The New York Herald Newspaper, January 7, 1868, Page 6

6 MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. The Mayor’s Message to the Common Council. The Comptroller’s Budget for 1868. INCREASE OF STATE TAXATION. The Conflict Between the Old and New Boards of Councilmen. THE MAYOR’S ANNUAL MESSAGE. Maron's Orrice, New Yor, Jan. 6, 1868. ‘To mr Honoracts THE Common Covxon.:— GeytLsuex—We enter to-day upoa the labors, duties ‘and cares ofa municipal year, impressed, I trust, with a due sense of out responsibilities and of our obli- gations (o discharge faithfully the important trusts which have been committed to us. It is true that tho executive and legislative departments ef tho city government have been deprived of many of the powers which formerly belonged to and were exercised by them. Only the form of gov- ernment remains, the substance having been trans- ferred (o various Metropolitan district boards and com- amisgions, all acting independently of each other and of ‘the manicipality. But as the elected representatives of @ great city, we should remember that the people look *$o us to do what can be done for their best interests, and they will expect that while we assert tho right of local self-government we will so conduct oursolves In all our relations a3 to challenge and secure not only thelr conti @ence but the copfidenco and respect of the people of the State and of the nation. Tshave notbing to add to the views sudmitted in my Jest annual messave in reiation to the subject of muni- eipal govornment. The great majority of our people Yeliove them to bo sound, They know that we can ever havo an efficient or responsible administration of gmunicipal affairs until all departments are made por- tions of oue harmonious system, under the control and irection of the chief exccutive, who shall have powers adegnate to his responsibilities, Tho duty of giving us such a government belongs to the Leguiaturo ‘anQ to the Constitutional Convention. The city ef Xew York, in wealth, resources and population, is in {telf an empire, and must have a local government, rested by and responsible to its people. Our whole government, national, Stato and local, 1s a government efthe people. It springs from them, rests upon them, Yooks to thom for strength, support aud existence; and BR does not become any representative in the Conven- Mon or in the Legislation to ignore the fact. If it be mot a fact, then our whole governmental theory is a ‘Fallacy. Py ee been sald with much force that the form of founicipal government best calculated to secure the most perfect resulis is simply this:— Phat there should be @chiel executive—the Mayor—charged with the duty of evforcing its laws, and clothed with the power to do i, Phat all other executive and administrative oiicors {except, perhaps, the Comptrolier), and ull boards or s0- galled comumissious, should be appointed by and be made responsible to the Mayor; that he should have power to call them to account, and to suspend and Femove them; that tho legisiative dopariment Should bavo legisiaiive powers ouly, and id consist of two bodies; tbat tue Board of Ald men should be elected by the people at large ‘Bpon a geveral ticket, and that the Board of Axsistanis er Couxcilmen should be elected by wards, We do not Fequire anything complicated or intricate, We do want @oncentration of power and responsibility somewhere. ‘Ufthe pian just suygested does not xecure good govern. weut, it will at least enable the people to see upon whom fhe responsibility of faiture should rest, I ain glad to Know tat these views are sustained by many wen of all litical parties, und that many of those who hai ored and susiained the metropolitan commissions @oncedo the fact, that it would be far better for geucral fnterests if they were all pal of asystem of which the Mayor of the city sould be the responsible head. TEE CITY FINANCES. In the two annua! communications which T have eretofore had tho honor to subinit to the Common Council, 1 bave been careful to stare concisely and ac- Ourately the real {acts in relation to the debt, taxes and expendivures of the city and county governments, 1 deoin st my duty to continue the stalements, It is not ‘enly important that your honorable Loay should be al 0 see and understand at a glance all the facts, but it Is wally important tuat tho people geueraliy should be ‘tle to dothe same. I submit, therefore, the following fects, which I hope will be road and carefully cou- Sidered. First, the city and county deb + DaRT OF THE CITY AND COUNTT OF NEW YORK, DECEMBER 31, 1867—arTY FUNDED Deut. ‘Water stocks—issued on account of intro- cing the Croton water into the city and Uributing Uke BAMO........+.+eeeeeee + $11,030,900 Fwo indemnity siock—issued for payment of ‘amages for blowing up buildings, Deceme Boildjog ican stocks—iesued on account of building workhouse on Biackwell’s Isian iReal esiaie bonds—issued in settiome ‘Biate lessees of Wost Washington hiarket, for payment to tho state for suudry laats filled in beyond the boundary line of the Montgomery charier, and for purchase of Fort Gansevoort property. «2. 1,188,437 @tock for decks and slips—issued for rebuild. ing and repairing public docks and slips... 450,000 Bloaiing debi fund etock—issued for liquida- ting avd funding floating debt in 1869...... \Pablic education stock—issued for payment 190,000 of debt of Public Sehool Society... 154,000 Block for rebuilding Tompkins Mark ia ttle indicates, for rebuuding- Tompkina Market.... 2 ++ 84,000 * Veiunteer Soidiors’ Family Aid Fund bonds— iesued to provide for the frmilies of soidiers fn the United States Army... 8,768,500 ‘Woluateer soldiers’ Family Aid Fund Redewmp. "tion bonds—issued to extend the time of payment of Voluoteer Svidiers’ Family hid Vand bonds NO. 3.....eseeeeeeeeeeeee ‘Total funded dedt of city... COUNTY FUNDED DEBT. Biwiem Bridge bonds—Issued for erecting a Twidge across Harlem river, at scCou GWM... 00 ee eevees ese Covwiy Court House stock —Iaiued, as its title tu dicates, for the erection of the new Vout Hi. ese in Chambers street... +++ 1,800,000 Bold; ers’ substitute bounty redemp- tort WONGS. .....+.0s0e00 ee Goldie es’ substitute and relief re- dem pulion bonds...........- Boldie: # bounty tund bonds, Boidicr # bounty fund bonas No, 2. 376,600 Boldier:’ Bounty fund bonds No, 3.. iacthaad en Tho at wee were tesued to provide means for the pay: nent of bounties and for substitutes for the e: mies of the Union. $1,000,000 635,000 Riot dam» qoe redemption bonds ‘Baot dama yee indomoity bonds, Bonds fiw Repayment of Tares—Issued to Feund tax:@ of 1563 and 1864, levied on se- eurities of the United Staves neld by banks ‘and insurance companies, decided by the @ourts to be stou-iasabi seeeeeeee 1,727,000 ‘Total funded debt of county...... serves... +1261, 700 RWANTULATION—FUNDED DEBT. $1,636,000 w.. payadle from sinking fund ‘abie (rom taxation... County. Amount pays ble from tazation.... $22,680,576 a s00,338 078 saceeeoe 13,261,700 Total (carrie 4 forward)...... eee «$43,584,776 I red that the tax levy KP Sy Bowe ub soveniee:\| im)!Bons of dollars. os \whieh wake up thi Aol smal 'y or couaty govern. 1 appropriations f Legisiacure, and ¢ Common Couce\! has not now, and for some yoara uot bad, the p\owerto make any expenditure or wr any liability be \/oud their appropriations, Tho following Lowing (ue increase over he tax of 1806 IKcReASR 7\OR STATR PURPOSES Inetalment ow State b\ uty debt. $1,280,416 ase in amount for cual, gen- eral purpowes and comme\s schoola, 817,028 ale ite Me casdasnee sans hy, Phe deficieacy in Siate tax mm’ 1565, ‘witbbeld by this cuunty for taxes of 1863 and 1664, not colleciabie from banks and insurance cé $987,005 Potioe Department, ..... +++ ees oners of Charities . Feder ption of bonds insu i gy of taxes collec . is &C., vn goverument eecur: Jeeta 600,000 ror expenses about same, 66,500 jection Oxpeusea oi © Convention 88.000 © 82 Me e 800 vd Pablic mption of Cit Bounty Judgments Arching Fou nue Repaving Broadway... Ditierence tn increase on other Total increaso, +90 $1,059) case. 094, To reply deficiencies tn the product of tax arisiog trom insolyencies and erroneous assessments, as authorized by section 6, chapter 293, of the laws of 1881:— Amount required in. 1867 Amount levied in 1866, Total increase of 1867 over 1866. It will be perceived that the chief por crease bas.arisen from tho increased demands of the ‘State, the Police Department, the Board of Education, the redemption of the publio war debi, the refunding in past years on their gov- by a special erroneous assessmenis, Brought forward Tho Commissioner Sinking Fund bold on account of the above debs the sum of... 13,984,313 Not amount city and county funded debt De- comber 31, 1867.. 29,000,463 Of tho foregoing debt tt wil ‘be perceived that $11,020,800 1s for Croton Water Works, $9,928,571 for Central Park and $13,970,000 for expenses growing out of and connected with tha war. TEMPORARY CTY DEBT, Revenue Bonds of 1867—Issued in anticipation of collection of taxes Of 1867....,..ee001-.» | $217/825 Street Improvement Fund Bonds—Issued to pay contractors for improving the streets in Anticipation of the collection of assessments therefor... . “s Assessment Fund Bonds—I: pay for opening, widening, &c., of aircets, 1n anticl- tion of the collection of assessménts there- OF..-2 nro sees Assessinent Bond: improve- ment of Soventh avenue, in ant iGranen rd ‘the collection of assessments therefor...... 1,472 Total tomporary dobt of city.......... $3,121,907 TEMPORARY COUNTY DEBT, Revenue bonds of 1807 issued in anticipation ‘of collestion of taxes of 1867... + $200,000 EXCAPITOLATION—TEMPORARY DEBT, $3,121,397 200,000 Total temporary debt, city and county... 831, For the payment this tomporary debt the city holds eat Jo the shape of asscssmons liens, unpaid taxes, &c, The increase of the temporary debt, $287,797, the past year, was cauged by the large amount required for the pay meat of expenses for “Improvement of Streets,” in anticipation of tho collection of the assessments theretor, Notwithstanding the creation of a debt of $1,727,600 in 1867, to refund taxes collected improperly from bank: and on government eecuritios, in 1863 and 1864, the Bison ats. deb: has been rodaced, in said year (1867) 5 The whole debt ts well accured, for it {s @ lien upon the whole property of the city, both public and private, ‘The sinkiug fund (provided for payment of the prin- cipal aod interest of a large portion of jt) 13 ia a sound condition, ‘The revenues for payment of the interest on that portion of it payable from this fund are greatly in excuss of what is required for that purpose, and the accumulations for payment of the principal will be ample to pay it long before its maturity. ‘The following brief statement shows the actual condi tion of the sinking funds SINKING FUND FOR REDEMPTION OF THB CITY DEBT, Revenues reccived during the year, $1,048,568 Received {rom sales of real esta 832,281 609,823 of debs... 135,420 $2,710,003 Received from bonds and mortgages aid off during tho ye Prior to January 1, 1861 $7,707 Since January 1, 1868, + 87,708 $65,470 FUND FOR PAYMENT OF INTRRESE ON CITY DENT. ance January 1, 1807... 3, 702 Kovenues of this iund during the year 1867., 1,872)613 os e0ee+0 $2,176,315 PAYMENTS, Interest on city stocks paid in 1867.. $685,175 Surplus traasierred to General Fund 1,295,000 Exponses paid (adveriasibg, &c.).... °° 11,15 Cush on hand in imierest account... 190,953 ———— $2,176,315 DEBT ACCOUNT, The Commissioners of siuking Fund hoid securities to amount of, ... $13,509,242 335,0 3,984, 318 Lg Decemver 31, 1866, And the Comptrotier holds bonds and mort. gages, which, when paid, will be credited to. Ub : fund, amouuting io. aif @ million more December 31, 1666, Mortgages for water grauts 9,178 cury Real In my first annual wnessage 1 recommended a sale of the unimproved real estate belonging to the c The recommendation was promptly acied upon a Commissioners of tho Sinking Fund, and sales were mado in 1866. The results of these ies bi already been commun:cated. During the past yoar Commissioners bave continued the sales, and ha: cluded tn 41,501,683 t im improved real estate not veci for public purposes, The results of the sales of 1867 are as follows:— REAL ESTATE OF THR CITY. The sale of April 22, 1867, comprised forty-nine isting of thirty-eight improved en vacaut lots, amounting to of October 21, 1867, compris hundred and fifteen ‘parcels, consisting of seven improved aud one bandred and eighs ‘vacant lots, amounting to.. Thero was alto received from the governmne of the United States for a portion of the Park as a site for a Post Office... $500,000 For site for Barge Office at the Bat- tery. seeeesee 10,000 — 610,000 Total sale of real estate for year 1867...... $1,882,150 In addition to the above there were fourteen parcels bid for, tue pure of which have failed to mako application for, amouating to $99,200. The government purcuase was paid ia ensh, Upon all Other caies, excepting the fourteen parceis mentioned, the purchasers bave paid thirty percent in cash end executed bouds and morigages for balance of purchase mousy. $618,300 THE TAY LEVY For 1867. This amounted to $22,176, i invite the careful attention of yourselves and the taxpayers to tts de- tafis:— ‘Tax Levy for the year 1867 + $22,176,878 $3,890,544 For tue following purposes, and support of the county Requ'red for payment of appropriation: In addition, the Board of Supervisors are tiwrized to levy three per cont on the amount of tax required (laws of 1863, cha 203, sec. 6) to cover losses arising from Toneou! insolvencies, &c, The ANALYSIS OF TAX @TATE roRPOsE, E3 Under the Uon'rol of Ue Stale raed Common sceovls for State, % of a mill, Extension of (henang \, 3. Cuamplain Canal, 3-16 of @ mill. For bounty, 24 of a mill... Deficiow-y ia ‘State tax of 1505, TOU... cesseseereecee ee ANALTSi6 OF TAX Brpenses Controlled by Commissions under Speciah Acts of F of the Metroptian Pe. ‘or Fupport ft $106 10 (4H COUMEY. 600 sans os + eSByO13, 754 For construction of flarlem bridge.. 87,000 For Mevropotitan Board of Heaith... _ 74,876 For Colioge of the city of New Kork. 114,000 —— —-— $2,880,631 faterest on riot damages indewmily OOS. 2... eee ee vee Interest ca bounty bon Por Interest on the Onunty Debt, Interest on Hariom bridge bonds. Loterest on county revenue bouds. Toterest on tax bonds. Interest on Court House stock yluina, the Chi ‘s Aid Soctoty and ‘Iinstituuion for tue Biind.,... Ded t other Wise speciucally appropriated DY MAW. ceeeee “ Tax levied for connty purposes..... $7,071,077 4 PORN Commaessins and he Legielatur, ssl siouars of Veutral. . enrral Park de 7 dmciuding donation. For Interest om the City War Debt. Interest on bonds issued to procure funds for aiding. tautlies whose husbands or dependants served 2,125,800 For om the City Debt, Interest on various city stocks, ox- ciusive of the Central Park Interest om city revenue bonds. For Redemption of ths City Doth. the city debt..... Instalmonts of principal of General vee +» $43,584,776 Streets, repaving Water pipes and Aqueduct repairs Miscedaneous ito Leas revenue of the city not other. wise specilcally. appropriated b: law, tuciuding the sur Sinking Fuad for tue payment of AMLerEst OD tho Cily Weds. .+.0000 2,752,559 Tax levied for city purposes.......... ‘Sho piate tax upon New York city and county is in- Tn 1866 it wos about $3,000,000. Lo Tn 1868 it with bo about creasing rapidly. ‘1867 it was about $4,000,000, $9,600,000, Until the year 1855, the whole tax levy for State, city and county purposos much as Our State tax will in 1668. has doubied in amount since 1861, when the iate war did not amotint, to as Our whole tax lovy, ‘Tho assessed valuation of property for purposes of taxativa {row 1801 to 1867, Inciuzive, vans follows, We are tow beginuing to pay the’ indebtedness con- tracted during the war, and our people muat be fully prepared to bear heavy burdens, It is certain, how- ever, that a very large amount of money may be saved annually by a proper effort in tho various departments Of the City and county governments’ afd in tho boards and cowimissions to cut down «he number of employés upon the pay rolls, which are unnecossarily large, and to scrutinize more closely the prices charged for all supplies and articles furnished. There must be in- ‘eoonomy. Wo shall need ail our resources, as weil ag ali our self-deuiai, to meet the increasing de- Mands upon us; aud 1 urge Upon all persons charged with public trusts to bear in mind tue fact ‘THE CITY OMAMBERLUN, In this connection 1 deem it proper to call especial attention to the recent action of the (ity Chamberiain, which deserves great commendation, and Walch 18 emi~ neatly worthy of imitasion ‘by all pudiic officers. All the revenues of the city, including #!| monoys raised by taxation, are deposiied with the Ci whom all warrants for the payment of Ho is required by law to keep his deposits in three banking institutions and equalie them as far os Jarge balaucos of city funds to bis credit. yy Cuamberlalo, upon remain on deposit been ibe understood practice of City Chamberlains to reulize for themselves, or for the institutions in which they were interested, ail beuedts aud advantages to be derived from the uso by the banks of these uadrawn deposits. It was a practice established by tong custom, and one With which the Legisiaiuro bad always refused On the 27th of February, 1867, I nomi- Hi he Boarl of Aldermen coo- firmed, Mr Veter B. Sweeny as Ci Legislature was solicited to. inter(ere to com it (he public moneys with the banks which would jargest rate of interest to the city. ‘ined to de so, Since then Mr, Sweeny has voluntarily announced bis dotermiuation to depart from the custoni of his predoceesora, and to pay into the interost he can realize upon the undrawo balances in tue depos bauks. From tne time of bis appointment up to Nevember, 1867, when it will be remembered, the gonoral collection of ta: began, the balances were light, Since then they ni been heavier, and be bas paid iato the troasary, in erast received by him, p ausume that the sum tobe received will not be less ‘than $100,090 pe penses and sa’arie: of his wisi ever depart from the practice exjal If this be followed up, as it must haif of tho period during whic hr. Sweeny’s prede- ad the use of the pubiic » millions of dollars will be added to the publie city treasury whatever ove all the ex. cessors, a before stat MarYon’s Orfice. Tho businees of the diayor’s office during the year has been greutly interfored with by the action of the Inut fh attempting to transfer to tho Police De- parcmont a great portion of its businesss relating to licenses, &c, 1 beheved the act of the Legislature to be unconstitutional aud void, aud obtained the judgment of the Suprome Court, and afterwards of tho Court of Appeals, to that effect, in tho moath of October last For several mouths prior to that, however, the whole Jicense Dusigess had been suspended. Immediat » obtaining the judgment of the Court of | the business was resumed, and the iollowing are of the year: — Whole number of licenses issued. Whole number of complaints investigated Total amount Of TeCdipts.....seasessee $62, J regret to inform you in this connection that several of the railroad companies have refused to pay the li- eouse ices Oxed by law aad ordinance. They choose to defy the authorities, and to take the cbances of litiga- Suits have beea brought against them, but the Corporation Altoroey informa mo wot been able yet to secure « Wii of the issues, By laws, I have been unable to any suunuary means of compelling the delin- quevts (0 pay ihoir just duca tate the city (roasury, wil eudeavor duriag the present winter to supply tho reason of defective PRUMIT BUREAU. The Permit Bureau bay yieided @ net revonue of $21,520. Tho Leg siature iass winter prohibited aay of the city authorives trom granting say permit to any person to encurabor the sidewaiks or streets, ‘The same Laginiature, however, incorpusated a privaie company, uader the plausible Live of the Soldiers’ Messenger aud Despaich Company, and authorized this company, with- out paying auy revouus to Lhe city, to occupy iis sido walks wud streets wich booths and stands, under certain regulations of the Board of Health. the policy or justice of such legislation, bat I recom. mend that the Corporation + ounsel be insiructed to take proceedings to test its validity. Inevd not discuss ‘Tho foreign emigration late this city during the Year bas been groaver thaa im any year since 1804, buudred and thirty-three \housaad four luadred aud eighteen emigrants have arrived, being nearly ten thou- saad wore than duriug the year 1863. ‘SCHOOLS, The public schools are in a very flourisbing condition, The expenditures, however, are very heavy, and rapidly fhe average dally attendance of children 8 about oue hundred thousand, been made for aidilioval work, in obedience to the ordi- mances of the Common Council. Ordinances having bven paseed @irecting to be paved with the Nicolson pavement, I withheld my Approval until partios affected by the work could, if they desired, bave an opportunity to object, But few Jections were made, Inasmnuch as the pavoment was patented, and for this Competition for the work, I required the owners the patent (before I ‘approved the ordinances) suipulation as to the which they would lay the pavement, 1 am of the opin- fon that this pavement has thus far been received with groat favor; betas itis, im this city at lores, compara- tively new and uniried, aad as it is much more expen. sive than the Belgian and not as durable, beat new No Sen shall be adopted, unlecs a majori- ty Of the owners of property im the streets bo paved petition for the ame, ne THE CITY ORPARTHRRTS, For detatled operations of the Finance, Law, Croton, and Sweet Deparimonts, I rospectfutly ‘rol oravte body to the reports of these ively, which will be subinitted, CROTON RWER VOY, BEWERAGR, BTC, The city of New York can justly point with lo to the Croton aqueduct and ali that pertains to ft. ‘work in connection with it is going om. The new reser- igh Bridge and the storage reservoirs in Pu Bam couaty are progressing as cted. The speedy compiodon of ail these reservoirs of very great importance aud go eflurts should be @ work forward, by Chief Rogineer of the Croton rovemente are boing made of sewerage. The whole subject is (rol of the Croton Aqueduct responsi. to be hoped ‘aa improved system will be ww VURR@ AND MARRETR, The subject of the whar\ ca, piers and markets js ono aged my Most serious and an =10us Ailen- ‘ork does not possess a market or a wharf former yeara, the @ power to improve worthy of a great city. Wue munielpel authorities posressed them§ Wey failed to do ther aut Mayors recommended that something sho parsod without any ap- Whioi, by legialaui icipal authorities hi any improvements, jPanenge Of ratiafavvory laws Li werket properyy—tue foo of which i# valued at d three millions of doliars—seguatiy to the city, while the ‘able end ‘disgraceful worth, ibis botiove been nay ailing. market buildings ar The w.\arves aod piers perliapes, properly value lees than $10,( Ho wing I respectfully submit for consideration the | suggestion s:— Firs!—As to the Markets, Tn my Judgment there should and must be public whole. sale markera, dus (hey sbould not be controlled wpe offictais, ed ag they Bow are, aud as they always Dave been aud mish be while publ olficers manage them, they § em merely to afford piacos for a large Bumber of officials who draw large salaries for com peratively email services, Thero 18 no reason why @ great city should undertake to carry on and conduct a market buriaes. The city owns the property, saduow rents es and stnail parcels to Demerger eg seca, The city ie obliged to ta ou sands of these tepanis, clean ail the markers and make jl the repairs. There is not only a constant struggle for official appointments in the markets, but @ @uuggle also among political favorites for market siauds and ufiers, the ical party im power aul and the ‘ket mon sul ‘The remedy clearly lies ta the imple plan of a of the fee of the markot property, or of lenses of it fora long term of years for murket purposes, This should not be done, however, except with a due regard, not ouly to the iuterests of the city, but to the market men who bave established business 1a the markets, ‘The laserest of tho city will not sufer in the least dogroe by exiending to the market men the neoussary, protec. tow, It will be rather boueiited by it, ‘My pian 1s ‘simply this, viz, :—Ibe Commissioners of the binkiog #und (to which fund ail market rents and roceeds of wales of market property are pledged) should e authorized aod empowered to seil at public auction, to the Highest bidder, ali the property pow in actual uso for market purposes, 1 to sell @ loase of the same tor a long term of years, ey should impose as con- ditions upon ihe purchasers, tbat the property should continue to be used as market property; that market buildings, of a class and style to be approved by them, to be madé known before the time of salo, shouid be erected upon ibe premises, and that im the rentug of the stalls and stands in the new markets the Gret choice and wenee should be given tothe market men who have the time of sale an established busiuess there, A valuativa of the property, as in’ all cases of sales of real estate under the ordw ances, to be made before the sale, would prevent ar eacrifice of tho ee Thers is no necessity in thi communication stating im greater detail how ibs plan could bo carried out it is simple and practicable. ‘The result, | am confident, would be that io # single year we would have markets which would be &@ credit and ornament to the city; and the Sinking Fund would receive @ reveuuo equal to tho lawful interest on the actual value of tho y. If it ie ovjected that tois plan contemplates retention of toe present market sites, | have only to reply that their retention seems necessary, or the reason that waoccn- pied parcels of ground, waleh in size or location and vi would be adapied to the required purpose, can- not now he bad in the city, If these viewa meet with favor I: trust the Commis. sioners of the Sinking Fund, with the concurrence of the Common Council, will make. tne proper offort, dur- ing the present session of the Legisiature, to secure the cones 0 the necessary: law to authorize the execution Second—As lo Wharves and Piers. Some of the wharves which are owned by the city are under lewes for a tong term of years, which leases the city alone bas the right to terminate, if the wharves shall bo required for public, purposes, Other wharves are ieased only for » single year, with the same right reserved to the city. ‘The city alone can resume possession for the purpose of ublic improvement or other public use, No Staie Board or metropolitan commustion could doit, I men- tion this tact as of great imporiance, The average an- pual expense of rebuilding and repairing the wharves and piers exceeds the revenue derived from them. ‘The Presont rates of wharfage and dockage as established by te State Legisiature are so low that a lessee cannot atiord to pay a rental nearly equal to the interest on the ‘extimated value of the wharf properly, Toe power to rebuild and improve and the powor to establish rates of wharfage and dockage should be veated in the samo body, Af this joint power should bo exercised with wistom and discretion, I bave no doubt that the revenues from the piers would pay the intorest on the value of the property, and the cost of improvement, and leave a considerable balauce every year for a sinkavg fund for the payment of tue principal of euch cost, and in the end would yield a large sum towards paying the general expenses of the city, To attain this end I submit the fotiowing plan, which is, in my judgment, as practical and practicable as it is simple. It will bo recollected that all rents of wharves and piers, und all proceeds of the alos thore long to the Commissioners of the Sinking Fuad, This Commission 1s mado up of the Mayor, Comptroller and City Cham- beriaia, the Recorder, the Chairman of the Finavce Comunittee of the Board of Aldermen and the Chairman of Counciimen, It represeuts, therefore, the Execut: wd Finance De- partments of the cry, the jadiciary and both Boards of the Common Council, I propose that tho Commissioners of the pinking Fund, together ‘with threo persons to be appointed by the Mayor, shall constitul Board of Woarves and Piers, I suggest thie nddivion of three persons to be appointed by the Mayor, because it will enable him to have a representa- tion in the Board of the commercial interests and of men of practical knowledge and experience in connec. tion with the subject. Tho Board thus constituted should bave the entire charge and control of all the ‘wharves and piers belonging to the oty. It should be autborized to make and adopt a general system of improvement and to carry it into executloa and op. eration, To this end it should have power to expeud ' ader such limitations a3 the gisiature may prescribe), to be raised upon donde, to be issued on authority of the Common Council, It should have power (o lease the wharves a and dockage in all cases. ‘These general suggestions cever my pian. The details of % need mot be stated in this message. It can only be objected to by those who Feek to attain the same odject Dy a new Metropolitan District Commucstoa (which I venture to say is now impossible), or by iaterested par- tes, who, having Lys) Bopbreey end w ‘a, will op. pose any plan with wi they are no! immediately | connected. I have thrown out these suggestions because I am sat- isfled gor hge em yesgnene ep 4 be accomplished as a public work, I see no reason to believe that an ab- folute sale of the pier property to imdividual owners ‘would secure the result we all ire so much, The so- called private piers in this city are but lite, if any, bet- ter than those belonging to the city. Tho dest piers we have aro those which are occupied exclusively by lesuoes for their own business. These lessees have made improvements adapted to their own wants. But this great commercial city needs a general improvement, upon a general plan, and there must be, I am satisfied, public plan carried into operation by public authority, The present rates of wharfage will not Ragen the erec- tion of first clast piers either by the cliy or by private owners, If the city seta the example of improvement wich I have suggested and the Board be authorized to fix the rates of whartage there dan be no doubt that pri- vate owners will soon make cqual improvements, as they could well do under the increased rates, EXTENSION OF FIFTH AVENUR, ETO, Tn my last annual message I called the attention of the Common Council to the propriety of fea | Fifth ue (hrough Washington square, and then wideuing urens street to West Broadway, Also to tue exton- sion of Centre street to Lafayotte piace, which connocts FourtD avenue, Thi ggestions received no attention from the Commea Council of 1867. I trust your honorable body will apprewate their importance. CONRLUSION, T have mati this message sirictly # business com: nication, I feet constrained now, by reason of the length to which it has unavoidably been extended, to omit any prosent reference to other maiters o1 interest and importance, to which I shall take occasion from time to time heroafter to call your attention. I shall endeavor, during the continuance of our official jons of harmony and of the Common Council. 1 mvite theirjcon idence, and a free expression of opinion At ai! times upon public questions. We may often differ, and in such cases | shail pever hesitate to spoak frankly requires a three-fourths vote to pass i and only a two-thirds the Mayor's voto, a vote to override will be Of but little use except to enable me to my own views and make my record, I shall interpose it only when I doem It absolutely necessary, I trust 5p’ to integrity and to assert the ernment, city i that we may be at least to @ portion of.our municipal rights and privileges; that our country may be prosperous and happy; and that the grent commer- - aa of o owy, and the still greater interests ol jumant promoted a real and auvetant union of all States under constitution, and by a restoration of perfect peace and barmony among mre whote land. OHN T, HOFFMAN, Mayor, THE CITY BUDGET FOR 1888, The Annual Revert of the Common Council! Ciry or New Yonx, Derantuent oF Bnegasom | Comprnouien'’s Orrice, Jan. 6, 1863, GexttentN oF tim Common Counctt:— ‘The tenth section of the act, chapter 696, Laws of 1967, provides that ‘‘heteafter all estimates for the an- ticipatied anaval expenditures of all boards and de- partments of the government of the city of New York shall be mace by the chief officers of every such board or department, in connection with the Mayor and Comptroller of said city, and submitted to the Com- mon Council of said city at the first mecting thereof in January of each year.” bd Ad e bd In accordance with snch provision, the different heads of departments have forwarded to me state- ments of the amounts which wi!l be required by them during the prevent, it; andthe same having been acted upon by the ‘or and Comptrotier, I have the honor to submit herewith the amount of appropria- tons required in each case, ae approved of by them. The estimates of the Board of Education, (he Board of Commissioners of the Central Pack, Metropolitan Fite Department and of the Board of Metropoilian Police, required to be paid from the city treasury, Are also herewith submitted, CLASSIFICATION OF EXPENDITURES, ‘The expenditures of the Corporativa are classed as r fe payable from the § aption of the prinelpal o! é only the a ants Wluch ave not favs y ments upon the property benefitted one Pbjects for which appropriations are required to be made are comprised under the first, second and third of these divisions, and the estimates refer exclu- to the expenses provided for by taxation. SUPPORT OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT, ‘The estimated espouses for this putro se are provided for crn the titles of the several deparunente, com- py and officers having charge of the same a8 ‘THE LEGISLATIVE ‘Legislative cidental expenses of clerk's vflice, City continge: is City dispensaries ,.. Pi Pe a ye a Counet? Salaries Legislative de, ss A Societies for the pe oleate Fe QUCDIS. eee eeceeceeee eeneeerrsecccoeens 8,000 Total... THE MAY The expenses of the ‘s office are estimated and pvovided for under the following’ titles of ac- Conungenclos—Mayor's of : 000 Jontungencies—| ‘ors office. Silurice-Mayor's ice. nse 5.0 Total... THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS. Ray aoc Of Finance. Under this head provision is made forthe following, viz.:— i Chanlog markets.......... City Caambe:lain, fees of cles —Conrptroller's office. Charges 0. arrears ot ye cl i) arrears Of Krrors and delinquencies. Judgmenats...,....+ Real estate expenses, Salaries—Department ‘The estimated expenditurcs of this Depa: ment are vided for under the following heads, — | we ntingeacies—Street department. Lamps and gas Lands and places. 45,000, New stone bridge at Kingsbri 20, Print piace oeeie 000 Public buildins—constraction and repairs.. 000 TW Removiny obstructions in streets and harbor Hv TOA) 0.6. sereeceeeecnernres ender ere ds ++ (GL ,975,130 Croton Aqueduct Departinent, The appropriations required for expenditures in this department are as followe:— Aqueduct repairs and improvements. + $39,000 Alterations of Aqueduct,.......... + 10,00 Contingencice—Croton Aqueduct Bot « 1,00 Deticiexcies—Croton Aqueduct Department,. 1,000 Public drinking hydrants and urinals.....,... — 8,540 Salaries—Croton Aqneduct Department,....,. 100,s02 Sewers—repairing and cleaning, 104,000. ‘Water pipes and laying........ Wells and pumps, mp and TUN snscncescacniaan nentsvereceneeness -S102,802 Departmentof Public Charities and Correction, ‘The following appropriation |s required vo be wade for the expenses of this department, viz, ;~ $000,813 Pubhec Charities and Correction...... Law Department. riche following are the estimates of this department, vii 4 Contingencies—Law department, including $5,151 tor rent of offices Nos. 82 and #4 Nas- sau street. teow « $35,131 Salaries—Law department. teeeec eee 40.300 ‘Total... sesseesens STedul rd of Meiropoii/an Police. Provision is required to be made by the corporation for expenses under the foliowing heads, viz Bioction expenses. .... Acd, for expenses of Board of City vassers, advertising and printing, wards for detecting and exposius i gal voting, and*all other legal charges atiending the charter election not pro- vided for in the estimate of the Board of Police........+ 10, Police station houses. Police telegraph... Total. ‘The following is required to be mude for the expen- ses of the Board of Ecucation, v! Public Instruction... Street i For expenses—Cleaning stree® under: - $2,900,000 contract $504,696 Metropolitan Board of Heakth. The expenses ior removing night ealle offal and dead animals are provided tor uuder the following head, viz:— Removing night soil, offal and dead animals... $40,500 fetro, Fire Poy eat The estimate of expenses of this department for the ear 1865, 4# agreed Rpon by the Board of Estimate, is 394,800, which amount is provided for under the fol- owing Mend, yin ears letropolitan Fire Department Fund..........$893,900 Board a Assessors. The leer, bo propriation is reqaired to be made a ‘Board of Assessors and their clerk, iZ.:— Salarics—Board of Aesessors..... ........... $19,000 Board of Commissioners of Central Purk. The following is the amount required to be appro- ry nee Vee Board of Commissioners of the Cen viz.s— Central Park—Maintenance and govern- Peers vie sales apasoiap atania ices ou a certal lone of the clty of New York, aeuu- thorized by chapter 607, Laws of 1307... $19,060 Total. . Board of “ re following appropriation is required to be mude, Salaries—Board of Revision and Correc- tion of Assesments.............. $3,000 ‘THE CITY COURTS, For the payment of the salirics of the jnatices, clerks and attendants of the district (civii) courts and the police disirict courts, the following appropria- tion ts required. viz:— Salaries—City COWS... 0.6... s ees ece wees oe G186,300 RECAPITULATION: of the estimated amouuts required to be appropriated and provided for the support of the reveral cepart- ments, boards and commissions of the city govern- ment:— 200 barry 1. The Lez'stative department. IL. The Mayoralty. cvevine 7 Til, The Exocntive department 1. The Department of Finance.. $347,196 2. The Street department.. «1,975,190 8. The ward Aqueduct depart- men: 4. The Department of ' Public Charities and Correction... 960,543 5. The Law Department. ........ Ah 6, The Board of Metropolitan Potice, . 7. The Board + 4442,900,000 8. bi) Sweet Cleaning Commis- sion... died gevstev bes % The Metropolitan’ Board of” 0 Pe «i eer econ . e Met tan ments Par g9,500 11, The Board of Assessors. 19,000 12. The Board of Commissioners of the Central Purk....... +. 919,060 18. The Board of Revision and Cor- rection of Assessments...... 8,000 786,909 IV. The City Courts... sees "Ton 900 Total........... fertit setseeceeees $9,814,009 INTEREST ON THR CITY DEBT, ‘Th be ices amounts are required to be appropri. Interest om tho city debe whlch by law ls payable from a on the we taxation, viz:— % 7 43 Interest on revenne bonds. Orr Interest on Central Park fund ke ‘ Interest on Central Park fund stock of 1893. Interest on Central Park additional fund stock 60,900 Interest on Central Pork improvement fuud BOCK Of 187... eevee eee eves» 147,188 Tnterest on Central Park improvement fund 04,900 5 BOCK OF 1887.0 asi eec esis cose ese seeee {nterest on Central Park improvement fuid BtOCK Of 1895, 0... ces eenseeee eu ‘ 2.500 Interest on pndite education stock of 1873. 7,700 up pas Row York city stock for docks 2,500 MG FPS... eee scbe serene raat Interest on’ pibine ‘siock ‘for’ rebaliding Tompkins Market... ...... tel, 6 1 Interest on floating debt fund stock of 1878, 164,880 Interest on volun soldiers’ family aid fund redemption DONGS....6 sess eeees 000 Inveren on Tptnstese- soldiers’ toaalig. id” fund bonds, Nos. 6, 6, 7 and 8, at five per cent eek seve 100,000 Interest on volunteer, soldiers’ ily ald Nos. 9,10 and lly abeix por 4 In t on volunteer soldiers’ family al fund bonds, No. 1% at seven por ceut..... Totti ieee ge ye 11,008 Appropriation™ are required to Det aiefor the fol- lowing instalmeats on the principal of the city debt, ayable in the year 1968, vi7.:— Public education #tock Of IBi3.... oes. geese ger Public stock for reoal'ding Tompkins Market 17,000 Floating Deby Fund stock of 1873... . «» 180,763 Volnntcer soldiers’ fatnily aid fand, redemp- tion bomda. Fi ssssee ee ” Stocks for docks nd slips. Gy! Total. sesesseseces » $702,420 GENERAL RECATITULATION, ‘The estimated amount of appropriations required to he as follows, viv tip port of the city government. . 814,009 For inverest on the ety debt. bet For redemption of the elly debt. 420 By the (enth’ section ofthe ‘ack, chp . Laws of 1867, before referrei io estimator 7, the apes of the city vernmen toqn' 1 be prewenie! to the Le kare within three weele from the first Monidavin Jadhary of @ieh year, it i thereiore ‘re. tenriy wction may be had by your honor ‘9 ‘ foerewith sahenttios for your consideration and & REGEIPTS. ‘The receipts of the Gener: find, including the sur. piv revenues of the Sinking Fund for the payment intereet on the eity debt, are estimated at... $2,000, ESTIMATE OF THE AMOUNT TO BE SAnED BF TaXaTio. ) POR CITY PURPOEES IN 1963. Amonnt, a9 per foregoing est:mates -$11,161,129 Amount fanaa . - 2,000,000 ‘Total amount ta be rai 61,128 seeeeeee 161,12 Respecttly mip ener - RICHARD b. CONNOLLY, Comptroller. Measures Adopted by the Comptrolfer to Int, excase the Revenue of the City. DErantwent or Finaxce, * \ Comprnocien’s Orrice, « New York, Jan, 2, 1563, Hon. Joan T, Horrman. Mayors— Sin—In submitting for your information an abstract of the operations of \ue Department of Finance for th® year 1867, as compared with the year 1866, it seems appropriate to direct attention to some of the measures which the Compuotier hae deemed it expedient t), agent fof the purpose of increasing the revenues ¢ | 6 city.” ; In the annual report which the Comptroller mitted to the Common Council in the month of last, exhibiting the reseipts an1 expenditures of th city government, iclud'ng the operations of the several tmet and sinking funds for the year 1866, respectfully recomaiwnded the sale of the af roperty and all other real estate belonging to rpuraiion not necessary for public purposes, ‘The Comptrel'er ts zretiled in beins able to eta that this recommenda’ ion was in part carried into fect under the dirgctim of the Comm ss. 3 of the Sinking Fund, by whose authority larce amounts the real estate belenin:? to the city were cold at pube lic auction in the menths of April aud October of the past year. ' ‘Tuese sates were attended with the most gratifyin results and fully demonstrated the wisduia of t measure recommended. thereby placing to the credit of the Sinking Fund a large ateunt of money which otherwige would have yield. a little or no revenue, ‘The amount of thes¢ :@!ce was as follows, v! Making a totaiof. $1,322,150 exclusive of the sa bid roperty ab such sales, for which purchasars have fuiled to make application, Another measure institnted by the Comptroller wit the view of augmenting the resources of the Sinkin; Fund was that of increasing the rents of stands an stalis in’ the public markets (inwome. instances more than double the amount formerly recetved»by the city from that eource) which has been acquiesced {n cheer fully by all engaged in market trafic. The collections irom this source for the year 1867 (including fees col- nee from market wagons) over those of 1866, follows = 5 Receipts of market rents and fees for 1867... . $246,156 Receipts of market reuts and fees for 1866..%. 183,186 Making a net inerease from this source of... $02,909 By referring to the details which ep 2d this statement it will be seen thut the increase of the reves nus growing ont of the several measures recommended _ by the Gocaprrales amounts toa Jere sum which available by the Commissioners of the Pear for investnie! t ou account of redemption of 1 a city debt, or transterabl+ to the General Fund for the nution of the taxer of the'city. in accordance with thé act of the Legisisture, chap. 163, lawe of 1862, ‘The Comptroiier has exercited the power which the charter and the laws conter apon him as the head of the Department of Finance to increase the reves nues of the Corporatibu at every available point, an feels gratifelin being able to state that his effort have been rewarded with success. ‘The recent important decision of the Court of Ap» peals, recoznizing and restoriug the ancient chartered Tights of the city to the Mayor in the matter of grants ing licenses, when cousidered {n eonnection wit the fact that the whole subject of our munteipal righ jormed the chief, if not the only. point of discussion durmg our recent charter election, together with the nnexampled unantmity with which you were re-elected to the Mayoralty, sould set at rest all doubts as to the determination of the people of this chty, now acte ing in harmony with the decision of the highest cou in the State, to maintain inviolate their chartere rights and privileges, Very respectfully, your obedies servant, RICHARD B CONNOLLY, Comptroller. BOARD OF ALDERMEN. Organization for 1S6S—Oinciat Decapitatiys of D. T. Valent the Clerk. At noon yesterday the gentlemen comprising the Board ot Aldermen for the ensuing year convened ip tho Aldermanic chamber, at the City Hall, and pry» ceeded wt once to carry out the arrangements which had been perfected in caucus, ‘Mr. Toumey, deputy clerk, in the absence of wb. clerk, called the Board to order at the hour named, and. after reading the customary certiicates uf mombership of the Board asked for nominxtions for presiding officer, A resolution was presented by Alderman Rerrua, ing Alderman Joo Hardy as chairman pro tem. Tesolution was unautmousiy adopted, and Alder. man Wavy on taking tho chair mado a few very happy aod appropriate remarks Alderman McGram then offered Aiderman Coman as President tor th lh Alderman Waite moved end by striking out the- mame of Alderman Coman and inserting to liew theres the name of Alderm: St aN. vote, and the origh q ing year, id Cushman, aod on taking ois — for the honor coyterred on bim, his duty to the best of his ability. ex then offered a resolution naming Joseph Shannon as Clerk of the Lioard, to which Aldor+ MAN Offered un aineadmeut paming David T. jo tiea of Josep» Shannon. For the amendment Aldermen White, Cushman ang Coulter voted in the allirmative and the democratio members in the negative. Tho origiual resotution wap: then put aod unanimous!y adopted. William Walsh was unasimousiy chosen Sorgeantah the Hoard, A committee from the old Board of Councilms entered the chamber and announced that their Boat had organized for 1865 und were ready to receive colts munica tous from the Board of Atdermen. fue Paesosxt answered that the Board of Aldermen. ready to communicato in a few minutes, ately a commiitee from newly: elected Board of Councilmen entered the oh President Cowan informod Board had no commun cation to make to the Loard Councitven represen ed vy oF, ‘On motion, a cowmitcer, comprising Adormon Millen, and Ropper, was appointed to wait on the d inform him of the organization of the Board, A O'Bricn and Couler were ape pointed to wait on the Board of Councilmen, Colonel Joline, Chie! (ierk to the Mayor, éntered the chamber and presented the message of bis Honor to Hoard. message was read and the usual number | ordered to be printed. ; The report of the Croton Aqueduct Department and | the Comjarolier's budget for 1568 were thea pr tod” to be printed. & committee on ‘Com ptro budget, as follows:—Aldermen Moore, Hardy, Farley, Coutter and MoQuride, on Oy : then adjourned to Monday next,” finance BOARD OF COUNCILMEN. Exchtement Around the Chy Hall—Geueral ‘eserves the Peace. til midday yesterday the vicinity of the City Hall, its esplanade, rotunda, vesti. bales, lobbies, galleries and council chambers were (he scones of much political coujectu ment and numerous expletives, which, on the of hosts of angeis—and a busy time they 4 would have bad of it—to the great Recorder of nundane (4 ‘events m heaven, not all the tears He had ever shed © could have washed them ont. Contractors who had ‘spectal ordora’ on the “unfin. shed business” of tho Board of Councilmen that had mot been returned by ‘lie people Deco: figuratively speaking, sitting on needies, dread! ‘herr resolutions should get the go-by; and others, pectant of “things to come," of ‘4 aa to fall by wayside,” assiduously, of us, they wailed at tue outer orumbs that fell (rom the tables of the “ins, unuera Convenient proven enacted by the last Legire labore, meant to continue “ia,” ant those ‘oute,” whom the people Inst month hod voted thas thoy should tw! uw turn at the political indetone and a sa gl to edgo up coed Wnpeouniously epouking, an onsy way might sony het eatnre Of all musicipal pollicad endervor—the contents of the crowt puro loter B, Sweeny ag City Chambetaia holds with bono: ‘AS we have binted, (t was an uneasy tio Tt was “neck oF ee of whee meu mo} wre ned BY tho Conjoc “figured” things Ou ‘slates’ a: Conventions tield jus: previous to the charter vlec ‘At half-past, ten the old Board convened, according to the resolution of adjournment pased at their last cq sion, oad immediately proceeded to the con-ideration of w od business by of recetviog basins an uout oven a Fipy Of What @ person nour Where we ent called "chin music,’? ‘Unit ten minutes to tweivo o’clo k, when James G, Be there was just time lelt te mates of (ho morning bofore eh b hfalnees during the Counetimanic year about to clove wore passed Without a dissenting voico, On the pariaye of these the President tor t act year Tose to his feet, and simply remarkieg thet “ine was up with him,” retired g acefullyto bis sat In tho body Of the hall, there to leg wave for ihe pity durlug the your | 1868, the courts eonseating. dust at suis moment, wuem the Councilmen, sitting } are ao