New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-03
CITY FINANCES JCGGLED.
MESSAGE FROM THE MA YOR.
rxpOs1-RE OF TAMMANY METHODS IN
NICIPAL GOVERNMENT

I'll \ICIPAL GOVERNMENT
CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY FOR WHICH hoNpS
HAVE NOT REEN ISSUED AMOUNTING To
NEARLY $4,000 ooo- REASONS WHY 4 De
FICIENCY MUST AppEAH IN THE FIRST
YEAR OF COLONEL sTRONG's ADMINS
TrATioN-TIIE TAN RATE FOOLERY.
Mayor Strong has determined to let the tax
pavers Of New York know where the response
b.lity should rest for the increase in the burdens
which they will be called upon to meet in the
budget OF 1895. In a message which the Mayor
sent TO the Board of Aldermen yesterday he UNI
folded t. public view the real condition of the
city's finances under Tammany management
and the financial juggery to which the pre-
ceding administration resotted i'm order to lower
the tax rate and mslead the public into the be-
nvr1that Notwithstanding liberal and perhaps
wasteful expenditures the municipal debt had
not been materially increased. The Mayor sent
with his message communication from Con-
trorer Fitch which shows tina, claims against the
c.tv for which bonds have not yet been issued.
Inc greater part Of which must be shortly put
on the market in payment Of municipal o5liga-
tons will increase the city's Indebtedness by
nearly S20.ooO.000.
The deficiency which mus: appear in the first
budget Of Mayor Strongs administration might
have been avoided. the Mayor believes, had the
Tamrnany administration been willing to main
tain for 1894 the rate of 1893. which was 49,
on the valuations made by the Tax Commission
ers for las; wear As il Is. the taxpayers when
they come to pay their taxes for 1895. will realize
what the Tammany reduction of the tax rate to
179 as an ohject-lesson of the beauties of Tam
many domination in New-York City has cost
them in dollars and cents.
THE MESSAGE
The Mayors message was referred by the
Aldermen to the Finance Committee 1t is as
follows:
The Mayors Of1ce. New-York. April .. 1895
To the Honorable the Board of Aldermen
Believing it to be my duty to keep YOUR Hon
orable Board and through you citizens gen.
orally. informed to the financial condition Of
the city's affairs. have the honor to submit the
following for your careful consideration:
On January l. 1885,, the statement of the debt
OF the city as pr pared b." the Controller and
published in the City Record showed it to be:
Funded DEBT &; s5 j@ ,.i y
rs Ni fap4ed d SeS' revenue S OK 81
Ne: debt including revenue bonds slo5 -, ~
The Controller on January 20 1879, IuiillSlleu d
statement herewith transmitted showing in de-
tail the amounts remaining unissued Of bonds
that had been authorized to be issued by the
Commissioners of the Sinking Fund and Board
Of Estimate and Appointment prior to Deem
Der g. 1894 amounting to S1O206l6 S. and on
March II, 1895, the Controller furnished further
statement herewith submitted, showing approXi-
mately the liability OF the city for public works
and improvements. which on January !. 1879
still remained TO be met out OF the proceeds OF
bonds then unissued amounting to sl9S7966O 6S
Bonds previously authorized and remaining un-
issued on December 81 1894. shown by the
Controllers statement, are now being issued and
al almost every meeting Of the Commissioners
Of the Sinking Fund and the Board Of Estimate
and Apportionnent requests are received for the
authorization of the issue OF bonds, on some OF
the accounts. as shown by the Controller in his
statement of liability. and which had not been
issued prior to January !, 1894.
All of these bonds. now being issued. must
be added to and shown IN the Indebtedness OF
the city on December g. 1885,.
In addition TO the foregoing. the city VIII be
liable for lands. works and improvements. and
for which no amount is estimated by the Con-
. troller. as follows: Washington Bridge Park, St
Johns Park. Colonial Park. Fort Washington
Park. park Eleventh-st and East River: park
Dyckman-st. and Harlem River; Elm-st widen
Ing. work Of Aqueduct Commission. Riverside
Park extension. approach TO Willis-aye. bridge,
approach TO Third-av-. bridge. damages for
change OF grade in TWenty-third and Twenty
fourth wards.
The condition Of affairs, herein presented. and
the consequent increase Of bonded Indebtedness
that must be shown against the city al the close
Of this year is attributable to the result Of sys-
tenn % financial jugglery practsed by the pre-
v0us administration, in an apparent endeaVor 10
mislead the public into the innocent belief mat.
Notwithstanding the liberal. and perhaps waste
ful expenditures special accounts during the
year. particularly by the Park Department. under
the 81 900 900 act ostensibly give work to the I'M
EMPLOYED that the debt Of the city had not been
Increased 70 the proportions that the statements
herewith submitted indicate, and with such deln-
sion seek 10 produce political well as hoped
for beneficial moral effect. and leave to the future
the realization and burden Of the actual condition
OF the financial affairs Of the city.
An examination OF the statements. as submitted
by the Controller justifies the belief that every
technical subterfuge was aVailed Of 20 deter au-
thorizny the issue Of bonds or % defer issuing
them after they were authorized in 1894. leaving
their issue and the responsibility OF the same ana
the CONSIGNMENT inc ease OF :he bonded indebted
ness to fall upon the administration OF 1899.
Tie final estimate showing the appropFia enc orc oco a,
'.oiis iI TO-. "' 800 90
Total ''''' ''F"'''' 80
This is the largest estimate ever known In me
history % the city. and while each year demon
stratcs the necessity for greater expenditure iof
ID. maintenance az the judiciary IN It's many
brancnes--the public schools. the Cro'on water
system cleaning and lighting the streets ior po-
Ice ami fire protection, for parks Tor repairs Oh
pavements, and, in fact. every branch department
Of tho city government-much OF TINS increase VI
expenditure is directly chargeaDie 10 "'''''''''
legislation.