directly against the recommendations OF the
CITY authorities. The commission for the construction
of the electrical subways thus organized against
the unanimous protest of the city officials who had
recommended the addition Of the Mayor C0n'Foier
and Commissioner of the Public Works TO tho com
mission, but tho latter two officers were omitted
In conclusion / call attention to the fact that
the credit of the city, indicated ny tho prices
bid for It's bonds has never been so high as at the
present time and that ITS securities command
higher price than those OF any other city In the world