The New York Herald Newspaper, January 7, 1873, Page 5

THE MAYOR'S MESSAGE, An Outline of a New Policy for the City Government and Suggestions to the Common Council. GREAT IMPROVEMENTS DEMANDED. The Executive to Have a Prac- tical Accountability. REVISION OF STATE TAXATION. Consolidation of the Finance Depart- ment and Review of the Comp- troller’s Policy. The Chamberlain and the In- terest Question. ‘The County Court House a Sink of Po- litical Corruption. A Committee of Investigation as to Frauds in the City Government. eames THE ARMORY AND DRILL ROOM QUESTION. +. Organization of the New City Government. The Common Council and Su- ‘pervisors in Session. The inaugural message of Mayor Havemeyer, as given below, was submitted to both Boards of aldermen yesterday immediately aftcr their organization. In the Board of Aldermen a resolu- tion was adopted to appoint a committee to take ‘nto consideration the various suggestions made by the Mayor and drait resolutions in accordance therewith. The general impression in both cham- bers of the respective Boards of Aldermen, as Gathered from the expressions of opinion on all sides, was that the message was extremely prac- tical, and was very fruitiul in the initiation of work for the new Boards. MESSAGE OF THE MAYOR. -—— To rum Hononapue tux Common Counc. :— In assuming again the duties of the Chiet Executive of the city cannot but express the satisfaction I feel ag I socognige in the Common, Council, upon which rests 80 much ef the responsibility of the government, men of ex- ‘perience, possessing the confidence of the people and animated by the single desire to discharge in the public Sige jhe duties that, devolve npon thom The power ‘with which the Common Council is vested will, in your hands, I am satisfied, be applied to an honest endeavor to tmprove and elevate the government, and your influence for good will, I trust, be felt in the action of all the eity Separtments, and cach of the officers connected there ef nei T Ee, Wi RE Ccevetrar olapcveereraees Happily the circiimsiances attending my election are such that I am, in the discharge of my duties and the dis- tribution of patronage, freed from any trammels or affili. ations of a partisan character. It will be my constant desire to co-operate with you in all that concerns the weliare of the great community that we represent. At all times observant, as a citizen, of the course of public affairs, I am not surprised at the growth of the business pf the city since I last addressed the Common Council from this place. The aifairs of the city are of imperial extent and varicty, and in their present condition require for their proper conduct our united energies and all the wisdom we can command. By the charter it is the duty of the Mayor to recom- mend to the Common Council all such measures con- nected with the “security, health, cleanliness and orna- ment of the city, and the protection and improvement of fs government and finances,as he shall deem expedient.” In my judgment there {s little, if anything, connected with the government of the city which is not susceptible of very considerable improvement. On taking possession of the government from our predecessors we find itin a state of disintegration and the interests of the city in tvery department wasted. Notwithstanding the numer- ous and extravagantly paid officers and subordinates, pfficial duty hasbeen neglected, and demoraliza tion has assumed a growth which will require careful and per- sistent effort to eradicate. In a great degree we have to rebuild the entire governmental edifice. CONBOLIDATION OF THE CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT. One simple measure is at the outset imperatively de” manded, and should receive immediate attention—that of the consolidation of the city and county governments. The separate management of our city and county affairs has proved both injurious and expensive. No benefit cad, im any sense, be secured by continuing this divided ad- ministration. The city and county should, for all business: Feeldative bat purposes, be represemted by but one ative body, pon examining the laws which relate to the govern- mt of the city 1 find doubts, ditticulties and comtusion. The charter of 1870, amended in 1871, is popularly sup- to contain a full specification of your bowers aud the \d duties of the Mayor and of the depart- nts, This charter declares (ection 2) that in you is wasted the legiolative Berek S74. Dae, and see- ion, 2, that department i Sorted the ecutive power. aes mea Buch a systeii, jov' ent may have been intended the charter; It is not, however, the system which stance—a& Reesuhie in name, but not in has bees stan iy Everyihin n done as though we had no Eeinidive ody as no Common Counoll existed as part ent Bat os 5 ‘nile, in theory, the executive departments are sub- ordinate to the b) fey hare been by law made prac- mn, penden' have absorbed to them- selves all the legislative power, thus leaving the Com- mn Council, the direct representatives of the peopl, without intluence and almost without fuactions. THE TAXATION OF THE CITY, in 1872 there Was Falsed, for the purbores of the gov. ernment of the city, by taxation (exclusive of the county) iaes!, and on Vouds upwards of $5,000,000." All, ¢ money was Lge) appropriated and expended without any reference to omon Poanei Without the sanc- Gon in ‘way or to any extent of the legislative branch of the government. In what manner the revenues of the elty should be expended was @ matter with peaieh ine Commor Council was not permitted to interfere. The executive power be Ae Te hae wage thls usurpation was fect in el The supremacy of the departmen: y government cease: Sractically abotisned ti 1c Bre ofticers ‘then became absolute rulers, and under this Fule our government becaine @ public scandal. THE LEGISLATIVE POWER, Rl ere no longer Ce hd eaaative F nthe Gov! restore e Common Cow b: in @ sense which could not be Bs of 8 should act for the pe: Bell cor Ge AY ere rere hi isorder reform is neither easily nor ed” The work bevure us is formidable, but fe To the pet of my ability veg | oa VOI to pertorm my part, Upon your co-operation I rely. Your first duty should be to see that the legislative wer of the government is in reality, and nut merely 10 me, vested In you. Wherever you find this power to ve been assumed by the departments without authority, achange should be effected. An examination will, satisfy you that, even under existing 'I ‘Your powers are by no means so limit iF predecessors would indicate. Such an examination ecessary, wot only with the viow of ascertaining ex- satin oer but also for the purpose of determining existing defects and the measures required to provide the Proper reniedies. In the executive branch of the government there must be accountability. Under the pr ns of the charter the heads of departments are pr ly accountable to Noone. Once appointed they can omly be removed upon articles of impeachment presented by the Mayor, and ‘after formal trial betore a full bench of ihe Oourt of Common Pleas. My conviction is that this machinery was devised by designing men, uot tur the purpose of se curing the removal of improper officers, but w reuder such removal impracticable, i not impossivie, THE DEPARTMENTS. At present the Mayor can exercise but little control over the departments. His power has been limites to inttle more than the privilege of cil furnish to him im such form, and with! wer of removing the heads was the present charter. Our execu- such time, and under such rules he thay prescribe, reports of their operations and actions. By the express terms of the charter the Mayor is held “responsible for the good order and cient vernme: city.” With this serious respons ofice Tenter upon the M: Mcer through whom the Ko virtually beyond my contro nts and also the Ohamber! fo of the ibility attached to the lty to find that ey t be condu All the heads of depart the ‘oF. under appointinents made by my pr it waves in the various depart- 4 the subor ‘ments—many of whom, aa is well known, are the growth of anera oi our rovernmert With which we have no he Mayor nor the Council are per- e hon f ‘at the Board of Health, 0B account of the eonditions attaehed thereto, aords but dude opportunity iv luhyenge or Jo secure the eijcinnt awarded to the Mayor ited asthe action of | % NEW YORK HERALD. TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1873—TRIPLE SHEET. working and administration of either of these depart- me! 3. strongest illustrations of the inharmontous orruper organiation of the executive power has of the officer, is fees articular cannot he too early passed by the various defects in the government should be remedied, butin einleavoring to Peers gl this care mast be taken that no cl ¢ is accepted which would be productive ol greater evil The municipality of New York is intended to be at g ought to be @ government by and forthe people of the city. All mere political devices in the form of territorial divisions, or metropolitan schemes, should be discountenanced. ‘The people of this city have shown their aby. and determination to goverm themselves, and upon us they rely to maintain and fend their municipal rights. From general and State polities the goverument ot the city should, as far as possi- le, be removed. loney, honesty ‘and economy are the' characteristics by which \t should be distinguished. ‘The legisiation necessa: improvement in the government of the cit Promoted and ap- ¢ authorities, and by them offi- Legislature. ‘Legislation sought for by any single Seereneey my Lae fo ry to wers, must be pI ithe heads of so! 4 ments, with a lobby of retainers, besiegin ture dui the whole session, to keep office and retain their Immense emoluments ai patronage, should no longer be tolerated. SPECIAL LEGISLATION DETRIMENTAL, All legislation ror corporations or individuals, designed to benefit particular interests at the pape expense, . Special legislation has to the chty—an instrument of gigantic plunder. This channe) for the advancement of pu vate and individaal interests at the expense ot th public must be cl Our laws should secure equi Tights and remedies for all ‘here are teo many departments and boards in the city, Wang bureaus in'eenpe of the departments aud too many many bureat iments, and too m: supernumeraries and sinecures ie the bureaus, ee ysnrae LIDATION OF DEPARTMENTS, ver: the departments bureaus therein should be consolidated, The salaries ee i heads ‘of departments shot be fixed by aries of the subordii the Common Council. ates In the ‘tnen te as by the noaite heresy artments : are separat fepartments, with the exception probably ot the @f Apportionment ¢nould be abolaied.” IY ils latter Board is continued its constitution should. be chai Executive olticers silting thereon, and vot their disposal to expen ie ht mot to continue, Have such power. mould be placed exelumyely in the hands of those of our city officers whoge duty it is to watch and restrain. ‘ithout intending any retiection upon these ollicers, in Tespei the's om, LS je amounts Chey SES to have at my Judgment, no good reasons exist why the Commis- sioner of Public Works and the President of the Depart. mentof vublic Parks should be meini the appor- ning Board. It was originally thus a1 to ena. ble certain men who then held these office: the better to enrry on the gigantic schemes of public plunder, which ey were Working for their own, ‘personal bene ‘ fad ‘of these ofticers, there should be substituted. if {ts Wise to have such a Board, the Presidents of the Board of Aldermen and Assistant Aldermen. ‘The presence of the Aa iudispensabie, the concurrent vote of all pt My hy alld lity to aie acto © t the give y: ote oO major! 10} of leet oftcers, should. sumce, The pro: eedings of the Board should be made subject the FO" e mon Council. All heads of depart- ments and the Chamberlain should be a t to removal by the Mayor for cause. The Mayor Lees a be subject to removal by the Governor for cause, in sane 1e cee ane EEE THON OF Tus Caney: Let us not, however, delnde ourselves into the belicf tect us and still is suffering. The laws which relate to the goy- ernment of the city are so numerous, 80 full of details and often so contradictory and incongruous that their proper administration is almost impossible. The ordi- set of the city are also in inextricable confusion. Since they were last revised special legislation for the caty has been go extensive that one cannot without cou- siderable labor ascertain whether a particular ordinance remains in force. Itisnodoubtin a great measure ow- ing to those causes that so many of the proceedings of the Common Council for several years past have becn held by our Courts to have been aN er and illegal, throwing he burden of expensive local improvements upon the city at large to the extent of millions of dollarsinstead of leaving them to be borne by those whose property has been increased ip value by such improvements. It is necessary therefore that all special laws now in force which apply to the well as the city ordinances should be revised by some one competent to perform the uty, ‘Anil while these various measures are being promoted others of eyeoucal character reqaire to be devised to secure eficlency and economy In the execution of the various public Works now in progress, or which are about to be entered upon by the city. Whatever undertakings inay be necessary to adyance the prosperity and secure the well-being of the community should roceeded: with and coi ey | ‘with vi and economy. How best to accomplish this for the public weal, and not jor the benetlt of mere speculators or pri interests, is no doubt dificult to determine. But whatever the difficul- thes in the way may be they must be encountered and ay 6 éyatem rf has of late grown to such gigantic 1} the heads of « proportions, of poy Ake ihe ashe onset or tie ac fo pie ag . at the ex- nse of the city, but sub-62% 1 their exclusive control, Pala Laborers upon the public works, must be spirnant SO oy i tye i Kaas lo; Ql ed by those # it_at the han of the departments ie often hum intihg'to honest labor, ane qavoreal sults in organizing bands of polit.eal re- fainers, under the control of the heads of particular de- partments, for their own purposes. We have felt the pernicious influence which has resulted from the per- mstent efforts made through instrumentality to se- cure personal and party influence and advantage. We no longer want mere political operators at the heads of departments, or in charge of influential interests of the city. ‘THE PUBLIC WORKS, Our public works must be-proceeded with under a well devived system of contracts In every contract the work to be executed should be so specifically set forth that eMiciency in its performance should to a certainty be ion. oye’ a in ad aie Shig ian teereved end in: mn of our public works imperatively de- Caer eet leo a ee Pica wc have: prection! Know: ledge ot the description of work they are appointed to inspect should be placed in such @ position of trust, Honest contractors should no longer be harassed with @ sl favor- t with upon works connected with the formation, Improvement and Tepairs of our streets aud avenues, so many of our thor- oughfares are still found in a disgraceful on. Under a law passed in 1870 the Commniasioner of Public Works was authorized to change the Croton Aqueduct from lSth street to Ninety-third street, a distance of from a structure of masonry to iron rk has Deen going on for more than two years, not by contract, but by the direct employment Of large numbers of men by the Department of Public Works. Up to the 26th of December, 1872, the enormous sum of 2,104,028 had been expended Ma7a the work. Ihave no jubt it could have been executed much more expedi- tiously under a proper contract and at about one-halt the cost. ‘The law does not limit the amount of expenditure for thix work, the Comptroller being bound to answer the requisitions of the Cominissioner of Public Works to any extent that he may demand. it was generally supposed that gross and extensive frauds were committed in connection with this work. Recent developments show that the pay rolls of the work contain namesot men which are certified by those em ployed by the department as having performed labor and Agentitled to receive pay for the same, while im tact these men Nad done no work, and were'enttled to no money. It is very difficult for the paving rs to agceriain and detect these frauds, ‘the prineipal know!- Sage they have as to those gntitied to pay is contained in the roll, which is assumed to be correctly and honestly erufied, and in the identification of the person by the remaf. © ~~ « Trecommend that this work d€ examined by competent engincers, an estimate of the cost’ of completing it made, ‘and that it be completed by contrac = "= yaum.. ‘or’ of a special character should be made a future burden upon the city, such as bridges. tunnels, new works connected with our svatem and others if te) Se eee oteten Te thew oF roeeut enlamaites: by fg frie a matte ti artanee that & aulcient: fo Bi brelde Wa ’ partgo the ity, 50 a8, leprae asa eb vin aig expedient that some ays for gesing, for the purposes of oa re Hace Ei i the udson aa : ii supply. of Croton water has ital Been fe iy carrie Mhrough: the city the work necessary to secure this should be pro- cecded with at once. The expense of the care, mainte- nance and repatr of works which are already, ot may hereafter be completed, should be provided for dut of the nual taxation. Ee THR CITY DEBT, The alarming rapidity at which our debt and our an- ual burdens have increased {s, 99 (nF ne mny knowledge extends, without precedent in history of any city. During the past six years we have had no undertakings very costly in themselves to provide for; no works of any magnitude have been entered tion with our water system, our docks and parks, our Toads and the Brooklyn bridge. fn connection “with those several undertakings we have pad during the 8h ars nearly $: while our debt, city ans coutty, in the vane potty has tncreased from to i 820 and our annual taxation from $16, to ry Itis diMoult for us to realize the magui- ww it Through the inseumentality of spectal legislation ‘Thr e Instrum a] of ial ley Lol frantduient sebemes have been Couverted into legal obit: ations, and our debts and our, us i Ge have had to, provide. for acetastul manipuls: tion by which these burdens have been im upon us has, aided strength to the system of plunder of which we have been so long the victims, and icial in- fluences of which have been felt in all matters affecting the well-being of this community. THE FINANCES OF Tix CITY. A faithfal administration of our finances is calculated to exert a powerful iniluence on the good order and Kov- ernment of the city. Our late financial administration, on its sudden termination, lett as @ legacy to it succes: for an immense mass of floating indebtedness, the accu. mulated arrears of the neglected business of the various departments for the past five years, amoun many millions of dollars, @ considerable portion of which was of a very complicated and fraudulent character. Upon | the new administration of the Finamce Department | largely devolved the severe and most unpleasant duty of and examining these various claiins, paying those were justaud of rejecting those tainted with ex- cess and with corruption. Itshould be borne in mind that it was necessary to, perform this labor concurrently with the transactions of the great volume of the daily business of the Deparimeut. Lam satisfied the work of dealing with the large arrear- ages ot the past, so far as it Ras proceeded—and there has Leen no unnecessary delay-—has been discharged by the Comptroller with the sincere determination to ad- minister impartial justice. That such @ course o: action— considering the nature of many of the claims dealt with— should sometimes lead to disappoimtment 1s not to be wor That there should be some opposition to the incorruptible officer whose action caused such disap- Pointment was what might be expected. The Comptrotier has had forinidable difficulties to con- tend with. Upon assuming the management 90 unex. Bectedly forced upon him he found the head of the city overninent and most of tho officers aad subordinates of its departments iu entire sympathy leaders, whose schemes It was his dul doteat.’ Employes of the city conn the pay: tof improper claims, and dishenest persons resorted 4 are resorting to every method to get these claims aid. The business of the city had fallen largely into the ands of the very worst classes, and until recently r spectable dealors hesitated to do business with the dep: ments. To contend with such opposing agencies was & task oiten delivate, always disagreoable, sometimes full of danger; but is been discharged with marke fidelity tw the public interests, and has resulted in check- ing the current of oficial pro Jeast soine improves acy and.in compelling at Ment in the various departments. THE TAXATION OF TUR CITY. A carefully prepared statement shows that, while the taxation for 1871 was limited by law to two per cent on the valnation of that yeur (81,07 0,263,033), in addition to the excess of the State tax over 1870, the actual expenditares city and county for 187i, including obligation woting to Upwards of ono zniliop, eixhs hyvdred a of eine | your duty to see thirty-seven thousand dollars, yet unpaid, and ostimated at my, one million tive hundred thousand dollars, but ne expenses of new works, equalled a rate of he valuation of 1871y'belng, .. $36,202,580 the year 187 er cen! The. ‘expenditures po ap per cent on the same valuation of 1871 Showing a reduction of 1872 from 1871 of,..... A just comparison, however, of the expenses of the years 1871 atid 1872 redjuires that there should be added to the reduction above stated the following items, eludy expenditures of 187 in 1871, 0 wit Second—Excens of in 7 ~~ county obligations, Tae Arooas aid and Seamsies f2 . for Fourth avenue improvement Bhd other purposes unknows in 1871..., 905,008 aes ‘Thas showing by a fair comparison that the expenses of 1s72 were less than 1871 by is result is most encouraging, what can be accomplished when there is & deal de- termination to secure efficiency and economy in the ad- ministration of the government For the year 1873 1 nd. that the rato ‘or the year | deen already fixed it ‘arg over 1srt,. "eg M7 rato at $3.22 per cent on The iricreased rate is required to meet the excess of the quota of the State tax for 1873 over 1372, amounting to $4,016,703, Of this amount $3, is required toe contributed by this county to meet a deficiency in certain sinking funds of the State. At tie late sion of the Legislature an act was passed authorizing the subulesi to the ple of the question whether @ ‘deficiency ot 1D these sinking funds should be rd by the issue of bonds This submission the State troller has decided to be nnconstitutional, and reqtires that the amount of it be raised in 1873 by taxation. aaron Co a called, eh will fall upon above sum of $3,644,387, and accounts for the heavy taxation of 1873, THE STATE SINKING FUNDA. The State sinking funds are by the constitution made inviolable. How is it that these inviolable funds have been taken from the Treasury? As the city hi make up its share of Btate, in addition to embezzlemepts of members of iw own government,I think the taxpayers ought at Jeast to know why this additional burden is laid upon them. Buteven with this unex! amount to pro- vide for the rate of taxation for is believed by the Comptroller of the city to be unnecessarily high, and that the same pught to revised and reduced. ac Comptian, this legislative authority is required. With a united Barinistradon sustaining and strength- ening the finance department much can beg ne in the interest Of economy and good government. Te is. the i CE Cai community iy fs ‘§ rr p the suce ¢) cl Deon principally thetrom nal fa 'Sectrtad all the bene- ficial resujts that have thus far beet tained. Naturally, howe politicians: whi un politi purposes, think tm ry at they should cont or, at all events, infiuence, the administration of the ‘treasury, are clamorous tor a change. And they are supported by holders of fraudulent claiins, who are willing. in order to secure a percentage of the nominal amount of their cor- rupt demands, to pay over the balance in furtherance of any measure whatever which will open to them the ‘Treasury also by those who, fearing that under the present adminisiration a day of reckoning will com when they will be called upon to make good to the Tre: ury the sums they havo fraudulently received therefrom, are ready to coniribute a large proportion of what they have thus obtained to gave the remainder, x We want no political instrument at the head of our Nt No one who can be trust he un- have the exclusive Finance Depuri any other consideration than fidelity to the dertakes, This department shoul control of all the financial conce: ‘Through it all claims against the city sho aiter they have been duly audited and adjusted. 1 shail ae. Comptroller in his efforts to have such an ad- ministration carried into practical overation, 1 CHAMBERLAIN AND THE INTERKST, In the Finance Department there is a Bureat me ged with the duty of receiving all moneys aid nto the ‘Treasury and for the payment of money on warrants drawn by the Comptroller, countersigned by the Mayor the chief officer of which is called the Cnai riain, This officer is ET by the Comptroller, but by the Mayor. The present incumbent ir. Francis A, Paimer, Pi lent of the Broadway National Bank. He received his secant from mypren eer and holds the office in virtue of this appointment for a period of four years trom the 6th Lev of January, 1872. the nt charter was passe hen pee the office Was filled by Peter , Sweeny, # fact that accounts for the significant omix- sion in that instrument ot any provision relating to the removal of the Chamberlain. This is the only officer of the city for whose removal from office the charter makes no provision whatever. The National Broadway Bank, of which the Chamber- Jain is President, is by him continued oue of the deposi- tories of the city and county funds, The Chamberlain has the authority to designate the depository bunks, under the provision of chapter 623 of the Laws of 136, By the first section of this statute the Chamberlain is re- quired to designate not leas three banks in which all the money of the city and county shall be deposited, and he ¢ in writing to the Comptroller, from time ¢ the banks eo designated. The immediate predecessor of the present Chamberlain had, under the authority of this statute desiguated the National Broad- way Bank, the Tenth National Bank, the National Park Bank and the Union Trust Company as the depositories ofthe elly and county moneys. ‘These several banks agreed to pay on the daily balances. it the credit of the city and county interest at the rate of four per cent per annum, This inierest as it accrued be- longed to the city and county ag much as the prineip: and the Chamberlain has no right priate or direct it to an; Chamberiains why prege Uberality ip whieh ¢ ere W: 10 ‘easur; hee after ded if neyetre inder ¢ And = Fr authority to appro: ey. The two Péetended a i redit Ly handing over Mt at the rat note a he ate ‘Avihe accond ; urpoKs Wha Bt . Palmer 4 id credit by ated they ucting tI assumed to sey gata Mage of th Shares x the brothé? of Peter B. Sweeny as Deputy un office towhich he never waa lawiully appointed, and the duties appertaining to which he never discharged. In December, 1870, shortly after the present Comptrol- head of the Finance Department, he advised the then Chamberiain that, as there was no law which had appropriated the interest on the city and county deposits to that officer, or which gave him, per- sonally, any right or color of right to it, the pract ‘which had ‘been followed of Chamberlain drawin the interest the depository banks must cease. A: on the same date the Compiroller directed the seve depomtory banks that at the end of each mouth they were to add to the credit of the accounts of the city and county on their respective books the amount of interest which accrued upon the daily balances at the credit of each ac count. With his request the Union Trust Com) the Park National Bank readily complied. National Broadway Bank and the Tenth National Ba: no reply was received, and, although repeatedly ung by the Comptroller to advise "him as to thelr complia With his direction. they have persistently tailed to.do 40. The interest which has accrued to the city during the yetiaa gn the balance in the banks amounts to about ler was placed at thi the Park National Bank and the Union rust Company are prepared to pay over to the city the interest which accrued in the business in their banks re- spectively, and have been only prevented from doing #0 by the present Chamberlain refusing to sign the proper transfer warrants. After the action of these banks inthe matter of interest the Chamberlain withdrew the city ‘and county deposits from them, and has designated as a new depository the Tradesmen’s National Ba! In this bank he has deposited of the public funds $800,000. He kept until ee oe few days adeposit in the Tenth National fi Bank of has now been reduced to $2r0, he ' reduction was made pursuant to ® wotice by the Comptroller upon the fact coming to. his knowledge | that on the | 3d of deposits in that bank October last, the individual aineunted 16 $2,400,000, of which ‘auount there r sited by ie cl Showing the total Uf al showii onl }030. The balance of the city and ccunty its, which varies from two to seven million, the Chamberlain retains in his own bank, the National ‘An attempt was some time since made by iain to appoint as his his nephew, the President of the Tenth National at a salary of $10,000, which the Chamberlain cl he right to pay Out of the accrued interest belonging to the city. pears to ine thatin view of the above facts it tx Chamberiain and his pretended of the tockholders and anks under thelr charge are naturally | was de- ims 't SES OF THE CITY. An examination that the property and franchises of the city can be uianaged to better adygn tae. Their condition is another instance of the uticr neglect that has Characterized the government for the ast few years, It has in the past been customary for Favored. politicians to get the Common Council oF the Board of Supervisors to lease thelr property. avan cnor, nt TOF olty purpones oF for armories and drill considerable portion of the property o leased “ a to the cit; wt never hax been occur, and the cjty is paying beavy rents the~ once | ww ¢: Se shown. wi this reliet cannot be ob- tained the various premises should be rented to the best | advantage. 1 belonging to the ciiy should | tranchises, be disposed of on the highest terms which can be se- cured. companies hereafter applying for « franchise should pay to the city therefor a stated rent. | ‘The market property belonging to the city, which 1s ur productive, should be at once sold. Those of the markets Which are supported and needed by the public should be continued, but they ought to be rebuilt and made worthy | of the patronage they receive. This work should be wn- | dertaken either by the city or by private enterprise, the | city leasing the property upon condition of its being used for market purposes upon a plan approved by the | eity. m That sink of political corruption, the new County Court | HE KEW COUNTY COURT HOUSE, | taxation should be revised. Through the operation gf this system our city, which pays this year $3,108,700 “Sut of “its ‘local “taxation tor. the ‘Nap: port Of its schools, is also compelled to pay, for the Support of schools in other parts of the State, $76 PF a gh Kage Ry various He eae, ee die are tion matters their way into the annual pply bill of the ‘® most alari witich fd 8 State and which are increasing yearly ht to be pald out of the y law the city and cor or before the iat ot December at the, a vied to pay its quota of the State tax an; er ey and uni cou for i Counties of the State, the aw proviies that tat port the State tax which femainrunyi at a certain ates be rei to the Btate Con county with nptrolier, who credits th paid, ‘A comaiderable portion o1 for this county remains unpaid to the Coun the time prescribed by the law for iis payment into the tate Treasury. A large amount of this is arreara on ryonal proverty, and is, uncollectable, ‘tne persons ed not being found, or if found, not able to pa: the State requires payment in full from the city of lin pro. portion of all such taxes. The arrears of personal taxes Uneollected in this city since 1882 amounts lo $6,908 roportionale amount of taxation throw upon this city has been for the last few years aquicsced in by those who have misrepresented us in the State Legisia- ture asa part of their schemes to secure such legislation they wanted for thelr own purposes In’ this city. It in should cease and that the city be pla ‘upon a roportionate valuation with other parts of the ee ea reapects valuation aud the methods of col- ¢ tax. In coasidering these questions it would be well to ex- amine into the suggestion which has been made and 80 forcibly urged upon the attention of the tf to exempt from taxation personal property except such as is le and ‘ible. After a full investigation and careful consideration of the subject, I am convinced that 10 would be considerably benefited in all ite interests if effect were given to this recommendation. INVESTIGATION a8 TO PRAUD. Tearnestly recommend that an immediate investiga- be proceeded with under your supervision into all matters in reference to which there ws reason to belteve the city has been imposed upon by the fraudulent or L acts, or wilful neglect, of fts officers or of any other person or persons whatsoever, and that it shall be Your care to seo that the necessary proceedings are torth- with instituted and vigorously proceeded with ‘to @»in- Pel reatitution of all moneys and property of which the city hasbeen defrauded; and to make gvod all losses it has sustained through fraudulent or wronyiul acts or wil- e Cireriminal prosecutors both State and county, we must hold to @ diligent and impartial discharge of thelr duties, While presenting to rene, consideration these special matters) I trust you will not fail to give your best atten. ton to the working and adminisiration of all the various Darts of our olty governme Our whole system needs re¥ sion. To us the trust has been committ ‘complish this. In the administra- tion of this trust we must sec that the bonds of the city as they become due are provided for, that all just and hon- est debts due by the city are examined into and pai that all exorbitant and corrupt demands are resisted all dishonest and fraadulent claims defeated. It is our duty to consider well the varivus acts, the execution of which go to increase the obligations of the city; to hold the various departinents to a strict accountability ; to reduce as far as possible all expenditure, and to make an earnest effort that the reforms the people so seriously demand, and which we have been elected to secure, are by our adininistration of the guvernment accomplished. ILLIAM F, HAVEMBYER, Nuw Yorx, Jan. 6, 1873. sae juired on ich Ht is in full without the amount 1340 er n of shall Mount 80 Fett THE NEW CITY FATHERS. patie Organization of the New Board of Alder= men—Appointment of Mr. Vance as President and Mr. Pinckney as Clerk— The New Pay Roll—The Board of Super- visors Organized. The old Board of Aldermen met yesterday at eleven o'clock. The business was entirely of a formal character, including votes of thanks to the President and the cierks of the Board. The Board then adjourned sine die, At twelve o’clock the chamber of the Board of Aldermen was crowded with citizens, and there was evidently & very great desire on the part of the public to be present at the first session of the Board. At twelve o'clock precisely ex-Clerk Joseph Shannon catled the Board to order, and the following Aldermen took their seats :—Alder- men J. Van Schaick, Oswald Ottendorfer, J. A. Monheimer, 8. B. H. Vance, 0. P. C. Billings, George Koch, Peter Kehr, 8. V. R. Cooper, John J. Morris, John Falconer, R, Flanagan, John Reilly, Robert MeCatlerty and Patrick Lysaght, All the members we 194 sneegrors, pres nt gxccpt Mr, Peter Gilsey, who Is oniined at home by sickness. TEMPORARY OHATRMAN. Alderman MONHEIMER moved a resolution that Al eran Yan Schaick be the temporary Chairman of the Board, ~~ Alderman Coorer seconded the resolution, and it was unanimously adopted. "TEES e774" Alderman VAN Sc AICK, on taking the chair, said that during the short time he would preside he would endeavor to do everything he had te do as Chairman in a manuer that should be entirely satisfactory. CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION. ‘The CLERK then read a communication from County Clerk Loew endorsing @ tilicate of the election of the members of the Bo: ELECTION OF PRESIDENT. Alderman BiLLINGs presented a resolution nomi- nating Alderman Vance as President of the Board, Alderman FLANNAGAN moved that Mr, Alderman Gilsey be the President of the Board. Alderman REILLY seconded the resolution. The ainendment was put by the Chair and was declared lost, five members only voting for it. The original resolution was put, nominating Alderman Vance, and it was declared carried, THE NEW PRESIDENT. Alderman Morkis moved that a committee of two be appointed to conduct Alderman Vance to the chair, The Chair selected Aldermen Morris and Kehr, and Alderman Vance, after shaking hands with these two gentlemen and receiving their congratulations, was conducted to the chair. Alderman VaNCk, on taking the chair, thanked the Board for the honor conferred upon him, and said that there was much in the present condition of the government of the city that should be amended, and it was desirable that the Board should seek to have it amende THE NEW CLERK. Alderman KEHR moved the following resolu- tio! “that Joseph C. Pinckney be elected Clerk to the Beard.” A COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION SUGGESTED. Alderman OTTENDORFER moved the lollowing resolution :— That a committee of three members be appointed to examine the candidates tor the office, as Clerk of the Common Council, and to report. the names of those who, upon such examination, prove te In every way fully competent to perform’ the duties of the Clerk of the Counc to this Board, to elect one of them, for and it shall be turther {ne duty of this ain the of of ¢| ¢ Nie ‘néede ays fade oF the Glern's what names they shall be d , and what and the compensation there- es to the Board, essary to secure examination, with such recommenda for the different position: competent officers. He kald that he wa ai 8, by competiti that he was of opinion that great care should be taken in the selection of officers of this Board. The duties of Clork were of great import- ance to the Common Council, and as it could not be ascertained whether the candidates were full, qualiged to perform the duties of Clerk of 1 Common Council he would desire that the selection should be made from a number of persons who were eligible tor the position. This resolution was negatived. iderman ReILLY them moved the appointment of Mr. Joseph § won, on the ground that he had performed the duties for many years, and was, therefore, especially qualified for the position; and tha: if it was the desire of the Board, as expressed in the resolution of Alderman Ottendorfer, to ob- tain the best qualified man, Mr, Shannon certainly stood in that position. Alderman Kocs said he should oppose that mo- tion en that very ground. It was during Mr. Shan- House, should be finished. The present Cominissioners havi advised, no legal, standing, should not he er allowed to interfere with it or contra mM account of it. Specificatior the work completed under a stri Lettre ‘to provide for this work nnus be issued on ; Sg ‘As an sale le of Mpa Sera eeocbaetra) arse ee if unty Court House a the tors, cleaners, &c., of v ther county buildings in the Park, which is equal to an annual expenditare for this service of over $90, bo. RAPID TRANSIT} The question of rapid transit the city hax long occupied the public attention. plans en Proposed by private enterprise to se. cure this desirable result, and tor this purpose sever: charters have been granted by the lature of th Stave, ali of which have failed to command public sup- port, In view of these facts and the Increasin: necessity jor the work, the aid of the city to secure its execution will probably be invoked. Various In such an event it will be any plan submitted for your co- to provide for the end desired, an ly secured for the payment of in terest on the outlay and the refubursement of the princi- pal when due. due. . ‘he whole subject of State taxation should receive our early. mercy As already stated, the State tax Tori 73 is $4,016,703 in excess of 1 The circitmstances nding this increase show the urgent nece: there is for Vigilance on the part of the people in attending to the acts of their officers, whether State or local. In 1872 the total State tax imposed was $19,590,882, of York city and county is required to operation is adequate that the city is prope iy in addition beavy Lurdeng attending the administra government, New York city to contribute 49.86 per cent of the éntire amount of taxes raised tor the govern- conclusively that in the mat- 797,125,115, Sob 1 104,074,537 ty of ail other party of ite Board of Equalization Total... cies . while the value of taxable prop the State is estimated by the st 1 estate . 1907 073,000 Personal property 140,20), 812 he prineip! throughout the state in esttinating the value of property for the purposes of State taxation which has been adopted in the city in estimating the value of pro tor the uurposes of local taxation, we should be relieved of # Surge portion of that Increasing annual burden which we are called upon to bear under the cover of the State tax, Which is this year nearly ten millions of dollars. THe AYSTEM OF STATK TAXATION, The time has arrived when the eptire system of State Lireen the extremes of | non’s clerkship that so much of the iniquity and corruy tion of the Board was done—(laughter)—and as they wished to begin at the root of reform he should oppose his election as Clerk, re gna alvi- for it. th The motjon tg elect Mr, Shannon sion lost, Car RaiebeRs én ly voting e elec. Ona Alderman McCar¥erty then moved that tion of Mr, Pinckney be made unanimous. division Mr. Pinckney was declared duly elected. THE NEW SERGEANT-AT-ARMS, On a resolution, which was unanimously adopted, Mr. Frank Keckeissen was declared elected Ser- geant-at-Arms. DELEGATION TO THE MAYOR. The PRESIDENT nominated Mr. Aldermen Caf- ferty, Cooper and Monheimer as 4 committee to wail upon the Mayor to inform His Honor that the new Board had orgauized. DELEGATION TO THE BOAKD OF ASSISTANT ALDERMEN, ‘The PRESIDENT nominated Aldermen Morris, Fi coner and Koch as a deputation to walt upon the Board of Assistant Aldermen, to inform that Board of the erganization of the Board of Alder- men. The committees appointed to wait upon the Mayor aod Assistant Aldermen returned ina very | short time and announced that they had comp! d their duties and begged to be dischurged. This was accordingly done, THE MAYOR'S MESSAGE. Acting Mayor's Clerk WHITTEMORE then pre- sented to the President of the Board the Message of Mayor Havemeyer, which was afterward read by Deputy Qlerk Joomey, and which will be fouyg in another column, *,. 4. 79R e- ~ PAY ROLL OF THE BOARD, Allerman Van ScuHaick offered the following resolution :— ‘That the number and compensation of the clerks and other officers of this Board shall be as follows ;— A Clerk, at an annual salary of 7 Deputy Clerk, at an annual salary of First Assistant Clerk, at an annual salar: Second Assistant Clerk, at an annual sala Third Axsistant ¢ Engrossing Clerk, who shail also periorm duties of Librarian of the City Library... 2, ‘ 400 ry to be paid mon , and that the duties of the clerk and other officers above enumerated shall be ‘fas now prescribed by laws of the State and tie ordi- nances of the Common Council, and in addition the deputy axsistants and other clerks and officers respect- ively shall pertorm such duties as the clerk may direct Alderman VAN Scnaick said that he had exam- remembered that two years roll. of the Board amounted to $78,000; last year it was brought down to $31,600, which was then thought to be doing very well. This pay roll re- dui it still further to 900, and he submitted thatit could not be reduced toa lesser amount without detriment to the proper service of the Board, an the compensation was of a reason- able amount, Alderman OTTeNDORFER was Of an opinion that the amount appropriated by the Board of Appro- Ppriation was o1 18,000, and that the Board was exceeding its duty in passing in a larger amount. Alderman VAN SCHAICK Was Of an opinion that Alderman Ottendorfer was mistaken in that mat- ter, and after @ short discussion the pay-roli, as given above, was adopted by a vote of 9 to 5, REFERMNCE OF THR MAYOR'S MESSAGE. Alderman Coorer moved the reference of the various subjects embraced in the Mayor's Mes- ceae ee appropriate committees, when formed. It was understood that the various committees will be selected at the next meeting of the Board, THE APPROPRIATION TO THE BOARD, Alderman OrrsNpoRFeR then moved that the Comptroller be requested to inform the Board how much was appropriated for the expenditure of the Clerk's office in clerical work, On motion 01 Alderman MONTEIMER the resolu- breil benny referred to the Finance Committee (when ‘The Board svon after adjourned to Thur sday nex: at half-past three P, M. iy da: THE NEW BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, On the closing of the session of the Board of Al- Sermeny Mayor Havemeyer in. the chair, Clerk loseph Young called the roll, and the Aldermen Were sworn in by the Mayor as Supervisors, RESCINDING THB RECENT ACTION OF TIE OLD , In 1871, tne pay- BOARD. Supervisor VAN Scuaick moved that all business transacted by the old Board since the ist of Janu- ary be declared null and void, and that the par- ticulars thereof be referred to the consideration of the present Board, ‘This was adopted. THE ARMORIES AND DRILL ROOMS, 5 ene | and supply of gas for snch purposes, Municipality be authorized to ap- nate some proper person to ascertain mete opt iene rf gas furnished abe ata’ eg e rate at which WOODEN PAVEMENTS, Pryor pncoees ie malatenance of pavements he pro; ing ar. Yan Nort i proper methods of pav- in 8 city have so far all proved ver. to lay and maintain, and he considers. it doauea if any form or preparation of wood can he made and maintained except at great cost, as the same organic diMeuity exists with all kinds—namely, speedy decomposition. : DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. Comptroller Green has appointed Mr. Abraham L, Earle, the late County Auditor, to the position of Auditor of Accounts, thus abolishing the County Auditorship as a distinct position and consolidat- ing the oifices of City and County Auditor, THE WATER METER QUESTION, Commissioner Van Nort has been served witha mandamus from the Supreme Court to pay Jose F. Navarro, the patentee of a water meter, $233,500, and interest from September 17, 1871, for water meters supplied to the city. The Commissioner has consulted with the Corporation Counsel, who has advised the making out of the requisition on the Comptroller. THE RIVERSIDE PARK. Commissioner Van Nort yesterday transmitted to the Collector of Assessments for collection the as- sessment list for the opening of the Riverside Park and drive, as latd out by the Commissioners of the ing, cleanin and that eac! point or desi and determ mont the Supervisor Vance moved that the Mayor appoint a committee of three members to inquire into the leasing of Nilsson Hall a8 an armory and drill room, and into the leasing of all armories and drill Yooms, | ‘This resolution was adopted unauimousty, ‘The Board then adjourned to Friday next, at haif- past three o'clock P, M. Going Out of the Oid Board of Assistant Aldermen—Coming In of the New—The “Deal” that Caused a Stare. The old Board of Assistant Aldermen were to have met at ten o’clock yesterday morning for the purpose of finishing up their business and formally adjourning sine die. A few, very few, of the members were present at the time appointed, and not until fully half-past eleven o'clock did a suMicient number of members appear to make a quorum. When at length there were enough present the proceedings were hurried through in order to have the room cleared for the incoming Board, Several members of the old Board who have been elected to continue in office were ab- sent, and by their absence allowed the old Board to die A MO8T DISGRACEFUL DEATH. Assistant Alderman Geis, who 1s a prominent candidate for Chief Clerk to Mayor Havemeyer, was present, fitting inand out. Assistant Alder- man Connor was on hand, looking fiercely good- natured, The only business transacted was the adoption of @ resolution directing the Commis- sioner of Public Works to remove the columne in front of Fechter’s new theatre, on Fourteenth street, which Mr, Geis whois @ prominent candi- date for City Marshal under Mayor Havemeyer, so strenuously opposed, on the ground that sald columns were beautiful ornaments, and made of Portland cement, Mr, Fechter should have taken the int ven him by the Common Council and he would not probably have been annoyed. An attempt was made to revive a little job in the shape of ,iving the East Side Stage Coinpany per- mission to extena their route, but it failed. “After the Raed &, some ordinary business the Board adjourn Ine die without passing the usua complimentary resolutions or giving any evidence: of courtesy amon; members and oiicers, as 18 usual on all such ‘ions, SE THE NEW BOARD Was convened at noon by the Clerk of the old Board, who read from copies of te oath of office the names of the members elect, Previous to the meeting of this Board it was bruited about that a “new deal” had been m in elation to the organization of 1e joard, ani that the combination which had been made Anbu cited had be . As iceman reunariRarae uel "die Board Wad about fizc0 the crowas which 8 about to be organized moved into the lobby were composed mainly of Central Park, confirmed August 2, 1872, amounting to the sum of $3,104,479, CAPTAIN CAMERON’S ‘BURIAL, The Last Solemn Rites Near the Spot of His Nativity—Sad and Impressive Sere vices. The last sad funereal tributes to the memory ot the deceased veteran of the police, Captain John Cameron, were rendered by his relatives, friends and brethren yesterday at his freshly-dug grave, in the small and quiet town of Norwalk, Cenn., which was his native place, and near whicn is the family homestead still in existence, Unlike the Sabbath the day was one of clear skies and brilliant sunshine, At seven o’clock in the morning ® black-plumed hearse had arrived at the ~ church of Zr, Foss, at the corner ot Fourth avenue and Twenty-second street, and the undertaker and his apprentice descended to the vault heneath the chureh, where lay in their casket the lifeless re- mains of old John Cameron, whose career had closed so suddenly, yet crowned with age and) honor. They lifted from the lid the SPLENDID CORONAL OF WHITE FLOWERS that had been placed there on Sunday, and was still fresh and beautiful. The body was borne to the hearse, which, at half-past seven, with its solemn burden, started jor the Grand, Central Depot. Here the cofin was_ placed in the baggage room, and afterwards in a car, and the floral crown was replaced upon it. The widow of Capea Cameron, his married daughter and her husband, Mr. St. John, with their daughter and son, and a sister-in-law, were accompanied by Mr. Allen Cameron, brother of the deceased. John Lerue, detective of the Eighteenth precinct, and for many years the Captain’s confidential officer, was present. ‘There were also in the car fa Sepa of the Morton Commandary of Knight Templars, No. 4 (of which the Marquis Lafayette was a member) ; Zerubhabel Chapter, No. 147; Puritan Lodge, No. 330, and Alina Lodge, No. 8, The latter body had charge of the arrangements until the party should arrive at Norwalk. The, deceased captain was amember o! the above-hamed Musonic bodies. The funeral train arrived at Norwalk at eleven o'clock, On the platform of the depot thirty members of St. John’s Lodge, thirty-two mombers of Oldwell Loage and the Knights of the Clinton Com- mandary were assembled in uniform and regalia, | and by them the mourners were received and escorted 8 cptrlages, aap Rp oeaaten was phen for r, Samuel Lynes, P, W. M., arshal SP TAS day aif souaniind From Norwalk to the cemetery the distance is about two miles. The procession slowly and colemnly moved towards the grave. Every head was uncovered as the hearse, followed by the . riage’, drove through the cemetery es. representatives of the Sixth ward of the so-called ‘Brennan Associations” and @ number of the old “gangs” who made their headquarters at ‘the Hall” in the times now gone. It was evident then that the few members who were elected as demo- crats and were known as the BRENNANITES HAD JOINED THE REPUBLICANS for the purpose ol securing the election of Mr. Brennan’s brother-in-law for clerk. This was fully demonstrated when the first vote was taken on election of President pro tem. Mr. Simonson (re- publican) moved that Mr, Strack (republican) be chgsen President pro tem, Mr. Ulancy (democrat) moved to amend by making Brucks (democrat) Fresident pro tem, The amendment was lost by the iollowing vote: Ynas—Mesars. Foley, Olancy. Healey, Theiss, Keenan, Brucks, Kelly, Cumisky, Somers—9, Nave"-Mesars. Murphy, Keating, Wisser, Thornell, Cod- dington, Strack, Kreps, Wade, Kehoe, Sithonson, Linden, jeyea—12. cag was an index to the rest. It had been set- tled. Mr. SIMONSON, who acted all through as chief ma- nipulator for the “new combination,” offered a revolution providing that William Wade be elected President; William H. Moloney, Clerk; Edward G. Wihiamson, Sergeant-at-Arms, and James Walsh, Doorkeeper to the Board. Assistant Alderman HEALEY offered an amend- ment providing that Charies M, Clancy be elected President, and Michael T. Daly Clerk. ‘This latter was voted down, of course, and the former adopted, but not until ir. Clancy had spoken a@ little speech to the effect that he desired to put on record the fact that tne last vestige of the demo- cratic party in the vernment of this city had passed away; that what was left of the party had veen basely traded away to the republican party, and he meant to put on record in every way the men who were guilty of thus selling out. At this speech Messrs. Murphy, Keating and Wisser winced @ little; the “Connaught Rarygers” in the lobby grinned with satisfaction at the result of the proweonines he other Semooratio members of the Board logked tndignantly ai . THE THREE WHO HAD “GONE OVER,” while thé repuolican members all sat witu flushed cheeks and pwicndl 6 64. 3", When the ident elect asaumed the chair ne read from a legibly written document @ short and very Spear e address, returning thanks jor the unexpected honor which had been thrust upon him, A few ordinary resolutions were introduced and adopted, all presented by the republican mem- bers, ag the democrats seemed to have nd thought for aftything but their defeat and no eyes for any- thing but the men who had broken thetr slate. When the Mayor’s message was being read a motion was made to have it printed In the minutes and 500 copies printed in pamphietiorm. This was tou much for the reform ideas of Mr, Wisser, and, rising geutly from his chair, he said, “I move two hundred; five hundred cost two much.” “Yes,” replied Mr, Clancy, “that’s Mandal Two hundred are enough. We're all honest reformers now”’—with a peculiar emphasis on the honest. The resolution was adopted and the Board shortly aiterwards adjourned, The crowd remained, however, aad many and varied were the remarks and compliments in- dulged in by the adherents of one or other of the tactions of the democratic side. ‘‘Judas,” “Fourth ward Schoel Board record,” “District USA oftice,”’ “Pigeon holes,” “Lives in Jersey,” ‘In lis pocket,” and such Iike apparently enigmatical frou Te" ahothe ra about from one surging wpe the offictals so gently inted at imitated thé Arabs ‘and quietly stole away.” The Board in its pergonnel is little better than its redecessor; but it is generally believed that its lite will be short, indeed, vVY. ag rumor has it, wi that Tne Fépublicans have the President and Chairman of the n Committee (who becomes thereby one of the Vom- missioners of the Sinking Fund), the holders of both of which tions have, until the past year, re- ceived $1,000 in addition to their salaries. The Brennanites were to have the Clerk (Sheriff Bren- nan’s brother-in-law), at & salary of $3,500, and the Deputy at $1,900, and seven or eight other officers were to be drawn for, the salaries being arranged so as to make ten “‘places,”’ thus leaving two of the caucus members without ‘a man.” ‘At the close of the proceedings late Assistant Al- derman Geis (who is said to be @ prominent candt- date for Chief of the Permit Bureau, under Mayor Havemeyer) smilingly congratulated the success- ful officials. A number of the members of both the old and the new Boards were afterwards enter- tained by President Wade at a hostelry on Chat- ham street, near the City Mali, Opal ra THE GAS QUESTION AND PAVEMENTS, fon from Commissioner | Van Nort to the Common Council— Suggestions tor the Legislature. Commissioner Van Nort yesterday sent to the long communication in relation for the public amps, and the practicability of gradually repli ig the wooden pavements im the city by stone pavements, Mr. Van Nort recommends early legislation in re- gard to gas and pavements, and says that no plan yet submitted for remedying the diMcuities complained of in regard w ga supply is satisfactory. le suggests that the Legislature be asked to ent law providing that all gas manufacturing companies be required to furnish the sapply needed for public street lamps should ‘inance ined the matter very Cpe! and was of an opinion that this was the sivallest sum for which : Whe public duty could ve periormed, it would be and for city and county offices at @ cost not ex. ibvarers placed tie coffin beside the grave and the family, steod at its head. The Masonic digni- taries then, in their prpper order, took positions are 1d the spot of freshly upheaved earth in solemn silence and with uncovered heads, Wor- shipful Master Alfred H, Camp, of St. John’s Lodge, periormed the ceremony of reading the MASONIC BURIAL SERVICE. After the close of the ordinary service it was fol- lowed by that of the Knight Templars. The cere mony of throwing evergreen twigs in the grave with three gestures of the hand was fulfilled, flow- ers were scattered on the straw, and then the dull heavy sound of the clods of earth falling upon the coffin told that all was over, and the mourning friends returned to the city. THE HERALD AMONG THE EXCHANGES. {From the Danville (Va.) Times, Jan. 4,) In entering upon a new year we cannot in jus. tice omit to mention our obligations to the New York HERALD for its services to us during the old. We have during the past twelve months received 366 copies, ana every copy brimiull of news from all parts of the world. As we obtain it in exclianze for our weekly without any stipula- tion or arrangement to make up the difference in the price of the two journals—the Herap's being $12 and the fines $2 560—in advertising or puffing in any shape we desire to thank it publicly for its liberality. The HERALD exchanges generously with the ceuntry press North and South, and no doubt feels itsvif compensated for the expense by the news it oc- casionally gleams from their columns. it is an illustration of the admirable and far-sighted policy that guides that journal in utilizing every means to obtain the world’s news regurdiess of expense, There are many newspapers printed in the United States, but only one HERALD. PROBABLE HOMIOIDE. Snow-Balling Leads to Serlous Sangul. , nary Results. Astrect fight took place recently in Trenton, in which two men received dangerous injuries, one of them being now in a very precarious condition. ‘The origination of the affair, it 1s sald, was caused by @ boy named Failicy hitting one Thomas Wil- liams with a snowball, which was the meaus of stirring up the latter's ire somewhat, where- upon he complained to the tioy’s father, and as @ sequence the boy underwent some severe castigation at the hands of his parent, This “id not seem to give full satisfaction to Williams, for in ort time after he threatened to have revenge by pommelling the whole of the Fullicy. fu youth named “Timmy” Ryan here putin an a ance and undertook to silence Williams by muscu- lar force. A general mélée ensued and raged fiercely for @ Short time, in which Ryan got worsted, and, a8 alleged, received a stab in from a knife im the hands of antagonist. ‘The elder Fallicy, seeing commegced an wnmerctful onslaught on Williams with an axé hendie, aud with t dealt several blows on his head, from the effects of which the lies in @ dangerous sta dance stated that William from instant death, from the tac were given in close proximity to a t. The parties to the aifray were always eonsidered to be of @ peaceable disposition previous to this occur. rence, An investigation will take place before a Justice of Oe screed as Ne oglctie lodgea by the injured mei yan not serious. Williams’ skuil is broken and his face is badly matilated leged instigator of the fight now The rgeon in atten- Darrow escape that blows vital pi PARTNERSHIP COMPLICATIONS, Ome Partner Charges Another With jurgilary. William J. Hoey and George W. Godward were brought before Judge Scott, at the Tombs Police Court, yesterday, im charge of Detectives Clapp and Bennett. ‘The complaint to be preferred against them was that of burglary; but the case was remanded until to-day, when Judge Dowling will be on the Bench, The Rel tegen | in this case is Josiah W. Fonda, who, ether with one of the defendants, Georgo Noaeard, kept a grocery store at 2312 Talrd avenue. It was alleged me. Fonda that on the 20th of December e safe im his store had been opened by a duplicate key, and there was taken from it @ $1, bond of ‘Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, and also three $100 United States bonds. Detective Clapp traced the Rock Island and Pacific Railroad bond to Mr. L. 8. Laurenoe, of 164 mg street, who bought it from William J. joey. Wititam J. Hoey and a man named Johngon are known to be the constant companions of George V. God d, the partner of Isaiah Ww. Fon 4 Godward and’ Hoey were arrested and aeraigne before Justi ott, at the Tombs Police gourt. The Judge, after listening to Deseetive c ane and the compiainaat, Fonda, for some th er] rected them to bring iorward the par ceeding —— per cent over and above the actual ‘ost to such Companies Of the Lighting, extinguish- bought the bonds, and remanded the case watil to day.