Year: 1870

Z We publish this morning the texts of the
New York city and county tax leyies, both
bills Of which were yesterday made the special
order OF the day in the State Assembly for
Tuesday next. The total amount Of money
appropriated in these bills is not larger than
the appropriation last year, while the rate Of
taxation is lessened by reason of the in
creased value of property in the city. So
far, then, as the amount to be raised
is concerned the exhibit Is satisfactory, and
must be regarded as the initiation of that econ
omy in the administration OF our city govern
ment which Is promised by the new Charter.
The donations for charitable purposes are not
large, and are wholly bestowed upon institu-
tions of which New York may justly be proud
and which are worthy Of the aid extended to
them.


A large part Of the city tax bill is devoted
to defining the powers and duties Of the
several departments and to perfecting the new
Charter. The Comptroller is authorized to
borrow money from time to time in anticipa-
ton of the revenues, in such sums as may be
necessary to meet expenditures, but not
exceeding the amount Of revenues. Provision
is made for increasing our water supply, for
the construction of fire telegraph and for
the issuance of ''tax relief bonds" which
shall be applied to the payment of State
taxes and to the liquidation of the
city and county debt. One of the most
important provisions in the bill is that
which prohibits the paving, with any spe-
cial or patent pavement, Of any street, avenue
or public place which has once been paved,
unless by petition from majority of the
property owners on such thoroughfares. This
section effectually prevents imposition upon our
citizens Of heavy assessments for the laying Of
pavements which they do not desire, and is an
obstacle to corrupt jobs. Another noticeable
feature is the section which provides that the
Commissioners of the Department of Public
Parks shall not receive any salary or other
compensation for their services.


In the way of perfecting the new Charter
the powers and duties Of the Police Depart
ment and of the officers and men of the police
force are fully and clearly defined. For the
purpose of increasing the income of the Police
Life Insurance fund authority is given for the
monthly deduction of fifty cents from the pay
of each member of the force, and il
is provided that the department may,
by unanimous vote, place any
captain and sergeant on the pension roll and
allow him an annual retiring pension not
sp Holc nr r.:
salary. The same authority is given to retire
patrolmen, but the annual pension in such
cases is limited to four hundred dollars
Power is conferred upon the board to appoint
special officers, without pay, and to demand
the assistance of the military in cases
of emergency. Immediately upon making an
arrest the officer making it shall take the
offender before q magistrate, if any be sitting
at the time; otherwise the prisoner shall be
detained at the station house until the next
sitting of the magistrate, when he shall be
conveyed before him without delay.


To the Department Of Docks large part of
the bill is devoted. Exclusive charge of all
the wharf property is given to the department,





on the water front as may be necessary, and it is
provided that the board shall advertise for
plans for the best method Of such improve
ments ''by new system of wharves, piers,
docks, basins and slips which shall accommo-
date the present commerce" of New
York, these plans to be laid before the
board by the 1st day Of October of the pre-
sent year. This is most important sec tion of
the bill, and promises to give us water front
worthy of the metropolis. The fullest powers
necessary to proper performance of their
duty are conferred upon the Commissioners,
all the provisions being evidently carefully
considered before they were adopted. On the
whole the bill will undoubtedly give satisfac-
ton to the public