New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-08

pear IL VIII. however, be impossible TO maintain OUT
power is given BY law to private corporations TO
disturb the pavements whenever they think proper to
the present time the city is helpless prevent the
disturbance of our streets by certain CORPORATIONS,
amended that the local authorities shall have the right
to determine when excavations may DO made IN the
public thoroughfarcs and 10 impose proper CONDITIONS
to the time and manner in which such undertakings
may be prosecuted. And the city should be armed
With this power Of selfproccton before snbstan-
tal sums Of money be expended the streets.
With proper pavemens an effective system OF street.
cleaning could easily be maintained Az the present
time II IS generally conceded that STRENGTHENING
system fails properly to provide for the public com.
nom the public treasury for the cleaning Of the streets
but their filthy condition Is the cause OF universal
ard wefcunded complaint It Is my ,nien s,ass .,
al airs remedied and earnestly hope that during my
tern, Of Office substantial Improvement will be haa
1t has been stand that the difficulties which lie IN
tho way of proper administration Of many OF me
Of householdcrs to comply With the municipal ord.
believe however, that their negiecJ , Is nj M
so numerous and have been adopted with snch dis.
regard to each other that It Is exceedingly unrnl.
visions. To remedy this confusion l would suggest
that Municipal Code embracing all the ordinances
and departmental regulations which the city a,aofo 81
ROW deem important to the proper administrator, OF
tho municipality be compiled without delay SO tnaI
r local laws may be made iniesb,e 70 inc
and easy of enforcement by the public ahthoriues'
THE CITY UNJusTI.Y DEALT WITH.
For many years this city has been compelled 10
pay unjust proportion of the expenses OF tne
State government The State Board OF Assessors mas
fixed the valuation Of taxable property within th's
city at a sum almost equal TO As per cent OF the
entire valuation OF the State and the city n con,
sequenty compelled to bear 45 per cent OF the entire
State taxation. The injustice Of this distribution OF
the burden Of government between this and other
counties IL apparent from the statement OF IL
Notwithstanding tho unjust proportion OF state tax
alton which Is imposed upon MS. the city has no
representation in the Board OF Assessors. Were such
representation afforded II is probable thas the IN
Justice from which we now suffer would be to some
extent lesscned. and tho burden Of our taxation
sensbly reduced.
The system under which taxes are now collected
within this city is source OF confusion, annoy ance
and often OF pecuniay loss TO the taxpaysrs OF ane
officer, assessments and arrears OF unpaid taxes ~
another and the crS'en water rents BY ,np rsceysr
frequently assumes that no has discharged Al inc
obligations which have been imposed upon mm ~
that other demands OF the city have remained unpaid
While the smoant has grown 1c oT 70
way OF penalty for neglect suggest that las
and description which may be imposed by the Gov
be collected by single ose 20 n ns, ,se
ton as 10 the extent OF his Obligations.
As has already been sa,ed the city now Pays sy mo 70
Of This
rsPre'c9' at the rate S 81
requires that these departments, which now scat
tered over the city be brought under single ,s snn
% sp one in 1857 and the other IN Of
iss7 provided for The erection Of euldlng Tor tne
seupfs and for other purposes and the Of 1888
provided for The erection OF structure 10 De occu-
se by s ss provided ha the Building Tor witch
made provision should be erected on land owned by
the city in fee simple nc second ,"r xsnh ~
provided on the city Hall Park The words iof
other co s as 81 sS Of pave bnS which
would accommodate, IN addition 10 the criminal courts.
ace yn ii %sn pir Of o e S 90
that 4 would be paper to have the G na1n eo Tbs
Courts should Sc situated in close proximity to the
Prison. while the municipal offices should DC w,nn
or se aScommodsioS Of the criminal coe and the
district Attorney should he constructed on ground
s sonvey 20 'H 10 ne either by an under
ground passage or through covered bridge Inc
OF &c soua be- sasScd 10 avoid
ite degrading spectacle Of manaced prisoners passing
who often render the sidewalks assable IN the neigh
borhood Of the County Court House Tho act OF 1883
~ the County Clerk the surrogate and the Register
should be amended so as TO allow accommodation TO be
Sysss sT the ss er wo Be- IN ted
upon the City Hall Park. although It IS undoubtedly
his p ss @ enSSS ssee ' sy ay s ADDITIONAL Sups
In choosing for IT'S site land which Is already public
separabe from the legal proceedings which are neces
sary TO the taking Of private property for public pur-
paramount consideration. hut the Importance Of speed
ily constructing the building must be apparent 70
local authorities 10 structure for the public
comInodstion which would be an ornament 10 The city
TIC erection Of several handsome buildings by private
enterprise within the past few years. with such an
might reasonably hope TO see both buildings ready for
occupancy during the present administration. But ~
we should do all IN our power TO carry out the pro
Visions OF the existing law.
TOUCHING on MINOR TOPICS.
The duty Of the municipality TO furnish education
10 youth Is, perhaps. tho one most cheerfny dis
charged BIZ all our Inhabitants. LIBERAL provision
from tho public treasury for this purpose is the sound
est and wisest economy. Steps have already been
taken 10 increase the number OF school buildings
within the CITY, and should be prepared at all times
10 mako ample provision 10 meet IN this respect the
growing requirements Of our rapidly Increasing popu
laon.
Notwithstanding the general demand for the burial
Of electric wires and the removal OF The poles which
dsfg1lre our streets the nuisance remains undated
Laws have been enacted which intended 10 afford
the city relief from this imposition but either on ac
count OF Imperfecilons in the law rcmssness Of the
officers charged with its execution. the poles and wires
continue to obstruct our thoroughfarcs. All the pro
Visions
edy this EVIL and II they prove Inadequate we should
ask tbs Legislature for additional powers.
| shall take pleasure In submitting from time 10
time TO your Honorable Body such reports a. may
10 received By from the various departments OF
tho city government, and 10 make such recommends
lions as IN judgment, may be essential TO the I'M
provement Of the municipal administration
within a few months the city will bear an Inn
poranf part I'm celebration Of the deepest Interest to
The American people. On tho 30fh day Of April We
will commemorate the centennial anniversary OF the
Organization OF the Constitutional Government OF the
United States
The marvellous growth and development Of this
country and the imperial proportions 10 which this
city has attained under republican form OF govern
ment vlndcae, the value of democratic institutions.
AS enter upon the second century OF our existence
as an Independent country. we may we'll resolve 10
strive With unccasing energy TO give 10 the world adj
difional proofs Of our capacity 10 govern ourselves.
The experiment Of self government Is put 10 its
yerest test in q community like ours Hcre have q
population larger than that OF many states, composed
of more diverse elements than any other In the world.
Here the whole people can choose for themselves
government equipped with powers extensive that
The exercise OF them must bear fruit OF The greatest
importance for good or for evil.
with full consciousness OF the gravity OF the
Iabors which confront MS, venture 10 express the
.rl