Year: 1874

There has been no timo in the history OF this
country when the voice OF the people spoke with
such loud enunciation In favor OF q new departure
In the whole policy Of the representative admins
trative system OF the government The EFFORT to
create public appronation OF third term chance
has been supplanted by an agitation in favor OF
one term. The party OF the war and sectional
ism has given place In the popular Judgment yet
to be enforced, to ono OF conciation, friendship
and nationality. Submission, long enduring. to
extravaganza has been supplanted by o demand
for retrenchment and economy. This is the
national situation to-day. Locally conditions are
much the same. We are approaching o new year
with


THE PROMISE OF NEW ADMINISTRATION
In our local anairs. Ordinarily. people would
think that in . city like New York. which casts
such an overwhelming vote in favor of the demo-
cratic party. the advent OF the candidates Of
that party to power would be looked forward to
BY the general public With satisfaction, confidence
hope and expectation Of relief from all existing
Ills But, unfortunately this Is not the case. The
democratic party. Notwithstanding the late cleo
tions, has been simply put upon Its country foD
trial, ana the verdict has TO be delivered in 1876
In the meantime 1t is before the great inquest OF
the country, TO be judged according to It's merits.





rendered. and that counsel have yet to oe heard. is
to be found In q recent movement in this market,
and among that class Of people who are known as
real estate men, to bring about


A JOINT SESSION OF THE TWO BOARDS OF ALDER.


MEN,


as now organized. to hear an argument in favor
OF more liberal policy in respect to city improve
ments and, If possible, procure the passage OF an
ordinance requiring the forwarding and compile
ton OF those already commenced. 1t seems
strange at first sight that such an appeal should
be addressed to decay1ng body, when the new
body, elected apparently upon this very issue, is
just on the eve OF power. But here comes in that
very feeling OF distrust which is factor the demo-
cratic party will have to get rid OF between now
and the next PRESIDENTIAL election II it hopes for
success then. This distrust Is naturally an out
growth Of tho confused condition Of our
local politics. since the dethronement OF
the ''Boss'' left matters and individ-
uas astray alike in respect to policy as
to duty and allegiance. Thus CONFUSION, which
resulted in the choice of q democratic Mayor with
3 republican tQatasD policy, since, by the sudden
death OF the regular incumbent, resulting In the
accession to onice Of republican Mayor with q
good, sound democratic policy, has, notwithstand-
Ing the latter fact. or perhaps because of 1t, cre-
ated much anxiety among the people whose


INTERESTS ABOVE AND BEYOND POLITICS
look only to The prosperity OF the city. An appre-
henslon, doubtless mistaken, exists that the In
coming Mayor, Mr.. Wickham, may not deal de-
cisively with that element ofmunicpal sufrocation.
Andrew II. Green, who is to the real estate market
wnat Jay Gould is TO tue stock market. There
may be q difference In their practlce, although
none In the practical results. The trouble with
Green is he is too much trusJed-over trusted, In
fact. to such on extent that the city is in danger
Of bankruptcy from the enormous credit 1t gives


ExPECTANT REAL ESTATE OWNERS
who have been waiting certainly patiently enough
government that has been destroying their SUB.
stance and is now selling them out because they
logic OF years OF facts and pay for improvements
not yet commenced, and which J is almost cer-
at Mr. Masn s n h o Ma reen are In


The inquiry with them In this connection fs,
has Mr.. 1llden amDitiOni II ne mas ne had better
not let his friendship Tor Mr.. Green prove bar 10
his success The prospective pOssiblt OF that man
becoming Secretary OF the Treasury would prove
to Grants. Nothing could happen in this market 1
to lift city real estate out OF the existing depres-
sion except specie redemptlon) ike the ehmina-
uOn OF Mr.. Green from the city administration. 1t
Is doubtful II even specie resumption would give
the same impetus to speculation that Mr.. Green's
only be removed. He should be retired and ali
the traditions that belong to his administration or
the affairs OF that ONCE destroyed


MR.. wICKHAM HAS HIS CHOICE.


He can Play King william to Green's Bismarck
and Van NOrts Won Arnlm II he likes, or ne
purpose OF legitimate expansion, with proper
transit facilities. He Will be quickly judged by
the event, and our people are very sharp critics.
The people who are urging the joint session OF the
Boards OF Aldermen referred to above have IN
uew OF course tho effect OF failure OF such joint
they think. however, viii be gained in their oppo-
sltion TO Mr.. Green 10 putting on record the ad-
stood the meaning Of the popular verdict @ s at the
last eectlon-viz that the people demand rapid
transit and an enlightened system Of city improve
ments For Instance. Judge Donohue, OF the Su-
preme Court has just confirmed the award OF the
Of Estimate and Assessment In re-
gard 70


THE KINGsBRIDGE WIDENING.


The total assessment Is something 81 900 900,
OF which less than onehalf falls upon the city but
parties assessed, the disbursements required are
Comparatively light The preparation for this
power % vested IN any indviduaI % executive ofiicer Cd
OF the government 70 place himself as bar be-
tween the desire OF the parties Interested, the
proved by the chief executive OF the State, the
honest purpose OF citizen commission, with the
piishment Of the work Yet this is precisely what
arises the chief Opposition to MIN. People
Is q matter OF very little moment Just now, and
does not require to be FURNISHED and polished so
as his friends are in the habit OF doing.
q good deal OF money.


Another point to which the attention Of the next
Legislature Is likely TO be called, pubic feeling
the subject having been strengthened by the con.
tinued corporation sale OF last week, Is the pres
ent penalty imposed upon deiaultlng creditors OF
the city for


UNPAID ASSESSMENTS.


These parties are now mulcted In damages to
the extent OF fourteen per cent interest upon such
unpaid assessment. VI course, this Is o penalty
upon non-payment-a fine, as It were. for negll-
gence. Yet IN many cases there is no negligence.
The people pay considerable amount OF taxes to
maintain different bureaus whose business 1t Is tO
advise them OF any accruing liability in such re-
spect which duty Is often neglected Besides,
there is q provision in the constitution that no
citizen shall be deprived OF his liberty or estate
without due process vi law. Yet II q man is fined
for neglect to pay assessments Of which ne had no
knowledge, and to gain 0 knowledge OF which he