The New York Herald Newspaper, January 6, 1858, Page 2

2 NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6 Sepgatet ef the Collowing tiqihe om: the let of Jenamay, 6 per coat Wi , : eEabends eseeeees Ea cr 2x Am« unt upprovided for Jan. 1, 1855...... This debt has been increased during $2,073,098, in consequence of stocks issued for payments ‘ow account of the Central Park, the reservoir and arsenal, me past year Three millions of dollars of stock, issued for the con- s@ruciicn of the Croton aqueduct were due on the Grst in- stant, and arrangements were for its reaemption. The sinking fund, it will be per@Mivad, is in a highly prosperous condition. Created by the act of the Legisla. ture of 1812, it has nret promptly all its liabilities. By the ordinance of the Common Council of 1846 certain spec Ged revenues were pledged to this fund, the receipts rom which, the last year, amounted to $570,513. the same orainance @ separate fund for the payment of the interest on this debt was created to which were pledged the Croton water rents and yarious other sources of city revenue. This fund has not only paid the interest on the permanent and funded debt, but on account of the reat increase since 185] im the Seveporesponc! ‘iated to it, fas: sccumulated a surplus amountin, on the frst instant, «o $1,778,906 41, A part of this surplus has been ad- vanced to the permanent sinking fund, and invested in the purchase of city stocks and revenae beads, FUNDED DUT. ‘The funded debtof the city, redeemable from taxation, is ax follows :— Five per cent public buildi able from 1868 to 1866. Five per cent N fork stock for docks and slips, payable fr: 7 to 1876. Public education stock, 1873 ing stock No. 3, pay- WOR ONE, a5 ass asgrsendonerel es ++-$1,104,000 This debt has been created in accordance with several acts of the Legislature, parsed since 1848, for the erection of public buildings and the construction of wharves, piers and slips. It is redeemable from taxation at the rate of $50,000 annually. To this fund is also charged a stock called the public education atock, created for the purpose of paying olf the mortgages on the property transferred by the Public School Society to the city, for the use of the Board of Edueation, and for the redemption of which $4,657 36 is to be anuu- ally raised by tax for twenty years, at the expiration of which time it becomes due. ‘The interest on all this funded debt, as well as on the permanent debt, is now paid from the sinking fund interest account. TREASURY LOAN ON REVENUE BONDS. The treasury loan account consists of revenue bonds of 1857, issued in anticipation ef the taxes of that year and Outstanding, January 1, 1868, $8,456,900. This debt is made in antici tion of the annual taxes, by authority of a provision in the charter as follows:— The Common Counci! shall not have anthgrity to borrow any money whatever, on the credit of the Corporation, except in Anticipation of the revenue of the year in which such loan Shall be made, unless authorized by especial act of the Legis ure. The expenditures from the city treasury, on account of the city government, are principally made during the year before the bulk of the taxes are received, and hence the necessity of this provision of the carter. A large stim is thus rendered necessary in the annual tax list, for the payment of interest on ‘these revenue vonds. Last year the amount was $295,000. The amount called for this year is $325,000. FUNDED DEUT REDEEMABIK FROM CENTRAL PARK ASSBSS- MENTS. This debt consists of Six per cer cent Central Park assessment fund stock, payable February 5, 1859 $1,600,000 On the awards for the Central Park becoming due, the treasury was unable to meet them in consequence of the difficulty of negotiating the stock authorized by the Legis- lature for its payment, by reason of the low rate of inter- est—5 per cent. Bonds were, therefore, issued under an ordinance of the Common Council, passed on the recom- mendation of the Comptroller, under the authority of an act of the Legislature of 1815, to the amount of $1,600,000, redeemable from the assessments on the property bene- fitted by the improvement, and which assessments were pledged for its redemption. ‘These assessments will, uo doubt, be sufficient to pay the bonds thus issued. ASSPSEMENT BONDS, In 1852 the Legislature passed an act authorizing the Council to issue assesment bonas for the pay ment of contractors for work doue in the construction of sewers, regulating and paving streets and other work, payable from assssaments on the property benefitted. The purpose of the law is that coatractors may be paid far their work in advance of the collection of the assessments 80 as to enable contractors of small means to compete with large capitalists, and: so reduce the cost by greater com petition The Common Council in 1852 passed an ordinance based on this act, by authority of which coutractors were paia §6 per ceat of the amount of their contracts, npan a pro- per certifleate of the completion of the same and the balance after confirmation of the assessment. This ordi nance was amended in 1854, 50 as to authorize the Comp- troller to pay ‘Moptaly ( Cohtractors ou all coutracts over $10,000 76 per contol the work done, as it progressed, and the balance when the assesment was confirmed Previously to the paseage of the act of the Legislature of 1862, coutractors were paid only as the assesements were collected, the city then acting truly as trustee. Since then assessment bonds have been issued to pay con. tractors in advance of the reeeipt of the assessments, aud ag the law suthoriziog them takes no provision for the time of their redemption, they bave been made payable within the year of their issue. The collections of ssseswments not being sufficient to re- decm these bonds thus issued as they became due, ad vances were made from time to time from the city trea- sury for that purpose. The total advances thus made amounted in 1856 to more than $2,000,000, In that year, ‘on the recommendation of the Comptrolier, an ordinance was passed by the Common Council, unter an act of the Legisiature of 1863, authorizing bim to issue bonds, paya- bie im five years, to reimburse the treasury for these ad- vances The following statement gives the amount of these bonds, and also (he assesment bonds issued wand payable within the year 1867, viz..— Six per echt Amessment Bouds 6 years, pay- able 1861,... eee ease eeeeseneeen 780,000 Seven percent Assessment Bonds 6 years, pay- ble W8OZ.... cece cece cere ee eeeee 178,000 Six per cent Assessment Bouds 1 year. 192/000 Wh a.» sapnsee abcess sipbaeds ndenas eae Gee To redeem thete bonds, or those which may hereaiter be issued, to fartber reimburse the Treasury for advances, there are assessments in arrcar amounting to $7,650,500 5%, and property purchased by the cify for assess ments, amounting to $138,459 18—1 a tol of $2,819,228 72. By the present law, no proceedings for the sale of pro perty ior axsesements can be taken before the expiration of Unree years from the time when they become abso lutely due. In comsequence of this provision, each year has added to the amount of these arrears. The coliection of s portion of these arrears may, however, under the provis ons of the law, be enforced this year. From information that 1 have obtained, I fear that the whole amount of the arrears of assessments will uot be resized. [u some cases the property may act sell for the amount Of the axsessinents, and Ube returns of several of the collacticns are so lmperfect, that it is impossible to ascertain the amount of assessments paid to shem for which no returns have been made After further examivation, I shall make another com- munication to you on this subject. Whetber the public interests are prompted by advances to contractors, before the colle :tiot of the assessments for the work, I am pot at this time dof such fall ia. formation as will enable me ta decide. STREKT OPENING. ‘The treasury i also in advance ou this account w the amount of $776,635 O1 In these cases the property is sufficient to reimburse the treasury, as the assessments are equal to the award, ex- cept in a'few instances where remissions have wade by the Common Council. These reminsions, in my judg ment, are made without authority of law. ANNUAL TAXATION. ‘The taxation annually levied on the owners of property— ‘of the govern- suthorized by of pritasey importance to whom its imposition and expenditures are entrusted. Were the adminiatration of public affairs condacted so as adequately to protect property, health and life, our citizens might overlook the heavy burdens annually im- posed on them by excessive taxation: but when these ends are uot attained, when property is rendered insecure thi inefficiency health 0d, and epidemics at t ered by of the indispensable sanitary laws of cleanliness, and Life daily sacrifoed by violence, rofflianism and crime, through the want of energy in bring- ig the guilty to trial and punishment, they may well com plainof these heavy drafts for the maintenance of such a semblance of government. ‘The great increase in our anna! tax list, now largely exceeding the expenditures of avy of the govern ‘wents, demands 6 careful inquiry into the canses which in dove Vernunent in (848 was $2,716,610 The ievy for the las year Was bs 06,606. The following table exhibits the to crease (row 1848 to 1887, inclusive, aud the Valuation of the ree! and persoual setate for (he same years... well ae the rate per centum ni eaxation. fof the Value of Keal and Personal Betis in th Cuy and County of New York. with the amount raised by Taw Jrom the year 1848 0 IRDT. lth inelunioe Vinlwe of Te Amt rated datas 0; a0 175,288 14 64 row ng city the increase of no nual te tat unavoidable, but there is no good reason that the ) ave stild advance more rapidiy than the popu neTeane of ite property From the foregoing table the increase in the taxation of ISG] over 1860 was as follows — ws $8096 564 1400 see 8,290,780 Increase $4,935, thang a0 worse @ ite percontum b to the commanity | mount of taxation for the support of the city go. | 180T ovr Ia 8,144 383,805 aoe Bet 1988 1,100,200 832,232 — ‘380,000 350,000 | Alms House... 000 800,000 400,000 | Interest on Rev. bonds..., 90,000 000. 205,000 | Interest on Asst. bonds... 75057 75,051 488,370 198,370 255,000 255,000 x 221,490 — 100,000 100,000 — 125,000 125,000 60,000 8A;S44 39,544 10/000 100'000 90;000 30,000 75,000 «45,000 492,000 {000 333,000 200,008 412,600 272,500 tion made in the expepditure on Can ther account of these items, or either of them! STATE MILL TAX. It will be seen by reference to the tax levy of 1858 that the State mill tax will be $1,171,226 88, Last year it was $511,740 50. ‘There is here an increase of $659,486 38, in- stead of a reduction. ? ‘The rate last scar was one mill—this year 24¢ mills. ‘This tax is impored for the epcene govern- meut, in pursuance of laws of . Its amount is no doubt considerably incre by reason of the bigher relati ‘aluation of property in city, as com- pared with that of other parts of the State. If an equalization in the valuations in assessments of property were adopted by the State we ae reasonably reduction of at least $200,000 on this account. ¢ attention of the re has been frequently called to this subject, but it has as yet taken no action. I Spnlicaion f the appiatmeat fof a board. of State for a as- seseors, for the equalization of the valuation of property throughout the State. ‘This city bas also been compelled, by the adoption of ‘An erroneous syetem of levying and collecting the State tax, for the common schools of the State, to pay more ‘han its just proportion of the amount ($800,000) raised by the Whole Stale for this purpose. The following table gives the amount raised in the several years by this city, the sum apportioned and paid back to it, and the e: paid by it beyond what it has received — Jaz. Aj vu . Excess of Tax. $314,350 62 93,608 65 “$220,743 99 . 225,670 80 95,699 15 hOTL 65 2 267,616 11 95,648 06 161}968 05 ~~ 271,839 40 95 648 06 176,191 34 + 214,257 92 88,140 95 126,116 97 888/805 87 152/345 06 231,460 31 + 890,408 96 152/345 06 3063 90 Total...$2,057,949 18 $773,439 92 $1,284,516 12 ‘Thus it will be seen that the city was taxed by the State last year an excess of $231,406 31 over the amount which ‘was upportioved to it by the State. This year this excess will be $238,063 90; and the total excess for seven years from 1852 to 1858 inclusive is $1,284,516 90. The ine- quality of this tax upon New York is occasioned by the defect in the State law, in relation to the apportionment. I would recommend that the Legislature be memorialized to amend this law, so as to make it bear with less injus- tice on the different sections of the State. COMMON SCHOOLS. Tu addition to the large tax for the common schools of the State, there was raised by the city, last year, the sum of $1,100,410 82 for the common schoo™ of the city, being an excess of $842,441 96 over the tax of 1850, ($267,968, 86) raised for the same purpose. The amount submitted in the tax levy for this year is $1,016,050 19, a alight re- duction from that of last year. The people of this city are, no doubt, favor of liberal expenditure for educa- Liou, and desire the public school buildings to lf so con- structed and furnished as to a:tract there all the children of the city, where early associations may be formed, like- ly to have a beneficial influence through life. Tho Board ot Education bas charge of the common schools of the city: In my opinion, some changes may be introduced wiih advantage in the organization of this department. There are now twenty-two local boards, each coatrolling the schools ef their respective wards, inaependent of each other, and to a great extent of the Board of Kéducation itself. A considerable of the expense of the system is due to this cause. If, therefore, instead of these numerous local boards, the whole system were under the control and government of @ single board of intelligent and educated citizens, and if the board thus constituted were to select a local committee for each school from among the numerous respectable and intelligent citizeas who would be bappy to serve the public in this honorable capacity, a great re- duction of expenses, probably to the extent of $200,000, would be effected without at all impairing the eiliciency of the schools. The mode in which the Board should be constituted, whether by election or appointment, is a question which can only be determined after careful deliberation, and I commend the subject to your serious copsideration. COMMISSIONERS OF RECORDS. There has been a large expenditure of money on ac- count of a body known as the Commissioners of Records, appointed for the purpose of causing the records and other papers in the County Clerk's, Surrogate’s and Register’s ices to be indexed and ted. There has been already raised by the Board of Supervisors, on their requisition for this work, the sum of $550,000. When | obtain more full information in relation to this commission, I shall make @ communication on the subject to the Board of Supervisors, who properly have control of the matter, SALARIMS, Tu addition to the causes which I have thus enumerated for the increase of taxation, J call your attention to the creat increase of salaries during the last few tomy ia 1850 the tots] amount paid for salaries was $200,000—it was jast year over $400,000—and the amount called for l recommend a revision of salaries, reduced SURPLUS IN THE SINKING FUND. It wil] be seen also, in reference to the sinking fund ac- count, for the payment of interest on the city debt, that a surplus remains every year after the payment of such in- terest. The sources of revenue heretofore pledged for the payment of such interest now yielding more than suflivient for the purpose, and inoreasing from year toyear, they should be reduced, er the excess of the revenue from these sources be restored to the city trens Tn this way the tux levy may be materially reduced. [call your serieus attent.on to this subject. If then we could e relief, from the unequal taxation for state purposes, a saving would be effected Of at least... ceeseeceee «s+ $250,000 The Common Schools of the city, condarted wi ‘equal efliciency on a new and more economical py would make an additional saving of At least... 60.0... *s The excess of Sinking Fund paid into the City Treasury, would allow a further Tedvetion of at least + sess . A proper economy in the police, salaries, repairs and supplies, and other accounts, would, no doubt, effect a further aaving of... ... 450,000 se eeee «wees a eeeeseees cess. 81,400,000 4 total deduction from our annual taxation of at least one million foar hundred thousand dollars. I thus exhibit to you @ full statement, so far as I have been able to obtain the facts within kmited period since myglection, of the condition of our finances, and of the Causes of the great increase of taxation aad the means by which # reduction may be effected. I now invite your — to the several departments of the city govern- ment FINANCE DEPARTMENT. ‘The 224 seetion of the new charter, which provides for the organization of this departinent, gives to it the control of all we concerns of the Corporation. The Auditing Bureas ths the revision, auditing and settling of all ac- counts in which the city isconcerned; it is required to keep an account of each claim for or against the Corpora. tion, and the sums allowed upon each, and to certify the same, with the reason forthe allowance, to the Comp- troller. The intention of the Legisiature was doubtless to introduce a more rigid ser of allclaims against the be so arrenged as effec. jn city, and that the bureau should tually secure this object. The amount passed apon by this Bureau last year was about $20,000,000. ‘The offices now agsigned to the finance department are inadequate to this enormous businese and the consequence is that it presents a scene of eonfusion which would not be ¢ | of auditing accounts be prescribed by guard against the frauds and errors so the absence of a Another {nm is that which rystem and adequate Rant branch of the SI, 1867. $8,058,008 56 ol 0% October... 3,282 S21 22 bo November 8,890,877 67 department. The arroas. of person. tres extend as far bark as 1844, and amount to abet Fromm the tong perio! that a considerable part o arrears bi .it not probable that the whole amen If the means provided by the law for { personel taxes had proverly en forced, thi Bot Lave ae erued. The 3 tion of persoual oXes other than te respousibility of the jadiyidual their collection often resulta in total losa. ent that the Coaase! to the Corporation be la toentorce as far as A largo amoun If the power of on Coupell be ineuificient to enfore thelr coltec ton, epplcation should be mace to the Legislature for the 1 } reasane avthorit he ofes of Chambertain is de slaret to be a baread in the Finance Department, In my opivion the ordinaaces regulating that burcau should also be revised anda mended. The office ahguld be regulated upon the principles of the | Treasury of the United States, with ample checks upon the accounts and drafts of the Comptrotier. THE ALIOHOURE DRPAR CH YT. This department waa entirely wader the control of the Common Council untit the year 1850, In that year it was | placed, by an act of the Legisiature, under the direction | and contro! of « Board of Ten Governors | _ Ite expenditures) have since that time considerable in- parm g-f vy LS increased number of ons mait- | tained in the almsbouse, nurseries, hospitals and prisons, ei i in 1850 were about $400,000. w w " . ‘This year the amount called for is $605,000. The ition, especially the nur- children from two to four- sce the beneficent policy of can testify from a per- the Lunatic capture pa steady and satisfactory im] ent is exhibited both as cen of the institution and con- THK HRLLEVUR HOPTTAL, has received extensive improvements within the last year. A large yiog and an additional story have been added, by means hich the hospital is capable of ac- commodating at leaf. 1,500 = There arc on an average about 800 patients within its walls, who receive treatment. It is one of the largest and best conduct- ed hospitals in the country. together with ihe Island_ Hospital, vides proper, r with the |, now Ehelter for about 2,000 persons, The number ia, cFeouree, greater at this seacon of the year, and eepecially in con: sequence of the large number ot persons thrown out of employment by the recent disaaters. other institutions connected with this Bevmect, tries, su] This number of out. is afforded to 2,500 persons—a larger before at this time ot the year. DEPARTMENT. s The economical and judicious ment of the Ci judicious managet r0- ton Aqeduct “at, during the entire period of its existence, merits the highest commendation. ‘Phe aqueduct itself is in excellent condition. The an- nual examination, made last month by the Chief Engineer, demonstrates the solidity of its structure and the skill of its builders. No injury or defect of any extent was found throughout its whole lengsh—a distance from the dam to the high bridge of thirty eight miles. Within the past year additional fencing has oly erected to protect the aqueduct and its , making, with the fencing previ- ously done, a length of about thirty six miles. During the past year the department has commenced ab: raphic survey of the Croton river above the dam, which is to in- clude the entire yalley as well as the “water shed” of the Croton river, This survey has been undertaken to ascertain suitable points (or storage, reservoirs in which to collect the surplus waters of the river in favorable sea- sous, 80 that in periods of drought a full supply of water can befurnished to the city. The department has also laid during the last season four miles of water pipe, making, with that previously laid, a total length of pipe of all sizes of two bundred and fifty- nine miles, The annual receipts for water rents were, for the year Just Coe $697,370 51—a larger sum than ever before received. The following table will exhibit the rapid increase of these rents:— during the last and previous years by the Comptroller, Receiver of Taxes and Clork of Arrears, will gmount to at least $100,000, and there remains, including the rents un- for the jast year, about $80,000 still to be collested. ¢ income of the work is now more than sutficieat to pay the interest on the debt created for its construction mete $14,000,000), although no charge is credited to the partment for the use of the water in the public buildings of the city and on Blackweli’s and Randall's Islands. The department, in consequence of the rapid increase of population in the city and the necessity of a greater sup- ply of water, recommended several years since the con- struction of a larger recelving reservoir in, the upper part of che city. The application was made by the Common Council to the Legislature, and an act was in 1863 authorizing the land betweea Eighty sixth and Ninety- oo streets, and Fifth and Seventh avenues, w be taken for & NEW RESERVOIR. The award of the Commissioners, amounting to $708,000, was confirmed by the Supreme Court, The department has since exchanged lands with the Commissioners of the Central Park, by virtue of an act of the Legislature, pasted at the last session, by which the new reservoir will conform to the natural contour of the ground, redu- cing the cost of its construction at least $200,000, and by its Trregaar ‘and curved exterior line giving it the appear- ance of @ natural lake, and making it one of the most at- tractive features of the Park. This immense work will cover an area of over one hundred and six acres, with a water surface of nivety:#ix acres, and a depth, when fall, of thirty-eight feet Ts capacity will be 132,035,916cubic feet, and will con- tain 1,029,800,145 gallons New York standard measure. But for the sult brought by the two parties whose bids for its construction were rejected, immense work would have been by this time in am advanced stage of Progerses. No further delay is antici , oe the general term of the Supreme Court bas decided in favor of the action of the department in the award of the contract. If the work be not delayed, it will be entirely,completed and the aqueduct coutinied’ to it, in about two years. When thus completed it will, together with the present upper and lower reservoirs, be capable of containing a supply of water for sixty days, when the population of the city shall exceed 1,000,000. THK CONMERUCTION OF SkWERS bas, since 1849, been under the charge of this department. The sewerging of the city has only become general during the last few years. Most of the sewers have been built since 1858. Prior to 1849 they were constructed in an im- pres manner, and many of them proving inefficient, we been rebuilt | this department. ‘The total length of sewers is now 163 miles. Twenty- three sewers have been constructed during the last year. One of them, in point of capacity and solidity of coustrue- tion, is unequalled. It is intended, with the lateral sewers which will discharge into it, to drain a superficial area of 760 acres. I recommend, as omin measure, that an ordinance be passed providing wat ail cesspools, drains, &c., bere- aftor constructed shall be counected with the sewer in the street where one exists. The sewers themseives should, as far as practicable, be carried to the curreat of the river, so that their contents may be swept away by the tidal currents, instead of being deposited in the slips. The contro! and direction of TUK PAVEMENT OF THE CITY is aleo, by the recent charter, in charge of the Croton Aqueduct Department, is change is a fortanate one, a8 the repairs are now much better done and at a greatly reduced cost, The department of the erry INKPRE has by the charter the cognizance “of all matters affecting tbe public health, pursuant to the ordinances of the Com- mon Coupetl, and the Jawfal requirements of the Commis. sioners of Health and the Board of Health.” rt. this department is the Bureau of Sanitary Inspection STREET CLRANING. That the stroots be well and oroushiy sone od, ie de. manded by our citizens, and is to the servation of the public health. rg In most of the cities of and in several cities in this country, the cleaning of the streets is a source of revenue to the municipal authorities, the manure being than sufficient to pay all the expenses. [no this city, large annual expenditure is required for this by the following table — Receipts for Cleaning Streets. endatures. i $149,970 78 $98,711 72 150,905 77 23,308 82 Tova 38 #a;o00 52, ‘258,924 63. By J 289,025 97 ‘26,837 32 «« 913,186 47 7,009 04 8,202 42 4,745 12 1858, «+» 806,251 73 10,502 83 This table shows the r from the mapare and the striking 60 Tease in the receipts from this scource for the last four or hve yeare. The street# should not be swept during the hours of the day, when the coat of the work must be ee ee eee ‘The manure should be immediately removed from the streets, and Hl cleaned by contract or by persons vo? directly by Cont ack an tbe contractors he wo lect nocveaabiNy, are under the chai pm nny ee in ase, = 7 ives an a jiture Son nearer ES on) re — ‘1865. . $70,665 OT 16,188 35 15,236.00 102,000 43 44,000 1856.. 70,572 67 17,867 89 15,047 67 103,488 23 48,000 Valuation of property in use by markets Interest at 6 cont per annum Toss.. I recom: a ‘ure to confirm im the cy, beyond dispute, for market ad ewe the title to the Iaad which lies wert of Veet street and Washington market, that a inirket may be erected thereon, and that the tite of the old market be dispored of, unless it be deemed necessary WH retain it to meet the future growth of the business, The busianes transacted atthe preseat market, in delanicited sheds erected amidst aul surivuaded by Sith, is iamence ‘TUR DPPARTMENT OF STARTS will require your close scruty and supervision. Ag on tire change ip the system of conducting the business he. onging w and under (ue charge of Uns depa is ab eolutely Fequired. A better and stricter sovovotsbility of the collectors of asseesments, and of the manner of maleing their returns, should be adopted ‘The charter bas abolished the Department of Repairgand Supplioa, and has mado it a buread in the Street Depart ment. The erdinatce lately adopted regulating the Strout Department and ite bureaus has, 1 am inforuest, © more offices in the Bareau of Repairs and Supplies tha’ existed in the old department. [recommenda careful re vision of this ordinance. Under this department is also the bureau of LAMPS AND GAs Tho expenditures on this account for the last yoar were about 000. The amount required m the levy of thie year ts $460,694. The cost for lighting the lamp districts hag increaved largely since 1860, when they were abc ut £148,000. The district, however, has been greatly extend. ed since that time, The Lang Day. ned Set Be with the Corporation light the foilowing number of lamps: — Wis year for apparatus and their re- pairs, bose, &c., is $60,000, including @ deficiency for last year. There are other large expenditures for buildings them, salaries, lighting the engine and which may be estimated together at $50,000, ‘The real estate and houses on leased ground belonging to the Corporation, in use by this department, is valued at Lente and the apparatus at $75,000, tho interest oa making tho thal yearly cot of provecting theeity against early cos ag: fires, “J of the une of the water and hydrants, aia eternannion of the members of this depart. Segusat bestowed at the hazard, afid often the their lives, has given them a strong ciaim to ‘the Common Council and of our citizens, ‘ear of $19,600 for purpose of testing vothing, pwnd has yet been done, that ] am aware of, towards’ purchasing any apparatus of this description, i recommend the of the ex: The expenditure upon the Fire largely to the benefit of whose profits bave been largely incrdased since the intro- duction of the Croton water. Jt may well bo considered whether these companies should not contribute to the sup- ES of the department to an extent beyond the tax now jevied on their capital stock, 1 recommend the subject to your attention. Fo PARK, ‘CENTRAL The land for this Park, taken by virtue of an act of the Legislature, plseed 1853, has cost as follows :— ‘Total amount of award and cost.............$5,111,426 30 Lees amount assessed on property benefitted. 1,663,000 00 Net amount of cost...... 3,446,426 00 The Commissioners appointed by the last Legislatur® have advertised for Copa for laying out, embellisuing and ornamenting the Park, and a large number of men have been for some time past, and are now, employed in clear- ing it of incumbrances, and doing otber rough work. ‘When the plans contemplated are fully carried out, the Park will be the greatest ornament of our city. Thousands will daily enjoy its magnificent gardens, shaded walks. extended views and other objects of interest. which it will then afford. Its area is over seven bundred acres. itis two and a half miles long by nearly two thirds of a mile wide. London, Paris, Vienna, Berlin and other cities of Europe bave their parks, walks and drives, but none of them will exceed the Central Park in the variety of its features of attraction when time has been afforded’ for its improve- ment. and up the of IMPROVEMENTS ABOVE FORTY-S¥COND STREET. ‘The Central Park being in the course of improvement, the streets acjoining and in its immediate vicinity will no doubt soon be required for building purposes. ‘Many of these streets have not yet been opened accord- ing to be, as itis technically called, and I would recom- mend, in order to facilitate their regulation and save ex. pense’ to the property holders, as well as to induce im- provements on them, that all the streets above Forty- second street and below 125th street be opened by one and the same proceeding. In this way the title of the streets will be vested in the Corporation. ‘The cost of doing this will be small, and when done the owners of property may virtually open and work the streets at their owy cost and pleasure, instead of waiting for the slower and More expensive process of the public. ‘The taxable property of the city will thus be large y in- creased, and much of the tide of improvements which have aided in building up the cities adjacent to New York will be confined to this island. The necessity of compell- ij . ‘THE CITY RATLROAI to lay their rails as far as the several avenues are regu. Inted in which they are located is seriously felt by all the residents of that portion of the city above the present ter- min} of these roads. id, in return for the rants they have received from the Common Council, wil- ingly extend their several roads as the eame are required by’ the public. lation will always follow in their lead. This would materially promote the building up of that part of the city and enhance the value of Property. Encroachments havmg been frequently made and ob- structions piaced in the PE kth by reason © cupidity or shortsightedn interest oh yartee, and nicee evident to thosé somtainied with its “noble dimensions and great capacities for commerce’? that, unless they were prevented by legislative action, the harbor would be ma'erially injured, if not entirely ra” ined for the purposes of navigation, an act was passed by the Legislature at its session in 1885, appointing a com mission, denominated the ‘Harbor Commission,” for the purpose of ascertaining the condition of the harbor and encroachments which had been made on it, with in- sffuctions to —. # plan of bulkhead and pier line around the island and barbor of New York. This Commission having entered upon their duties, em- ployed intelligent and skilful engineers, among whom were Professor Bache of the United States Coast Survey, Gen. Totten of the United States Engineers, dd Comman der Davis of the United States Navy, under whose acca- rate surveys plans were ented, net only of the pigr apd boikbead lines arvwod the island of Mavbattan, bet extending on both sides of the Kast river as far as Throgg’¢ Neck, on both sides of the Harlem river to a pot about a mile beyond yten Duyvel creek, on both sides of the Hudson to the Narrows, and around Staten Island—laying down with great minuteness the depth of water, the tidal currents, and other it of great importance to the interests of commerce and the city. ‘This plan having been submitted by the Commission to to the Legislature, at ita last soasion, it was, with a slight amendment as to the balkhend line on tho East river, be- tween Seventeenth and Thirty oighth streets, ad > and an uct passed fixing the same as the permanent bulk- head and pier lines of the city harbor. A copy of these plaps, as adopted, has been purchased by the Commis fioners of the Sinking Fund, and are now deposited in the Comptroller's office of this ony. ‘This work will secure to as Ver our great advantages: for commerce, and erable us ultimately to grasp the com- mercial eceptre of the world, provided the lines establish. ed are not permitted to be changed un slight pretexts by the action of the Common Council or the State Legislature. To guard against such alteration, ! recommend that Con gress be memorialized to adopt and establish these lines under the general power granted in the constitution to ro- 6 commerce. Tn connection with this subject the Harbor Commission- ers, on the reports of the scientific gentlemen employed by them, reserved in the North and Kast rivers large wrens to be ured as wer nasi. ‘That this city will in a few years, if they do not now, require these for the purposes of her commerce, cannot be doubted by any one who has watched and studied the increase of her trade, as well foreign as cofsting and 1. terpal. Infact, they have always been marked as the foundation of commercial greatness. The docks of Lon- doa and Liverpool are admirable structures, of vast mag nitude. What now are the accommodations for shipping ia this port? Witness the delays in discharging and loading car- goes, even in the present condition of our trade; and that it & greatly w imerease must be evident, when we look back for a few years and see what its advance has been. ‘This will baevident from the following table of the ton nage arrivals at bay ry since 1$24:— * Total. 1824., 236,080 16,689 252,760 1884. 362)225 92,679 440,904, 1844. 498/074 156,298 598,873 1664. ‘1gaeaTs 477 084 1,919,314 The following table will also exhibit the imports and | gxvorta ‘of this port since 1607:— ‘car. & may be necessary to carry out suggestions I have mene reference to this subject be adopted as early as possible. T would also suggest that an it is necessary in the mode of the construction Mey eb Seach pa SY, thr rn or stone, commensurate with the trade which they are destined to accommodate. ‘The construction of our wharves and piera is inferior to that of most commercial cites, and their reconstruction must #oon be commenced Tenggest that the subject be taken into consideration by your bonoratle and that the opinion of scientific aud practical men be cbteined as to the best material and plan of their contraction. Lom iofortmod that in various departments work is don: vnder contracte that have expires, or without any son Teball give no factity lo payments for work mmend trae done w the beats of + | vertise for contracts in all MBOIONERE OF Commissioners of Kmigration baye now the nee o + osmgminent of a lnase to them from Ube original ice of the Corporation. Ry means ot tho ccommodavon sforded them here they are soabled to yrotect apd defend the emigrant on hit a bis vew pome from the frads and impositions so freq tofore practised upon bim. This commission shed th 1847, and bas fovariably been compuved of t kvown to the whole eommunity for their high chara acd generous philanthropy Sinoe tint tine 2,500,000 immigranta have arriv thie port, bringing with them, in humerous cases, large amonnts of money, and what is of stfil greeter impor tance, a vast addition to the active induetry of the coun try. The Commissioners are bound by law to provide for all immigrants arriving trom toreye porte for five years from arrival from the commutation fund, which is reapiia peid by the agent or sbipowner of the veasel bein ing them ey baye under their cherge at present,2,085 porsoas distributed among their several hospitals ana refuges: TTY PROPRETT. Tho value of the property owned by the Corporation greatly increased within the last seven or t~ years. fu 1860 \t was esticnatod at a valuation of about airty mil. ir at y \ to be made ap of the $2 has EE ee | the necessary powers to make it efficient. | recommend that apy | the Mayor for the purpose of consultation in relation to the | Wot selected by those who are taxed for their salaries and | treme case, for our citizens to in 1,700,000 00 704,600 00 | 15,000 00 | 18,182,000 00 WLLL ":78,600 00 Fire Property in the use of the Board of Educa- ton........ + 1,893,800 00 | Jakes weeperty ses 1,176,000 00 ng othe ety, vogethor eighteen in Bs: wo : or e num- ber... uh . 13,984,369 00 Common land ‘ 460 00 | Ferries belonging to the city, nineteen in ' number, with the lots ining thereto 1,617,000 00 | Piers and bulkheads on East and North Commuted quit rents and water grants..... 460,750 00 Of o00rrcserseeee + ,842,136,000 00 ‘It will be seen that theincreagp alone of this property since 1860 is more than equal the permanent actual debt of the city. ATRERT DEPARTMENT. Ifind the Street Department to be ina condition en- tirely unprecedented. There are two claimants to the im- portant office of Street r, one of them ia needs only possession tv charge all the duties of the ofllee. Each has a numerous officers under him, and the Sy taponcd i called upon to pay @ double set of official. Each claimant b ed the and of the courts to determine his title, and bas put his competitor under injunction, restraining | bim from discharging the duties of the office until the | tile sball be ultimately determined. In this anomalous state of affsirs, which can only be relieved from embar- rassment by the dectsion of the courls, or the more | prompt action of the Legisiature, declaring the office | vacant, and defining the manner in which it shall be filled, the safety: of the public treasury will require me to retuse = signature to all warrants for the payment of their | salaries or for the payment of any work which either may undertake. ‘Some inconvenience may hence result from delay in the execution of some public works, and { shall rejoice if the mode be adopted whereby the department may be relieved from its present paralySis, and be evabled to ais- charge with vigor ite numerous ani important duties. NRW CITY MALL AND CENTRAL PARK COMMISMOSERS OUGHT TO MK DISSILSED. An act was passed at tbe last session of the Legislature appoint ‘cmmmission to superintend the erection of a new Cit in this city, aad authorizing the Common Council to raise by law a sum not exceeding two miiions of dollars by the issue of a stock, to be called the “New City Hall stock of the city of New York,” for such pur- pose, to be expended under the direction of five commis- sioner pained in the act. ‘An set was also for the regulation and gov. ernment of the Central Park, naming eleven commis- sioners, under whose exclusive coatrol and maonge- ment the park was . Both works should be pushed towards completion as rapidly as possibie; the City Hall to give the accommodation now absolutely required for the public offices of the city; the park for the health and recreation of the peopie; but I would recommend that instead of the work being done under the direction and control of the present officers, that appli- tion be made to the Legislature to give the appomiazent of | them to the Mayor, with the consentof the Board of Alder- men. Both works are strictly mupicipal, and the Comis- sioncrs who execute them should owe their appointment to the city authorities or to the people, who alone bear the expense In my opinion the number of the Commissioners is too great, especially for the Central Park. A commis- sion of three for tbe City Hall and five for the Central Park would ensure greater expedition and economy. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL—THK MAYOR AND COUNCIL TO Bx HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS. Tt being evident to me that harmony of action among the several beads of departments should exist, and also that the Mayor, in orcer to fulfil satisfactorily his duties, should know the measures under consideration, aud the | several matters in charge of each department. 1am de- cidedly of opinion that the several heads of departments of the city government should regularly meet in council with business n ad interests of the city, and of each ot the departments of its government, fo prevent the con- fict of the departments with each otuer aud ensure economy in the public expenditure. For instance, the Street Commirsioner bas cognizance of opening, altering, regulating, gradwg, fagging, curbing, guwering and light: ing streets, roads places and avenues aud of other matters enumerated in the barter: the Crovon Aqueduct Depart- ment bas by the same instrument the charge of the con struction of sewers and of the paving, repaving and re- pairing streets and digging and constructing wells aad other work mentioned inthe charter, ‘Now the Crcton Aqueduct Department may have an ap- plication tor the paving of @ street. This cannot be done until it is reguiated apd graded, which work is to be dove, according to the charter, under the direction and charge of the Street Commissioner. By consultation to- gether at the [meetings, before mentioned, the necessary information would be obtained and unity of acwan se- cured, The Mayor would also at these meetings have the ‘opportumty of consulting the heads of departments in re- ference to matters before the Common Council and which may be submitted to him officially. The want of such cowpultations has no doubt frequently prevented the | Mayor@rom exercising that supervision over the depart- ments which the charter requires of him. It ls apparent, however, proper bartnony of action cannot exist between the executive of the cig and the heads of departments, so long as avy of them derive their nument from the people and not from the Mayor and | Common Council. f.amn quite clear that all the results of good government cannot be realized until the executive is made responsibie for his administration, ané clothed with I therefore | ication be made to the Legislature to give the appointment of all the heads of departments to the Mayor and Common Council, at the expiration of the terms of office of the present incumbents. METROPOLITAN POLICK ACT CONDEMNED. Several recent acts of State legislation , in reepect to this. city, have been the subject of great and, in some respects, Just animadversion. Their execution was confided to agents are immediately affected by the operations of these laws. The exercise of such power by the State Legisiature, in re- spect to the police, embodied in the act to establish a Me- tropolitan Police district, having been bela by the Court Of Appeals to be consistent with the constitution of the State, it becomes the duty of every good citizen to receive: that decision as the law, But grave objections to such legislation etill exist in undiminished force. It eapinot be denied that instances of abuse and corruption in" the eit; authorities may exist, rendering it necessary for our cit! zens to to the law-making power of the State for redress. may be led which would be vainly sought through unfaithful agents. In such an ex- e the interposition of the State for their protection would be among the most sacred of rights. But we must not rashly abandon the duty and the right of local self government. We must re. member Mat it Operates in this city on the peace and safety of a community embracing three quarters of a mil hom of people, and rts most tptunately the interests and. comfert of every individual citizen. The system must not be abandoned, but be made to work well, Every good citizen must contribute his share of the attention, time and effort necessary to govern it; and instead of distrusting and deserting the system we must act upon it and Abrovgh it. ‘The interposition of State authority to change, without the concurrence of our immediate representatives, the ad- ministrative system ef the city, can only be justified by clear evidence, that it is called for by the voice of our as the regular srmy protects us in time of war, I cay see no reason aan organization of the one should not be assim w that of the other, It # wel the goardians of our lives and property ty @ position of dynity scarcely toferier tothe guardians of the national honor. T wonid recominond, therefore, that the police, in the designation of its tren and offeors, and also m their ap furpension, trial and removal, should bo or. ganized and governed according to like features in our | moiitary eyeinm, the Mayor being conailered the bead of theforoe. Under such a system we might reasonabiy ex. prot that our domestic guard would chorish, from their inode of organization, that spirit of prid r | im weir seata, 1am satisfied that some of the evils of. which our oii zens complain are due to the complicated organization of the executive branch of the government, in which and account are sacril im the purauit of and power. If the government of this city and the to conform more ly gen now appreved by the ©) haanach, nanris Saben-ansees ’ of a ceatury, lam jed that the people of olty ‘would at least have no greater grounds of the citizens of the United States have against of fedegal administration, whieh im the main has beem economical and satisfactory. ‘THR MAYOR TO NOMINATE URADS OF DEPARTMENTS. ‘To sum up this matter, I think that the Mayor shewld nominate the heads of departments, to be approved by the Board of Aldermen; that these officers should moet with bim infrequent council, and be removable at his his pleasure; that the appointments in the respective de- partments abd bureaus should be subject to the of the Mayor, on the nomination of the Heads finance department should be on the principles e Treasury partment, introduced by Alexander Hamilton, which has been incapable of provement by successive secretaries of the treasury; and ordinances, hergnce to the law, be made the duty of every officer; and that the assumption of doubtful powers be carefully avoided. Under this system, if the people elect an honest and I competent chief magistrate, it will not become necessary to appeal Pregl, eid legislative power of the State for aid; corruption disbonesty will be visited by 8 | punishment and pomreal) te public revenue will be raised without sssion to the taxpayer, and expended without loss to the treagury,and the government of this great city be as much a matter of pride to its inhabitants as now it has becouse a scurce of mortification and shame. To you, (inane! the public look to bring about this change, by framing proper memorials to the Legisiatare for the grant of the powers required, and by an honest administration of the powers wluch we now posses. And T beg to assure you that in these, efforts to secure 8, poet government you may rely uy! my cordial co-oper DANIEL F. TIEMANN. Alderman Apams interru the reading, for the par- of moving that as the message was very loag it sbCuld be laid on the table ape ordered to be printed. Alderman BRADLEY moved. as an amendment, that 10,000 additions! copies be printed. + Alderman Tvckex thought that the usual number of +5,000 would be quite sufficient. Alderman BRapiey urged bis amendment. He thought that such ap importayt document ought to be in the bands of every one in the city. ‘The amendment was then put and lost, and the original motion of Alderman Adams was adopted. The message was accordingly laid on the table, and 5,000 copies ordered to be printed. Alderman McSrxpon moved that when the Board ad- Journ it should adjourn to meet on Monday next, at 6 o'clock P.M. Adopted. It was then agreed that the Board of Supervisors should have the use of the chamber on Thursday. On motion of Alderman Boot, the Board adjourned, BOARD OF COUNCILMEN. The lobby was smaller yesterday thau ou Monday, bet ‘was quite large enough. Precisely at twelve o'clock Mr. Haswel! called the Board. to order, about two-thirds of the members boing Mr. Van Tiss offered a resolution referring to the appro- priate committees all papers aud r®ports not acted on by the late Board. ‘Mr. Guyer thought there should be no hurry. They could do that after the committees were announced. Mr, Beapy expiained that the proposition was ows- tomary, in order to get the papers out of the bands of the clerk, before the House. Mr. Guyer enforced his idea that the House should be informed as to the character of the papers. -Mr. McCarty moved, as an amendment, that the papers my the table. Cuam refosed to entertain the amendment, took the question on the resolution, which wac carried by & vote of 9 to 7. Mr. Jupson moved that the committee already appoiat- ed to wait upon his Honor the Mayor be directed to per- form tbat duty now, and inform his Houor that the Board was rd to receive any communication; which was carri The committee appointed to wait on the Aldermen re- Ported that the Aldermen would soon communicate with the Board, The report was received and the commitiee discharged. ‘On motion of Mr. BRADY, it was resolved that when the Board adjourn it be to Monday evening next, in the City * Library. The — announced that he would ne the Committee on Finance Messrs. Arcularius, word and Mr. Axcvrarivs said that while obliged to his opponent in the canvass for the Presidency of the Board for the compliment, he must decline. About three years since.he had occupied an executive office of the city, and the taxes were but little over $3,000,000, Three years only bad elapsed and the taxes were $8,000,000, and who was responsible for it? He wanted the people to find out or themselves. For himself, be was determined to off that committee, in order that no biame might be attri- buted to him. He knew that the object of the ‘was perfectly correct in putting him on that committee, bot with due respect, and for the reasons stated, he did not wish to be in a position to be attacked by big enemies, he would decline. ‘A motion was made to excuse Mr. Arcularius, but it was lost by a vote of 9 to 8. The committee appointed to wait on the Mayor that his Honor would soon communicate with the The Board then, on motion of Mr. McCarry, took for fifteen minutes. Upon the reassembling of the Board, the President announced that he had received a communication from his Honor the Mayor, when Mr. Toole, the Depaty Clerk, proceeded to read the Mayor's message. (The ot ‘the Mayor will be found in fall in the repert of the men. ar Vay Tive moved to suspend the reading. Mr. Frasimk moved to amend by printing 1,000 copies in ofr Van Tix thooght 2,000 hould be printed. ir Van Tine 2 en 5 Mr. Brapy wanted to bear whet the Mayor had to | pro- ue ‘The question was taker on the motion and were lost by 5 vote of 9 to 6, and the ri ceeded for about an bour, when re motion it was document ‘ed printed. again led, and the adjourned to Monday at 7 P. M. The Board then Board of Ten Governors, NO ORGANIZATION KFFECTRD—BIGHT BALLOTS FOR PRESIDENT TAKEN WITHOUT ANY RESULT. ‘The Board of Ten Governors held their first meeting for the year yesterday—C. Godfrey Gunther, President, in the chair. (CENSUS OF THE INSTITUTIONS. . From the reports of the wardens, it secma there are 8,028 persons now under the care of the Governors, being an increase of 100 as compared with last week, and 1,734 ‘as compared with the same date last year, This is the largest number of persons ever known to be ou the islands at one ume. Under the law organ sing the Board of Tea, Governors, nder w zing they Ce wo eee yt the year on meeting in Jani ‘each of the Board bas been fo elect a for T'reeident one year and an opposition the neat, ob alternating democrats with yearly. oppoe| claimed it for this, claim was conceded. ‘To enable the members to come to some understanding, recess of half an was takep. when they returned, ‘and Mr. Taaac J. O1:vER announced that the opposition was unable to agree upon a candidate, and he moved that they go into a ballot. Mr. Bawsam t if a z it > eee Smith. oft Pincexry admitted that be bad voted for himself, the ground that politcal advancement and modesty a withdraw in favor of Mr. Smith, but would for Mr. Ote 0 do with each He dechoed pothing ver. My thought thet an American should Lave th» pose ton of President The debate was continoed with much acrimony, when, finaly, the eighth hatlot was taken; but there was suis oo choice, whereupon toe Board @ajourned. dnty which dietinguisbew the army ov ow ' Ony Intelligence. In meking these recommendations, To not wich to be | _ Free we Weer Twesry roorm Staner.—Shortly after 12 understood a4 intenaing to refoct in any degree upon the | ovclock yesterday morning § fre was diecovered wn the now effoiency of the force organized under the act, on theoon- | Ward achoot house No. 46, in West fwouty-fourth street, trary, considering tleir hasty organization and the ex. | between Seventh and Kighth avenues. The firemen were citement of the public mind, they baye diecharged their | soou at the promises, but before the f-o was extinguished duties with commendable fidelity, and have been rapilly | the building was dar: between 85.000 and ws aining the public confidence, In my optn.on they form the From appesrances the Originated in some way from basis of a Most efficient potion, the hot air furnace or conductor: The ward sehood T have thus cursorily reviewed the leading matters ~ buildings, we are informed, are not msured. ta'ning to the adrouistretion of the city government The fength of thie document t# the best evidence Wrerern Emionation..The Vicksburg True of the magnitude of the interests comnitted to | Southron says—\Fimigration is still flowing weetward wi. our charge, and yet Tam conscious that justice has not | unabated eagerness. Cur streeta have been thronged been done ‘to any of the subjects to which I have called | with vast cavalcades of movers from North and South yout attention. Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi, for weeks THE CITY RADLY GOVERNED. past, ‘and the mum! Appear of at ‘Tho practical conclanion foroed npon me by this review | minish, hunting homes in North Louisima, Southern Ar. is that the city of New York has not a good government, Texas. The fail, eo far, has been unusually and that the just expectations of the public cannot be | fav; le, but little rain and good roads through the realized without great chamgos in the organic laws under © awamps.”’