New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-02
THE COMING CAMpAIGN.


claims upon which they assert his right TO renom-
nation are about follows:
When elected he called from business pur-
suits for the publicly declared purpose OF admin
isterrg the city's affairs upon business principles
to which Inc Of policy he has strictly adhered
During his first year OF office he was Handicapped
by Democratic majority holding over in the Com
mon Council. but nevertheless succeecei III ei-
fectng substantial reforms. The legal department.
which first came under his control was recon
structel upon a salary basis Of Sl.5p per year
where s2S coo had prior that time been expended
for this purpose His next effort was for the set
Element of long outstanding claims due the city
from certain railroad corporations, which resulted
In the payment by them to the city OF over $500
This assisted in work OF enlarsing the school
facilities OF the city. which had been neglected under
the Democratic regime.
SAVING IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT.
An active interest was taken by the Mayor in the
operations OF the new Board Of Works appointed
by him. and expenditures in their various depart
ments were vastly reduced. In the actual operai-
inc expenditures OF the Water Department alone
reduction of about $4,000 effected In the hrst
year Even in the departments controlled hV the
democratic Common Council. his careful invosiSa-
tons and determined use Of the veto resui'ei ii
curling unnecessary expenditures. and in cutting
down extravagant prices in the purchase OF sup
plies
While enforcing economy in the operating "X-
penses Of the city Government. the Mayor sHowei
an appreciation of the great need Cor the physical
improvement of the city. In his Judgment the sys-
TEN existing at that time OF exacting immediate
payment by property -owneis for street Improve
ments under penalty Of an eXorbiant rate OF ~
| terest Is per cent? resulted in public opposition 10
the laying Of street pavemen'r. OF which the city
was sadly In need. He al once caused a bill 10 be
prepared which the Legislature passed providing
for the payment of such Improvements in five an
nual instruments, interest rate OF per cent
The result was magical The Board or WORKS haH
more applications for new pavements last year than
it could comply with, and fifteen ana one-hali miles
Of permanent streets made. which was
| greater amount than In the five years preceding
combined The same amount Of work continued
| eight years would pave every street In the city
|; is in the financial results of the last how
| ever that the friends Of the Mayor calm for him
| the greatest consideration. \ Republican Common
Council assumed charGe OF municipal affairs IN
| May 1895 and although more than a third Of the
| fiscal year had expired tire economies effected IN
| the remainder We're 50 many and so radical that
the end OF the year shovel great reduction in the
operating expenses OF the city. Useless oihcials
were dispensed with, the WORK Of some OF the de-
partments combined. and in all there was
marked change for the better in attention to duties
| and systematic work by the employee
THE FINANCIAL RESULTS ATTAINED.
In the Controllers department a saving OF about
81 OO per wear was effected by the removal OF
| less employees. and in the tax assessing ana col
| letting departments a gain OF about 5000 was cf-
fected In the care OF public buildings saving OF
about SO 900 was made in The city Home about $1,000
and in the License Department about $1,000 Large
sums were saved by great reductions in the prices
| of supplies for the ainshouee and other institu-
| tons and the printing ana stationery supplied
the city. At the same time the revenues OF the Guy
were largely increased-particularly in the receipts
from licenses and market f-es. In all these opera
/ toOk
| constant cooperation with the chairmen 0: com
| nttees and department officials in charge o. the
| work.
Briefly summarized the financial operations OF the
year were about as follows: Owing TO reduction
in the city rate, the amount received from the
annual tax levy was $1,000 less than the previous
wear The city, with this decreased revenue from
! taxation was also called upon to meet a number Of
| extraordinary expenses. The people voted to IN
crease the pay OF policemen and hremen. involving
an added expense of $4,000; the current expenses
| of public schools increased about $4,000 by
the necessity for enlarged school facilities. which
| had been neglected under the Democratic admin
istration deficiency OF $4,000 in the street-ghtng
| account had to be made good. and few other
items brought amount Of extraor binary expenses
| TO fully $4,000 All this was fully met. and the
wear closed with a cash surplus Of $63 900 in the city
| treasury.
| This surplus was so Appropriated to enable the
building this year Of ne" almshousee; new engine
| house and public D1ihhCuseS. without creating
| debt for them. An appropriation rom TINS sur,
| plus was also made b. the city TO complete iunl
| for the erection OF a technical school II Is
| confidently believed that the economies Of the cur
| rent year viii enable he erection Of new high
school a city hospital and free public library, AT
OF 10000, without increaeine the taxes for
the purpose OF meeting the Interest an sinking uni
charges upon the bonds to be issued for these OBJ
When Mayor Lebkdcher assumed office he found
| that every paving and sewer assessment was ac-
by r6e ak once Gf
| the formulation ana passage Of laws which have
vastly decreased these costs TO proerty-g"ners en-
| gaged in making such improvements His interest
In The settlement of the water supply question with
| the East Jersey Water Company, which has now
! reached a stage most advantageous TO the city has
! been an active one. and he Is now "a deeply n
| terestei in the elevation OF steam railway tracks
,Trnnch he civ and conference Of city and "a
way officials now being held 10 bring about ths
s' Tbese things. the friends Of the Mayor assert,
| have won for him the respect and regard or the
| taxpaying element OF the CITY.
4 REPUBLICAN VICTORY EXPECTED
The Mayors adherents base the prospects of sue
| cess upon very important reasons: II Is hoped 10
carry the State OF NcwJersey next fall for the Re-
nubcan electoral ticket. and TO DO this 1t is vital
| that the metropolis OF the state should 80 hepuD-
Iican at the ensuing charter election failure In
,bi narticuar might drive the ,arge number or In
! Janendent Democrats who have been voting win
| the Republicans OF late back 10 ther own parH
and make success In the state extremely do1otini.
| nh.icher Is acknowledged on al sides, ana ms
| srierds saw that his denomination woulc mean n,
a'c,ion by n tremendous majority, as ne would pom
en- he votes OF Independent citizcr<Nand the vot.s
| Of large number Of Democrats wh9 ;avoT honesty
economy and progress IN munspti a'a assrances Of
sn,ort nv a large majority OF the party organiza,
ton with the warm regard OF a., 'n ,an ny s,@s
The adhcrents of the Mayer believe he VIII De ~.
| dorsed by u very substantiai majority /" TIC wy
| convention