Year: 1875

AN IMPROVED CITY ADMINISTRATION.
SUGGESTIONS OF SINCLAIR ToUsEY TO THE SENATE


INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE "A BOARD OF


CONTROL "-PUBLIc ADJUSTMENTS AT CITY EX-


PENsE-HARBoR IMPROVEMENTS.


Pilot Commissioner George w. Blunt testl-
fed before the Senate Committee, yesterday that little
difficulty at present from the throwing OF ashe
etc. into the harboE The extension OF the bulkhead
line in the North River would he thought be very injuri
ous and would render the tide in the East River as bad
as it is at Hell Gate. There no present necessity
for additional dock room. The best plan would be TO
complete the bukhead gradually Piers should be built
whenever there demand for them, and they could
be rented at fair interest the cost Of construction


Sinclair Tousey said that law should be passed COM
peng the Commissioners of Charities and Correction TO
employ convict labor for community could afford TO
support large number of ablebodied prisoners in idle
ness The more hardened criminals in all penal institu-
tons should he separated from those less versed in
crime Appropriations should be made so that the con-
tract system might be abolished. In this way public
prisons and reformaores could be made selfsupportng
although the pecuniary question was subordinate TO that
of The improvement of prisoners. Convics shonld De
fitted to engage branch Of productive labor on
the expiration Of their terms Of sentence Mr. Tousey
said that tho keepers in the Penitentiary were an
inferior class OF men, the result OF politi-
cal influence used in their appointment. A
system of drill for keepers should be employed similar
TO that in use by the Police Board. Keepers should be
held to strict accountability in the discharge OF their
duties connection with the Sing Sing Prison, he sad
the wonder was not that there escapes but that
they we're 80 few in number Lack Of discipline was the
chief trouble in the police force system of gradaton
among patrolmen should be adopted. law should be
passed preventing the payment Of more IN than h inc
market price for materials used In the pup
lio departments. There should be no more
assessment bonds issued. All municipal boards should
consist an odd number OF persons Mr. Tousey wished
the Committee 10 consider the propTiety OF abolshng
the Board of Aldermen and the advsabity Of insttung


Board Control" to be appointed by the Governor
and Senate which should control all municipal atalTs
Their salaries should be large and the punishment ror
neglect OF duty should be proportioraly severe Inc
term of Office should also be long The Mayor should be
ex ofico member OF the Board, without the right
10 vote OF veto. Places OF amusement and recreation
should established at public expense for persons who
caunot afford TO visit theatcrs etc. as neansof Teres
ing crime streetceaning should be done by districts
ant by contract More stringent laws in regard 10 va
craucy and street beggary should be enacted.


Henry Singer stated that he had been offclal
stenographer of the Vth District Court for three years
at salary OF $1,000, while he really knew nothing OF
steDography He did net know whether not he mad to
take oath that he had performed bis duties in order TO
receive his salary The Committee will meet to-day at
1880 a.