New-York tribune., 1897-01-30
NTNICIPIL GOVERNMENT.
HOW THE AFFAIRS OF THE CITY ARE ADJ
MUSTERED -TAXABLE PROPERTY
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No municipal government in the world. proba-
bly, receives a larger share Of the public atten-
tion than that Of the city Of NewYork 1t gov
erns the largest and most compact body Of citi-
zens in the Union and If the plans for the crea-
ion of the Greater New-York are brought to
fruition this winter at Albany. the metropolis of
the western hemisphere will rival in population
and extent as it does now in wealth the greatest
capitals Of Europe:
The government of New-York City is vested in
a Mayor and Board Of Aldermen. and Its pow
ers of administration are exercised through
variety of commissions. the chief Of which is
the Board Of Estimate and Apportlonment which
directs the raising and the expenditure Of the
ctys revenues.
The present Mayor, William l.. Strong. al
though elected for a single term. has now been
continuously longer in office than any of his
predecessors for quarter Of century, with
single exception-that Of Hugh j. Grant. Mr..
Strong has served for over two years. and the
character of his administration has been fairly
determined Owing to the operation Of the new
State constitution, which requires municipal
elections to be held In odd years the term of two
years for which Colonel Strong was elected has
been extended into three years. and he will hold
| office until January |, 1898.
, The Mayors friends assert that he has fulfilled
| the expectations of the ma ajority Of voters who
| took part in the memorable campaign Of 1894
and that he has put stop to the reign Of incom-
| petencc and political interference in the city's
| affairs which was so notable and deplora bic un-
| der Tammany administration.
| OF Mayor Strong's use Of the great power in
| vested in him. there are two sets OF opinions
The politician expresses his dissatisfaction be-
| tpe has NOT MI V,I
politics.; the citizen is thankful that he has
| To all however, the Mayor has demonstrated one
thing that he is his own agent in all matters, and
| has no patronage dispensing boss In the back
| ground He runs the Mayors office he did the
bank of which he president. and few will
ouestion that il has been his aim 10 carry out his
| pledges and give the city plain. businesslike
and honest administration.
| The vital point to be considered by those who
voted for good government is not merely how
many subordinate office holders represent this or
| that political faction but under what general
policy Is the business of the city government
| carried on Is the boss" still a factor? Is it
necessary to nave pulp? Are the streets
clean? Are the police still the protectors and
banefciaries Of crime? Is wharf property rented
| to politicians at price and sublet by them at
| a higher one? Are Public Works contracts given
| to Tammany politicians?
These are the questions which vastly interest
the people and the knowledge that the affairs OF
| the city have been placed on an honest basis by
| now methods vigorously and successfully carried
| out
Persons who have resided continuously in the
| city OF New-York since Mayor Strong first
sumed the duties Of the office are not so apt to be
| impressed with the progress that has been made;
but il is 10 the New Yorker who has been absent
during that period that the wondrous advance
| of the municipality since its release from the
| thradom Of the Tammany tiger is apparent.
| Everything points to increased beauty wealth
| and greatness in the city under the rule of Re
| publican Mayor. Miles OF new streets have been
| opened and improved. 1t will be news to the
| thousands Of cyclists that a work has been pro-
| jected and part Of the preliminary steps com
| nle,.d that will give them one of the grandest
| cycle paths in the country. change has been
made in the design Of the Grand Concourse. to
extend from the Macombs Dam Bridge to
| Van Courtandt Park. and two bicycle paths
| each twelve feet wide. have been added to the
| plan the paths being placed between the drive
| and promenade on either side Of the Concourse
| and thas assuring riders a direct pathway.
| The Concourse extends over distance Of four
| miles and in July last the commissioners sub
mltted to the court their first partial report in
| volving awards aggregating S516O0D. They have
| nearly completed their second report. and when
| this has been confirmed the Boulevard will be
| opened as far as Burnside nearly one-half
| Of It's entire length.
| New armories for the soldiers OF the National
| Guard. hospitals and schoolhouses form an i'm
| portant feature in the structures erected dur
| ing two years. tract OF land was also
| quired at the corner Of Twenty-hfth-st. and
Madison-ave. for the use OF the Appellate Di-
| vision OF the Supreme Court
/ Provision for pleasure grounds has been lib
eral under Mayor Strong Residents Of the up.