Year: 1876

WHAT THE NEW COMPTROLLER INTENDS TO


po-u1s VIEWS AS TO THE COURSE HE OUGHT


TO PURSUE OFFICIALLY.


The conduct Of tho city treasury is naturally OBJ
jcc. Of interest the taxpayng element of this ciys
population. Tho merchants, bankers and trades pco-
pic OF New York are concerned in knowing how the
Department of Finance is to be managed Mr. Kelly,
IL s generally believed who takes Mr. Green's place,
has all OF Mr.. Green's disposition to economizc He
believes that when there is fair opportunity offered
that when the present unsettled condition OF affairs is
disposed OF, tho city will enter upon scheme
of Improvement that will enhance the value
of real estate and inurc to the benefit. OF all
classcs OF citizens Mr.. Kcl'y brings TO the dis
charge OF the duties OF the Comptrollership
no technical knowledge. All that kind Of thing is in
the line OF his deputy Mr. Storrs but Mr. Kelly knows
this city like book, and he knows whereof II needs
and able and honest enough, great many Of his
fellow citizens believe, to make such provision for
these necessities will meet tho appreciation OF c-
zens OF oil classes HERALD reporter had talk with
him yesterday in his Office. He expressed himself TO
tho effect in inc beginning OF the conversation that
the position OF Comptroller, but he was
in great measure forced into 1T ana
being placed he would see that the
city treasury carefully looked after He would not
seek any additional legislation at Albany. because ho
believed a great deal OF that sort OF thing had been
done in the TJhst Tor political effect. Hc would strlv
TO administer the affairs OF the department TO tho best
OF his nbity ana with the best lights he mad 10 guide
him In what was correct


rrIr FINANCIAL POLICY.


He spoke generally and In regard to his financial
policy as folows:--


"Durlng the short time I have held tho ONCE Of
Comptroller have been too much occupied IN tho de-
tails Of official business to pay much attention TO
special measures Of policy and haye not laid down
any programme for the Finance Department Ny
views however. arc very clear and decided in
regard to tho general financial policy OF the
city. Tho grcnt question for consideration nj tho
time Is the question OF debt and taxation The
present time Is one. OF unprecedented business pros
traton and we are all deeply interested In this ques
tion. Tho burden OF taxation and assessments is
felt with peculiar severity aocoun OF the general
depreciation OF values and the loss OF income and
profits. Economy Is ns necessary in public as in
private Affairs. Our nrst duty, therefore, Is TO reduce
expenses as much as possible consistent with efficient
public service. Tho line bc drawn sharply be-
tween current expenses of the city government
ana expenditures made for tho execution of
benefit Not n dollar should be added to the debt Of
the city ior current expenses OF administration, and
when incurred at all, pubic debt should be incurred
only for works which may bc made productive, or re-


mburse the city Tor the cost OF their execution and arc
necessary to .he public welfare aud OF general utility
"A large portion of the public debt has been incurred
| for great public improvements OF permanent valuc
which have enhanced the value Of property subject tc
taxation immensely and essential TO the future
| growth and prosperity OF the city. Tho money
expended Tor these purposes has not been lost
am, however infcxiby opposed to any increase oi ths
| pubic debt for any other purpose than public works
of permanent benefit which arc necessary or tho do
| volopmsnt of the city and tho welfare OF the com