Year: 1862




At twelve O'Clock yesterday the Clerk Mr. D. T. vAlES
FINE, called the Board Of Aldermen to order and an
nounced that he waited the action Of the members.
Alderman GENET moved that Alderman Boole be elected
temporary Chairman which was carried.


The Deputy Clerk Mr.. TUoMxy, read the certificate
Mr. Valentine as the members returned at the
last election.


Alderman WALSH Second district moved that the Board
proceed to ballot for President.


Alderman BRADY moved as amendment that Alder
John Henry OF the Third district be unanimously
chosen without ballot as President Of the Board.


This amendment unanimously adopted.


Alderman MITCHELL moved that committee Of two be
appointed TO conduct the President to the chair.


Alderman Boorx, Chairman pro te., nominated Alder
man Mitchell and Alderman Dayton such committee
he committee conducted President Henry to tho chair
The PRESIDENT then addressed the Board follows
GxSr1KnES or THE BOARD on ALDrRxrx-


sm deeply sensible Of the distinguished honor you
have conferred upon in selecting to preside over
the deliberations Of the Board Of Aldermen for the
iSS2 and while gratefully accept tho trust thus yolun
temcn it is not without serious misgvings TO my
right to accept the position or ability TO perform salts
factory its delicate duties where many expe-
renced aud better qualified members of Board might
have been selected by But gratefully accept this
expression your Partially and preference for me- in
the spirit in which il is rendered. and hope by yaur
kiu indulgence encouragement and co-operotion to
dispose Of tho trust connded TO me as to merit the com
endaton Of the public and Of my associates in the Board
The Office Of Alderman Of the city OF New York have
always regarded Of great honor and responsibility
and which the welfare and good government the
inhabitants Of the city directly concerned than
any other Office the gift OF its citizens II Is your
province, gentlemen, legislate for the welfare of
constituency numbering than Of the States Of
the Union while the character Of the interests conided
TO your care IN evying collecting and disbusing the i'm
msnse amount Of money necessary efficiently uphold
and maintain the city government, derived principally
from taxation taken IN connection with much larger
amount realized by assessment property benefited
prosecuting successfully needful and desirable public
works and improvements, requires, the part the
members OF the Board legislative ability Of no ordinary
description.


From my knowledge OF the character and qualifications
Of the gentlemen comprising present Board Of Alder.
men, feel assured the public interests will suffer no
deriment at their hands Let gentlemen individually
and collectively, devote ourselves assiduousy pub
lie duties let US be vgan and watchful over the public
interests let US be defereta and courteous yet dgned
in intercourse with citizens and with another
let comport ourselves both public and private life
becomes good Legislators, good public servants and
good citizens and We will find our recompense in a
dict Of public approbatn and the proud consciousness
Of having faithfully honestly, intelligenty and i'm
partially discharged our duties to our constituents and
ourselves.


Entertaining these views opinions and sentiments
and earnestly hsping for their realization, beg
you that fully appreciate the kind and partial motives
whicn governed your action In eevating me TO such an
honorable and responsible positionnext the highest
officer, under the charter in the city governmont aud
you will please accept my grateful Acknowledgements for
the obligation thus conferred upon


On motion Of Alderman REED Sixth district David T.
Valentine Esq., the able efficient Clerk Of the Board
unanimously reelected without ballot.


On motion Of Alderman FARLEY, Patrick Gallagher the
efficient and courteous Sergeant alarms unanimous
y reappointed without ballot


A committee composed OF Aldermen Frear, Walsh and
Hall appointed inform the Board OF Councmen Of the
organization Of this Board returned with word that the
Councilmen had as yet organized.


committee appointed to wait upon the Mayor (com-
posed Of Aldermen Chpp. Smith and Jercmah) returned



Board in a few minutes.


The President eappointed Mr. j. W Boyce as reader 10
the Board.


MAYORS MESSAGE.


In a short time the following Message was received
from Mayor OPpYKE -


To TIE HoSoRAHx TIE CoxxoS COUNCIL


GESnKaEx-we enter upon our Official duties under
circumstances which demand entire devotion TO the
interests the city, These conhded mainly To our
keeping Their magntu lie renders the Of great
responsibility all times but especially 20 at present
when almost every business interest Of the city para
lyzcd by the existing


During the year that has just closed the resources
the city have been taxed to the utmost. Tho outbreak
OF civil April last the collection Of
debts from the south and cut off all trade with the rebel
ous states. The seriously affected com
in every other quarter, and at the time
weakened every other branch Of industry.


In the midst Of the exhaustion produced by these
city called upon TO furnish liberal share
OF the required 10 prosecute the war il
defence Of the Union To this call she responded BY
sending to the neld 90 445 volunteers and by oaning
the general government than hundred million,
OF dollars. History presents striking example
Of liberal and patriotic impulse combined with great ma
tera and the fact deserves record demon
strating the patr iotsm the wealth and the beraty o.
our noble city.


But these heavy drafts on the resources Of the city
combined with the prostration Of business have po
failed to give indications OF partial exhaustion Many
mercantile houses have suspended payment others have
been compelled " go into liquidation; and all every
purs ut have feA serious check 10 their usual pros
perity


menl the public expenditures They operate with ire
sisbie force In pelng individual economy and the
influence upon Official action should be less impsra
tivs In this view Of our duty you will concur