Mayor Powell's Message

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MAYOR POWELL'S MESSAGE.

We have in type, by the courtesy of the Mayor,¹ his message to the Common Council, read to the New Board doubtless before this meets the eyes of our readers. There will be no impropriety in our giving a resume of the points of the message. We shall print the whole document to-morrow.

The first paragraphs are in the usual vein of compliment. Next comes a short argument in behalf of a more direct responsibility from the Heads of Departments to the Chief Magistrate of the city—squinting toward a change in the Charter. Next we are told that the finances of Brooklyn are in a healthy condition—and the C.C. are admonished not to add to the already too great burdens of taxation. Next an approving smile upon the State Arsenal, the City Armory, and the citizen soldiers. Next a reference to filling up the grounds north of Flushing avenue, west of the Naval Hospital; and recommending that the old project of running Clinton avenue through northeasterly to connect with the Eastern District, be taken up again, and if possible, put through.

At some length, the Mayor then goes over the condition of the work done so far on the Brooklyn Water Works. Our readers have already had all the facts and more, in our own articles. The Mayor makes no allusion to the question of changing the main canal to a masonry conduit.

Next comes sewerage. This great subject we are glad to see alluded to, in the way it is, by the Mayor. We warmly approve of his remarks and extracts. The Water Commissioners, it seems, are also, by the Legislative Act of 1857,² Commissioners of Sewerage, and they have been employing competent engineers to plan a perfect and general system of sewerage for Brooklyn. Let them by all means go on perfecting the theory of their work, remembering what millions are to be benefitted by it, and how it must add to the sweetness and complexion of our city in the future.

Next is a rebuke for the too-prevalent practice of throwing house-garbage in the street. Next, a paragraph about public licensed persons, drivers, peddlers, carriers, &c; these are becoming very numerous in Brooklyn. Next a bit of advice to have all the public rooms of the City Hall well-ventilated.

The Mayor then speaks in warm terms of the Benevolent Institutions of Brooklyn—the City Hospital especially. Mr. Powell well suggests that the name of "City of Charities" belongs to us, as rightly as that of City of Churches.

Next a compliment to the masses of unemployed people the past winter, who didn't raise any row, but received the panic, and all that came of it, with peaceable philosophy.

Next the fact, and what can be inferred from the fact, that in the Savings Banks of Brooklyn are deposited nearly three and a half millions of dollars.

Next, the complaints of the tax-payers lamenting because the rate of per-centage is high. After which the reasons why it is high—with some moralizings in general. The Mayor thinks if we want the simplicity and economy of primitive times, we must remember that we can only have them by giving up the grand features of modern times.

Take it altogether, a very sensible message, several strong points made, and everything well expressed.

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