New-York tribune., 1894-10-29

many rObs the taxpayer OF man! IiiIlioa' 49,
Its methods are much the same IN every u' ~
pariment and the total payroll OF the CITY II III
excess OF sl2.000.000 per annum
AN OVERWHELMING BURDEN
Sixth-We charge that the Dock Department.
TO which the official head Of Tammany points
with satisfaction is an ever-increasing burdeh 10
the taxpayer, while 1t should be source Oh
large revenue Mayor Gilroy admits the issue
OF dock bonds since 1884 TO the amount OF S:oVo'-
900. and he attempts 10 justify TINS eXpehu!tuie
by the fact that the revenue from dock Iehts ~
1894 is 81 S39 65S 7S against $l246SoS ~ IN 1881
a net gain. as he claims Of $5s2.SOo he lorg
however TO take into account the annual eN e-
penditure In the year 1884 there was spent TOT
construction. according to the report OF tle
Dock Department. s575,OsOS7. leaving expenses
for administration s1s5025 49, and net proht
above rents of sl461.s32 26 Making the same
calculations for tho year 1894. there Is spent ior
new property s2.46S,173. leaving for administra-
tion s}302Sl ian increase OF 80 per cent' anu ue
ducting this from rents there Is a net proht OF
81. 81 This shows an increase IN the me- ne,
revenue of only S447.545 for the ten years 1873
TO 1894 though in the meanwhile bonds 10 lhe
amount Of 80 100000 have been issued This IN
crease is barely sufficient to pay the interest on
the new bonds. and is less than the normal IN
due to the growth OF the commerce ol IN"
city for in the preceding ten years. from lHf
70 1884. the revenue from the docks had III
creased S-67 497
Seventb~We charge that although since the
year 1884 the taxpayers have paid of SS2'oooooo
of the city's debt yet at the present time that
debt is IS. S.50G.0 600 greater than In NM.
AN UNJUST BURDEN on THE POOR.
Fjghth-We charge that the taxpayers have
been called upon to bear greater burdens than
are shown by the tax levy and this statement OF
public debt For there has been an increased
charge for public services from licenses mar
kets docks and Croton water of s., 2,45l,Oo5. Inc
receipts from Croton water in 1884 were S2oS9'-
800 while in 1894 they were So SAC 967. increase
for this service alone of $l.161,64I the addl-
tjonal revenue from CrOtOn water is ciheny
derived from new order. placing water metres
in dwelling houses having more than three ram
flies. compelling the WOrklngmen 10 pay loi
water as they use il. while in private residences
there is only fixed charge per annum, ana the
amount paid is much smaller. again placing the
greater burden upon the poor.
Ninth--We accept the challenge of Tammahy
Hall to extract from the report OF the Lon
don County Council for the last two years any
information which would show the total tax, or
the per capita tax Of that city for all purposes
and deny his assertion that the whole puruen
of what we call municipal taxation is both
relatively and absolutely lighter in New \ ork
that II is either in London or Paris. The total
expenditure in London for all purposes Is less
than $50 000 600, with population OF 4,oVoVoo
If we should deduct from this total the Slo'ooo,
900 paid for interest on debt. the totai Wouiu
be s40,00O,000. In like manner deouctlng nUln m
the expenditrres of New-YOrk the outlay for
interest on and redemption of the debt ana
for State taxes. the expenditure would be VT
540.792. Taking the population of New I ork as
y.
expenditure for New-Yorll per capita would be
Sl4 07. The total expenditure in LONDON per
capita. taking the total population as 49oVVqv, u
would be IS 49, We have deducted from the
New-York expenditure the contribution for state
taxes. which is unjust in comparison with Lon
DON because the citizens of London pay, IN
addition 20 the local tax. no other tax except
the Imperial If these were included the per
capita expenditure of New-York would be IN
creased to SIG II. almost double the London ex-
penditure II further detailed comparison be
made the wasefu extravaganza OF pubic ex-
penditure in New-York becomes more apparent
The city of London, with an area OF 'oVVo acres
pays for street pavements, cleaning and water
ing fsS562l annually; foI sewerage. f29i92o a
total of f1.1SO146 G5,7S2 40. while the city ol
New-York. with area II only 2,oO' acres
spends annually through the Department OF PUP
lie Works and for street cleaning. So4293oo ana
in addition issues annually several million o,S G9l-
lars worth of bonds for new paVemehts aie me
police Of the city of London cost only ll6lsl9
1888. 4O3 while the New-lork cry p9!ice COSTS o
s5,13s.lH Not only is the eXpemuiturf pe
than in New-York. but its government AFFORDS
the citizens greater facilities and better pro
lection 1t has a system Of poor relief on which
1t expends slOO 600 annually; it pays out Of It's
budget for the repavng OF its streets 1t disposes
of its garbage by destruction in scienti1c way
and provides public bath lavatories ana laun-
dries out Of its annual expenditures
The comparison with Paris is equally unfavor-
able. 1t has population Of 2,i41.937. and IT'S
annual budget excluding interest on deDt' is vi
767 0O0 which is only $3.50 per capita
IGNORANT AND INEFFICIENT MANAGEMENT
Tenth-We denounce Tammany Hall because OF
Its ignorant and inefficient management, which
has left us far behind the other larger cities OF
the world in respect TO the comforts and conven-
fences which all citizens have the right TO expect.
The platform Of the Committee Of Seventy de-
mands: That the quality Of the public schools
shall be improved their capacity enlarged, and
proper play grounds provided, so that every chlid
within the ages required shall have admission 10
the schools: that the health OF the children be
protected, and that all modern improvements be
introduced as will make our public schools equal
TO those of any other city in the world
There are about 10000 children who cannot be
accommodated in the public schools in this city
The kindergarten system which existed in nearI
every large city # this country for years was only
introduced in this city last year. by the opening
OF few kindergartens, after long and persistent
agitation.
We denounce Tammany Hall because it has
failed 10 provide public baths and lavatories
which exist in all great capitals OF the world, anc
are necessary for the health and cleanliness ol
the community.
The platform Of the Committee of Seventy de-
clares: I'VE favor the use of adequate puphC
baths and lavatories 10 promote cleanliness and
Increased public comfort. at appropriate places
throughout the city.
We denounce Tammany Hall for it's persist
ent and systematic opposition to rapid transit
urgently demanded for the comfort OF the rap
Idly growing population Of the city.
We denounce Tammany Hall for its failure tc
provide small parks in the overcrowded districts
of the city. In the year 1887 the city authori
ties were authorized to spend Sl.0o0.0O0 annu
ally to open parks in the lower parts OF the city
Yet seven years have elapsed and substantially
nothing has been done. While New-York City
has a park area OF $500 acres, less than 2O'
acres of parks south of Fourteenth-st.
while, of the total population OF l.9OO.Ooo more
than 100000 people live south OF Fourteenth-st
The density of population to the square mile
north of Fourteenth-st. is only 1900, while
south of Fourteenth-st. 1t is 15l,OOO.
These are the facts.
The battle is the battle of the people.
To the people we appeal 10 change this con
dition, confident that they are never honestly
appealed TO in vain when they know the facts
JOSEPH LAROCQUE, Chairman.
JOHN p. FAURE. Secretary.
BOHEMIANS INTERESTED IN THE XXTH