COLLINS & SESNON, Book Binders, 41 Liberty St. N. Y. lEx Hthris SEYMOUR DURST ' Tort nlemv lAm/lireUm- of Je Manha-tarus When you leave, please leave this book Because it has been said "Ever'thing comes t' him who waits Except a loaned book." Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library Gii i of Seymour B. Durst Old York Library Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2014 http://archive.org/details/annualmessageofhOObroo ANNUAL MESSAGE OF HOIST. JAMES HOWELL, JR., MAYOR OF BROOKLYN, BOARD OF ALDERMEN, J.AJSTTTA.RY 7, 1878, TOGETHER WITH THE Reports of the Various Departments of the City Government. BROOKLYN : PRINTED FOK THE CORPORATION 1878. In Common Council, ) Monday, January 7, 1878. f Resolved, That the Message of his Honor the Mayor be printed as a Document of the Board, and that fifteen hundred (1,500) extra copies be printed in pamphlet form for the use of the Mayor and heads of departments — 1,000 copies of which shall be printed in the English language, and 500 in German. Wm. Gr. Bishop, City Clerk. ANNUAL MESSAGE Mayor's Office, City Mali,, i Brooklyn, Jan. 7, 1878. \ To the Honorable the Board of Aldermen : Gentlemen : It is made my first duty, under the city charter, to submit to you u a general statement'' of the affairs of our municipal gov- ernment, "with such recommendations" as may seem to me proper. In undertaking to perform this duty, permit me at the outset to say that I-have been intrusted with the office of Mayor by mv fellow citizens at a time when very general embarrassment ancl distress exist among all classes who are called upon to bear the burdens of government. In becoming a candidate for the suf- Irage of my fellow citizens I pledged myself emphatically and distinctly to use all the influence and powers of my office to re- duce the expenditure of the city government, to the end that our rate of local taxation shall be iessened ; our property relieved of some of the burdens which lessen its value; and our laboring masses made secure of as large a portion of their earnings for themselves as is possible. In other words, that our local public burdens shall be as light as it is possible to make them. PRACTICAL REFORM NOW IN ORDER. I think I am justified in saving that the time has come in Brooklyn when those who are honestly desirous of enforcing economy in public affairs can address themselves to ihe business ot the present, and to making the future better than the past. From the era of extravagance and prodigality which has closed, I trust, Brooklyn has suffered in common with all other portions of our country. All that can be usefully done in exposing past official tergiversations has, perhaps, been attempted or performed. There has been, I venture to suggest, too much time occupied by those[)who claim to be actuated solely by public spirit, in dis 4 cussing the official business of the past, and in exposing whatever grievances which may still remain. We are called upon now, in my judgment, to make a united and a vigorous effort to do some- thing — to accomplish something — to effect something practical — for while discussion and exposure of past delinquencies have had their use, before any real reform can be effected, something more needs to be done. In the practical ends I have set before myself I count upon your co-operation, and I invoke that of my fellow citizens of all parties, to the end that the welfare of Brooklyn may be promoted. If we act together, I have no doubt but that any sinister obstacles which may be placed in our way, either at home or before the State Legislature, can be easily brushed aside. THE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS SHOULD COME I'N WITH THE MAYOR. I think I am expressing the wishes of the great majority of my fellow-citizens when I say — not as a personal cause of com- plaint or irritation, but as a statement of wise and permanent public policy — that the powers exercised by the Chief Magis- trate of the city should be enlarged and so clearly defined, that he shall be in a position to exercise all the powers of his office from the day on which he assumes the responsibilities of his po- sition until the time comes for returning the trusts reposed in him to the people from whom he obtains them. No argument in this instance is as strong as a mere statement of facts. The Mayor of Brooklyn is assumed to be intrusted with the general supervision of all branches of the city government. For the general con- duct of the local government he ought to be held responsible, and he ought not to be even allowed the opportunity of evading his responsibility. To this end each succeeding Mayor ought to have the power of selecting at the beginning of his term all the officials whose appointment is intrusted to the Mayor. It is ob viousty unfair to hold a Chief Magistrate to accountability for the conduct of agents selected by another, and over whom he can exercise only a very remote control. It is especially so in a bu- siness into which political differences, and the personal antagon- isms growing out of them, very largely enter. The Mayor is given the power to appoint the heads of the several departments, but he is not permitted, ordinarily, to exercise this power until he has been in office one year and four months, and when he has but eight months more to serve. My immediate predecessor was not enabled to make the recent astonishing changes in the de- partments until about two months prior to the expiration of his term of office, and while the people were in the act of electing his successor, so that the administration of Mayor Hunter con- 5 tinued in a certain and a large sense during the term of Mayor Schroeder, and the administration of Mayor Schroeder extends in like manner upon the term of the present incumbent. I in- tend to cast no reflection upon the officials recently appointed when I say that I cannot even expect from them that sympathy, attachment and co-operation which the head of a government has a right to count on from those serving with him. Many of these gentlemen exercised their unquestioned right in preferring another candidate than myself for the office of Mayor, and it would be even strange if they should labor earnestly to show by the result that they made no error in judgment in doing so. It must be evident to all intelligent citizens that the harmony so necessary to succeed in the conduct of a government cannot ex- ist under such a state of affairs as now obtains. THE MAYOR AND THE APPOINTING POWER I think, also, that the power claimed for the office of Mayor, should not be divided. The fact that the division of this power so frequently — by the mere negation of the Board of Aldermen — deprives the Mayor of his share of it, is a sufficient reason for intrusting to. the Mayor the full right of appointing the subordi- nates who are to serve under him, and with whom he is, or ought to be, brought in daily personal and official intercourse. Both my immediate predecessors have publicly complained that they have kept heads of departments in office whom they distrusted and that they actually joined in appointing heads of departments, whose usefulness they destroyed in advance when they publicly admitted that thev regarded their own appointees with only a narrow measure of favor or confidence. Such a state of affairs is intolerable and disgraceful, and I ask your co-operation in ob- taining the legislation necessary to bring it to an immediate end. I have reason for believing that we will have the support, too. of a great majority of our constituents of both parties, for on the principle here involved some of the wisest representatives of each party have agreed, in making, through the late Municipal Commission, a report of a form of municipal government which is designated to be general and to be permanent in the cities of our State. CONSOLIDATION OF THE DEPARTMENTS RECOMMENDED. A creditable effort has been made during the year to effect a reduction of local public expenditure by a general reduction in the salaries of local officers, and especially of heads of depart- ments. This effort was measurably successful, and those en- 6 gaged in it deserve commendation, because they are entitled to the credit of initiating what I trust we shall be able to refer back to as an era of practical local reform. The necessity of the times and the demands of our taxpayers require far more sweep- ing and radical measures looking to a reduction of municipal expenditure. I am satisfied the structure of our city government can be made more simple and greatly less expensive than it now is, while its efficiency will be at the same time augmented. The number of our offices and the multitude of our officers can and should be reduced. The variety of officers now em- ployed for the performance of the same kind of services leads not merely to the inconvenience of the people having business with the city, but is the cause of wholly unnecessary labor and wholly unnecessary expense to the city itself. In now resolving upon a unification and a simplification of the business of our local government, we will be doing what every business man does in his own affairs, while we will be but following the ex- ample long ago set us by New York, Boston, Philadelphia and other cities. RADICAL MEASURES — THE ABOLITION OF FOUR DEPARTMENTS RECOMMENDED. I invoke the aid of all intrusted with local official responsibili- ty in securing legislation which will enable Brooklyn to wipe out altogether the following departments : that of Auditor, Col- lector of Taxes, Eegistrar of Arrears, of Taxes, and Registrar of Water Department. This can be done, and it has been done in the government of all the cities I have named. It is absurd that a person having a bill against the city for work done or material furnished should be obliged, after procuring the certification of the department having the matter in charge, to wait upon the Auditor for his audit; upon the Comptroller for a warrant; upon the Mayor for his signature ; upon the City Clerk for a counter signature ; upon the City Treasurer for an indorsement, and upon the bank for his money— a complicated process, consuming in official delays at least a' day and a half in the mere business of paying a bill. It is in a degree equally inconvenient and absurd for a person who wishes to pay off his taxes or assessments to call upon the Tax Collector for the account of his current taxes ; upon the Registrar of Arrears for arrears, and upon the Board of City Works for his bills for water rates — and to pay these charg- es at different seasons of the year. ' In this way official labor and public expense are unnecessarily duplicated and increased. The Auditor's records of audit are already kept in the department 7 which incurs the debt, and are repeated, in a greater or less de- gree, by the Comptroller, Mayor and Treasurer. A large force in the Comptrollers office is engaged in keeping books precisely similar to those kept in the office of the Collector of Taxes and Assessments, and it is very clear that if the Tax Collector conti- nued to discharge the duties of the Registrar of Arrears — as was formerly the case, instead of as now, annually transferring those duties — the eighteen clerks in the last-named department, might be reduced to one-third the number. There could be no good reason given why the water rates should not be collected at the same time and with the general taxes, and thus we can get rid of the duplicated Tax Department known as the office of liegis- trar of the Water Department. This bureau can be wholly wiped out with absolute convenience to the public, and with a saving to the taxpayers of many thousands of dollars per annum. HOW THE LOCAL CIRCUMLOCUTION OFFICE WORKS. The folly and extravagance of this duplicating, complex and extravagant system have long been manifest to those who have given their attention to the subject. In Boston, Philadelphia and New York our system — which was that of a village in its inception — has long been abolished, and the simpler system which has been substituted has met with unqualified approval and success. The only plausible pretext ever advanced in defense of our present system is based on the idea that a variety of officials acts as checks and balances upon each other. A simplification of our system of local government need not involve the abandonment of all needed safeguards against conception or fraud. In the event of the proposed changes, all claims against the city will be subject to the inspection of the department in charge, and of the Comptroller and of the Mayor, besides having, in the first place, to be authorized by the Common Council. Our present system, such as it is, has demonstrated its own worthlessness in prevent- ing official tergiversation. The defalcations in our treasury de- partment, and the malfeasances in our tax department and else- where occurred undetected under it. It was the application of the adjunct of the other system — the employment from time to time of outside expert accountants, as occasion may seem to de- mand — which brought to light the official delinquencies and crimes referred to. The folly of the present system and the de- sirability of that which I favor as a substitute for it, was thus demonstrated in our own case. For these reasons, and following the example of other cities 1 have named, I recommend that the s administration of our whole fiscal system shall be confined to one department. 1, therefore, ask your co-operation and that of my fellow citizens who are in earnest in demanding economy and reform, in securing for Brooklyn such legislation as will enable us to abolish altogether the Departments of Collection of Taxes and Assessments, of Arrears, of Audit, and of the Bureau for collection of water rates in the Department of City Works, and to intrust all the duties now performed by them to the Depart- ment of Finance. A SAVING OF ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS PER ANNUM. In the extinction of unnecessary, duplicated service alone these changes. will directly reduce the annual salary account of the city fifty six thousand dollars per annum, and I. confidently believe it will in the aggregate effect a saving to the city of not less than one hundred thousand dollars per annum. Of course, the Comp- troller or head of the Department of Finance will be intrusted with larger duties — but to a less extent than will at first sight appear, and some of the offices abolished will re-appear as subor- dinates of this department — but all duplicate work will be dis- pensed with, the number of officials will be signally reduced, a city creditor or debtor can transact his business in one office, and thus the public convenience will be subserved, while the cost of our government will be largely reduced. I know well that an} 7 change looking to a reduction of the number of those who hold public office is not unlikely to meet with opposition, and I am not unfamiliar with the arguments which have been offered in the past, even in defense of maintain- ing a separate department for the collection of water rates. If I repeated these arguments it would be to say simply that they are worthless. Sooner or later the changes I have recommended will be effected. I submit that there ought to be a general demand for securing them now, for never in the history of our city was there a greater necessity for frugal government than at this time. I take leave of this subject by asking your Honorable Body to cause to be prepared a bill providing for the consolidation of the fiscal department, and to petition the Legislature to enact it into law. SINGLE HEADED COMMISSIONS RECOMMENDED. I now approach a subject which has been the occasion of a great deal of discussion in the past, and upon which local politi- cal parties seem to change sides, with their varying changes of for- tune. I refer to the question whether there should be one or more heads to each of the three chief executive departments of the city 9 government. After giving the subject mature consideration, I have reached the conclusion that the duty of supervising the Departments of City Works, Fire, Police and Excise can be ad- vantageously devolved upon one man instead of three. I con- fess 1 am influenced largely in my judgment by the fact that those of our citizens who take only a citizen's interest in politics are almost unanimously in favor of single-headed commissions. No man who fills a representative position can afford to defy what he knows to be the wishes of those whose agent he is. If it is an experiment, those who are mainly interested are entitled to a trial of the experiment. But is it an experiment ? While one man is sufficient at the head of our National treasury or army, does it not seem to be ridiculous to argue that three men are necessary to discharge the duties of either of the three departments I have named? Besides, since the discussion of this question first com- menced, the charter of the city has been essentially changed by greatly enlarging the powers of the Common Council. All the legislative power of the city is now vested in it, in connection with the Mayor. Every local improvement, every public work, every purchase of supplies, must emanate from the legislative body. This body is the custodian and controlling trustee of all the property of Brooklyn, and it has control and direction over all its offices and affairs. The Departments mentioned possess only ministerial and executive powers, and these can be better discharged by one man, who will in his turn be directly respon- sible for the performance of his duty, than by three, who can. and who in effect almost invariably do, divide responsibility, and contuse the voter when it comrs his turn to hold elected officials to their just responsibility. ANOTHER TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS PER ANN L" M WHICH CAN BE SAVED. The reductions of these departments to single heads will not only enhance their efficiency, but it will effect a reduction in the salary list alone of about $25,000 per annum. I recommend, therefore, that a bill for this purpose be prepared, and that its passage be urged on the Legis ature. I am confident it will have the almost unanimous support of the tax-earning and tax-paying classes. In the present relation <>f our political parties I think neither is strong enough to resist this measure, and 1 believe no considerable section of either will be disposed to try to do so. DIVERTING THE PCBLIC REVENUES ON THEIR WAY TO THE TREASURY. There is another subject of the class requiring legislative in- terference before a remedy can be effected, to which I desire 2 10 briefly to refer. It has become a habit of late years for those who favor the bestowal of public aid to objects in their opinion deserv- ing of it, to solicit the Legislature to compel our local authorities to extend it, by intercepting a portion of the city's revenue on its way to the city treasury. Under acts of the Legislature, and for purposes very varied in their character, over one third of the revenues derived from Excise licenses are paid out by the Comp- troller for various purposes, and under laws he has no choice but to obey. I do not say that the Inebriates' Home should not be supported in whole or in part at the public cost; I do not say that the various orphan asylums are not entitled to share in the public bounty ; I do not say that it is not our duty to contribute to a pension fund for disabled policemen and firemen— but waiv ing these questions for the present, I do \say that whatever is given for these objects by the city should be given openly and above board. It may be that the individual should not in dis- pensing his charities let his left hand know what his right hand doeth, but it is not so in the dispensation of public money for benevolent ends. I am constrained to recommend to your Hon- orable Body the preparation of a bill which will repeal all laws now in force designed to intercept the city's revenues while on their way to the city treasury. In support of meritorious chari- table or reformatory institutions I will sustain as liberal a policy as this most charitably disposed people will justify me in doing. But the public revenue is a sacred thing, and even in the cause of charity it ought not to be dissipated. Ten per cent, of the Ex- cise fund seems a small matter ; but $16,000 or $18,000 seems a large item, and in this contrast is all there is to recommend this scheme for distributing public moneys to the favor of anybody. ASSESSMENTS AND LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS. With regard to load improvements the most conservative policy should be followed. The depression in the value of real estate and the cessation of building enterprises warn us to desist from local improvements, except where they are imperatively demanded by the property owners directlj 7 interested. I strongly suspect that a large number of those improvements in the past have been urged forward only because a hope is entertained that the assessment for the cost may be eventually, in whole or in part, evaded. Keal estate is already struggling under a most unequal share of the public burdens, and unless the course of reckiess assessments can be arrested wc shall soon have large amounts of property in our midst confiscated and iibandoned — like Jackson's Hollow — injuring the appearance of the city and II retarding its progress. This subject of local improvements and assessments, therefore, has recently undergone investigation by the learned Commission appointed by Governor Tilden on the subject of municipal reform, and by many other experienced minds. There is a common concurrence in one measure of re- form — assessments for local improvements should be laid and the greater part thereof collected before any work is done or any bonds are issued. This is the only wise and safe course. It will prevent improvident and oppressive improvements by the failure of the preliminary collection of assessments therefor, and it will secure the city against all reasonable doubt of reimbursement for its advances. I recommend that a bill be pressed upon the Leg- islature providing in substance that no local improvement shall be undertaken by the city until an assessment sufficient to defray the expenses thereof shall have been laid, and three-fourths of the aggregate amount of such assessment shall have been collect- ed and paid into the Treasury. And I further trust the Legisla- ture may be induced to contract the limitation upon the power of the city to issue bonds for local improvements. The present wise measure of limitation fixing the maximum amount of bonds issuable for all local improvements at §7,000,000, was passed at a time of comparative prosperity and progress. It is in excess of our present needs, and sound policy dictates a corresponding re- duction. INJUSTICE IN STATE TAXATION. The injustice in the matter of State taxation which this county has had to bear so long, calls for remonstrance and complaint from all who in any way officially represent our taxpayers. The taxes of the State are, by usage, if not by law, apportioned and levied according to the valuations of property made by the local assessors in the various counties. These assessors are re- quired to make oath to their appraissals. Nevertheless the start- ling fact has for years been known and declared, to the disgrace of the State of New York, that while the assessed valuations in the cities of New York and Brooklyn approach closely to the actual market value of their property, those of the other coun- ties are on an average but little in excess of twenty-five percent of that value. Without stopping to comment upon the wide- spread and complicated perjury presented to view by this fact, it becomes apparent that in consequence of this false and un- equal system of valuations the two chief cities are compelled to pay twice and three times as much of the State taxes as should fairly and justly fall upon them. 12 This injustice is still further increased by the maintenance of a faulty system for taxing personal property which though lightly enforced in the cities, meets with so little response from the rural districts of the State, that it may be said to bear upon the cities alone. For years this-city has struggled against this injustice. Our appeals have been answered in some cases by tardy and in- adequate reductions from our quota of the State taxes by the State assessors, while in others they have substantially been wholly neglected or defied. Every effort to establish a uniform, system of taxation on personal property has been frustrated, and even a measure to abolish the taxation of mortgages has several times been defeated in the Legislature of the State by the rural districts; which profit by this unequal system of taxation. INADEQUATE STATE REPRESENTATION. The conduct of the last two Legislatures has put this series of outrages in an attitude intolerable to a free people. The Consti- tution of the State, which each Member of the Assembly and Senate had sworn to support, made it the duty of that Legisla- ture to reapportion the basis of representation during the last session. This reapportionment would have given to Brooklyn three instead of two Senators, and fourteen instead of nine mem- bers of the Assembly. A like increase would have occurred in the city of New York. With this addition to the representation of the cities in the State Legislature, it was to be hoped a fair, equal and just system of taxation upon property, real and per- sonal, might have been obtained. For partisan purposes the Constitutional obligation was broken and the Constitutional right was denied, so that to-day the people of the cities of New York and Brooklyn are suffering from unjust taxation, without ade- quate representation, at the hands of the State. It need only to be added that this is the very tyranny and oppression which has always provoked the resistance of freemen. We should do everything in our power by agitation and influence to induce the State to remedy this evil and efface this disgrace to her fair fame. I recommend that your Committee on Legislation be charged with the presentation of this subject to the Legislature at the earliest opportunity, and with the continuance of its pres- entation until relief is either obtained or refused. THE GENERAL AFFAIRS OF THE CITY. Having now performed, substantially, one branch of the duty enjoined on me by the charter in making such recommendations as I have deemed appropriate, I now address myself to the other 13 in giving you a general statement of the condition of the city government. THE CITY DEBT. The following is the latest statement of the city debt as re- turned by the Comptroller : PERMANENT DEBT. Permanent water loans $11,216,500 00 Mount Prospect square 90,000 00 Wallabout Bay improvement 198,000 00 Nat. Guard and Vol. Firemen's loan 27,000 00 Soldiers' aid fund 552,000 00 Kent avenue basin 427,000 00 New York bridge 3,000,000 00 Brooklyn Citv bonds for New York and Brooklyn Bridge...." 2,750,000 00 Prospect Park 9,234,000 00 Deficiency bonds prior to 1872 319,000 00 Total $28,113.5' 00 Less amount of sinking fund 4,660,7-47 55 Balance $23,45:.'. 7 :> 2 45 The city's share of the county debt 3,831,180 00 Total $27,283,932 45 TEMPORARY DEBT. Local improvement loan $213,000 00 Willianfeburgh loans 138,000 00 Third street improvement loan 302,000 00 Gowanus Canal improvement loan ... 236,000 00 Bushwick avenue improvement loan 6,000 00 Union street improvement loan 260,000 00 South Seventh street improvement loan 268,000 00 Fourth avenue improvement loan 396,000 00 Knickerbocker and Central avenue sewer loan . . 618,000 00 Assessment fund bonds 3,373,000 00 Assessment fund bonds, water and sewer 1,371,000 <'0 Sewerage fund bonds 1,870,000 00 Boulevard bonds 842,000 00 South Brooklyn sewerage fund bonds 200,000 00 Total $10,293,000 00 14 INCIDENTAL TEMPORARY DEBT. Tax certificates issued in anticipation of the pay- ment of taxes in course of collection $2,500,000 00 By contrasting this statement with the Comptroller's report of last year, it appears that there has been a net increase in the ac- count headed " permanent debt " of $965,500. There has been a net decrease of $175,500 in the temporary loan account, while there has been an increase in the sinking fund of $180,617 95, so that the net liability of the city is $659,382 in excess of what it was one year ago. This increase seems to have been rendered unavoidable, and is reasonably certain to continue for some years, or at least until the completion of the East Kiver Bridge, to which the city has now advanced $5,575,000. These facts should serve as constant admonition against the city's engaging in any new enterprise or improvement necessitating an addition to our present indebtedness. I hold myself committed to resist any en- largement of the debt, apart from our contribution to the bridge, except under the pressure of an absolute necessity, which I nei- ther foresee nor apprehend. THE TEMPORARY LOAN DEBT. The condition of the temporary loan debt is such as, in my opinion, to demand early attention from your Honorable Body. Over a million of dollars of assessments have been vacated, for one reason or another, and this amount, and probably much more, will have eventually to be borne by the city at large. At an early day I hope to be able to lay before your Honorable Body further details on this subject, and consider with you if it is not the best policy to accept, at once, such liabilities as the city can- not hope to escape from, so that, instead of carrying a temporary loan, which we must eventually meet, and for which the city is paying at the rate of seven per cent, interest, we can substi- tute for it a like amount in long bonds, which can now readily be floated at, say, five per cent, interest. Meanwhile, we should see that not a dollar shall be added to this class of indebtedness, and that every effort possible shall be made to collect the un- challenged obligations now outstanding. THE REPEAL OF THE SEVEN PER CENT. ACT RECOMMENDED. In the collection of outstanding obligations the city has been more or less embarrassed by the passage by the Legislature of what is known as the Seven Per Cent. Act, This law was enacted, in the first place, by the Legislature of 1876, and was designed avowedly to meet an emergency. The act provided that taxpay- 15 ers, in default to the city, could pay their taxes and assessments with the simple addition of seven per cent, interest. The rate therefore charged on taxes in arrears was twelve per cent. It was thought that many citizens who were embarrassed by the panic which set in in 1873, would take advantage of this act to liquidate their obligations to the city under the favorable condi- tions thus offered. The act expired by limitation in one year from the date of its passage. A renewal of the act for another year was earnestly advocated by those who wanted a further de- lay in taking advatage of it, and another year was given under an act passed last year, and which expires by its own terms on the first day of June next. The law has not fulfilled the ex- pectation of those who advocated it. It was designed to help the taxpayers, and threatens to inflict serious injury, for while the revenue to the city has been decreased by the loss of the old fees and penalties upon defaults and arrearages, the taxpayers, being free from their infliction have refrained from paying their taxes, preferring to use the money at the cost of seven per cent., and there has resulted a falling off in our collections and a correspond- ing increase in outstanding tax certificates, upon which the city is paying interest. It is needless to say that these losses to the city fail eventually upon the taxpayers, and that this temporary privilege thereby becomes an actual injury. The period of oper- ation of the last of these acts expires next June, and I trust it will not be extended. PUBLIC EDUCATION. This great interest 1 believe to have been as well cared for by the Board of respectable and intelligent gentlemen who have it in charge as perhaps is possible under the ideas and system which prevail and govern its management. I have radical, and it may be, in the opinion of many of my fellow citizens, extreme opinions on the subject of education at the expense of the peo- ple. I believe it the duty of the State to afford, free of cost to every child, the opportunity of acquiring a plain, rudimentary, English education, and even, if necessary, to compel parents to make use of that opportunity. But I would not go a step fur- ther. The acquisition <»f other languages, of what are known as the higher branches of English education, and of so-called ac- complishments, should be sought elsewhere than at the public schools, and obtained at individual and not public expense. I would eliminate all there is of this mere educational luxury from our school system, and such elimination would end costly and extravagant school-houses, high-salaried teachers^and much un- necessary and burdensome taxation. 16 And I verily believe there would be secured, too, what is far more to be desired, education thorough and useful, and within the reach of the child of every poor man. In the time, of neces- sity limited, spared to school from his labor for a livelihood, he would be able to learn what he was taught, thoroughly and un derstan&ingly, and acquire a groundwork for such higher educa- tion as ambition or taste might prompt him to seek. With the multitude of studies required under the present system, and the limited time his necessities restrict him to, this is well nigh im- possible. I believe all this can be secured at about one-half the sum now expended by the Board of Education, and I regard the curtailment, meagre though it be, in the amount levied this year for its purposes as a step in the right direction. THE CITY WORKS. The extensive operations of this important department of the city government are given in very full detail in its report. I have space on this occasion but to congratulate our people upon the complete success which time has demonstrated to have at- tended the project of the Storage Keservoir of Hempstead. The result has verified the prediction of the most enthusiastic sup- porters of the measure, and proved the doubts of the least du- bious to have been unfounded. Indeed, but for the construction of this reservoir, and the great quantity of water it is and has been enabled to store,-it is to be feared that we should have been suffering ere this all the evils of a water famine. THE POLICE FORCE. Among the statements received by me is one from the Police Department. I commend it to your attention, expressing my hearty concurrence in the suggestion that some arrangement may be devised whereby the members fit for patrol duty may be con- fined to that duty and not detailed where the services required of them, if needed, can be performed by others. The strong, able- bodied members of the force should be assigned solely to active patrol duty. If it be necessary that policemen should be detailed on the local courts, or as an adjunct to the Health Department, or for any other exceptional service, policemen worn out or par- tially disabled should have those lighter duties. I think, too, the compensation for such services should be smaller than that paid to the members of the force who are doing active police duty. With my determination to oppose all measures calculated to needlessly increase the city expenditure, I am with my present information averse to any increase of the police force, 17 FIRE DEPARTMENT. From this department I have also a statement as to its condi- tion and operations, to which you are referred. The depart ment has. under its past management earned for itself a high reputation for efficiency, which I trust may be preserved and in- creased in the future. PROSPECT PARK. Not having been furnished with any figures from the Depart- ment of Parks I am unable to refer to any of the details of its operations during the past year. The parks by a law of last Winter have been very properly placed more directly under the control of the Common Council than was the case heretofore, and the annual report of the commissioners to be made to your body will, I presume, furnish full information as to its transactions, when a more intelligent judgment than is possible now can be formed as to the doings ot the commissioners. Meanwhile all will concede that the completion of Ocean Parkway to Coney Island, and the Concourse by the sea, has added greatly to the means of enjoyment of our people, and the attractions of our city as a place of residence. THE PUBLIC HEALTH. From the statistics furnished me by the Health Department, it would appear that the health of the city during the past year, as compared with p.evious years, has decidedly improved. The death rate, which last year was reduced much below that of the year previous, has undergone a still greater reduction during 1877. In 1875, the deaths per thousand numbered 26 1 : in 1876. 24.1. and in 1877, 21.76 — a rate which is said to compare favorabU' with that of other large cities in the United States. This is certainly a most gratifying exhibit, and is perhaps the strongest evidence which could be adduced of the salubrity of the cit}'. I am of the opinion, however, that this result can be secured at a less expense to the city than is now the case. A few years ago. say in 1870, our Health Department did not cost above $10,000 a year, while this year it is proposed to raise £48.000 for the same purpose. I have not been able to see that the increase in the usefulness ot the department has been at all commensurate to the increase of expenditure, and I somewhat fear that a desire to experiment and test sanitary theories, may have had in many instances the eifectof driving away factories and other industries, which would have given employment to working men, and other- 3 18 wise promote the growth of the city, without at all endangering its health or detracting from its attractions as a place of residence. Be this as it may, it seems to me that our sanitary precautions might be as thoroughly enforced, and the health of the city quite as effectually guarded as it is now, at a very much less expendi- ture of public money. We have laws and ordinances, the en- forcement of which will sufficiently protect and preserve the pub- lic health, and it does not seem possible that it requires $48,000 a year to secure that end. To this considerable item of expendi- ture it is only fair to add the pay of the six or seven policemen who appear to be reserved for the use of the Health Department. I am wholly opposed to the designation of any of the able- bodied men of the force to this particular duty, and I would have them paid less than those in active service, as an effectual wax of discouraging policemen who have political or official friends, and who use them to escape the duties they originally were so anxious to get an opportunity of performing. I call your attention to the subject, as in my opinion as presenting a field wherein a great saving to the people may be effected. THE EAST RIVER BRIDGE. The progress in the work of building the great Bridge over the East river during the past year has been most satisfactory, and augurs a speedy completion of that great work and consequent limitation of the heavy drain which its cost has been upon the finances of the city. And if the anticipations of its projectors and advocates shall be realized, we shall soon begin to reap the benefits and the increase in the material prosperity of the city which are expected to result from its completion. To hasten that consummation, I trust that the work of con- structing the Bridge approaches will be pushed as rapidly as possible. I hope the time is not far distant when your Honor- able Body will be called on to devise a system of tolls for the Bridge which,- while not restricting its use at all, will enable the two cities to realize a fair direct return on their investment. THE NEW MUNICIPAL BUILDING it is expected will be ready for occupation by the various depart- ments of the city goverment, for whose use it has been erected, in the course of the ensuing Spring, and you will be called upon to provide for it the necessary furniture. In so doing, I hope that no regard will be had to any 'desire for mere ornament or show, but that plainness and durability alone will be the control- ing consideration. The building was very much needed for the 19 uses of the city, and although there has been much adverse crit- icism of its plans and construction, if it shall properly serve those uses its erection cannot fail to prove a measure of economy in the saving of rent now paid. PUBLIC MARKET. The negotiations which have for some time past been pending with a view of obtaining from the General Government a tract of land at the Wall about, for the purposes of a public market, have not as yet resulted in any satisfactory conclusion. I regard the scheme for the establishment of a great public market as but a mere experiment, and while I have the highest respect and con- sideration for the ideas and views of those of our citizens who are confident of the success of such an experiment, I must con fess I am not inclined to favor any proposition involving the ex- penditure ot a million of dollars for the purpose of testing it. It is too vast a sum to hazard on anything problematical at any time, more especially now, in the present condition of the finances of the city. I prefer that some less costly test be made, and would recommend as a sort of compromise that for the present a plot of ground of sufficient dimensions be leased, with the privi- lege of purchasing at a fixed price, in that locality, and a tem- porary building for market purposes be erected upon it, at an ex- pense say of $15,000 or §20,000. Then if experience should demonstrate the probability of anything like a fair return for the money invested, and especially if more prosperous times should bless us, such a market as the most enthusiastic on the subject could desire may be established. So far as the action of the officials at Washington is concerned, when it is remembered the land the city is now negotiating for is a part of a plot freely presented by the people of the State of New York to the Federal Government, their action, in seeking to obtain an exorbitant price for the land seems to be grasping and sordid, to an unusual and in i warrantable degree. It would not by any means be an act of extraordinary generosity for the General Government to make a free gift of the land to the city. ' GROWTH OF THE CITY. The figures from the Department of Assessment show that the number of new buildings erected in the city during the past year was 1,270, the assessed value of which is $3,349,300 During 1876, the number was 1,506, and the assessed value, $3,742,100. This is ii very fair exhibit, considering the hard times, and may 20 be accepted as an indication that even under the most unfavora- ble circumstances, th • rapid growth of the city is un retarded. RAPID TRANSIT. Eealizi ng, as I do, the vast benefits to result to the city from the establishment of means of rapid communication from one part of it to the other, and especially with the ferries to New New York, I have observed with great interest the experiments now being made with a view of introducing the use of cars pro- pelled by steam on our street railroads. It is as yet premature to decide whether or not the present ex- periments are likely to be successful, but I doubt not that hu- man ingenuity will at no distant day prove competent to the ap- plication of some motive power to our street cars which will com bine, successfully, the required elements of safety, speed and economy, and come into accepted and general use. I would heartily encourage all reasonable and proper efforts in that direction. The increase of means of rapid transit into the country back of us 'is most desirable, and swift communication within our city limits and to the ferries is an absolute necessity, if we are to compete successfully with the other surroundings of New York city for any share of its overflow of population. OTHER DEPARTMENTS. For information in detail as to the operations of the various departments of the city government, other than I have called especial attention to, I refer you to the statements which have been furnished me by the chief officers thereof. They seem to be full and comprehensive, and together, to present a complete ex- hibit of the workings of our municipal government during the past year. 1 have found in them no cause for complaint as to the manner in which the officials who administered the depart- ments have discharged their duty. As to the recommendations in some of the reports, in respect to future action, I intend at this time 'to express no opinion whatever, reserving my judgment until a greater familiarity with the subjects treated of shall enable me to form a more intelligent one than is possible now. CONCLUSION. In conclusion, gentlemen, permit me to say that if I have made larger exactions on your attention than is usual on such occa- sions as this, my apology is in the fact that I have deemed it my duty to advocate radical changes, and, in some sense, "a new de- parture." If I know myself I am actuated by only one motive 21 in entering upon the important office T owe to the generous con- fidence reposed in me by my fellow townsmen. I confess to be honorably ambitious to win their regard and esteem, and to make my administration (ill a not discreditable page in the annals of the evergrowing city, apart from which 1 have no human in terest. Respectfully, JAMES HOWELL, Jr., Mayor. R EPORTS VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF TITE CITY GOVERNMENT. REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CITY WORKS. Department of City Works, / Commissioners' office, City Hall, > Brooklyn, Dec. 1st, 1877. ) To his Honor, the Mayor, James Howell, Jr. i As required by your Honor in a communication to the Board of City Works, I herewith transmit the statements of the work- ings of the several Bureaus of this department for the current year to December 1st, 1877. Respectfully, H. W. SLOCtJM, President D. L. NoRTnup, Secretary. 4 26 DEPARTMENT OF CITY WORKS. December 1st, 1877. Money received from all sources and paid to the City Treasurer, also amounts expended under appropriations, etc., from Janu- ary 1st to December 1st, 1877 : RECEIPTS. For regular water rates 1S73, and previous years For regular water rates 1874 1875 1876 1877 For extra water rates 1873, and pre- vious years For extra water rates 1871 1875 1876 1877 For default 1873, and previous years 1-7-1 1875 1876 1877 Total water revenue For water permits, extensions, etc. . . For sewer permits, repairs, etc For repavingover W. and S. connec- tions, etc For water meters For vault permits For miscellaneous receipts For old wooden block, pat. pavement For pipes and castings, etc., water construction For sale horses, wagons, etc., clean- ing streets .• For inspection, sewerage construction For broken lanterns, lighting streets. For contractors' deposits on proposals Total receipts paid to City Treas. $96 18 52 00 110 37 68,566 03 521,101 21 83 18 28 4-1 57 18 50,682 62 210,244 54 13 50 6 68 11 73 7,127 23 3,161 63 ,345 52 8,131 00 20,366 00 13,438 15 1.896 30 3(37 85 122 70 851 17 1,800 65 257 55 50 00 9 72 25,709 00 1934,345 61 I 27 EXPENDITURES. From appropriations of money from' water revenue for account of water maintenance . . . j $277,103 New reservoir dam I 20,326 From appropriations of m«ney raised by tax for and on account of re- pairs to patent pavement Repairs to streets Cleaning streets Gleaning sewers Repairing sewers Repairs to bridges, ordinary Ninth street bridge Washington avenue bridge Hamilton avenue bridge Lighting streets Fuel public buildings Printing and stationery Gas public buildings Cleaning and repairing public buih Repairs docks and piers Truant Home Wells, pumps and crosswalks Public baths New boilers. City Hall Grading City Hall Park Advertising, corporation newspapers Conveying prisoners Removal of garbage Salaries Department of City Works. . Storm sewers From money derived from the sale of bonds and certificates of indebted- ness for and on account of water construction Breaks in streets AVater meters $97,947 25 116,745 34 81,270 20 50,340 94 9,808 92 7,609 04 1,100 00 648 74 7,243 00 372,908 44 4,847 26 o_ 14.263 02 9,870 72 15,975 9 9 8,605 78 17,780 12 14,830 oi 1.725 On 300 00 55,0o0 03 4,125 18,768 75 84,818 26 31.885 90 50,507 07 8,331 88 $297,429 53 1,041,711 03 6.892 13 63,731 08 Carried forward | |$1, 402,871 64 28 Brought forward Sewerage Constructions. Drainage District No. 21 " 22 k£ 24 " 37 Gowanus sewer district Percentage retained on completed contracts ' Street Improvements. Percentages retained on completed contracts Setting lamp posts Filling in lots Fencing lots Flagging walks Grading and paving Grading Thirty-ninth street Amount refunded contractors from money deposited with the City Treasurer on proposals Amount refunded from revenue for vault permit cancelled Total expenditures approved for pay- ment from money in city Treasury, including the amounts refunded to contractors from morie}^ deposited with the City Treasurer Amounts refunded contractors from deposits on proposals retained by the Board Expenditures to Dec. 1, 1877 Percentage retained on completed contracts to* date, for and on ac- count of — Street improvement fund Sewerage construction Storm sewers 23,353 3,6D> 3,487 .22,650 827 66 5 5 79 05 25 5,299 40 9,^50 72 9,827 01 366 26 2,626 80 6,726 04 74,485 39 11,421 83 20.284 75 3,329 65 945 41 $1,402,871 64 59,234 70 115,304 05 25,703 00 10 00 1,603,123 39 34,793 00 $1,637,916 39 29 BUREAU OF CONSTRUCTION. Improvements completed and in progress daring the year end- ing December 31, 1S77. GRADING AND PAVING. 27,9S1 feet of grading, paving, etc. . . 5,727 " " " Am't Expended. Am't Expended. $101,424 11 6,796 80 $108,220 91 Condition. Condition. Completed. In progress. 33,7ub feet— 6? miles. 1,570 feet of grading and paving done by private contract. Filling lots Digging down lots Fencing vacant lots, 9,853 \ lin. feet. Fagging sidewalks. 46,033 ^ sq. ft.. kt %- (various items).. $348 00 221 50 2,950 IS 7,2-iO 47 192 00 $7,432 47 Completed. Completed. Completed. Completed. GAS LAMP-POSTS. 176 gas-lamps set and 9 reset under contract 41 gas lamps set to finish incomplete assessment Sundry repairs and resetting 4,777 50 Completed. 430 50 555 55 $5,763 55 CLUSTERS. ETC. No. of Lights 1 pedestal lamp, Division and Harri- son avenues 3 pedestal lamps Municipal Building 2 M " City Hall 4 clusters Bedford avenue fountain. . 3 14 square corner Washington and Atlantic avenues Lamps uncapped and re-lighted. .201) Lamps capped » . 67 9 56 $663 00 170 00 $833 00 Completed. In progress. ii Completed. In progress. 30 DOCKS, PIERS AND BULKHEADS 1 new pier $27,679 00 1 bulkhead rebuilt 862 00 5 piers repaired 1,079 49 DREDGING. (2 items) Gowanus Canal BRIDGES. 1 new iron bridge (Hamilton avenue) 9 bridges repaired $29,620 49 $325 00 $17,990 00 2,166 00 $20,156 00 FIRE DEPARTMENT BUILDINGS. $7,100 00 New engine bouse (Seigel street) .... House of engine 2 and truck 1 (Van Brunt and Seabring) House of engine 12 (North Ninth and Second) 4,550 00 1,660 00 $13,310 00 POLICE DEPARTMENT BUILDINGS. Completed. New cells building (6th sub.) (9th sub.) 4 court rooms repaired , $3,461 00 1,183 00 328 00 $4,972 00 PUBLIC BATHS. North Seventh street bath — removing pontoons, etc $ 990 00 North Seventh street bath — towage and repairs during season 666 60 Conover street bath (new) 13,620 00 " " gas connection, towage and repairs during season . 283 75 $15,560 35 31 The total number of bathers in the North Ninth street bath for the season commencing June 13th, 1S77, and ending October 14th, 1877, is 191,910, divided as follows: Adult males 50,122 u females 17,363 Boys 98,765 Girls 25,669 191,919 The running expenses of this bath for the year (including re- pairs now under contract) are $3,141.56. The cost per bather equals ljjjj cents. The Conover street bath was put under contract February 9, 1877, James D. Leary, contractor. It was completed June 20, 1877. The cotal cost of construction was $13,620. The total running expenses since acceptance are $1,293.75. The total number of bathers for the season commencing June, 20, 1877, and ending October 1-1, 1877, is 128,605, divided as follows : Adult males 34,892 M females 13,716 Boys 62,996 Girls 17,001 128,605 The total cost per bather, including the original cost of the bath and the running expenses for the season, equals llioo cents. The cost per bather, including the running expenses only, equals cents. Both baths are now at their Winter quarters at the foot of Twenty-third street ; the Conover street bath is in good con- dition, the other one is undergoing repairs, CITY HALL. Digging down in front of, etc. (in progress) $11,400 00 Various repairs 1,458 67 $12,S5S 67 MISCELLANEOUS. Retaining wall, Ninth street, between Smith and the Canal $219 33 Square, Atlantic, Underbill and Washington avenues 94S 00 32 Street basins, Park avenue $1,049 16 Truant Home, window guards 144 00 Kemoving and trimming trees 180 00 Street basins 512 83 Drains \\\[ 83 60 Public cisterns 168 00 Surveys 268 50 Public pounds 5^5 00 Various repairs, Mayor's orders 404 35 $4,662 77 WELLS AND PUMPS, CROSSWALKS, CURB AND GUTTER. Wells and pumps, repaired, etc $2,839 30 Crosswalks, 66 new and 130 repaired 5,086 04 Repairs to sidewalks 526 05 New curb 200 00 Curb and gutter, reset, 221,155 leet— 41^ miles 11,954 85 $20,606 24 SPECIAL REPAIRS. 35,773 square yards of granite block pavement laid in the city during the year 1^77. SEWER CONSTRUCTION. 4 1 2 ° miles of sewers constructed during the year 1877. BUREAU OF EXTENSION AND DISTRIBUTION. General Statement of Work done during the year 1877. Water mains laid during year 1877, consisting of the follow T - ing size and length : 4-inch pipe , 408 feet. 6-inch pipe 25,222 " 8-inch pipe. 1,616 k> 12-inch pipe > 3,996 *' 20-inch pipe 714 " Total 31,956, or 6 1 §§ miles. 33 Stop-cocks of various sizes 46 6-inch pipe relaid . 3,386 feet. Submerged pipe at Kingsland avenue 137 " Fire hydrants set on new mains 69 Fire hydrants set on old mains, additional 24 Fire hydrants to replace condemned ones with wood- en boxes. . . . 192 GENERAL REPAIRS TO PROSPECT HILL RESERVOIR. Stop-cocks on principal mains refitted with indicator gearing. Taps driven for water connections of various sizes ........ l,83t> Taps replaced on old service 90 Together with the daily routine of general repairs. BUREAU OF SEWER MAINTENANCE. 9,109 house connections inspected. 22 separate k ' " 420 repairs to " " 9,560 street basins cleaned. 19,120 loads of deposit removed from street basins. 300 miles of main sewers cleaned and flushed. 25,009 street basins examined. 409 caves repaired over main sewers. 1.303 loads of sand used to fill up caves. 5,379 yards of paving done. 1,500 blocks of main sewers examined. 72 iron manhole covers set. 39 street basin heads repaired. 4 " " reset. 9 manhole heads set. 9 u " reset. BT RKA U OK STREETS. Report of Permit Clerk (Room No. 1), for the year ending December 1, 1877 : NUMBER OF PERMIT ISSUED. Building permits : To erect new buildings 1000 " alter and repair buildings 400 " finish buildings 75 1475 34 Permits to dig cellars : To cross sidewalk . . " build vaults . . . . *' " ovens . . . " repair cesspools Special permits : To crosswalk for business purposes " erect awnings " " board fence " " temporary platform " ■ " telegraph poles " " flagpoles " " lamp poles, private " temporary bouses on Wallabout dock " relay flagging " " gas pipes " " drain pipes " " steam pipes " " water pipes " " railroad tracks " " pavements " place transparencies on lamps , " u materials upon street " " roofing materials on street . . . . " " scales on Wallabout dock canvas signs across street, bill-boards on walk ..... tan upon street reset curb and gutter regrade street at own rs 1 expense . . lay crosswalks at owners' expense . " dirt on street . . , " wood sidewalk , cut down dead and dangerous trees trim trees plant trees remove dead trees and roots " awnings , " steam roller through street " old building .... . ' alter telegraph poles dig area ways erect banner 733 16 33 5 78 58 7 20 13 3 1 1 264 6 11 4 3 20 2 21 53 6 1 2 3 2 15 1 5 87 1 353 5 11 3 2 1 1 5 3 2 787 35 To repair cesspools " repair ovens " " vaults " construct tunnel across street u change glass in street lamps " occupy street for connection purposes . " crosswalk to fill up vacant lots " stand relief teams on street M open walk to place steam boiler under M run dummy to Hamilton Ferry " place tan on street 1 5 6 1 1 3 30 2 1 1 2 1127 33S9 Total number of permits Complaints received by Superintendent from "Board of Health," kt Department of Police and Excise," " Street Inspectors," and citizens for violation of city ordinance : Dead animals 3,335 Dangerous sidewalks 240 Obstructions, sidewalks 161 Obstructions, streets 112 Dangerous trees 125 Dead trees 155 Carts, wagons and trucks standing on the public streets. . 150 Building material obstructing streets and sidewalks 125 Dirty streets and non-removal of ashes. -112 Sewer basins overflowed 85 Sewer basins stopped with snow and ice 1,994 Coal boxes on the sidewalks 13 Signs across and on the sidewalk • 28 Peanut stands 9 Newspaper stands 15 Non-removal of garbage 64 Trees obstructing street lamps 678 Snow and ice on sidewalks and gutters 19 Miscellaneous 123 Broken lamps 41 Ash boxes on the sidewalks 15 Buildings and fences over area line 16 Dangerous awnings 12 Total number notices served by the Superintendent and Inspectors 2,806 A number of the above complaints were served with a second notice, and where parties refused to obey the notices of the Com- 36 missioners or Superintendent they were put in the hands of the Corporation Counsel for prosecution. Dead and Dangerous Trees removed under resolutions of Common Council : As per resolution of Common Council, March 12, 1877, for First ward : Appropriation $50 00 1877. EXPENDED. May, 15 trees removed, at $2 $30 00 June, 10 " " k * 20 00 $50 00 As per resolution of Common Council, November 21, 1876. Appropriation $500 00 1877. EXPENDED. January, 1 tree removed $2 00 February, 36 trees " 74 50 April, 4 " " 4 i.O May, 3 " " 9 00 July, 51 " " 102 00 August, 30 " k< 60 00 September, 15 " " 30 00 October, 10 " " 20 00 November, 2 " " . 4 00 $305 50 Glass Street Signs to replace broken and defaced ones for Street Lamps: Kesolution of Common Council, February 26 : Appropriation $250 00 1877. EXPENDED. Twenty-first ward, 200 signs, at 25 cents $50 00 Seventeenth 190 " " 47 50 Fifteenth " 178 " " 44 50 Third " 48 " " 12 00 Tenth " 96 " " 24 00 Fourth " 42 " " 10 50 Eleventh " 75 " " 18 75 Second " 70 " " 17 50 Odd, " 27 " " 6 75 926 Putting in 925 signs, at 2 cents 231 50 18 50 $250 00 37 Resolution of Common Council, March 5: Appropriation $100 00 1877. EXPENDED. Twenty- fourth ward, 353 signs, at 25 cents .... $88 25 Putting in same, at 2 cents 7 00 $95 31 $100 00 Resolution of Common Council, April 16 : Appropriation $100 00 1877. EXPENDED. First ward, 370 signs, at 25 cents $92 50 Putting in same, at 2 cents 7 40 $99 90 $100 00 Resolution of Common Council, April 16 : Appropriation $150 00 1877. EXPENDED. Seventh ward, 554 signs, at 25 cents $138 50 Putting in same, at 2 cents 11 08 sH9 58 $150 00 Resolution of Common Council, May 21 : Appropriation $25 00 1877. EXPENDED. Seventeenth ward, 76 signs at 25 cents. ... $L9 00 Putting in same > at 2 cents 1 52 $20 52 $25 00 Resolution of Common Council, September 6 : Appropriation $50 00 1877. EXPENDED. Sixteenth ward, 250 signs, at 20 cents $50 00 $50 00 RECAPITULATION. Total amount appropriated $675 oO " " expended 665 31 Balance $9 69 38 Gas-lamp Inspector's Reports from Jan. 1 to Dec. 1, 1877 : Brooklyn Gaslight Company Williamsburgh Gaslight Company Nassau " " Metropolitan " " People's Citizens' " Total 1,423 Lanterns reported out of repair. Lanterns reported put in repair. 289 295 172 172. 32 26 351 331 122 125 457 353 1,423 1,305 Total number reported 2,728. Notices have been served on each company by the inspector to repair the lanterns, and in these cases and all others have been acted upon by the companies, as a general thing, promptly. There is at present a great demand for new lanterns to replace old and worn-out ones, too far gone to repair on the posts in all the companies' districts ; but this difficulty will soon be avoided by the distribution of new lanterns, now being made on contract, to replace such as cannot be repaired. Gas Lanterns and Frames issued and received : On hand January 1, 1S77 Received from Brooklyn Gaslight Co Old frames on hand unfit for use . . DELIVERED. Delv*d to Dec. 1, Brooklyn Gaslight Co . , Wmsburgh Gaslight Co Nassau " Metropolitan " Peoples' " Citizens' u Sent to be repaired under contract LANTERNS FRAMES On hand Dec. 1, 1877 63 63 61 63 38 13 33 33 88 . HI 46 25 175 329 486 LANTERNS FRAMES 337 1 460 1 63 338 329 524 486 38 39 There are now being made under contract 500 new lanterns. 150 new frames, and 175 old frames being repaired. Public Street Lamps Lighted at the expense of the city ; also showing the increase during the year : GASLIGHT COMPANIES. No. Lamps Dec. 31, 1876. No. Lamps Dec. 1, 1877. 3 Feet. 5 Feet. 3 Feet. 5 Feet. Brooklyn! District Nassau " Citizens' " 2855 2958 2477 1874 1679 1699 2 2872 30^7 2552 1907 1768 1703 9 13,542 2 13,889 2 347— 3-feet burners. Deduct lamps uncapped and relit. 141 3-feet burners. The burners on all the lamps throughout the city are 3 feet, with the exception of two 5-feet burners on lamps located at the Newtown Creek Bridge. 40 co O i coHocqxaocoiooH iOOiOiCONHHNiMNCD i o"co" co"co~o :o"t>^ oo"co'i>r T -r -ncOCOCOCOCNCMCNCOCO'xH #3= CM O CO CO o CO m Deductions, Unlighted Lamps. (M ^ i- h (N CO 00 O OO O C (-vi -r-H c~^, r<\ rr~> r*^ r — 4^ r/~\ COHCOMClOOb-C^OH H H f H t— 1 $1,112 20 5 fc£) o ft CO(NHCDOOOOacOHI> 1 — - <>L? iT5 GN JU GYj (JU ICj G\| 050HC5©'*OC00 10(N -h^oo^cm^o^cm m co co (N wo 99 fff 1 .i-h C3 1/"— "sk^ i/^- !>• l>- 1>- !>• C* - !>• OS +j d co ■•- o fl h^— fVs fPi r^— , e~~\ c*o rv\ <^^, v*'*) IT** \p CTJ ^_^) xjH (M O O (M lO CO ^Jl t— 1 O CO CO ICS (M^COOCOOlOCOOiOGO OOHXOCONO'OCDOiCO CO CO t— i CO CO ~+i CM iO OS ' - O o o Q 5 W co" ^ cT co" co" oT o" i— T iO~ cT -*T CO(MCNCM(NH(^(M(MCOCO $292. CO r«1 >o CM CM e& tH CM CO o OS CD CO iO rH l> >o O CD fM CO^CO (M^CO^O^QOOH CM CO CO En o 3 co" oT o" of co" oo o" — " cT oo" COCOt>fMOlONOOTtlTH(M oo r-^a Q^ 10 co os *o *o co <— • 795, p rjT cm" cm" r-T o" co" oo" os" — " co" o" T—lT-HrHl— 1— I T— It-it-. OS CM ,bo^ O t> 41 Gas Consumed in the public buildings, City Hall, Police Head- quarters. Police stations, Auditor and Treasurer's office. De partment of Arrears. Police and Justices' courts, stable of Mounted Police and Public Baths — 1877. MONTH. January . February March . . . April May ... June .... July August September October . . . November Total CUBIC FEET. COST PER M. AMOUNT. 706,800 ^2 25 $1,590 31 (585,900 It 652,800 u M68 77 618,200 u 1.390 92 528,150 a 1,188 38 113,900 u 931 28 399,400 u 898 63 464.400 (1 1,044 91 477,700 u 1,074 79 574,725 C< 1,293 12 705,850 u 1,588 16 6,2-37,825 $14,012 55 As per resolution of Common Council, February 5, 1877 : East Reformed Church clock As per resolution of Common Council, August 1. 1877 : St. Stephen's Church clock 121 73 150 00 Total to December 1, 1877 $14,277 08 Bills passed for cleaning streets, removing ashes, etc. : 1877. — Amount of bills for cleaning streets and re- moving ashes, passed from January 1st to December 1st $59,072 42 Extra work authorized by Common Council : February, Removing ashes from City Hall. $20 00 March, Cleaning Fourth street, E. 1). . . 71 13 May, " Columbia Heights ... 3 75 11 Wallabocht place 50 00 M in Twenty-first ward.. 25 00 October, " in Ninth ward 39 38 44 44 Third avenue 10 00 " 11 in Thirteenth ward . . L0 00 289 26 Total $59,361 68 6 42 Amount of bills passed for horse-keep for Inspectors of Street Cleaning, from Jan. 1st to July 31st, 1877, $590 28 The horses, wagons and harness belonging to the city, and used by the Inspectors, were sold at public auction by Messrs. Cole & Murphy, July 21st. Since that date the Inspectors have been using car tickets. Amount of bills passed for removal of garbage and offal, to December 1st, as per contract $18,768 75 BUREAU OF SUPPLIES. Amount of Bills passed from January 1st to December 1st, 1876, as follows — viz. : For Truant Home $7,856 34 " Department of Fire and Buildings 18,889 85 " Police and Excise 2,373 00 City Works ],624 19 " Corporation advertising 49,997 70 " Transportation of prisoners 4,125 00 " Printing Common Council minutes . . . . 4,318 15 " Fuel for public buildings 7,365 25 " Miscellaneous purposes , 19.260 39 Total $115,841 87 Resolutions of Common Council acted upon to December 1st, 1877 (82), for the following departments and purposes: AMOUNT AUTHORIZEE AMOUNT EXPENDED. Department of City Works $ 875 00 $ 864 89. " Collection 625 00 478 00 3,205 00 2,833 28 City Clerk 469 00 325 00 1,770 00 1,450 59 Board of Aldermen 135 00 131 00 Sealers of Weights and Measures 68 00 53 00 20 00 20 00 City Hall 105 00 87 00 15 00 14 78 572 00 '572 0.0 235 00 223 00 200 0u 200 00 Miscellaneous purposes 115 00 111 06 Total $8,409 00 $7,363 60 43 Mayor's Orders acted upon to December 1, 1877 (37), as follows : AMOUNT AUTHORIZED AMOUNT EXPENDED. " City Clerk's office 11 City Hall & Q E? 1 Ai\ $ODl *±M 20 00 69 00 90 00 421 53 54 52 324 89 70 00 ().) 20 00 69 00 69 50 379 05 52 00 263 86 70 00 Total $1,401 34 $1,242 46 RECAPITULATION. AUTHORIZED EXPENDED. S2 resolutions Common Council .... 37 Mayor's orders Total $8,409 00 1,401 34 £7,363 60 1,242 46 $9,810 34 $8,606 06 Total Number of Contracts Executed from January 1 to December 1, 1877, (39), for the following departments and purposes : For Department of Fire and Buildings : amounts. For hay, oats, straw, etc $9,000 00 " books, blanks and stationery 499 00 " supplies 2,824 00 M harness material .. 295 00 " telegraph material 4,799 00 " engine lathe 312 00 " maps 1,317 00 " cannel coal 772 50 u white lead, oil, paints, etc 274 00 " general supplies. . 1,321 00 " harness material, etc 688 20 " telegraph material, etc 13,050 00 " steam engine 4,525 00 $39,676 70 44 For Department of Police and Excise : For supplies $725 00 " stationery and books 1,358 00 " blanks 230 00 $2,313 00 For Truant Home : For groceries, bread meat, etc $5,000 00 Miscellaneous contracts : For printing Common Council minutes, 1877 ... . . $4,500 00 " supplies for keeper City Hall 488 00 " coal for public buildings 7,550 00 « wood " " 1,400 00 gas for street lamps and pub. build'gs (6 contracts), 371,900 00 " gold badges for Aldermen 287 00 " stationery for various departments 4,144 00 " blanks for Justices 1 courts 750 00 " books and blanks for Board of Assessors 647 00 " flags for City Hall 269 00 " ice for public buildings 580 00 " city directories 825 00 " fireworks for celebration of July 4 1,800 00 " transportation of prisoners 4,500 00 " books for Department of Collection 282 67 " binding minutes of Common Council 300 00 " new gas lanterns and frames 2,086 00 $402,308 67 RECAPITULATION. For Department of Fire and Buildings $39,6/6 70 Police and Excise 2,313 00 Truant Home 5,000 00 Miscellaneous .'. 402,308 67 Total $449,298 37 45 Contracts, incomplete, expiring December .31, 1877, and pay- ments thereon : FOR WHAT PURPOSE. Amount Certified on Contract. Amount Expended to Dec, 1st. Printing Common Council minutes . Hay, oats, etc , Dep't. of Fire and Bld'gs. Coal for public buildings Wood " " Groceries, meat, bread, etc., Truant H'me. Ice for public buildings G:is for street lamps and pub. buildings. §4,500 00 9.000 00 7.550 00 1,400 00 5,000 00 5b0 00 4,500 0o 371,900 00 $4,348 15 7.237 53 6,027 S9 477 50 3,320 87 383 *9 4,125 00 30(5,836 49 Total ; $404,430 00 $333,357 32 Bridgekeepers' Supplies delivered to the various bridges to December 1, 1877 : - Sperm oil about 27 gallons. Wrenches 1 Oil cans (2 gallons) 2 Squirt cans 1 Iron shovels 1 Snow " 5 Axes 3 Padlocks and keys 5 Wooden brooms 5 Corn brooms 7 Cotton waste about 2 pounds. 46 Bridgekeeper's Supplies on hand December 1, 1877 : ARTICLES. QUANTITY. ARTICLES. QUANTITY. Sperm oil (about) . . Signal " Oil cans (2 gallons) Squirt cans. 1 5 galls. 1 " 15 15 10 23 19 9 21 10 5 3| doz. 28 18 3 2 I bale. 23 pes. Lanterns Lantern wicks Wooden brooms . . . Corn Wire Padlocks and keys.. Snow ... Iron chains Copies of charter ordinances, etc., 1873, delivered and on hand. Delivered to various departments, offices, etc., to Dec. 1, 1877, 36 copies. On hand Dec. 1, 1877, 237 copies. REPORT DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. Department of Finance, ) Comptroller's Office, City Hall,. V Brooklyn, December 31, 1877. J Hon. James Howell,. Mayor elect : Sir — In response to your request, I herewith present a detailed statement of the bonded indebtedness of the city as it exists at this date : PERMANENT LOANS. Permanent Water Loan $11,216,500 00 Mount Prospect Square Loan 90,000 00 National Guard and Volunteer Firemen's Loan. . . 27,000 00 New York Bridge 8,000,000 00 Brooklyn City Bonds for the completion of the New York "and Brooklyn Bridge ... 2,750,000 00 Wallabout Bay Improvement Loan 498,000 00 Soldiers Aid Fund Bonds 552,006 00 Deficiencies prior to 1872 319,000 00 Prospect Park Loan 9,234,000 00 Kent Avenue Basin Loan 427,000 00 $28,113,500 00 Less amount of Sinking Fund 4,660,747 45 Net Permanent Debt $23,462,752 45 48 TEMPORARY LOAN, To be reimbursed by assessments levied upon the property ben- efited : Fourth Avenue Improvement Loan $396,000 00 Growanus Canal Improvement Loan 236,000 00 Williamsburgh Local Improvement Loan 138,000 00 Knickerbocker and Central Avenue Sewer 618,000 00 Third Street Improvement Loan 302,000 00 South Seventh Street Improvement Loan ... ... 258,000 00 Union Street Improvement Loan . . • 260,000 00 Bushwick Avenue Improvement Loan .. 216,000 00 Boulevard Improvement Loan 842,000 00 South Brooklyn Sewer 200.000 00 Local Improvement Loan 213,000 00 Assessment Fund Bonds 3,373,000 00 Assessment Fund Bonds, W. and S., Repairing Streets 1,371,000 00 Sewerage Fund Bonds 1,870,000 00 $10,293,000 00 Tax certificates issued in anticipation of the pay- ment of taxes in course of collection 2,500,000 00 From the foregoing statement it will be observed that the fol- lowing changes in the indebtedness of the city has taken place during the year now closed — viz. : PERMANENT DEBT. Increase in New York and Brooklyn Bridge bonds $900,000 00 Water Loan ' 111,500 00 $1,011,500 00 Decrease in Wallabout Bay Improvement Loan. . , 46,000 00 $965,500 00 From which deduct the increase of the Sinking Fund 130,617 95 $834,882 05 49 TEMPORARY LOANS. Decrease in Assessment Funded Bonds $144,000 Decrease in Assessment Fund Bonds, W. and S 80,000 Decrease in Sewerage Funded Bonds. . 118,500 " Union st. Improvem't Loan 66,000 Bedford avenue (in full) . . 278,000 " So. Brooklyn Sewer Loan . 3,000 " Fourth av. Impr't Loan . . . 25,000 " Gowanus Canal Imp't Loan 24,000 South Seventh st " 20,000 " Bushwick avenue " 17,000 775,500 00 $59,382 05 Add increase in Tax Certificates 600,000 00 Net increase in City Debt $659,382 05 At first glance this statement would appear as unsatisfactory , but an analysis of the same will show that the increase of the public debt is due entirely to the amount of bonds issued for the com- pletion of the Bridge, and for the extension of our admirable Water system, and that the Temporary Debt, consisting of bonds issued for various local improvement has- been reduced to the extent of $775,500. I also present a statement of a great number of cancellations of assessments for various local improvements amounting in the ag- gregate, with interest thereon, to over one million of dollars; this matter is now pending and undergoing consideration by the joint Committees of Law and Finance, and it is believed some plan will be agreed upon whereby the deficiency thus created may be met by funding the same into bonds, payable in twenty years, in accordance with the suggestions of your immediate predecessor. Respectfully submitted, WM. BURRELL, Comptroller. 7 REPORT OF THE CITY TREASURER. Office of the City Treasurer, ) Brooklyn, Dec. 5, 1877. f Mr. James Howell, Jr. : Dear Sir: In reply to yours of the 20th alt, I herewith transmit a de- tailed statement, showing the transactions of the Treasury De- partment from January 1st to November 30th : Receipts (including $10,917.24 int. on balances. .$11,927,328 96 Disbursements by 9,792 warrants 11,81^,141 80 Balance in banks December 1st £10 1 J,1S7 10 The Treasurer is also Treasurer of the Board of Education, and has received on that account from January 1st to November 30th £1,087,210 24 Unexpended balance December 3<>, 1^76. . 59,519 87 9 months' interest on bank balances 6,960 15 $1,153,690 26 Disbursements on 1,946 warrants 1,053,810 94 Balance $99,879 32 The employees of the department consist of Treasurer, Deputy Treasurer, bookkeeper and messenger. Heretofore a policeman has been detailed to act as messenger for the Auditor ami Treas- urer. Since his withdrawal I have been obliged to appoint a messenger. The salaries are as follows: Treasurer, $4,000: deputy! $3.0 t- I- X -r — X i': »0^0 » iQ OS ~ ; cc R B i> r>"oxV of»o i-I NTrCod (DON OS CO SO Ci f C T-lOX) TH or;- — 7) — — co oc t- cr. os PS S H > © ; O o ; O C : P.&J fi 85 3 C |l C 93 p£> £ > — /. — — O (3 SrtrtOdJ Pig S s s = 't a = 1-3 « c gQ 8fi c o « « s 2 CO OS § 57,828 ad 00 OS 5if CO 1> TH O OS 00 »Q fc- OS 0> -r CO If «CQ^ r;^ cj S O- - -- -- -- - 1! y GO 93 £3 DEPARTMENT OF ASSESSMENT. Annual Report of the President of the Hoard of Assessors, for the Year ending Nov. 30, 181 7. Department of Assessment, ( Brooklyn, N. Y., December, 1877. j Hon. James Howell, Jr.. Mayor elect: Dear Sir : Pursuant to your request for information concerning the opera- tions of this department, I have the honor herewith to present a report ot the doings of the Board of Assessors, for the twelve months ending November 3<<, 1877. ANNUAL ASSESSMENT. The valuations of the real and personal property in the city, upon which is levied the annual tax, amount as follows : W7. 1876. INCREASE JN 1877. Real estate $216,481,801 $213,219,048 $3,262,758 Decrease. Personal property. 13,111,215 13,878,580 767,365 Total $229,593,016 $227 ,<>i>7.623 Net Increase. $2,495,393 In Schedule B, hereto annexed, it will be seen that during the year ending J une 1, 1N77 (the date of the annual assessment), there have been erected 1,27<> buildings, tin- value of which lias been assessed at $3,349,3u0. l>y comparing this amount with 54 the foregoing statement, it will appear that the valuations of the real estate, other than of the new buildings, are substantially the same as those of last year. The assessors do not hesitate to ad- mit that the value of real estate, here as elsewhere, has depre- ciated to a very considerable extent, but they have not deemed it proper to comply with the numerous requests, to reduce the assessed valuations, because they believe that the assessments are still somewhat less than the present actual value ; and because a general reduction of valuations cannot operate to reduce the amount of the tax bills, but would make the rate per cent, higher, in order to raise the necessary amount, and so the tax- payer would get no relief from a reduction of the valuations, while his property, in common with all of that of the city, would suffer by reason of reports going forth that the tax rate had been largely increased. The following comparative statement of assessments and tax- ation for four years will perhaps be deemed of interest here : 55 — o CO CM H/i tH o ^1 1 O tH rH CO 00 CO o CO CO o O CM co" oo" cT oo" oo" l _ CO oo OC r-H Ca O 00 3iO! t— ^ 06 rH CO Oa CM CM co rH Oa" —"tH !>•" i — i i—i 71 '/. cm CM 1 €/> 00 o CO 00 *C o CM r-H »o Tji 00 CM CM 00 CO oo 05 O CO 00 CM od CO f CO o"co"oa" oa CO CO t> - — 1 co co oa CM co Oa CO CO OO r-^CO I— CO 05 co_ I—* QO~«T 1 1 T— 1 CM «» CM CM t& c/y O lO tH 00 Hi CO lO CM f ^ CO o o °° r-H CO iO CM i— oo H co" t-Tt-T oo" CM ^ II w . O QO OS XG, r-4 rH CO *i J II co 00 7—1 oa cm CM H- C 09* CD* »o jhVTo O T— 1 CM CM CM I f& «* O O 'HH Oa oa ^H _J o o £ o: n © 00 CO 00 IQ r— 1 HH C • * ^ ; • CS • CD ■ £ CD :W co CO CO • ^2 ; ..— ■ ' o CM . o — OJO r o • CD • o © ! i — i state . iial est Q CO 53 State Count City © CD £> s CO o ■v.- — CD . A- ' — : cd -H CM ! 3 a> JD co co fi cd X ! y - <— > • CO CD a • ~ «a - 3 CD vT CD CD CD 1 — . it s a» o - O CO ** ■* cd O o 1 6 L8tl \ era X Q — < 56 The steady growth of the city, as here shown, will be effectual to produce the much-desired reduction of taxes, so long as there be no increase of expenditures. A reduction of expenses will, of course, promote the happy result. It appears from the above statement that the average tax rate has been reduced in three years from $35.50.7 per 81.000 in 1874, to $31.70 in 1877 (a reduction of 83. SO. 7 per $1,000). This results from an increase of the taxable property on the one part and from a reduction of the amount called for, for State purposes, on the other, while the lew for local purposes is substantiallv the same in 1877 as in 1874. The valuation of personal property is -less in this year than last, but not as much so as appeared last year, compared with the year before. The enormous shrinkages of values and financial disasters which mark this period, will fully account for the reduced amount of personal property. Schedule A, hereto annexed, gives the amounts of real and personal estate as assessed in each of the wards, to wdiich is add- ed, as matter of interest, but not as a part of the doings of this department, the assessments m the several towns of Kings county. Local Assessments, to the number of 220, have been appor- tioned to the amount of S793, 727.53. Of these, five for the sum of $17,201.28 are for street openings on which no advance of money is made from the City Treasury. The number ot local assessments may not be taken as an indication of the number of local improvements recently made : for a large part of those here named are for improvements, mostly gas-lamps and posts of old dates, some having been done as much as twelve years ago ; nor is this department to be charged with delay, as may readily be seen by the annual reports of this department for all the years since the Board of Assessors have been constituted a department. As shown in former reports, reductions have had to be made pur- suant to the provisions of the charter as amended in 1&74, from local assessments, where the amount to be assessed to any lot for the proportion of benefit exceeded the. limit (in the law) as to the value of the lot. These reductions are a loss to the city. The charter provides an ample safeguard against such loss by requiring that before any contract be made preliminary esti- mates of cost and preliminary assessments and estimates of value be made, and by forbidding the making of a contract if the cost to any lot exceed its value. Since 1873, this provision has been duly observed, and it is probably safe to say that since then no 57 loss has resulted to the city from the cause named. But prior to 1873, although the same provision was in the cfiarter, as then in force, the preliminary estimates were not had, and, as a natural consequence, numerous cases occurred by which lots were assessed more than could be collected, and reductions were made by the courts and by the Board of Assessors. The amounts so reduced by the Board of Assessors are as follows: In 1874 1 $ 42,407 58 , In 1875 101,898 65 In 1876 157,732 35 In 1877 165,142 60* $468,181 18 This is but a part of the enormous, loss sustained by the city through this flagrant violation in the past years, of plain provi- sions of law, and to-day we are bearing the burden of debt result- ing from such loss. After deducting the assessments for streets openings and re- ductions named above, there remains the sum of $610,383.65 of the total local assessments of the year, which, when collected, will be applicable to the reduction of the city's debt Preliminary estimates in twenty -five proposed improve- ments have been made, of which the aggregate estimated cost is $182,654.80. Of these, two, of which the estimated cost is $52,045.12, cannot be proceeded with, because they are lots upon which the estimated assessment would exceed the limit of value. Apportionments of taxes and assessments heretofore levied upon various plots, where division of the same had to be made on account of diverse interests, have been made by this Board during the year, to the number of eight hundred and twenty. Jury List. — The annual list of persons liable to jury duty, has been made. North Second Street Widening.— By a law passed in 1871 (chapter 559), North Second street, from the East river to Bush wick avenue, was widened to eighty feet, and provisions were made for compensation for lands and buildings taken, etc The Common Council fixed a district of assessment, and Com- missioners were appointed who determined that the cost of the improvement for lands and buildings taken, and the expenses in- cidental thereto, was 8322,1)48.50. The report of the Commis- sioners and map of the assessment district, fixed V.y the Common Council, were sent to this Board, that the amount be apportioned ♦See schedule F. 8 58 and assessed upon the several lots affected. On this, the Board of Assessors decicfed, December 23, 1876, that in their judgment, the lands within the district of assessment would not be benefit- ed to the extent of the cost, and reported accordingly. On Feb- ruary 7, 1877, a mandamus of the Supreme Court was served upon the Board of Assessors, ' directing this body to fix the dis- trict of assessment, in conformity with the above-recited law. Since that date, this Board has made repeated efforts to comply with the mandate of the court, having appointed various com- mittees to examine the matter and report, but have always beeil unsuccessful in their effort to u fix the district in their judgment benefitted by the said widening," as the law prescribes, which will not conflict with another provision of the law, to the effect that seventy per cent, of the damages and expenses shall be assessed upon the lands lying within- one hundred feet of the street as widened, and " the remaining thirty per cent, upon the remain- ing lots " " within the district of assessment." Recently an order of the court commanded the members of this Board to show why they should not be punished for not obeying the order of the court, to which (acting in this, as in all of the proceedings, under the advice of the Corporation Counsel) nine out of ten of the members made reply to the court that they had made repeated efforts to fix a district "in their judgment benefitted," but had not been able to decide that any lands, not a lying within one hundred feet of the said street, as widened," would be benefitted by the improvement, and so had been una- ble to fix a district that would conform to the law in the two par- ticulars named. The matter is now pending in the court. Washington Avenue Extension in the Town of Flat- bush. — Pursuant to the provisions of an act of the Legislature of 1870 (chap. 376), the Board of Park Commissioners called upon the Board of Assessors to apportion an assessment for grading and paving said extended street. This Board made the apportionment, including in the amount apportioned the sum of $400.53 for Assessors' fees. The report of the assessment was completed February 16, 1877. When suf- ficient money had been collected by the Park Commissioners, they paid the amount of Assessors' fees to this Board, and the same was paid on October 16, 1877, by order of the Board of Assessors, to the Comptroller for the'use of the city. I have the honor to be, dear sir, Yours respectfully, JOHN TRUSLOW, President of the Board of Assessors. 59 0) z> a? § s ESS m :f :li :::::: :§ I : : ! : cr. « co . . . . . . cj • • . . xr o o» eo ~'~ • o © = c. L- -> — • -n ~ ,~ co i.-T i • ■ • s H • o — - 1- 'gSMOfl • • •t-_^-{-qoj'. — -too ! i ; ioox'- *cf©-s"~ '. x*o» — ' . . . iO co co co c> o» ~ . — i- x o* o . . . T _^,„^,^ . 0» O CO CO c ;g : : , • to • • • •g ! : : SSS2S 53 co 55 L-* «C 0» fc- "T » — ' (J* — t- P"« t- t-*00©' C-* I X s j s 2 .0 phco 2 3t^i-iOf o_ -> co o oo o o o* — ~ T~ o — y o co c> x © oi co t- o t" — ~ fc»«0 ~ 2 'O vSqiq c* t 10 t" — ' x'x' t-"of so rjT S t-' io i-I uoTx co't-' co' as OS - i.o = = SOOQQQoae o = = = = o o © © o S95SS9 o © © o © to © © © — © © o © © © = co ~. — x o ?j o< — x = o ot ^ o i.o 2 noeOB^ie BoS •2 »o' t-' 10 ©* ©" ,-*x o ©* o -n o — ' — ' 10 ~ ' — .' 10" co 1-0 co - - I CTIUC C-.TT r- 0( CO f- Wt-r.r-n" £ 9 aaV" Q9S44 — x co 1.0 t> c* o x co 0* cS'sig^'x' — 1- ..- = t- C* X »o 01 fe« i-j rr £-Cbief^ of (NOCOCIT •1 t .fl 2 * 5 - SIS Hi Is Is SIS •v.. t- X 04 [9 CO 25 »C i-J i-O XM co'tt «-0 oo a do l- ct'l-'i- oj co {- — 'i- — 'co' c'i-x — i sp 1- efog* e ; t- c - 1- i- t c - ?i r. r. r. * - c? cj r x — ~ — — _ — CO CO i-0 CO ~ lO O 1' £- (- CT- — . » — S A Ol O' — CO - O* O r; c; i-' tt in' co t'-t' x'x'c-' o 1.0 -r CO cs » 10' x' co' 1- co' 09 I ; ; ; c c c c i.c ic ic x - ; c o c c i-c c; ; » c r. t- x 1 x i-cccccr ot ~. 1- f - y. ci cc x - " o c: c /. x 1- I n n a n fi 9 « eo o F « « o S ^ 3 2 « « h ow 9 q t- v= ci"x" r. ic t- 1-1 10 i' S x o* ' x ri t-'cN id - vr o ncoo o B x t- — Ci fN 5 — — ' 2> B sp co* cccsxf 1- f » x E = K3 < O — 3^ TO — $ CD - E * y. - S3 9 c I c5 S — £ ?r n N x — h-3 T Is 9 a ED a O I /- ? i 88 mount. 15,201 83 J3,440 04 5,949 94 j§ I 12 ~ 5 t> — s < ft ;r — & 6 -T) — * ! * = g| B ~ - ' 2 ~ ~ -= =x — s § x~* i 5 Q f v " o 201 28 S3 t- i «» i- -s s 1 S3 LI i s ITS - : 5 S3 & gig xcc 2 — = i ;r_; ! f& 9 if x a 5 o 62 SCHEDULE D. Local Assessments completed during the year ending November 30, 1877 : GAS LAMPS AND POSTS. Atlantic ave, from Classon to the City Line. Albany ave, from Atlantic to St. Marks ave Albany ave, from Herkimer st to Atlantic ave. . . Adams st, from Broadway to Evergreen ave Bridge st, near Sands st ... Bushwick ave, from Grand to Powers st Bridge st, northeast corner of Fulton st Broadway and S. Eighth st, Pedestal Gas Lamp and Post Baltic st, from Hicks to Court st Broadway, from South Sixth to Magnolia st Bayard st, from Graham ave to Humboldt st Broom st, " " " " " . . . . Bergen st, from Bedford to Franklin ave Chauncey st, from Reid to Patchen ave Carll st, northwest corner of Fair st Carroll st, southwest corner of Court st Court st, from State to Atlantic st Cedar st, bet Bush wick and Central aves Dean st, from Nostrand to New York ave Dean st, from Bedford to Franklin ave Dean st, from Grand to Washington ave Dikeman st, from Richards to D wight st Degraw st, from Fifth to Flatbush ave Division and Harrison ave and Broadway, Pedes- tal Lamp Dean st, from Albany to Kingston ave Douglass st, from Washington to Classon ave Diamond st, from Norman to Van Cott ave Devoe st, from Union ave to Lorimer st . .*. Eleventh st, from Broadway to Grand st Eldert st, from Broadway to Bushwick ave Flatbush ave, from Hanson pi to Prospect Park. Fort Green pi, northwest corner Fulton st Fulton st, northwest corner Orange st Fourth st, from Hoyt to Bond st. Front st, from Gold st to Hudson ave Fulton pi, from Livingston to Fulton st . Flushing ave, from Broadway to City Line Frost st, from Kingsland ave to Humboldt st Floyd st, from Tompkins ave to Broadway. First st, from North Second to North Twelfth st. Green ave, Stuyvesant ave to Broadway Grand ave, Bergen to Pacific st Graham ave, corner Ten Eyck st Greene ave, from Yates to Lewis ave Grand ave., from Bergen st to Washington ave... [ WHEN COMPLETED. AMOUNT. ivicn iu, J o ( t . . flfcft zl07 AO $0,4/5 ( 44 Feb 3, 1877. . OAO OQ PC OO bo ob • A QI7 OA 487 , o9 ob ob 104 10 49 26 Feb 10, 1877. . . rytfA Oft /<4 oi May 5, 1877. . . ft A A KO Aug ol, lou . . pr A-l K C.C) O,U10 1 01 Aft 1^1 Ub Oct 0, 187 7 . . . 1 171 ono KA 61)6 04 t eb 3, 1877. . . . 1 A A O A lUb ^4 OO 1 A bo 14 54 01 JVlCh 10, 1877. . -\ ACi QO 14y co Aug ol, 1877. . 111 Q ft A olO by feb o, 18/ 1 .... 1 oo >yo 1 ox oo 180 Oi 99 75 II 200 18 May 5, 1877 . . . 1,040 89 Sept 29, 1877. . 785 15 Oct 5, 1877 149 75 124 30 Oct 27, 1877 . ! 294 71 Nov 10, 1877.. 151 73 Nov 17, 1877.. 759 47 jNov 10, 1877.. 145 14 Mch 18, 1877. . 1,714 74 Feb 3, 1877. . . . 49 33 49 36 Jan 27, 1877 ! ! ! 751 39 May 5, 1877... 146 03 May 19, 1877. . 190 76 Nov 24, 1877.. 2,751 27 |Nov 10, 1877. . 194 91 Nov 17, 1877.. 595 52 866 41 Feb 3, 1877..!! 776 72 164 10 95 93 Oct 5, 1877.'!.'. 1 178 94 245 08 63 gas lamps and posts. — {continued-) 1877. 1877 . 1877 1877 . Grove st., from Broadway to Evergreen ave Nov 24,1877. Guernsey st, from Meserole to Oak si Nov 17, 1877 Grcenpoint ave, from Franklin st. to Union pi Graham ave, from Richardson st. to Meeker ave.. Nov 24, Hamilton ave, south side, 50 feet west of Rich- ards st Feb 3, Hey ward street, from Harrison ave. to Broadway Aug 31, Hart street, from Lewis avenue to Broadway NovT Henry street, from Atlantic to Hamilton avenue. Nov 24, 1877 Jay st, south- east corner of Johnson st Feb 3, 1877 Jay street, from Water to Plymouth street .... Kosciusko place, corner of Kent avenue Kent avenue, from Union place to Franklin st. Kosciusko street, from Throop to Yates avenue Lee avenue, from Division to Flushing, avenue. . . Mch 10, 187? Lexington avenue, from Tompkins to Lewis av. . Feb 10, 1877. Lorimer street, from Noble to Calyer street . . . Leonard street, opposite Lutheran Church .... Leonard street, opposite Methodist Church. . . . Livingston street, .south side, 100 feet east c Court street Lewis avenue, in front of St. John's College Leonard st, from Greenuoint av. to Calyer st Nov 10, 1877. Lewis ave, from Willoughby to DeKalb avenue.. Aug 31, 1877. Lawton street, from Bushwick ave. to Broadway Lynch street, from Broadway to Harrison avenue Oct 5, 1877. Marion street, from Ralph to Saratoga avenue .. Feb 10, 1877. Monroe street, from Throop to Yates avenue Myrtle street, from Myrtle to Central avenue. . . . May 19, 18 "n Madison street, from Tompkins to Throop ave. .| " Metropolitan ave, from Bushwick to Porter ave.JAug 31, 1877. Milton street, from Franklin to Orchard street. . . 41 Madison street, from Evergreen to Myrtle avenuel Melrose street, from Evergreen to Central avenueiOct 27, 1877 . Morrell street, from Stagg to Scholes st " Margaretta st, from Broadway to Bushwick av... Nov 10, 1877. North Elliott place, from Flushing to Park av. . . Feb 10, is;? . Newell street, from Meserole to Norman avenue. " Nevins street, from Baltic to Carroll st May ID, 1877. Ninth street, from Sixth to Ninth avenue Nassau avenue, from Lorimer to Diamond st. . . . Oct 5, is?? . . Norman avenue, from Diamond to Newell st. . . . North Second st, from Fourth to Fifth st . . Oct '2?. is?? Patchen ave, from Lafayette ave to Jefferson st. . Feb 10, 1877 . Powers st, from Bushwick ave to Catherine st. . . " Prospect ave, from Fiftli to Sixth ave * Park ave, from Portland to Washington ave. . . . Nov 10, 1877. Pineapple st, from Henry to Fulton st ( Aug 31, 1877. Pulaski st, from Lewis ave to Broadway Nov 10, is?? . Ryerson st, from Fulton to Gates ave 'Aug 31, 1877. Rutledge st, from Marcy to Harrison av Feb 10, 1877 . Seventh st, from Sixth to Seventh ave Sep 29, 1877 . Schcnectadv ave, from Herkimer st. to Atlantici avenue |Feb 10, 187? . WHEN COMPLETED. $307 27 317 57 100 94 108 30 44 54 125 00 419 93 1,188 75 41 10 90 36 til II? 78 45 101 19 1,419 91 55? 00 04 50 04 44 61 47 44 85 121 40 505 83 203 64 i?S (12 120 .".I 365 38 214 41 579 19 186 2<> 802 11 101 74 331 68 120 62 HIS 23 145 32 138 20 134 55 S38 78 1,6S3 46 251 05 01 02 881 o? 739 14 446 02 us i; 651 oi 168 ?7 590 69 1?0 25 221 02 601 90 94 87 64 gas lamps and posts. — {continued.) South Eleventh st, from Second st, to East river. Sullivan st, from Richards to Dwiirht st Schermerhorn st, from Court to Clinton st Stuyvesant ave, from DeKalb to Lexington ave., Sixth st, from North Fourth to North Seventh st Spencer >t, from Flushing to DeKalb ave St. Mark's ave, from Nostrand to Franklin ave. . Sixteenth st, from Fifth to Sixth ave Sand ford st, from Flushing to Myrtle ave Tenth st, from Division ave to Grand st Thirteenth st, from Third to Seventh ave Twelfth st, from Broadway to Union ave Vine st, from Columbia Heights to McKinney st. WHEN COMPLETED. Feb 10, 1877 Mch 10, Aug 31, May 19, Nov 24, Nov 17, Nov 24, Sept 29, Aug 31, Nov 17, Feb 10, 1877. 1877. 1877. 1877. 1877. 1877. 1877. 1877, 1877. 1877. Varetst, from Bushwick ave to Bogert st |Nov 17, 1877. Waverly ave, from DeKalb to Lafayette ave Feb 10, 1877 Washington st, northwest corner Front st Washington ave, southwest cor Willoughby ave. Warren st, from Nevins st to Fourth ave May 19, 1877. West st, from Green point, ave to Quay st Washington ave, from Douglass to Butler st Aug 31, 1877, Yates ave, from Gates ave to Monroe st Feb 10, 1875 GRADING AND PAVING. Albany ave, from Herkimer to Wyckotf, and / from Warren st to the City Line f Ash st, from Union pi to Oakland st Box st, from Commercial st to Union pi Baltic st, from Bond to Nevins st Fourth st, from Tenth to Orchard st AMOUNT. Mch 10, 1877. Oct 27. 1877. Sept 29, 1877, Oct 5,1877... IJan 27 1877. May 5, 1877. Oct 5. 1877.. Oct 187' First st, from Third to Fifth ave Hancock si, from Re id to Patchen ave Howard ave, from Broadway to Halsey st Herbert st, from Humboldt st to Kingsland ave.. Judge st, from Powers to Devoe st Lewis ave, from Myrtle to Willoughby ave Madison st, from Tompkins to Throop ave Muspeth ave, from Humboldt st to 429 ft west ) of Olive st f Olive st, from Devoe st to Metropolitan ave Oak st, from West to Franklin st Perm st, from Harrison ave to Broadway Park ave, from Clinton to Waverly ave Park av*», from Hall st to Kent ave, and from ) i Spencer st to Nostrand ave f Park ave, from Nostrand to Tompkins ave 'Nov 10, 1877 St' ckton st, from Nostrand to Marcv ave jSept 29, 1877. Second ave, from Hamilton ave to Sixth st |Oct 15, 1877. . Seventh ave, f rom First st to Greenwood cemet'y. Oct 5, 1877. . . Withers st, from Humboldt st to Kingsland ave.. " Less reductions, see Schedule F. Nov 10, 1877. Sept 29, 1877. Jan 27, 1877. . N T ov 10, 1877. Sept 29, 1877 Jan 27, 1877. Oct 27, 1877., $105 20 171 70 131 35 553 60 251 38 770 35 409 97 210 59 353 75 953 49 1,903 02 369 89 80 69 355 95 116 34 53 44 44 28 964 98 746 20 88 64 93 45 $55,528 18 $75,897 81 2,433 34 1,245 19 3,425 05 33,440 04 67,402 75 2,029 45 3,455 97 2,671 54 1,198 76 1.792 14 2,723 20 1,963 34 612 05 1,012 72 1,485 72 690 75 10,201 46 10,436 03 8,041 80 164,104 80 50,710 42 2,082 96 $449,057 33 166,142 60 $282,914 73 65 GRADING. Nassau ave, from Diamond to Humboldt st Oct 27, 181 < Norman ave, from Humboldt to Jewell st Nov 24, 1877 Thirty-ninth st, from Fourth to Eighth ave March 10, 1 81 WHEN COMPLETED. GRADING, CURBING AND GUTTERING. Ohauncey st, from Patchen to Ralph ave. Pulaski st, from Yates to Lewis ave REPAYING. Union pi, from Commercial st to Newtown Creek REG HADING AND REPAYING. Canton st, from Myrtle to Willoughby ave. SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS. Kent ave basin*: Kent ave basin (docks from bridge) Oct 27, 1877. Sept. 29, 1877. Feb 8, 1877. AMOUNT. $052 02 1,570 04 16,598 98 si 0.122 1!) Oct 27, Wilson st to the FLAGGING. Bush wick ave, east side, bet Flushing ave and Cook st, and bet Varet and Moore sis Belvidere st, bet Broadway and Beaver st Carroll st, north side, bet Fourth and Fifth avcs Carroll st, south side, bet Fifth and Sixth avcs. . Decatur st, bet Yates and Lewis aves Dikeman st, north side, bet Richards and Dwiglit sts Fifth st, bet Sixth and Seventh aves Fifth st, bet Fifth and Sixth aves Fifth ave, bet Fourteenth and Fifteenth sts Greene ave, bet Marcy and Tompkins aves Greene ave, bet Tompkins and Patchen aves. . . . Jefferson st, bet Reid and Patchen aves Kosciusko st, betThroop Rnd Yates aves Leonard st, west side, bet Norman and Nassau sts Lorimer st, both sides, bet Norman and Nassau aves Metropolitan ave, bet Bushwick and Porter ftVCfi Myrtle st, bet Bushwick and Central aves Madison St, be! Marcy and Tompkins aves N< strand ave, bet Herkimer pi and Atlantic ave Nassau uve, bet Lorimer and Diamond sts Portland ave, east side, bet Lafayette i.nd DeKalh| aves Penn st, bet Marcy and Harrison av<» President si, bet Fifth and Sixth aves Park pi, bet Classon and Franklin aves $3,100 07 2380 47 $5,481 14 15 040 04 $1,266 81 $207,268 00 6,042 10 $213,301 00 Dec 2, 1876.... si 70 45 Oct 5. 1877. . . . 57 s.-j 609 75 Oct 27, 1877... 168 46 May 5, 1877... 928 50 287 82 Jan* 27, 1877.. 125 00 2s; ti!) 70:> 44 08 45 114 00 Aug 31, 1877. . 9,188 18 Oct 5, 1877. . . 2S6 11 161 16 Jan 27, 1877.. 54 M Am::n, 1S77. . 415 69 March 10, 1877 02 22 May 10, is::. . 560 16 Aug 81, 1877. . 176 64 < >ci ."). ls77 26 47 Oct 27, 1877... 012 50 Oct 15, 1877... 4S 25 Od 27, 1877... 251 21 366 51 Nov 24, 1877. . 100 60 9 66 FLAGGING. — (C07lti?lUed.) Stuyvesant ave. bet Fulton ave and Broadway. Sixth ave, bet Lincoln pi and Macomb st Seventh st, bet Fourth and Fifth aves Thioop ave, bet Gates ave and Kosciusko st. . . Varet st, bel Bogart st and Bushwick ave Yates ave, bel Halsey st and Fulton av FENCING. Ainslie st, south side, bet Ninth and Tenth sts. Bridge and Plymouth sts, at s w corner Cumberland st, bet Park and Flushing aves. . . Devoe st, bet Bushwick ave and Olive st DeKalb ave, bet Broadway and Myrtle ave . . Gates ave, bet Bedford and Nostrand aves .... Grand ave, bet Myrtle and DeKalb aves Hudson and Park a'ves, Navy and Concord sts, block bouuded by Harrison si, bet Hicks and Columbia sts Harrison and Marcy aves, Penn and Rutledge sts, block bounded by Leonard st, w side, bet Norman and Nassau aves Lafayette ave, s side, 200 feet east of Franklin av Madison st, n side', bet Bedford and Nostrand avs Monroe st, s side Madison st, bet Nostrand and Marcy aves North Ninth st, s w corner of Third st Ninth st, s side, 100 feet west of Third ave Oxford st, bet Park and Flushing aves Pacific st, n side, bet Grand and Classon aves. . . Putnam ave, n side, bet Nostrand and Marcy aves Schenck st and Classon ave, bet Flushing and Park aves Twelfth st, bet Second and Third aves Underbill av, n east corner of J Jean st Utica ave, n west corner of Herkimer st Van Buren st, Lafayette, Grand : nd Classon aves block bounded by Van Buren st, bet St. James pi and Grand ave. . . Withers st, n east corner of Leonard st Warren st, bet Fourth and Fifth aves Wyckoffst, " " Willoughby and Kent aves, and Graham st WHEN COMPLETED. AMOUNT. Jan 27, 1877 . Sep 29, 1877 . Aug 31, 1877. Jan 27, 1877 . Dec 4. 1876. . Jan 27, 1877 . DIGGING DOWN LOTS. Bergen st, n side, 75 feet west of Grand ave Elliott pi, w side, 147 feet south of DeKalb ave. Fifteenth st, bet Sixth and Seventh aves Jan 27, 1877 . Aug 31, 1877. Mch 10, 1877. Aug 31, 1877. Oct 27, 1877 . Mch 5, 1877 . Au»- 31, 1877. Jan 27, 1877 . Aug 31, 1877. NoV 24, 1877. Jan 27, 1877 . Aug 31, 1877. u Nov 24, 1877, $22,065 63 May 5, 1877. . Oct 6, 1877.. Aug 31, 1877. Oct 6,1877.. May 5, 1877. Oct 27, 1877 . Nov 24, 1877. Oct 5, 1877. . Aug 31, 1877. $3,24S 10 $48 16 1,111 26 200 77 $1,360 19 67 FILLING AND GRADING LOTS. Meeker ave, bet Graham ave and Ewen st. Richardson st, bet Herbert and Ewen sts. . OPENING AND CLOSING STREETS. Court and other sis, variously closing, opening, widening and extending on the lands of Wm. Beard and Jer'h P. Robinson Cook st, opening from Btudiwick ave to White st Elizabeth st, closing from Ferris st to bulkhead. Ferris st, closing from Elizabeth st to " St. Mark's ave, opening from Albany ave to City Line WHEN COMPLETED. May 5, 1877, May 5, 187*3 . Aug 31, 1877. Nov 24, 1877. A MO l NT. ST.-, !KJ 69 51 $145 44 $137 10 358 43 152 38 152 38 16,400 99 ;17,201 28 68 SCHEDULE E. Local Assessments recinded by the Common Council, or returned to that body, not assessed because of irregularity : TITLE OF IMPROVEMENT. GAS-LAMPS AND POSTS. Atlantic ave, Flatbush to Clas- son ave Butler st, southeast cor of Fifth ave Court st, southeast cor Atlan- tic ave Conselyea st, bet Bushwick and Myrtle aves Morton st, bet Bedford and Kent aves Ninth st, bet Second and Sixth aves Prospect st, bet Bridge and Jay sts Schemerhorn st, southeast cor of Kevins st Sixteenth st, bet Fifth and Sixth aves Warren st, bet Carlton and Vanderbilt aves Date when recind- ed by the C. C. April 30, 1877. April 16, 1877. March 5, 1877. Oct. 31,1877 Date when returned to C..C. because of irregularity. June 23, 1877. June 23, 1877. June 23, 1877. July 2. June 23, 1871 North Second street widening for lands and buildings to be taken and expenses incidental thereto, amounting to. In this matter the Board of Assessors did not apportion, but re- ported that in their judgment the property would not be bene- fitted to the extent of the cost. 1322,948 50 69 SCHEDULE F. — (Reductions.) Assessments in which the proportion of benefit to any lot exceeds the limit of value : TITLE OF THE IMPROVEMENT. TOTAL COST. AMOUNTS REDUCED. BALAN< Bfl ASSESSED. GRADING* AND PAVING. Albany ave, Herkimer si to the City Line. First st, Third to Fifth ave Second ave, Hamilton ave to Sixth st. . . Seventh ave, First st to Greenwood j $75,877 81 67,402 73 164,104 85 50,710 42 $22,234 80 55,180 58 84,503 70 4,223 52 $53,663 01 12,222 15 79,601 15 46,486 90 $358,115 81 $166,142 60 $191,973 21 SCHEDULE G. Local Assessments remaining with Board of Assessors, December 1, 1877, awaiting completion : WHEN RECEIVED. TITLE. AMOUNT. WHEN TO BE COMPLETED ,OF THOSE ADVERTISED. July 18, 1877 Nov 28, 1877 Nov 28, 1877 GRADING AND MACADAMIZING. Green point ave, from Blissville Bridge [ GRADING AND PAVING. Utica ave, from Herkimer st to City Line. FENCING. Classon ave, southeast cor Van Buren st. Lexington, Bedford and Franklin aves/ and Qoincy st, block bounded by. . \ $27,592 15 70,375 85 106 01 160 7!' Dec. 15, 1S7T Dec 15, 1877 $98,224 83 70 SCHEDULE H. Preliminary Estimates for proposed Street Improvements. GRADING AND FAYING. WHEN COMPLETED. AMOUNT. Ellery st, from Nostrand to Marcy ave Dec 26, 1876. Pulaski st, from Lewis to Stuyvesant ave " Oak st, from West to Franklin st Feb 26, 187*.. Box st, from Commercial st to Union pi. " Ash st,ifrom Union pi to Oakland st. . . . " Middletonst, from Lee to Marcy ave * . . . March 5, 187' Gwinnett st, from Lee to Marcy ave March 12, 187' Ellery st, from Yates ave to Broadway May 12, 1877. Bainbridge st, from Reid to Patchen ave May 28, 1877. Lewis ave, from Monroe to Halsey st . May 12, 1877. Bergen st, from Troy to Schenectady ave May 28, 1877. Lexington ave, from Stuyvesant. to Reid av | " Howard ave, Halsey to Fulton st I Lynch st, Harrison to Marcy ave " Franklin ave, from Flushing ave to Wallaboutst and Wythe ave from WaUaboufcto Rutledge si ' " Evergreen ave, from Myrtle ave to Stanhope st . Sept 29, 1877. Hayward st, from Bedford to Lee ave | Huron st, from West st to the Bulkhead | " Hancock st, from Patchen ave to Broadway " Jefferson st, from Ralph to Patchen ave " Hart st, from Lewis to Stuyvesant ave GRADING. Norman ave, from Humboldt st to Jewell st Jan 27, 1877. Bush st, from Hicks to Dwight st [May 28, 1877. Green point ave, fr Blissville bridge to Oakland si. Nov 24, 1877. GRADING, CURBING AND GUTTERING. Two feet along each side of gutter of Union ave, from Withers st to Yan Cott ave *In the the two cases marked there are lots on which the estimated assessment would exce< d the value — the cost of these is Feb 3,1877. Leaving the amount of those that may be pr ceeded with t JOHN TKUSLOW, President of the Board of Assessors. Brooklyn, December, 1877. REPORT « OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COLLECTION. Department of Collection, j Rooms 6. 7, and 8, City Hall, - Brooklyn, December 18, 1877. ) The Hon. James Howell, Mayor elect: My Dear Sir: In response to yours of November 21. I have the honor to enclose herein certain statistical information regarding matters under the charge of this department, which, I think, may be of aid to you in the performance of the duties soon to devolve upon you as chief magistrate of this city, and of interest to your con- stituency. My incumbency of this position has been so brief that I feel a natural delicacy aboSt thus early offering any suggestions re- garding the department; but believing by vour course regarding a new jail for this county, that it is your purpose to administer the government economically, I am happy to be able to assure you that we shall be able in this branch of the city government to fully co operate with you. You will observe, by the enclosed statistics, that the amount to be raised by taxation during the year commencing December 1, 1877, is nearly one hundred and eighty thousand dollars less than it was in the preceding twelve months. I believe this de partment can be run for from twelve thousand dollars to fifteen thousand dollars less per year than it has recently cost the city, and it is my aim to do this. There are several matters which in the near future I shall make the subject of further communication or personal consulta- tion with your Honor — matters which, in my opinion, are of im- portance in the interests of an economical administration of the city government 72 My attention has been by circumstances particularly called to the duties and work of that portion of the employees of this office, known as Deputy Collectors of Assessments. The title is something of a misnomer, considering the fact that collections consist solely of their monthly salary. Their ostensible duties consist of the delivery of assessment bills and the levying of personal taxes. Up to the time I assumed the duties of this office ten persons had been employed, or rather paid, in this capacity. A computation of their labor during the past year shows that they delivered on an average four and one-half bills per day per man, at a cost per bill of about sixty cents / and considering the fact that frequently several bills are delivered to one person or at one address, the cost per delivery has averaged about one dollar. I have already abolished three of the ten positions, and shall at an early day abolish three or four of the remaining seven. The law provides that the bills of assessment shall be delivered within twentu days of the levy. If the Common Council will make all confirmations of such assessments between the first clay of Feb- ruary and the tenth day of November of each year, I shall be able to dispense with the whole force of so-called Deputy Col- lectors, and have the deliveries made by the inside force of the office within the above specified dates, when there is not a super- abundance of work in the office. In conclusion, permit me to state that I should have sent you the enclosed statement sooner had not the annual rush of tax- payers commencing December 1st retarded its earlier preparation. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, JAS. TANNEK, Collector. Collections from December 1, 1876, to November 30, 1877 : Taxes $5,663,356 03 Special Improvements 198,386 97 Payments in full of Special Improvements . .... 17,310 60 Assessments ' 182,506 61 Default and interest on taxes and special improve- ments 60,453 77 Default on assessments 4,393 53 Total $6,126,407 51 73 Miscellaneous : Number of assessments received for collection, 229. Amount of assessments received for collection . . $874,327 23 Number ot assessments transferred to Registrar of Arrears 93. Amount of assessments transferred to Registrar of Arrears 590,684 07 Amount of taxes transferred to Registrar of Ar- rears, November 30, 1877 1,733,128 98 Amount of special improvements transferred Nov. 30, 1877 399,523 43 Statement of taxes and installments of Special Improvements confirmed December 1, 1876 : Valuation of real estate $213,219,043 00 " personal property 13,878,580 00 $227,097,623 00 Amount of Warrants as confirmed : Taxes $7,394,380 73 Special Improvements in Roll : South Seventh street widening $28,368 70 u " grading K>,4<>4 63 Bushwick ave. and Morrell street widening 12,930 92 " curbing, etc 20,880 9S Central avenue sewer .' 94,532 26 Metropolitan avenue 2,248 57 Special Improvements not in Rolls : Prospect Park $144,356 90 Sackett street 158,578 37 Gowanus Canal 32,151 40 Third street 21.154 92 Fourth avenue 13.219 34 Atlantic avenue 21,298 06 Union street 36,260 49 RECAPITULATION. Tax $7,394,380 73 Special improvements in rolls 169,366 06 " not in rolls 427,019 48 Total $7,990,766 27 10 74 Statement of Taxes and Installments of Special Improvements, confirmed December 1, 1877 : Valuation of real estate $216,481,801 00 " personal property 13,111,215 50 Total valuation $229,593,016 50 Tax on real estate $6,859,571 22 " " personal property 418,507 35 Total tax $7,278,078 57 Special Improvements in Kolls: South Seventh street widening $26,757 75 " grading, etc 9,827 46 Bushwick avenue and Morrell street widening . . 12 257 59 " " curbing, etc. 12,492 37 Central avenue sewer 48,724 59 Special Improvements not in Ebll : Prospect Park $138,259 62 Sack ett street 151,190 88 Gowanus Canal : 33,909 20 Third street 21,H92 73 Fourth avenue 12,598 01 Atlantic avenue 19,856 28 Union street 11,946 17 Kent avenue basin 33,782 14 dock 984 86 RECAPITULATION. General tax. ... $7,278,078 57 Special improvements in tax roll 110,059 76 not in tax roll 424,519 89 Total $7,812,058 22 REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ARREARS. Department of Arrears, Nos. 40 and 42 Court street, opposite City Ilall, Brooklyn, December 4, 1877. Hon. James Howell, Jr., Mayor elect of Brooklyn : Dear Sir : In compliance with your request by letter of November 21, I have the honor to transmit herewith a full statement of the moneys collected in this department from December 1, 1876, to December 1, 1877, together with a statement of the amount of taxes and assessments, including the year 1876, remaining unpaid. Very respectfully yours, RUFCJS L. SCOTT, Registrar of Arrears Brooklyn, December 5, 1877. Statement of unpaid Taxes, Assessments and Water Kates on December 1, 1877, received by Department of Arrears, for collection : Taxes 1875, and prior years $4,066,959 75 " 1876, estimated 2,000,000 00 §6,066,959 75 Water rates 322,740 16 Assessments for street improvements, including sewerage, opening and widening streets, etc . . 3,402,024 51 Total amount of principal Dec. 1, 1877, unpaid $9,791,724 42 Note— Unpaid principal as above £9.791.724 42 Estimate ten per cent, default and interest 979,172 44 Estimated aggregate of collection unpaid.... $10,770,896 86 76 co Ol>00 in C5 O CO iO o IO Oi OS Oit> CO 00 co 8? oc S COCScO CO CO CO 00 o m 28 Ci £g 88 °i CO s CD of 00 8' of Ot St in" C5 050 TO ( i> O l> Ci GO ^ Tt< O ii Ci CO -* in in i> fc" i- t- f^. f 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 co -?> i- it. o ?} g* th t- e- o> n i~ i.t Ti--ti in co o o CCrl r-T i-T si o o = m M ti — *-i c o ~* o COOS 00 i-fcO if. a H a or bo k co is --o iS S • O • » be B bps gT3 g CP CJ eg .= •£ □ w ™ cs : :f =s o - 3 . § pa p a -r s o < ,n»co bpStfi s'E 2 (C!- bo EE: CflO CD e «r <- ^ 00 b£ Ail £°3 2 rj CP 0> fe* <5 oj HO} CD W a & OX) o.S P-n3 S S rzj CP CP CP ^ CP - CP t cp S 77 00 to 1 H 3C i -r — — a go — £ I E i EEPOET OF TITE CITY AUDITOR. Auditors Office. 44 Court street, ) Brooklyn, January 1, 1878. j Hon. J'Uiies.Howelh Jr., Mayor, etc. : Sir: In reply to your communication of November 21, 1877, I re- spectfully submit the following statement of the business of this department from the date of the last report of December SS, 1876: Number of claims audited, 7,515. Amount of claims. $3,851,2(51 42 distribution of accounts. General fund $3,583,852 16 Special fund 254,3S4 19 Revenue fund 13,025 (| 7 The report rendered weekly to the Common Council in com- pliance with the law, shows in detail the name of the persons and the amounts of the several claims audited, all of which will be found recorded in the minutes of the Board. Kespectfully submitted, WM. S. SEARING, Auditor. REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. Department of Health, ) Office of the Board of Health, No. 66 Court at, [ Brooklyn, Dec. 1, 1877. ) lion. James Howell, Jr., Mayor : Sir : The sanitary work of this department, from January 1 to date, shows : % Inspections made by sanitary inspectors 10,531 Complaints made by the same . 4,947 Orders issued for the abatement of nuisances 1,344 Butcher-shop and slaughter-house inspections 11,871 Privy-vaults emptied, cleaned and disinfected 3,098 Permits given to discharge cargoes and docks 3,^76 The cases of contagious diseases reported for the same time are : Diphtheria 2.167 Scarlet fever 2,411 Cerebro-spinal meningitis 13 Typhoid fever 141 Small pox 80 The deaths from scarlet fever and diphtheria to the close of forty-seventn week of 1877, as compared with those of 1876, are as follows : 1876. 1877. Diphtheria 725 715 Scarlet fever 297 665 It will be seen that scarlet fever and diphtheria have been very prevalent during the year, and are now a scourge in our midst. II 82 The Board have endeavored in every possible way to prevent the spread of these diseases, which are to be dreaded, not alone because they cause so many deaths, bat also because they leave behind in those who recover, paralysis, deafness, kidney disease, etc., of which Health records give no adequate idea. It has not, however, a staff sufficient to give these diseases the care and treatment they properly demand. The Board has prepared a cir- cular calling attention to the prevalence of these diseases, to their dangers, and to the necessity of complete isolation of the sick from the well, and especially the absence from school, until all possibility of communicating the disease, to others has passed, with explicit instructions as to the sanitary care of the patient during sickness, the disinfection of bedding and clothing, and the fumigation of the room after recovery. This is sent at once up- on the receipt of the report of a case to the family in which the sickness occurs, and the principals of the public schools are daily notified of all cases of contagious disease occurring in their re- spective districts and directed to exclude from school all children from the infected house until danger has passed. The Board also requires that funerals in' these cases shall be strictly private, and the* body of the deceased to be enclosed in a tight coffin ; this ac- tion was made necessary by the habit that was general with people of all ages of attending these funerals, supplemented by the still more dangerous one of caressing and kissing the de- ceased. Since July no case of small-pox has been reported — a most re- markable condition of things for the city of Brooklyn. This immunity is due to the vigorous and skillful manner in which vaccination has been carried out, and also to the excellent vaccine which has been employed. Nothing is more needed in our city than a corps of competent vaccinators who shall be constantly on duty, gaining the confidence of the people and destroying the soil in which small pox breeds. Nowhere is it more true than here, that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." The Board has endeavored by systematic inspection and com- plaint to abolish the old-fashioned cobble-stone privy-vault, whose sides and bottom are so constructed as to permit its filthy con- tents to soak into the surrounding soil, making it impure and a generator of disease. Hundreds of them have been filled, and before another Summer it is expected that the number will be in- creased to thousands. A great step in sanitary reform has been taken in the substitu- tion for the open buckets and carts in the removal of the night soil of the odorless process by pumps and air-tight tubs. Words 83 cannot describe the disgusting scenes enacted under cover of night by the old system. Happily they are now among the things of the past, never to be again witnessed, it is to be hoped, in this community. The Board has directed especial attention to the inspection of the milk offered for sale in this city. This inspection has de- monstrated that this essential food of half our population is watered and otherwise adulterated to a frightful extent. The prosecution of those found selling such milk has been attended by the most gratifying results. In almost every cnse the accused has plead guilt}', and the fines imposed in time will more than pay the cost of prosecution (although this department derives no benefit from them), while the improvement in the quality of the milk sold will show itself in increased health and reduced mortality. The inspection of cow-stables and their care and supervision has put a stop to the feeding of distillery swill, and has given to the dumb beasts therein confined an amount of fresh air and comfort they have never before enjoyed. No wholesome milk without healthy cows, is a sani- tary maxim ; and the efforts of the Board to furnish to the young and growing a food adapted to their wants, have been crowned with a large measure of success. The appointment of consulting plumbers by the Board has been the means of bringing to light a condition of things never even anticipated by the sanitary authorities of this city. The most glaring neglect of all precautions to prevent the entrance of sewer-gas into dwelling and sleeping-rooms has been discovered in the best and most expensively-constructed houses. This is a matter which should command the most serious attention of our city authorities. The Legislature has given us ample powers for the supervision of the construction of walls and tire escapes, but has placed no restriction on the manner in which dwellings are connected with the sewer, or their drains and soil-pipes are ar- ranged. Hundreds of cases of diphtheria have been traced to defective plumbing, and it is time that some measures should be taken to require all plans for house drainage to be submitted to competent men before they are carried into execution. The following items are from the statistics of tins department, and afford a comparison between the births, marriages and deaths recorded in 1876 and 1877 : 84 March, Dec, 1876. 1877. 1877. 1877. Burial permits issued 12,488 11,661 827 Births reported 5,739 9,659 3,920 Marriages reported ... 2,131 2,835 704 Actual deaths to December 1 . . . 11,028 10,377 651 Average deaths per week ...... 235 221 .... 14 Annual death-rate per 1000 pop., 24 . 14 21.76 2 38 The above shows the gratifying fact that the death-rate of this city, which last year was reduced much .below that of the year before, has undergone a still more decided reduction during 1877. In 1875 the deaths per thousand numbered 26 ; in 1876, 24 ; in 1877, 21.76. This rate compares favorably with that of other large cities in the United States, and is rapidly approximating what may be termed the " normal " death-rate which should ob- tain throughout civilized communities, and which has been cal- culated by scientists at 17 per thousand of the living population. By this is meant the number of deaths that would ocGur besides those resulting from diseases termed preventable, which it is especially the duty of the city authorities to eradicate or prevent. The difference between this rate and the rate actually prevailing represents the amount of sanitary work yet undone in any com- munity, showing as it does the actual number of lives that might have been saved by the enforcement and observance of known sanitary laws on the part of the authorities and the people. Thus the difference between the death-rate in this city this year (21 .76) and what it should not exceed (17), or 4.76 in every thousand of population, represents 2,513 deaths from preventable diseases, the loss of which the city should have been spared. The effort of this department has been to search out the causes of this excessive death-rate, and when found to eradicate them. The degree of success attending upon its efforts has been in the past, as it must be in the future, dependent upon the means placed at its command with which to .do its work. There are as exact sanitary laws which govern the death-rate of a city as there are mathematical rules or scientific principles upon which a house or a machine must be constructed. This has been fully demonstrated in those cities where a rigid applica- tion of these laws has resulted in a steady reduction of the mor- tality rates from year to year, until some of the unhealthiest communities have come to be proverbial for their healthfulness. It would appear that so important a matter as the preservation of life and health should engage the first attention of our citi- 86 zens and their representatives in the management of the city government ; and when it is shown that 2,c00 lives that might have been saved are sacrificed in Brooklyn in one year, it would especially seem as if the pecuniary question should not for a mo- ment be taken into consideration or allowed to weigh against what are so evidently the true interests of humanity. The efficiency of this department is greatly crippled by the meagreness of its appropriations. Though its duties have stead- ily increased since 1S73, owing to the increase of population, tenement-houses, private dwellings and factories, its appropria- tions have been as steadily curtailed. Could this Board have sufficient funds to carry forward rapidly a thorough inspection of house drainage in nil parts of the city, to examine and trace to their source the thousands of cases of zymotic diseases, to or- ganize and employ a competent corps ot vaccinators to enforce a proper treatment as to isolation and disinfection in all cases of contagious disease, and to cause a systematic inspection and test of the more important articles of food entering into the city's daily consumption, it feels assured, from its past experience, that hundreds of valuable lives might be saved annually. By order of the Board, H. A. LA FETRA, Secretary. REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF POLICE AND EXCISE. Department of Police axd Excise, ) Commissioners Office, cor. Court and Livingston Sts., > Brooklyn, December 5, 1877. ) James Howell, Esq. : Sir: In response to your request for information relative to this de- partment, this Board respectfully submits the following statistics, with occasional inferences fairly deducible therefrom. On the first of December, 1877, the police force of this city comprised the following — viz. : Superintendent 1 Inspector 1 Drill captain 1 Captains • 18 Sergeants 61 Roundsmen 30 Patrolmen 485 Doormen 32 Total 624 Of the 485 patrolmen thus employed, 94 are at present stationed at the various offices of the municipal departments and the courts of the city and county, leaving only 391 for patrol duty. By act of the Legislature the number of patrolmen that may be employed by this department by consent of the Common Council is 50O. The appropriations heretofore made by the Com- mon Council for the pay of patrolmen have not, been sufficient to meet the cost of employing the maximum number. In addition to the necessary reduction of the force for patrol duty, by reason of assignments to the various departmental of- 88 fices, and city and county courts, there are other incidental de- pletions from sickness of the members and from other accidental causes. The extent and severity of the duties performed by each mem- ber of the police force, on regular patrol duty, will readily be seen by the inspection of the following table, taken from page 2 6 of the annual report of this department for the year 1875 : Table 17. Containing the number of day and night posts in the several Precincts, with area patrolled, the population of same, and number of officers to population. Precincts. Day Posts. Night Posts. Number of Re- gistered Voters. Population of Precincts. Officers to Population. 9 17 6,943 44,341 1 to 963 9 15 3,647 24,565 1 to 663 third 10 20 9,130 57,463 1 to 1149 8 15 9,380 58,963 1 to 1281 Fifth 10 20 10,152 63,595 1 lo 1096 Sixth 7 14 7,409 47,137 1 to 1178 Seventh 6 11 3,823 25,621 1 to 948 Eighth 5 10 3,972 26,515 1 to 1019 7 14 3,485 23,593 1 to 589 Tenth ... 7 14 5,577 36,145 1 to 1063 Eleventh 5 10 3,647 24,565 1 to 944 Twelfth 6 12 2,207 15,925 1 to 549 Sixth Sub 4 8 2,872 19.915 1 to 905 Eighth Sub 2 4 • 583 6,911 1 to 460 Ninth Sub.. 5 7 1,233 9,362 1 to 407 Totals 100 191 74,060 484,616 1 to 933 Miles of street in city, 546.19. Average length of each day post, 5 miles, 3 furlongs, 23 rods, 2 yards. Average length of each night post, 2 miles, 6 furlongs, 34 rods, 4 yards. A comparison of the statistical tables, to be found in the last annual reports of the Police Departments of the chief cities of the United States, with those found in the last annual report sub- mitted by this department, will show that the police force of Brooklyn is, from every point of view— and especially the im- portant points of area, population and number of arrests— far behind the other cities with which she takes rank, or which she 89 eclipses in other public affairs ; and such comparison furthermore irresistibly forces the conclusion — which daily observation con- firms—that an increase in our police force is one of the most pressing and vital necessities of our city. The Commissioners of this department avail themselves of this opportunity to call your attention to the utility of the mounted squad of the force, and the necessity of its increase. Tliis squad at present includes a sergeant and nine men. The increase ought to be at least up to fifteen men. The records of this de- partment contain many proofs of the utility of this branch of the force, not only in making arrests in certain difficult cases, but also in saving life and property in runaway accidents; and it also is of great service in clearing the way for civic and military processions. The bravery and efficiency of the members of this branch of the force, and the success which has attended their ef- forts to save life and property, afford a full justification for its creation, and conclusive arguments for its increase. The number of patrolmen, performing special duty on Decem- ber 1, 1877, was 94, detailed as follows : As detectives 20 At Justice Ferry's court 4 " Riley's " 3 Bloom's " 4 Semler's " 3 Walsh's " 4 " Elliott's " 2 " Guck's 11 2 At various ferries 7 At Health office 14 [Of these 14 there are 6 not fit for patrol duty.] As meat inspectors 2 " watchmen at Headquarters 3 superannuated. " Messenger to Superintendent 1 disabled. At Hack Inspector's office 2 As clerk to sergeant of C. O. squad 1 disabled. At telegraph office 1 At District Attorney's office . 1 (Ordered on patrol Dec. 20, 1877). M Mayor's office 1 superannuated. u Long Island Railroad depot 2 II arbor- master 1 On day duty (unlit for full duty) 4 Total 94 12 90 In case no increase of the police force shall be authorized by the Common Council, the Commissioners of this department would respectfully suggest that some arrangement be devised whereby the members fit for patrol duty may be relieved from attendance upon the various courts and municipal offices. We venture in this connection to commend to your notice a proposed branch of the force of this department to which we have several times called the attention of the Common Council — namely : the organization of a Eiver and Harbor force. Upon this point the single fact that there are upon the water-front of this city many large warehouses stored with the most valuable productions of this and foreign countries, bears with great force." It is estimated by competent judges that the value of the ware- houses upon our water-front, and of the goods covered by them, is not less than $300,000,000. In the annual report of this department for the year 1874 ap- peared the following language : " Nearly all the piers are controlled and owned by private per- sons, and the location of the adjacent warehouses such as to ren- der it difficult for the street patrol to efficiently guard the property in the day time, while at night, when the gates leading to the docks are closed, it is impossible for the officers to see the piers and shipping, or to render assistance even if they knew a robbery was actually taking place. " This is not an exceptional case, but is the condition of nearly if not quite all the piers and warehouses from Growanus bay and canal to Newtown creek — a distance of about seven miles. " The number and capacity of both warehouses and piers are rapidly increasing, and are attracting by the superior facilities offered a very large amount of shipping, and it is essential to the interests and prosperity of trade on our river front that this vast amount of property be so securely guarded as to render depreda- tions extremely difficult, if not impossible. " In order to do this a Harbor Police is an absolute necessity, and should be established without delay. " Two steam launches, capable of carrying from seven ten men each, would furnish ample protection, and could be established and maintained at a moderate expense." Three years have elapsed since the above was written, and the experience of those years has added force to the points made in the above language. 91 Relative to the Bureau of Excise, the Commissioners of this department respectfully submit the following data : The number of licenses of the various classes described in the statute, issued from January 1, 1877, to December 5, 1877, was 2,417. The amount of fees received for such licenses was $ 108,110. The number of revocations of license during the same period was 11. The Commissioners are gratified in being able to state that the dealers in spirituous and malt liquors in this city have in most instances shown a ready and cheerful disposition to comply with the terms of the law ; and that the execution of the statute,*so far as it is imperative upon this department, has been such as to secure the endorsement of all law-abiding citizens. We respectfully transmit with this communication, as afford- ing additional and detailed information, a copy of the last annual report of this department. Any further or special information desired, will, upon request, be cheerfully furnished. Very respectfully, JAMES JOURDAN, President. REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OE EIRE & BUILDINGS. Department of Fire and Buildings, ) Office of Commissioners, Jay street, near Willoughby, > Brooklyn, December 5, 1877." ) lion. James Howell, Jr., Mayor elect : Dear Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a report of the opera- tions of this. department for eleven months of the present year, the preparation of which has been delayed in order that the statements might be in full up to the 1st of December. Trusting that the facts may be of value to you, I am Yours, very respectfully, DAVID WILLIAMS, President Hon. James Howell, Jr., Mayor elect : So: In compliance with the request contained in your communi- cation of November 21st, ult, I respectfully submit herewith a report of the operations of this department from January 1, 1877, up to December 1, 1877 : FINANCIAL. The appropriation for the year was $386,250 00 Balance from appropriation of 1876 30,120 75 Amount derived from the sale of property 1,553 73 Total $417,924 48 The expenditures to December 1 are 327,709 44 Outstanding liabilities estimated. 60,127 20 The expenditures in detail have been as follows : Salary 1279,019 78 Feed for horses *. . . . 7,358 78 94 Gas 81,389 70 Coal and wood 3,597 83 General supplies 3,321 14 Material for repair yard 2,638 30 Stationery 691 00 Horses 1,390 00 Shoeing 1,930 12 Eepairs to houses 3,830 13 Contingent 1,527 75 Telegraph. 1,180 91 Eearranging system of telegraph lines 4,799 00 Building Engine-house 1 8 and rebuilding Others, etc. 15,035 00 Total expenditure to December 1, 1877 $327,709 44 Outstanding liabilities on contracts and estimate of expendi- tures for balance of the year : Kent of premises 365 Jay street $1,250 00 Balance reserved on contract of Engine 2 and Hook and Ladder 1 house 275 00 Contract of R M. Whiting for maps 1,317 00 Balance reserved on hose contract of Messrs. White- head Bros 850 00 Balance reserved for third payment on hose con- tract of the Gutta Percha and Kubber Manufac- turing Co 2,000 00 Three horses 850 00 Contract for general supplies 2,283 20 Contract for one new second size Amoskeag fire engine 4,525 00 Contract of C. T. Chester for telegraph poles and material for re-arranging and perfecting system of telegraph lines ' 13,050 00 Estimated cost of four 4-wheel hose-tenders about being contracted for 2,377 00 Estimated expense for salary for balance of year 26,000 00 " feed " " 1,500 00 " shoeing " " 450 00 " " coal and wood " 500 00 " " small supplies, etc. " 2,000 00 " " gas " 400 00 " " repairs to houses " 500 00 $60,127 20 95 Contracts entered into by the department during the year 1877 : Mr. John Harrison — For feed for horses of the department supplied monthly. Amount per month about . . $675 50 Contract awarded January 18, 1877. Messrs. Guy C. Hotchkiss, Field & Co.— For general supplies. Amount. 2,824 00 Contract awarded February 1, 1877. Mr. F. W. Langstroth — For harness material. Amount $295 00 Contract awarded February 1, 1877. M. C. N. Cornell— For blank books and stationery. Amount 499 00 Contract awarded February 1, 1877. Messrs. Gilmartin Bros. — For repairing Truck 1 and Engine 2 house. Amount . .* 4,550 00 Contract awarded March 21, 1877. Mr. C. T. Chester— For telegraph material. Amount 4,799 00 Contract awarded April 10, 1877. Mr. M. T. Davidson— For engine lathe. Amount 312 00 Contract awarded April 11, 1877. Mr. k M. Whitingv- For maps, printing and binding. Amount 1,317 00 Contract awarded April 28, 1877. Messrs. Kelsey & Loughlin — For 50 tons of cannel coal, per ton. Amount. ... 15 75 Contract awarded June 21, 1877. Mr. C. W. Schoeneck— For general supplies, Class No. 1. Amount 1,321 00 Contract awarded November 14, 1877. Messrs. Guy C. Hotchkiss, Field & Co. — For general supplies, class No. 2. Amount 279 00 Contract awarded November 14, 1877. Mr. N. Langler — For general supplies, class No. 3. Amount 688 20 Contract awarded November 14, 1877. 96 The Manchester Locomotive Works — For one Amoskeag Steam Fire Engine. Amount. $4,525 00 Contract awarded November 16, 1877. Mr. C. T. Chester— For telegraph materials. Amount 13,050 00 Contract awarded November 16, 1877. Proposals for building 4 four-wheeled hose tenders have been received, the necessary authority of the Common Council having been obtained, and the probable amount to meet the same will be $2,377.00. BUILDING DEPARTMENT. Number of applications for new buildings, for which per- mits were granted 1,601 Of which there were of brick 1,057 Of which there were of frame 544 Number of applications to alter buildings 889 Number of permits granted ... 875 " denied 14 " applications to move buildings 59 " permits granted . 59 Violations reported and notices served. ... 215 Number of notices complied with 152 Extension of time granted 50 Number of cases given to counsel 13 KEROSENE BUREAU. Number of licenses issued from January 1, 1877, to De- cember 1. 1877 ',. 1,337 APPARATUS, EQUIPMENTS, ETC. The force at present employed in the department consists of 230 officers and men. The ordinary working force of the department consists of 17 steam fire engines and 5 hook and ladder trucks. The reserve force consists of 4 steam fire engines, 1 hook and ladder truck, 2 double hose tenders and 4 single hose tenders. There are 180 lengths of hose in good condition and 544 lengths in bad condition. There are 76 lengths of old condemned hose stationed in the various factories and railroad depots, being held subject to the order of the Commissioners, and receipts for the same filed in this office. We have 75 horses. During the past }^ear one new engine house has been built and is now ready for use ; the other houses are all in fair condition. 97 The mechanical labor performed by members of the depart- ment, exclusive of work at the repair shop, is as follows : Labor performed by carpenters from January 1, 1877, to De- cember 1, 1877 : Repairs to the following houses : Engines Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 1-1, 15, and 16. Trucks Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6. Richard Murphy, 260 days work. Christopher Leavy, 260 " Charles Norris, 254 ; ' Total, 774 days work. Labor performed by painters from January 1, 1877, to Decem- ber 1, 1877 : Painting the following houses : Engines Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16. Trucks Nos. 3, 4 and 6, painting roofs of all houses ; glazing in all engine and truck houses ; painting wheels and ladders at repair shop. James Malone, 243 days work. Charles Ferris, 241 " Thomas Haley, 241 Win. Satterly, 258 Thomas Lee, 17 Total, 1000 days work. Labor performed by caulkers, from January 1, 1877, to Decem- ber 1,1877: Caulking floors of the following houses : Engines Nos. 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, and 18. Trucks Nos. 1, 3, 4 and 6. D. R. Ketchum, 260 days work. James Donnelly, 258 " Peter Cartwright, 258 " Total, 776 days work. Labor performed by tin roofer, from January 1, 1877, to De- cember 1, 1677 : Repairing the following houses : Engines Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ? 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. 16, and 17. 13 98 Trucks Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6, headquarters and repair-shop. Miles Campbell, 166 days work. The total number of fires and alarms from Januarv 1, 1877, to December 1, 1877, was 330. Of which 39 were extinguished by 3 engines and 1 truck. 27 " 2 " 1 " 35 " 1 " 1 « 3 " 4 " L " 6 " 5 " 2 « 1 " ' 6 2 " 9 "3 17 " 1 engine. 10 " 1 truck. 1 ;< 13 engines and 4 trucks. 1 " 9 : ' 3 " Total loss by fire during same time estimated at. . . fc $1,107,000 Estimated loss for year 1876 712,490 " 1875 874,161 TELEGRAPH. During the past year considerable advance has been made in extending and remodeling the telegraph system connected with the department. At present we depend in part upon facilities furnished by the Police Department, the operators at the Central office transmitting all alarms over their wires, thus giving us eighteen additional stations from which alarms can be sent. We depend also, to some extent, on private companies where our wires are placed on their poles ; and as those companies so fre- quently change wires, or put up additional ones, great trouble is caused us in caring for our own wires. Whenever the contracts made by this department are performed, and the new system is fully completed and in use, it is expected that our wires will be found on our own poles only, and the inconveniences and dangers to which we were heretofore subject will be entirely obviated. The total number of poles owned by this department 772 Total number of miles of wire 65 Total number of miles of poles used by us belonging to private companies 15 The department is in good condition to perform the duties re- quired of it, and some suggestions will be made in the annual report, the adoption of which, in the judgment of the Commis- 99 sioners, will give increased efficiency to the working of the de- partment, and afford corresponding security to life and property from the ravages of fire. In the meantime every effort will be made to protect all interests affected with the present appliances and force. I have the honor to be, Yours, very respectfully, DAVID WILLIAMS, President, etc. REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF TRUANT HOME. To the Hon. James Howell, Jr., Mayor elect of the City of Brooklyn ; Sir: In compliance with your order, I herewith trnsmit the annual report of the Brooklyn City Truant Home for the current year, 1877 : Kemained in institution January 1, 1877 38 Since admitted 144 Discharged 154 Eemaining on December 21, 1877 28 Daily average 64 Balance to credit of Truant Home fund from 1876. . $3,131 39 Appropriation for salaries and supplies 16,000 00 Total $19,131 39 Deduct salaries to January, 1878 $4,724 99 " gas bills 657 60 " fuel, to January, 1876 459 25 M supplies 6,028 66 M repairs," to January, 1878 2,246 65 $14,117 15 Balance $5,014 24 In addition to the above amount, under the head of supplies there will probably pass to the Comptroller's office bills for furni- ture, feathers, carpets, and blacksmith's bill, an additional sum of about $338, which will include all that will be charged against the " Home " for the present year. There are employed at present : 102 A superintendent at a yearly salary of $1,200 A matron " " 300 A physician " " 360 One teacher " " 700 A watchman u " 500 A farmer " " 360 A seamstress " " 240 Two cooks and one laundress at $150 each 450 Two housemaids at $120 each 252 By a resolution of the Common Council, bearing date. April 24, 1876, the Board of Education was empowered to appoint teachers for the school, and the care, custody and management of the boys was vested in said Board. I was ordered to be gov- erned by their ruling in all things appertaining to the care and detention of said children, which order I have strictly complied with. I would add that the Common Council either gave too much or too little authority to the Board of Education. That Board did not appear to take any interest in the school until ten months after the aforesaid resolution was passed, and up to the present time they have never established any new rules, or given the teacher any orders respecting the government of the school. The chairman of the Committee on Attendance appears to be the only person connected with the Board who takes any interest in the school. He informed me that he thought that the Board of Education should have entire control of the institution, and unless it was given to them they would not commit boys to the " Home and as the compulsory law gave them the exclusive right to deal with " truants,"' they would depopulate the school and make it worthless to the municipal authorities of Brooklyn. It is evident that there are no lesser number of truants in Brooklyn at the present time than there were in 1&75. Dr. Schapps informed me that they had fifty or sixty already to commit as soon as I complied with his order to discharge all boys who were detained in the institution who were committed otherwise than through their officers. I submitted said order to the Corporation Counsel for his opinion, and by his order discharged the boys, since which time (a month ago) I have received but four out of the sixty boys. I have no opinion to offer why I have not received the other fifty -six. We have accommodations for fully one hundred boys, and the cost of salaries, fuel, gas-light, and repairs would not be any greater with one hundred than it is at present. 103 Our land yielded abundantly the present year. The products were 2D5 bushels shelled corn, 70 bushels potatoes, 1,300 cab- bages, -I tons oats, cut green and cured for hay, besides turnips, beets, peas, and all other garden vegetables. We also raised and slaughtered 562 pounds of pork. I should not have asked the Board ot Estimates for an appro- priation of $16,000 for the year 1878 if it were not so uncertain whether the Board of Education would rill the school or leave it empty. If I have failed to make as concise a report as you anticipated, I hope you will not attribute it to any desire on my part to with- hold all the information which you may require, but to the fact that I have had but thirty-six hours in which to compile this report. Yours, respectfully, J A RED CLARK, Superintendent Truant Home. < * 9 1 - 1 Mm KH v BS Hi HH ' .. ; ' R • MatslEllKllBBSflM ■ IBbB mmM m I WBSBMUmtmKtasffl mBBaBKBHtttUBBM I H . « •} I H HB • • • . > H H BH B I -7m.; BHi I $f. 9 BH fl '. . IB 1 JbUbsBHkHb^bbsbL bbHbbHHHHbbHHIHbI BB^BBBsBSBSBSSBfiBBBCBSS^BBSfl 1 1 BH ■ Bfl ■ ' J ffif i*^r- Bfl B BSC MB 41 Bfl bbbI RHBi BBIgl HBB l • - v ... IbhHHHH BaMi BH i bjhmBbbbh ■ Ml _BBfl_ ibbBI liiililli HP mam )