The New York Herald Newspaper, January 8, 1861, Page 2

i i ~ 2 NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, JANBARY 8, 1861. THE COMMON COUNCIL FOR 186). tion of the New Board of Aldermen. Bleetion of Henry W. Gonot as President by Acclamation and Without Ballet. RE-ELECTION OF MA, VALENTINE AS CLERK, PRESIDENT GENET’S ADDRESS. MESSAGE FROM MAYOR WOOD. Oppression: of the State Agaimst the ¢ity— Asertion of the Inherent Rights of the Corporation ef the City, and Shew- ing the Large Imerease of Taxa- ten in Consequence of the Deprivation ef these Rights by the Legi- lature, Ren, ke ben BOARD OF ALDERMEN. Tho roll was culled at twelve o’olook, Alderman Booux moved tht Alderman Froment bo Called to the chair as tomporary President, Alderman Fxowmyt, om taking the obair, anveunced that he wns ready to bear the desires of tho Board. Alderman Boos thou moved that Alderman Geaot bo elected permanent President of the Board for the year, Aldermaa Dayton, in seoond'ng the nomination, said:— As there is no other candidate that I am aware of to pre- Bide over this Board for the ensuing year, and in entire Confidence that the Board will be presiied over by Alder- man Honry W. Genet with impartiality and dignity, T move you, sir, that « balict be dispensed with, and that he be eiested President of this Board vy acclamation. Carriéd unanimously. Alderman Fromxyt called upon Aldermen Dayton and Platt to conduot the President to the chair. President Gaver, on taking the chair, addreased tho Board, He sata>— Gevrammy ov THE Boarp or ALpERMEN—In assuming the duties of the highly benombie sad important peition tO which your Kind and tricndly partiality Eas ‘called mo, 1 wuld be wanting in candor did { Dot kay, thai my accepiance carrie with ita duc tation Of the 1 <apons which will devolve upon me, as the dilicer of suo an intelligent and intluen- tiad body—vepresenting, a¢ you do, in legislative council, nearly # milhen of inhabitants, and intorest, in addition to great local wealth, of & political and commercial cha- Factor, dificult to OFor-estimate or magmity. ied, as we are, gonlemen, to discua-ge important trusts and celiberste upon uvasures affooting the people ©; Ubis ity At large, as well at to protect z alously the Particular interests of our district cousitucets, it is e6- Bentiad 10 & paoper and sutisteelory result of our labors thai @ broad anc comprehensive policy should govern and ‘Oirect OUF RELICNN; ADA Lal measures touding to the de- ment Of the great resources of the city, its future AOR. ity of opinion exists as to our system, hus tangut us that logisiative interference: ‘with our munteipal rights has wot Lown conducive to the general mtercats, aa the engraftment of the ideas of mon Jguorant Of or inditferent W ow wants and requiremenis in our charter amendments bas iuvolved the instadiity Of our municipal goverinent, as weil ae greet and unne- essary expense, it is, nevertheioss, gratifying vo mark the decided improvumont im the workings of tho execu- tive and legislative Gepartments of the city government ander Giaadvantages ineauental to such an imperfect sys- tem, and alto wo rote the removal of many just cwases of public compiawt against the system by ‘Le honest and efficient dwcharge of the multifarious duties entrusted to Believing that a cesire on our part to subserve the in- terests of eur oit:zeus will insure a cordial co-opsraiion with the excoutive departments, I trust the practical eetions frow tbe different beads of the departnmts ‘will be treated with the respect and consideration (0 whick they are entitled, und that our legislative action will give effect to all proper recummondations by the passage Of the necessary ordinances or resolutions. Commencing our official dutios at atime whon, by un- fortunate peiiticl Causes, the commorcial uifairs of evo- Ty scction of our country are embarrassed, and as the Manifold other Interests of the people of the city of New York may ve wmjurtously affectot therevy, it behoves euch member of this Board wo be zealous in his eudoa- vors t encourage all euch enterprises and improve- ments as neceesmrily tend to strengthen our position either in @ political or ocommervial view, or aasixt ia Continuing and advancing the prosperity and growth of our city. In Concluding, it w vot reo ergy in view of the pevere osusurcs ‘and at (times bitter condemnation, ex- = im the daily journals upoa the imdivieual mem- | of either branch of the Oemmon Counoil and of their official act#, ané a@ a oompinto answer to frequent Charges wade by iméividuals without duo consideration And mquiry, to refer to Our responsibiity and accounta- Dility for tho disbursoment or expen iiture of the public Money at tho present time, aad also Ws revert wo the gon- eral patistice of our city government ut periods within the tut thirty yeaw ‘Receipts sind sxyenditures for 1820 and 1630;— Balnwce im Trewsury Lec. 31, 1829. $1,148 90 Reovived in Treasury to Dec. 31, 1530 1,006.90 40 TOA 6s. ss eee eeeeee + $1,688,059 30 Paid out on 1,661 warrants. 1,083,419 70 Balanoe im TreMsury.....+6eseseee es $4,009 00 Vaine of rea! ana porsonal estate in L880— Roa! estate. « $37,608,580 Fersoual estate, 87,834,938 $125 288,518 Pe Reo $3,272 234 41 Expenditures... 2,587,400 24 dation, bib 294. valve of real cmiaie.... « » « $207,146,176 26 Vaive of personal estate. sose 78,080,240 43 ‘Total see $296 055,416 T4 Value of real estate, i $379,061 530 00 Value of personal catate ie 172,971,192 08 MOU cee ccc eee cece eee ceee cee ene B552 022,722 00 Topuiation, 660 ring ajoat, un Warrants Warranispaid by — paid, Dro. dravn. aan’ alarn, 31, 1869. leads of ace’t. Amount. — Amunan'. No. Amount. 6,065,628 34 104 26,226 40 6,102,200 00: 4000 08 . 3,760,523 TL GO 26.825 O4 nc. 1,610,612 40 1/702 ,642 49-9 27,063 OL nkig fund for payment «» 2076104 1T 29TH 141T — — t. do. 646 Yow 05 B46 yor 0G — 50,002 86 = 80,802 86 — = OF 21,602,689 62 165 84,131 45 RXYRNDrTRS CMON kay OF CITY ACCOUNT YOR WHICH Tam COMMON OOUNCH B NOT REBFONSIRLK Amon. Amount. No. Amonnt. Arrears...... $966,461 92 $54,082 04 13 1,360 68 Almaboone De- pertinent... 665.000 @0 666,000 00 — - Alneh beth. ood repairs, 116,260 00 116 25000 - Bb ret om re. venue Dads 2506 44 BOTT SO 8 283 64 Tut. on Central debt.. 128,500 4 1288 a - tot. on OU Park wward, os... 274,025 90 168,681 23 «1 4,047 67 int. on poblic edno’ la stock of 16TB...... 90,800 68 — 90,800 00 - Ana’l instal ms 18,269 44 —~ = No 8, d0,... 6000000 600000 — - sess soe $1,883,001 O4 1,521,484 856 — 6,006 10 ti'ovor be my desire to discharge tho duties of a Officer impartially and with a duo regard to Sate and pri , relying on your assistance ho thot compliance: our rules, the oultivation of friendship and the exeroise of courtesy in our reutiows, having a6 our sole object tho protection ur citigeus and thelr property ani the advancement Of ll (oat may tend to futare grostness and stability. ‘The prreent Board @ constituted of the following>— 1. Doury Beth 10. Chas. G. Cornell 2 Biohard Perry. VL Alexander Frear, 8. Joba T, Henry. 12 FL A. Boole, Sonn Hh Rent. Te Guivart Be Phat. . ai 5 Michael Tucuey. 1b. Andre Fromants 16. Torence Far oy. AT. Hoary W. Genst motion of Alderman Parr, David 7. Valontino, Faq., was unanimously ro-elooted as Clork, without bal lot. Op motion of Alderman Hesnr, Mr. Patrick Gallagher was unanimously appointed Sergoaatat-Arme, without bailot. ’ ‘Aldermen Froment, Cbipp and Dayton wore appointed a committes to wait wpon the Mayor and inform him that be Board wae organized and ready ww receive any com- B. nication (rum hina, ‘Tho committee returned in a few minutes, and said that the May ot would send a communication immediatety. Aldermen Frear, Boole and Allen were appointed a com mittee to wait upon the Board of Councilmen. ‘The Pamsipmrr announced to the Board that ho had ap- pointed Jokm W. Boyoe aa reader of the Board. Adderman QooMET moved thet the rules of the laa’ ‘Board govern this Board until further ordered. Adopted. ‘The follewing communication was reovived from ths Mayor and ordered to be read. Alderman Boas moved that the reading be suspended, and Aldermam LuommY moved that three thousand copivs be printed. | Alderman Davros desired to hear the communication | read before he would vote for large number of copies being piinted. He thought it more respectful to the Mayor , buve the document read—a course which was usual | tp ali parliamentary and legislative bodies. Alderman Boous denied the intention of any diare- | spect, and on the vote being taken the reading was gus- pended. An amendment was made to print one thousand copies, instead of three thousand, which was Wet, Three thou- sand copies were then ordered to be printed, MAYOR WOOD'S MESSAGE, To mux Honokamx THk COMMON COUNCELi— Gxw1sx30x—We are entering upon the public duties of the year under circumstances as unpresedented as they are gloomy «nd pajpful to contemplate. The great trading and producing interests of not only the city of New York, but of the entize country, are prostrated by a monotary crisis, and although similar calamities have before befall- nus, itis the first time that they have emanated from causes having no other origin than that which may be traced to pulitical disturbances. Truly may it now be said “We are in the midst of a revolution, bloodless as yet.” ‘Whether the dreadful alternative implied as probable in ‘the conelusion of this prophetic quotation may be avorted “no human ken cap divine.” It ts quite certain that the fevority of the storm is unexampled in our history, aad if the disintegration of the federal government, with the consequent destruction of all the material interosts of | this people, shall not follow, it will be owing more to the interyesition of Divine Providence than to the inherent preventive power of our institutions, or tho interveation Of any other human agency. It would seem that a dissolution of the federal Union is inevitable, Having been formed originally upon a busis of general and mutual protection, but separate local in- dependence, each State reserving the outire and abso- lute control of its own domestic affairs, it is evidently impcasible to keep them together longer than they deem themselves fairly treated by each other, or longer than tho interests, honor aud fraternity of the people of the several States are satisfied. Being a government oreated by opinion, its continuance ia dependent upon the con tinuance of the sentiment which formed it. It cannot b» preserved by coercion or held together by force. A rv- sort to this last dreadful alternative would of itaoif de troy not only the government, but the lives and propor- ty of the people. If these forebodings shall be realized, and a soparation the States shall occur, momentous considerations Wil: ‘be presented to the corporate authorities of this city. We must provide for tho new relations which will no- cesearily grow Out of the new condition of public affairs. It will ot ouly be necessary for us to settle tho rela- tions which we shall hold to other citivs and States, but to establish, if we can, new ones with # portiou of our own Stato. Being tho child of the Union—having drawn our sustenance from its bosom, and arisen to uur present power and strength through the vigor of our mother— ) when deprived of her maternal advantages, wo must | rely upon our own resources, and assume a position p: c- dicated upou the new phase which public affairs will pre- sent, and upon thy inherent strength which our goog:a- phical, commercial, political and financial pre-eminence \imparts to us. With our aggrieved brethren of the slave States we have friendly relations and a common sympathy. We have not participated in the warfare upon their constitu- tional rights or their domestic institutions. While other portions of our State have, unfortunately, boom imbucd with the fanatical spirit which actuates a portion of ‘ho people of New England, tho city of New York has unfil- teringly preserved the integrity of its primoiples in adheor- ence to the compromises of tho constitution aud tho equa) rights of the people of al! the States. We have re- spected the local interests of every section, at no time oppressing, but il the while aiding in the developement of the resources of the whole country. Our ships have penetrated toevory clime, and so have New York capi- tal, energy and enterprise found their way to every State, and, indeed, to almost every county and town of the American Union. If we have dorived sustenance from the Union, eo have we in roturn disseminated }ivss- ings for the common benet of all. Therefore New York bus a right to expect and should endeavor to preserve a | continuance of uninterrupted intercourse with every wection, It is, however, folly to disguise the fact that, judging from the past, New York may bave more cause of appre- hension from the aggressive legislation of our own “tate than from external dangers. We havo already licva'y suffered from this cause. For the past five years vur in- tererts and corporate rights have been repoatewy tram- pied upon. Being an integral portion of the State, it has been assumed, and in effect tacitly admitted on our part by non-resistance, that all political aad governmental power over us rested in the State Legislature. Evou the common right of taxing ourselves for our own govern- ment bas been yielded, and we are uot now permitted to do 20 without this authority, ‘The coormous expense of (he government of this city, ita inefficiency for the correction of ubuses and tho curing of economy, and # state of « 'iniistratien through- out bordering on abarchy and utter contusion, all irresissi- Diy impel to the serious inquiry whether the’ Legislature had power and authority to effect theve mischievous changes in the organization of our tmuvicipal affairs. 1 would be recreant to my duties as a citizen if 1 forcbore protosting against what T am convinced bas been a sories of usurpations on the part of the State Legislatures, ag dotrunental to our city as unwarranted by every cousider- ation of common justice. The Logislatare could only en- large the powers of the corporation tor the betwr . poof of ‘he city, and the coméort, prosperity alk poet order of the people, but was not permitted to annul, limit und abridge that ‘municipal indepeudevoe which New York bad enjoyed for a period lony anterior to ihe Revo- lutionary struggle. On the cbange in the po.itical rela- tiovs which ensaed at the successful termination of the memorable war for Ladependence, it must be denceded that the regulation of commerce passed into the hauds of Congrees, und the city became, for general political pur- poses, « portion of the State, bat without in the least sur- Tendering that municipal self governmont which had been granted mm the amplest terms that language could empioy. ‘Theee prerogatives and immunitics wore to re- main inviclabie forever, and in all the local concerns of the city, in her domestic polity, in the management and’ enjoyment of her franchises, and the regulation of interna! order, she was to be,ontirely indepondout. No candid mind can, after a nerurad of the original grants, faii to perceive the extent of the ae irpations that have been made oo the municipal rights amd civic \iber- ties of New York. Those early charters contemplated the establichment of a municipal corporation that wold, in ite free and ataple privileges, pre-eminences aud juris dictions, Vie With the groat Cities of Europe, and be wo: thy that commo.ce Which unrivalied natural advan tag: s Could Bot fail Lo aitract to our shores, ‘the liber: ty and sagucity of royal governors contrast strangely Pik" the shortsighted and | inequitable policy ‘of thous | who have Fuccoeded to the exercise of power under the iorn: of peptlar institutions. Permit me to call your at- tection to the language of our early charters, and to quae whether the grants conferred in them were in- te) od were.y as rhetorical fouriahes or empty titles fui of sour hus Meaning nothing, or Whether they were not real abd substantial powers to be exercised for tie be- nefit of the inhabitants and the encouragement of trade and general prosperity. If the examiuation of theso early sources of municipal liberty may Dot deter the spirit of partisan opposition from furthor invasions, it will at least call the atieution of the citizens to the chief cause of the burdens under which they labor and the mala iministration of public affairs, and will justify them, in the eyes of the country, iu demanding « restoration of what has been taken from’ them, of seeking a separation from a political association that has proved so emphati- cally a yoke a8 grievous aa it is dishonorable. It has been tho settled policy of all civilized countries to encourage the growth and stability of thoir commerce by giving to the eftics which are its seats municipal char- ters of such character as to secure their dignity and re- gpect in the eyes of the world, Governments the most despotic have tolerated there, if in no other place, liber. ty, in order to foster trade. Tho municipal rights of Tendon and the seaports of England, of Humburg and the free cities of Germany, have always been cagarded as in vinlable. The sume savctions wero intended to apply to the civic privileges of New York. sho was to contain within herself an organic vitality and government which should 4 and expand 80 us to adapt wolf to ber future grandeur and import- ance. The early founders of its commercial supromacy, while they rightly estimated ita advantages, have been gy \evously disappointed in their avticipativns of muni- cipal inde, The clement of good government anu ‘ conomical administration has failed through che en- croachments and invasions which have been carried on U conquered provitos, enlirly dependant om tse will of ry Province, ent dependent on e dietant, and, to our wants cod wishes, an ‘& germ of salt. alien Suebh @ vase is not condition. Our city possesion a ia an | that of the State Co which it is bit] Abould never havo been stripped of its (ranchisesond ma. | * teh Wort fo orn a Oomnany, ut, granted to b Unsterdam o munkipal govern stantially sitailar W (bat of Uae city « magistrates were to be clooted by itiaons form was Of the famous cit? from which | it derived the name it them bore. Rs ercenee Hakala graces a oct of RGRaernae the city was placed under ‘the admin 8 Mayor, Alderman and Sheriff, In 1672 the Duteh ned possession, and for a brief period ‘tho old system was restored, but in 1674 the English rulo ‘Was re-established by treaty, | Thotna# Dongan, Lieutenant Governor and Vice Admiral of New York and'ita dependenc’ of April, 1686, granted to tain city's cectse’ Contesting otoeh grant and conterminy «7.1 raturying peoviows fignta, de. seribing it na “an arsieat oy,” aude admitting tone. ft Citizens ‘have anciontly been A body politic and corpo rate.’’ The tenor of thi+ famous inatrument=the Magan Charta of the municipal rights of New York—ehows olear- pa it was tho intention of the repregoatative of the then sovereign to confer on this “ancient city” the largost civic Immunities and raise it to the highest rank, while contirming all that !t had onjoyed by prosar OF previous concessions since its foundation. In 1790 tl charter of Goy Dongun was ratilied he Gv cy) | indie Bpcefinly ed aces talde an sokeeionae in great detail . former grant. the mi nf it is Ordained that the city of “New York be and from henceforth forever hereafter shall be and remain a free city of itwelf."’ By thie designation of a “ free of itself,’ T betieve that the monoipal the city , and that the grant thus! made Iisa sueceeced to, tho sovereign Unone, or sbail to the latest period. (Guned provision for amendment and enlargement in Of defect or error, but its abri tor aunulment was forbicden; iu the quaint legal plogy of that it was deciarea that it “ in and everything conte ined from time to tume, and at all times hereafter, and shuli be firm, valid, good, suffloient and etfpctual law. Its provisions were to be expounded benigoly and sears oo hee Corpenine ams im doubtful matters, for it. Soampe rant of tical and corporate powers ieee 8 peek of peiiien jealousy on the the rest of the province, but in ihe year 1732 ial Cag ratitication > Meiaiaiasten of or ‘Thus coustituted, I claim for this city the distinction of a municipal , Self ex- is and its own reat and proper vi- gor. The of the State, in the constitutions of 1772, 1622 and 1546, have recognized the validity of these aa- tbat the cveation of any Board of Com dependent of the oorporate authorities of the city iganannulment of the charters to the oxtent of the blic functions and privileges conferred on the new ly thes improperly ted into political exist- ence. Tuke these charters and read them with tho tecting clause ot the constitution of the State, ani can be no dovbt that they exist in legal force, unim- paired and undiminished. Through them the city pos- sees @ perfect right to establish and carry on a oum- y 4 government without let or hindrance. What the et of legislative interference has been is seen in the vast increase of expenditure, the multiplica- tion of offices, tbe strange complication of the adminis- tration of public affairs and consequent ineflicienoy. Is thore no remecy? Time and the course of events may, aided by the justice of our cause, bring it sooner than could have been wnticipated. We should not omit to ap- Peal to the people of the State for redreas for our mani- foi grievances, presuming that their representatives have crred net ait gethor wilfully in these violations of our chartered rights. \t i8 not alone the inalienable right of self-government that has been thus wrested from us, but our taxes have Lec largely imcreased, while the protection to life and property bas decreased. The more the people are re- quircd to pay the less retarn is received in the way of government. A brief reference to the s:mple ques- | taxation and its causes will juatify this assertion, ‘The present lax system of municipal control, all trace- able to the action of the Legislature, is too well knowa to require any elucidation. It iss living, notorious pregnant fact. Bot as the additional burdens imposed ure not realized by ali classes, I propose briefly w refer to them in detai. ‘The trst aggressive action of the State upon the muni- cipal rights of the Corporation was the seizure of the auc- tion duties, which were formerly devoted to the support of the city poor, by which the State has taken from us the sum Of $6 848,024 up to Ist January 1860. ‘The next step in the same direction was t the Corporation the cofftrol of the Al Went and giving it toa Board of Ten Governors, who were first appointed by the Logislature for aterm of years, and 0 arranged that neithe: the people nor the Corporation bave any jurisdiction over its proceedings or expenditures. This body, now called by another name, Dut possessing ail the odious featurce of the Tn Gover ners, expends nearly one million acnually without ac- ‘countability. ‘nother apgreesive measure was the seizure of the Police Department, divesting the city of any control of this important branch of its government. The only connection the Corporation has with the mattor is the oue wccorded by the highwayman to his victim, “to stand aud deliver”—that is, to pay over such gums as an irr ible Commission may demand. ‘The expenses of this department were last year over $1,300 000, a8 against $800,000 when the police waa under the Mayor and municipal control. The current year it will be over $1,500,000, and if the additional 400 meu :e- manded by the Commissioners shall be allowed, tho «normeus sum of two millious will be required oa this account alone, yogn ep yl hundred thousand increase since the State has ‘n the police under its charge. Ancther, apd one that the most sacred records * pee oly fe ee any oe nls Stk aaa fion, oqually people or the Corpora- tion. They are kuown as the Commissione:s of Records, and have power to make contracts that bind the city Without the consent of the Corporation or any other city authorities. They have already used this power to the extent of about 000. ‘The Commissioners of the Central Park bab met pee’ aprointed by the State, They are also ontiroly boye the control of the Corporation, and with whom the city government bas no other communication than to raise the amount required to defray the bills of exponses, ‘The Harber Commissioners were another boy of inde- pendent men which the State sent from its remote parts to preserive the limits of our wharves, and how far the Corporation should be allowed to extend thom. The 1) ot Con missioners, also created by the Legisia- ture, Lave powers so ample that, if ever exercised, would deprive the Corporation of all jurisdiction over the piers and wharves. By their action the city of New York, in its corporute capacity, could be entirely cut of from tho harbor. ‘The Commissioners have the power to condomn any system of wharfage we might adopt, and thus com. pel « reconstruction of all our piers, and in such a mode as they should prescribe, ‘The toxes required by the State are very unfairly ap- portioned wpen this city through the agency of acom- tuission, who assess the property of the other counties of the Stato ata very low amount and put a ver: valuntion bere, By thiemeans-our city {4 compel contribute this year $2,108,636 to tho State. ‘The covtributions of this city to the State on this ac- count have been as follows:— 1388. $471,618 1858. 1866. 734,943 1859. 1857 «+» 696,645 1860 .. . ‘The city not only bears its own school expenses, but, in addition, large sums are paid to the Stato to ba in other counties. Vheo sum to be raised this year for this purpose will be $1,702,697 ‘The Corporation are entirely divested of all power over the common schools of the city, although compelled by tax to raise whatever the Board of Exucation may do- mand. These sums haye been as follows for the years ty wated ++ +0 $1,226,013 1,246, 1/278, 781 ‘Nor sbould the organization of ths county as divided frcm the city government, thus creating two soparate local Ingisiatures, and vastly increasing the number of officers and the amount of expense, be forgotten in the list of our wrievanecs, Either the one or the other of thes» rival sols of magistrates should be abolished. The burden of thus double government—the jealousy and the vontests bus engendere!—arc sufficient reasons to sock deliver: nee from 80 absurd asyatem. All the functions required of a body t poform the duties imposed on a county le gislature might be diecharged, as previousty, by one of the Boards of the Cowmon Council. Tne motive fo creating this eonnty corporation wag ne doubt politi #0 that the minority of the olectors @ould be aly te | to the samo oxteut as the mejority, thus subverting the sound republican maxim thac ‘he meyority should govera. Even the ercetion of a pew City Hall could not bo per- formed without the intervention of % Board of Commis- rionors. T#o acts for this purpose have been passed, the former 80 utterly trrocuneiieable with the State consti. tacion that ft bad to bé given up, and the latter so ineffl- cacio.s that @ necersicy called for imperatively by the he propio, wad for lack of which the adminietra- aetiee Cannot be decently carried out, appears to inudie. ‘The supervision of the safoty of the buildings and edi flees of the city should be part of the manicipal gover- ment und under the control of iis authorities. Bat this cepartinent of public regulation bas been placed in the bands of a bom headed by @ superintendent, and con- nected so loosely with the city that it is to be wondered why their solaris are drawn from its treasury. The Jay ing of the beautiful and diversified strip of elevated land forming the northern strip of the island was called for, and it wag felt to be desirable that this orna- ment of the city skould not be disfigured by vandalism and {i taste. It was entrusted to a commission whose ap- poluttment, of course, was not entrusted to the city. Un- trie’ aw yet, the wish will be that however objectionable ) ()eir Creation, they will discharge their task faithfully aba patisfnotorily. From 1860 to 1860 the expenditures of the city govern ment have increased from $3,200,180 47 to $9,768,507 46, and the rate of taxation from 1 13 70-100 to 1 69 481 1000, though the property subjeot to such taxation during the ‘tod has angmented in value from $256,060,676 to $577 230,056. Tho State Legislature, in tho pansags of the laws referred tv, have seriously énbanced the bur- deus of taxation without correcting any of the notorious evils and corruptio.s connected with our existing system of municipal government, authority of the Legislature has been invoked to sours power, not reform, and special acta aro covertly introduced ard udepted every session legalizing corrupt Tacet w © provision» of the char ter, and © ing contracts and obligations that the ju- dicial tribunais Lave lnvestigated and reputed. Admitting all to be true alleged agvset thy O-mmon Council, yet we find persons appealing to too Legisiature with the expectation of finding @ body of eusir virtue. The power of patronage exis: wader the city char. ter bus frown time to time, contrary to sound policy, been concentrated and conferred upon particular oftloers, and city and through every jated avenue and foading Completes. the hasty review I have taken of the lead! features of ive in vasion. Have the righta of this city been re. Is this the ‘free city of itself” that Governor Movtgomerte designed should thua remain? Have ‘ re cises, emoluments, privileges, free customs and pro. enn nees been 1 Or has not the entire letter wii apirit of the el which was not to be annulled, been frittered ay in detail end made void aod of no efivot even in tho most rigorous and unbeniga st ocpreta- tion of its provisions? ‘Thus it will be seen that the political connection be- tween the people of the city and the State has been wae by, tbe latter to our injury. he Legislature in which the present partisan majority the power has bécome the instrument by which we are plun- dered to enrich their speculators, lobby agents and abolition ‘iticians. jaws are passed through their malign influence, by which, under the forms of legal enactment, our burdens oave been increased, our sub stance caton out and our municipal liberties dostroyed. Bef government, though guaranteed by the State consti tutton and left t every over county an! city, has been token from us by this ‘eign power, whore dopendonta have boen sont among us to destroy our libortios by sub. litical system. || rid owrsetves of thie odtous and oppres- sive copnection, it ia not for me to detormine, cor. twin that a dissolution cannot be ‘ully gooon b Sxcept by the consent of tay Lagincure leell Whathe tho Colo- |’ ‘wcifio wid no doubt set up an independ yebupd their own rich mineral resources, Tl , equally rich 1 Cereals and other as pro- wil probably do the same, ‘Then it may be anid y should not New York city, instead of supporting by her coptributions in revenve two-thirds the expenses of the United States, becomo sie equally independent ? ‘Aso freo city, with but a duty on imports, | fertocal goversmemt could ‘be tod ut taxa | tion upou her poople. Thus we could live frev from taxes, | and hy ly duty tree. In this she | ‘States ag well as ©: ull otber Stat.e to whose Lutoresta and rights under tho constitution rhe has always been true. “it is weil for individuals or goumaunitics to look every in the face, amd to moot it calmly and Sete neat astern he he Sat have hitherto united the States has been iu coutempia- tion, +t ia now epparentiy a storm aud inevitable fact. We bave now to meet it with all the Gonsequoaves, whatever they may be. If the confederacy 18 broken up the go- veriment is diaselved, and it behooves every diatinot community as wellas every individual to take care of Qk macives. When vieunion has become a fixed and certain fact, why may rot New York disrupt the bands which bind ber toa venal and corrupt master—toa people anda hat have plundered her revenues, attompted to ccmmerce, taken away the power of aeli goveru- ment, und cestroyed the confed of which she was the proud Fmpire City? Amid the gloom which the pre- Bent and pro ive condition of things must cast over tho country, New York, as a (ree city, may shed the only light and for » future reconstruction of our once confederacy. am not prepared to recommend the violence im- these vi . in state his a in favor of freedom, “peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must,” jot toe not be mlounseratood, ‘The. redress can be found otly iv appeals © the magnanimity of the people of the whele state, The events of the pas. two mouths have 20 voubt effected a im tne ‘popular sentiment of the State on national polities. This change may bring us the desired relief, and we may be abies to obtain a repeal of the laws to which T have referred, and a consequ: nt res- oration of our corporate rights. ERNANDO WOOD, Mayor. Janvany 7, 1861. Alderman Simm moved that the regular moctings ef the Board be on Mondays and Thursdays, ‘The annual report of the Public Administrator was re- ceived. On motion of Alderman Barry the Board then adjourit- ed to Thursday next at five o'clock. Aldermen Cornell and Brady were absent during the proceedinge—the former from {llness, the latter from causes unknown. Alderman Brady is likely to loge the leadcrehip of the republicans, and sink into b fitting in- signiticance before his new ally, Alderman Dayton, coun- elior at law, and former Clerk of the old Marine Court. BOARD OF COUNCILMEN. ORGANIZATION OF THE NEW BOARD—PATLURE TO ELECT A PRESIDENT-—ADJOURNED TO MSBT THIS EVENING. At twelve o'clock yesterday the newly elected Board of Councilmen, for 1861, met in tho chamber, when the Clerk of the Board read tho certificate of the Clerk of the Common Council, designating the members clcct. They are ax follows.— So. int. 4—Ccorge A. Barney, George P. Biokford, Jebn " 3 00, Charles H. Hall” Sen. Dist. G—Abrabam Lent, Harvey T. Cloavoland, Alexundor H. Keech, Willam Orton, John D. Ottiweit, tooo Mug, . Long, Luke Cornen, fe John Brice, cE ‘Alexandor Branton, 5 Chas ©. Pinckney, Jonathan T. Trot ‘The roll being callod, all the members, save Mr. Orton, answered to their names, Subsequently Le arrived, making the Board complete. Acommittee from the Board of Aldermen, consieting of Mesars. Allen, Frear and Boolo, announced the organi- zation of that body. ‘The Clerk informed them that this Board was not yot organized, whereupon they retired. Amotion to make Mr. Barney President pro tem. was lost, twelve voting in the affirmative and the same num- ber in the negative. Subsequently an effort to appoint Mr. Cleaveland temporary Chairman was also lost, after which Mr. Gross was appointed temporary presiding oflicor. It was moved that the Board proceed to ballot for permancat officers, and teliers wore appointed. Morgan Juucs Was nominated by the damoorats for President; and Mr. Orton, on the part of the republicans, named Abraham Lent, ‘The result of the first ballot was as follo Mr, Jones. Mr. Lent. Biank,. —Whole number of votes cast being 24. There being no election, tho mombers procsoted to bailot goveral times, which resulted the same as bofore. A motion that the Board take a recess for ton minutes prevailed. Upon the expiration of half an hour tho Board mot again and proceeded to ballot for permanent President, which resulted precisely as the former ballots. It was underatcod that Mr. Repper was tho democratic mo:ber who rofused to vote for Mr. Jones, th» candidate of his party. On motion of that goxtleman tho Board ad- Jjourned to mevt on Tuesilay evening at fl wok. FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL. Monpay, Jan. 7—6 P. M. The bank statement of to-day compares as fol- lows with that of last week:— Weekend’ Toans. Specie, Circulation. Deposits. Des. = #181 316,268 23,275,058 8,287,552 87,166,594 465 24,839,475 8,000,285 86,454,430 Deereane $31,680, - Tnereare. —~ 1,564,417 410,701 = The decrease of loans and deposits continues to reflect the action of the banks in preparing for the new regime which is to go into force after Ist Feb- rusry. Some of the banks, especially the smaller ones, have been in the habit of carrying far too | little specie for their liabilities; we are glad to see, | by the detailed table which is printed below, that H this error is being corrected. The increase of specie is rather lesa than was expected; but it must be remembered that we are sending specie regularly to the South, and thus supplying, aot | only the cotton, but the Western Staces, also with a hard money currency. The amount of gold ia | | ciroulation in the United States at the presen time is probably far greater than it ever was pe- re. The money market continues to grow easier. | On ca)l the supply at six por cent is vorsiderably in excess of the wants of ihe brokers. A ‘fair amount of paper was passed to-day at nine per | cent. First class paror is growing very scaree, | and lenders are still as distrustful as ever of | second class names. j Exchange on Europe is firmer, but there is | little doing, The leading drawers are asking 106 a }4—rates which importers are not ready to give. Mercantile bills are searce and rates are higher. | The market at New Orieans has been more aciive at higher rates; it is not supposed that it will be maintained. Exchange on New York at Chicazo is touching figures which, in the course of a fow days, will lead to a restoration of our usual finan- cia! intercourse with that point. Wheat has lately isow at Chicago to prices which have revived the movement of produce. The stock market opened with more firmness this morning, but fell off toward the close of the eossion, and was dull and heavy afterward. Ia ¢ afternoon prices were lower, and the market, though active, closed weak. Among the stocks which advanced this morning wore Pacific Mail and Harlem preferred. The for- mer touched 9. Michigan Central was inactive; the unexpected dividend has not benefitted the stock as much as was expected. Mlinols Central waa active; the bears offered it freely on time at considerable reduction from the cash price. Both Erie and Central were lower, The United States 5's of 1874 sold down to 92, and State stocka gone- rally wore lower. We note a sale this afternoon of the new 12 per cont Treasary notes at 2% per cent premium, Atthe close the following wore tho quotatio United States 6’s-1874, 92 a 93; Vir- ginia 6's, 76% 0%; Tennessees, 76 0 4; Missouri 6a, 08 a Yj Canton, 16 a 16; Cumberland Coal pre ferred, 8 a Y%; Pacific Mail, 88% a 4; New York Ceniral, 76% 9%; Erie, 3424 @ 36; Hudson River, 47%, 0%; Harlem, 16a}4; do. preferred, 38% a 39; Reading, 40% 2 4%; Michigan Central, 65 a 4% Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana, 14 a 4; do. guaranteed, 3424 a %; Panama, 116 0}; Illinois Central, 78a 4; Galena and Chicago, 64% a 65; Cleveland and ‘Toledo, 34 a 4%; Chicago and Rock Island, 64% 906%; Chicago, Burlington and Quincy, 66% a 67, ‘The business of the Sub-Treasury was as follows to-day:— 448, 88 Balance -8,866 346 86 The following dividends have been declared:— ‘The Resolute Fire Insurance ae A @ semi-annual ia- torest dividend of three and ene-baif per gent, payable on cewand; the Guardian Life Insurance aay & semi-anuval interest dividend of three aud one-bulf por cent, payable on the 10th wst.; the Merchants’ Bank of ‘Bt. Louis, a semi-annual dividend of five per ceut, after ng two per cent to the credit of the contingent fund; southern Rawk at New Orleans, a dividend of four cent, payable 10 Rorthers stockholders at the Bak, New York, on the Zlat inst. ‘The following are the December earnings of the ratiroads named:— Dec., 1860. Hudson River. $232 Micbigan Con 182,948. Michigan Souther 187 000 Galena & Chicago. 80,343 Cleveland & Toledo 82,219 82/589 Tlineis Central... fit 108,286 227,310 The movement of the banks in the four principal cities of the Union, in which weekly reports are made, as shown by their last statements, is as fol- lows:— arias 6 Touse 28 86 ee Sorin itekreg Rootes Ponte Tatas! U79eieal 1Seseuss 6leaore ‘Tota Sbis6A) 138,344 BES 44,794,382 23,426,987 ag 75 by Lint yearcl. | Baaiear tote ee hees Beene We read in the New Orleans Picayune of the 20th:— ‘The Bank statement for the week shows the following changes at compared with the provious return:— Decrease in short lonns.. $530,927 Decrease in 971.560 Decrease in ciroulati 83,806 Increase in depoat 1,030'302 Incresse in exchange ‘373,596 Inerenye in distant bulances. 83,655 otal loans, December 29... ‘otal loans, December 22... ‘The statement t« quite as formidable as was expected. Tp round tgures the specie and deposit line each show ap increrse of a million, aud the ratio of coin to every Habilty t 565% per cent, against 54% perwent last week. If we acd the exchange, which is almost a8 available as coin, the proportion i8 82 per cent, and tmowuding the Dends deposited with the Aucitor as seeurity for the riculation of the free bunks, we find the ratio to be 9T cents for every dollar of indebtedness. Beyond all this there is a portioiio of twenty-tour millions to fall back | ne We notice # further curtailment in discounts of 10,920. The New Orleans Commercial Bulletin of Jan- 61 opened more favorably ina commercial of view than eveo the most coura- red to predict only a few wooks before; but the poht whatever, abc, if any! formerly.” The latest p quite a rearsurug eficct, and indications on every side Point toareton of conhderoe; but capitatists still ap- pear to be very shy, and the heavy obiigutions mataring te vidently excite no Littis apprehension. Laplante moderate request, uemes Cat readily suid at 14 aly per cent per month. At bank there ix n> marked no- teeabio, and the movement in the discount live is prin- cipally confined to renewale, though accommodation is gianted uli round where no extension is likely to be asked for,and there is an evident tendency to more Keneral movement, “here is no let-up in the influx of F}eC10, And the current appears likely to continue for seme fune longer in our favor, but it is not likely to lewd tooryn sl expansion of loans, a8 the banks aro stil agrcod on pursuing a very cautious policy, Receipts since Sunday comprise $334 000 in gold by express from New York, apd $26,716 in the same by steamship from iavana. ‘stocks and bonus are reporte! in better re- quest, but the movement still shows no aymptoms what. ever of activity. Holders of all classes have advanced their fgures, | bere is no demand for time villa on New York, Ac., and rates of this class must still be considerod nominal, while sight continues steady at previous Oynres. The Voston Traveller of Saturday evening re- ports:— Money matters are steadily improving, and the ratos Of intercet ter loans and discounts are fast settling down towards the oki fashioned figure of six per cent. In the street the lower graces of paper are less freely offered than of late, and more readily negotiated. The spocie holaing to-ay wns $4,169,700, the increase bong ‘3400 ‘The roturns of cow fiom the mint will add largely vo this amount. At the stock board there is increased tirmaass, both for divivend paying securities and for those of the more prospective and fluctuating kind. — The inavgural message of Governor Blair, of Michigan, anneunces that the public debt of the State is $2,288,542 79. In addition to this amount it is indebted 10 the educatiorai fands of the State $1,183,589 98, the amonnt having thus accumn- Jated from $276,442 44 on the Ist of December, 1849, He recommends the levy of a permanent arnual tax, sufficient to pay the entire expenses of the State government, and to make provision for a sinking furd, in accordance with the require- ments of the constitution, to commence as soon as practicable. The Auditor General’s report contains @ calculation upon the basis of forty thousand dol- lars @ year, with five per cent annna! increase, which would, at five per cent compouad interest, pay the entire debt in twenty years, The erner hinks thet perl ae the amount fixed by the constitution, $20,000, wih an annual iucrease of five percent will be sniicient for the purpose. ‘The tinanees of che Stale are temporarily embar- rassed, principally by ‘nrge appropriations to State institutions made by t.> last Legisiature, to relieve which the Au General recommends the issue of stocks to mect the interest on the ont- starding indebiedness failing duc in July, 1361, aud Jouvory, is€2, and some other State indebted: hess, WounLng tn sil to about $150,000, and to levy's tax to meet the same. A large part of the boned debt will become das in Jannary, 1963, and inmediate provision fs recommended tor the of ODds. The aonua! report of the Cloveland and Pitts- burg Railroad shows gross carn) as follows:— Town sipts for 1858, . «$773,003 63 2 ; 906,710 03 1,020,637 $2 over those of 1958 y sabout 1% per cent, and over 1858, 1,608,078 | Gcoan sTEREEEYS B2ée-5 Zz < Eegusecabesecessss js 76 oe 23 1,476,088 Tela ome — 2066255 owen syed 200,008 1,704'36@ 1,686,261 19,120 1,060) | oe ee oe ee ‘507/003 -96°768 102 9T1 322) 8021396 106,096 110.273 _Tez,Ja8 1,111 378 2.127009 172/040 17,556,188 | 633,468 116,358 94,105. ‘424. 3,525/628 56T|328 145/201 2.144 945 { 4\154,601 812/803 185,442 3,045,707 ‘ 1'273'642 177,189 210/261 j 2/194 /762 823/286 272,813 1,122'538 St 446,627 940/919 247,308. 2)890/088 ‘960'30T 181/805 86,1561 616 ,7eR 1,307/208 195/357 291540 68°73 687,101 187/841 2,468,580 ‘Total. ......$129,025 106 24,890,475 8,608,280 86, 454490 CITY COMMERCIAL REPORT. Moapay, Jan, 1-6 P. M, Asurs.—The market was quiet apd prices unchanged. Bukaberurs.—Fiour—Tho market was heavy and clewed, ata decline of 66. 10 100. per barrel for supertine State ana Western, while extra brands wore without cha The sales footed range of the rollo H Superfine State, $5 25 a6 80 Extra Suite, goa 6 50ab Superfine Western 5 208 9 Common to choi 6 al % Mixed to straight Southern 5 1006 we Straight to good extra do. 6 0ent & Choice extra family and 72508 60 Tye flour 3350415 Com meal, iy i 3 1603 66 —Conadian flour was stea'y and prices ed, white tales were confined io about 200 bbls. Sout four wos in fair demand, with sales of about 2,000 closing within the above range of prices. Rye flour firm at quot: tiene, with sa!es of 200 bbls. Corn meal was quict end stendy ut our quotations, Wheat—the market was lees uctive and buoyant, anu spring and other com- mon grades were dull and jower. ‘The sales embraced ‘about 30,000 4 40,000 bushels, nt $1.60 for cheioe white Michigan (an outeide price), Chicago No. 2 at $1 19, $1 38 for red State, $1 36 a $1 37 for red biissouri, $145 for in- ferior while Southern, $1 35x $1 87 for red Western, the latter rate for prime, part in store, and $1 23 for Missourt club, Corn wus heavy and sales limited. "4,000 bushels inferior mixed were sold at 674<¢., and sound do, at 60a, 4 70c , in store, and T1c. afloat, and 72c. for round yellow, Other grain was without change of moment, and sales moderate. Correr.—The market was ago f ‘nd the gales com- prised a cargo of 1,400 bags Rio, and 4,150 do. Santos, per Hiiot, ot p. t., and about 200 mats Java ut 1640. Cortow.—The market continued quite firm, with eles of 4,000 beies, middling, iaciuding about 2,000 in tramay, ‘The market closed firm, on the basis of 126. PREIGHTS Were steady, but eng.goments were mede- rate, For Liverpool 11,000 bushels corn were takea im buk at 11d, ans! 16,000 a 20,000 io, wheat, iu bulk and ship's bags, at 113¢d. a 1143¢.; 200 boxes bacon amd 206 bbs, lard at 378. 64. To London 200 boxes bacen at 408, and 200 tierces lard at 406., and 14,000 bushels wheat at 124. There was nothing new reported to Glasgow ar the Continent. A voseel was takou up for Cork and er- ders at 123601. in brik Provisions —Pork—The market was stiff for meas, with. sales 0: 2F0 4 400 bbix,, neuding now meas, at $1650 @ $16 75, the latter figure bem an outside pric; oid prime At $11 46, and new do, # $12 50, Beef was quict, with 50/68 Of 200 bbIs. at $8 70 a $9 60 for repackod meas, nud 2 S10 75 a $11 50 for extra do. Beef hams wore quiot at 12e. a 4c, Bacon wos dull and lower: sales of Cumber- lad cut were made at 8c. Lard was steady and in fae Jemand, with rales of 120 bbls. aud tiorces at 6Kc. a To. Hutter and cheese were quiet. PuCK.—Sales of 31M Livrcos were made at 37%0. a 4e. SUGARS Were active, ond closed at an advance of Ke. @ ‘sc. per Ib. The sales embraced 1,600 a 1,700 bhds, Cuba, part good refining grades, at 53{c. a 60.,' and aboat 1,700 boxes, part at 630. ______HOVELS. __ CTY HOTEL, NEWARK, N. 3. —ROARD —8 J tars RVERAL fami Woonis to let, at half the Now York prices: on! if an hour's ride from the cily; trains rum every half hour. RENEW HOUSE, 137 RIGHTH STREBT, NEAR » Irondway—Just opened tor the winter. Accommoda ons (or gentlemen and their wives or cingle gentlemen, QT LAWRENCE 1 . }OADWAY AND EIGHTS cu ni on in private rooms Non BELTS. TLLIARDH.—WINANT'S FATENT CHAMPION serving B Dies The ¥: or Bprti hig fe winch ganas aha yaa a tat ‘Odice and facvory now HIBLAN'S BILLIARD TABLES AND COMBINATION Coshions. New tt ita, )) ented Bepwomber Bh, 1g60. 1'rices reduced ten per cent for“ PUBLAN © RADAR, Row. 61 to oy Oro by ot rset er ceat. The stocement of earnings and ope- | _- WATCHES AND JEW OLRY, rat expences for 1860 is as fellows: i DIES' GOLD HUNTING WATCHES, Warranted, Sa, Roceig 1860 . $1,020,637 82 Ladies’ Gold ( Pace Watches, warrant Operating axpenses SOAAOT 14 ET VER SON SMITH, 13 Maldon lane, + earnings Sabschient stavevants $456,140 68 SPORTING, Steady progress bes beev made ia the work of \PORTINGFOR. SALE, A NUMBER OF THE reducing the indebuedness of the company, ag will | 5). arco. and handsomest New oundinnd Dogs tm the olty; he seen by the following figuros:— ion ack Monet Bera Fan, ‘on mint mtcnda “ ne8 high, weighs n Dogs, et tm INR sven os oot wd aig (x Nos roundfand Pe ME iad, sdnoed i 1860., Glens it Garduet, cornet of Fil tnd Broadway. The Oiuois Central forwarded V5 hels of = rain last p of which about 609,909 bushels were seat owt of Cairo during (). firs: three work- ng Cay thia month. Twenty four handred and xty tons of greia and provisions were delivered is Cairo, amd on the 4th, 244 cars were loaded on Wo line, chiefly desuned South. Stook Nxchanre. $00 US 6's, Técowp o2 1% Beud.3855 2 2 DANOING ACADEMUES. A, opwourn DANGING ACADEMIES, Broadway, New York. NOIR Moaiagu? sot, Beoklya, Wednesdays and Saturdays tn New Fork. LL THES NEW DANCES.—L. DEG. BROOKE® AVADEMT, 361 Broome stroot, ‘All the fashionable dances taught in on: NEW CLASSES FOR TBs! 10g FN. Children Wednestaywand 8 TA SIGNORA BLIZA VALENTINI PARAVALLI, — ca "Gan No Sere Wen ra ree eens he tunes, eae SAUVAGRAU'S DANCING + Ta Broadway, after Wyck, Cea alt sop 0, ke ther tauhlonabte _ Hop to nigh THR OF TOR THBA Me Pe sous Mises ae a a Tastee ees pean ties ¥. he id lg a 7