Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 109

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452

USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations > Part 109

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Martin Delehanty, Clerk of Common Council; Joseph Y. Paige, Chamberlain's Clerk; Edward J. Giraty, Deputy Receiver of Taxes: James O'Byrne, City Marshal; Matthias Bissikummer, Deputy; W. S. Paddock, Recorder; James Browne, Deputy Surveyor and Engineer: John A. Luby, Super- intendent of Alms-house; James McQuade, Chief Engineer Fire Department; John Maloy, Chief of Police; William J. Weaver, William J. Flynn, Henry T. Bradt, City Assessors; William K. Clute, John C. Nott, Police Justices.

1879. - M N. Nolan, Mayor.

Aldermen : Thomas Cavanaugh, President of Common Council; John Zimmerman, First Ward; Thomas B. Franklin, Second Ward; William A. Donahoe, Third Ward; John T. Gorman, Fourth Ward; Isaac Brilleman, Fifth Ward; William Manson, Sixth Ward; James Mckinney, Seventh Ward; James H. Harrigan, Eighth Ward; Edwin V. Kirtland, Ninth Ward; Conrad Degen, Tenth Ward; David M. Alexander, Eleventh Ward; Thomas Cavanaugh, Twelfth Ward; Theodore M. Amsdell, Thirteenth Ward; William Deyermand,

480

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

Fourteenth Ward; Michael J. Gorman, Fifteenth Ward; Alston Adams, Sixteenth Ward.

Department officers are the same as last year.

Washington Park Commissioners : John H. Van Antwerp, President; R. W. Peckham, James D. Wasson, Robert L. Johnson, R. Lenox Banks, Daniel Manning, George Dawson, J. G. Farns- worth, Dudley Olcott.

Water Commissioners : Visscher Ten Eyck, Henry H. Martin, Erastus Corning, John M. Kim- ball. Vacancy.

Police Commissioners : M. N. Nolan, ex officio, President ; James McIntyre, Michael Schrodt, William M. Bender, Richard B. Rock.

Fire Commissioners : M. N. Nolan, ex officio, President; Jacob C. Cuyler, one year; Philip O'Brien, two years ; Anthony N. Brady, three years; Henry S. Rosenthal, four years; Thomas Austin, five years.

1880 .- M. N. Nolan, Mayor.

Aldermen : Albert Gallup, President of Com- mon Council; Peter Snyder, First Ward; Philip J. McCormick, Second Ward ; William A. Donahoe, Third Ward; John T. Gorman, Fourth Ward; John Carey, Fifth Ward; Michael A. Murphy, Sixth Ward ; James Carlisle, Seventh Ward; Michael Horan (died), Eighth Ward; Michael H. Murray, Ninth Ward; James A. Fahy, Tenth Ward; William McEwen, Eleventh Ward; Robert Bryce, Jr., Twelfth Ward ; Samuel C. Harris, Thirteenth Ward; Theodore D. Smith, Jr., Four- teenth Ward; Joseph McCann, Fifteenth Ward; Albert Gallup, Sixteenth Ward ; Henry C. Burch, Seventeenth Ward.

The new City Officers this year were : William J. Maher, Deputy Chamberlain and Receiver of Taxes; Michael E. Higgins, City Marshal ; An- thony Gould, Recorder; John J. O'Hara, Deputy City Surveyor and Engineer ; John McKenna, Superintendent of Alms-house; James V. Viggers, Mayor's Third Clerk; William J. Burke, Inspector Public Buildings.

The City Hall was destroyed by fire on the morning of February 10, 1880.

Steps were immediately taken to rebuild the City Hall, and the matter was intrusted to a Committee on Public Buildings and three other members who were added to the above committee.

1881 .- M. N. Nolan, Mayor.

Aldermen: Albert Gallup, President of Com- mon Council; Peter Snyder, First Ward; Philip McCormick, Second Ward; William A. Donahoe, Third Ward; John T. Gorman, Fourth Ward; John Carey, Fifth Ward; Michael A. Murphy, Sixth Ward; James Carlisle, Seventh Ward; Thomas A. Becket, Eighth Ward; Michael H. Murray, Ninth Ward; James A. Fahy, Tenth Ward; William McEwan, Eleventh Ward; Robert Bryce, Jr., Twelfth Ward; Samuel C. Harris, Thirteenth Ward; Theodore D. Smith. Jr., Fourteenth Ward; Joseph McCann (died), Fifteenth Ward; Albert Gallup, Sixteenth Ward; Henry C. Burch, Seven- teenth Ward.

CITY OFFICERS .- Rufus W. Peckham, Corpora- tion Council; Lawrence Carey, Inspector.

Street Department: M. N. Nolan, Mayor; Albert Gallup, President; James Carlisle, John T. Gor- man, Thomas A. Becket, Aldermen; William H. Keeler, Street Commissioner; Reuben H. Bingham, City Surveyor; Charles E. Hills, Chamberlain.

Finance Department: M. N. Nolan, Mayor; Albert Gallup, President; Robert Bryce, Theodore Smith. Jr., William McEwan, Aldermen; Charles E. Hills, Chamberlain; William J. Maher, Deputy Chamberlain.

Law Department: Theodore Smith, Jr., Robert Bryce, William McEwan, Aldermen; Rufus W, Peckham, Corporation Counsel.

1882 .- M. N. Nolan, Mayor.

Aldermen: William H. Murray, President Com- mon Council; Peter Snyder, First Ward; Jeremiah Kieley, Second Ward; William A. Donahoe, Third Ward; James Lyons, Fourth Ward; John Carey, Fifth Ward; George W. Beck, Sixth Ward; James Carlisle, Seventh Ward; Michael A. Nolan, Eighth Ward; Michael H. Murray, Ninth Ward; James A. Fahy, Tenth Ward; Austin S. Kibbee, Eleventh Ward; Robert Bryce (resigned), Twelfth Ward; Samuel C. Harris, Thirteenth Ward; Charles W. Mead, Fourteenth Ward; James Thornton, Fif- teenth Ward; William H. Murray; Sixteenth Ward; Henry C. Burch, Seventeenth Ward.

CITY OFFICERS .- Henry R. Haskins, City Physi- cian; Robert Bryce, Street Commissioner.

Executive Department same as last year.

Street Department: M. N. Nolan, Mayor; Will- iam H. Murray, President Common.Council; John. Carey, James Lyons, George H. Beck, Aldermen; Robert Bryce, Commissioner; Reuben H. Bing- ham, Surveyor; Charles A. Hills, Chamberlain.

Finance Department: M. N. Nolan, Mayor; William H. Murray, President Common Council; James Lyon, John Carey, (vacancy), Aldermen; C. A. Hills, Chamberlain; William J. Maher, Deputy Chamberlain.

Law Department: Samuel C. Harris, William H. Murray, Charles W. Mead, Aldermen; R. W. Peck- ham, Corporation Council.

1883 .- John Swinburne, Mayor.

Aldermen : William H. Murray, President Com- mon Council. Members of the Board the same as 1882, with Patrick McCann in the vacancy of the Twelfth Ward.

DEPARTMENTS. - Executive: John Swinburne, Mayor; William H. Haskell, First Clerk: George D. Haskell, Second Clerk.

Board of Contract and Apportionment: John Swinburne, Mayor; William H. Murray, Robert Bryce, Jr., Reuben H. Bingham, Charles A. Hills.

Board of Finance: John Swinburne, William H. Murray, C. A. Hills, M. A. Nolan, Visscher Ten Eyck.

Trustees of Sinking Fund: John Swinburne; C. A. Hills, Visscher Ten Eyck.

481

MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF THE CITY OF ALBANY.

Law Department: Samuel Harris, William H. Murray, Charles W. Mead; Henry Smith, Corpora- tion Counsel.

Board of Audit: John Swinburne, William H. Murray, C. A. Hills.

Board of Health: John Swinburne, ex officio, President; Dr. A. Vanderveer, Dr. S. B. Ward, Thomas H. Dwyer, Robert Bryce, Jr., John Mc- Kenna, R. H. Bingham; Dr. D. V. O'Leary, Health Physician; Edward H. Long, Clerk; James Rooney, Lawrence Carey, William D. Dickerman, Inspectors.

We have given the names of the principal officers of the Corporation of the City of Albany under the Charter as amended by the Charter of 1870.

On April 23, 1883, the Charter of the City of Albany was again amended, of which the following is an outline:

This amendment retains all the sections, three in number, under Title 1 of said act.

Title 2 of said act defines the boundaries of the seventeen wards of the city, one ward having been added since the Act of 1870.

The various departments of the municipal gov- ernment of Albany are established in Title 2, as follows:

The legislative power of said Corporation shall be vested in a Board of Aldermen, who shall form the Common Council of the City of Albany.

The Board of Aldermen consists of nineteen members, one Aldermen to be elected from each of the seventeen wards, and two from the city-at- large. To be eligible for the office of Alderman, a citizen shall have resided in the ward, and in case of each Alderman-at-large, he shall have resided in the city for at least one year immediately prior to his election.

There was chosen by the electors, according to this Charter, on the second Tuesday of April, 1884, one Alderman from each ward, and two from the city-at-large, to hold their office for two years. There is to be a Charter election held in the city on the same day in every second year hereafter for the choice of Aldermen.

The Common Council shall, biennially, elect a President from its own body, and, in his absence, a President for the time being, and biennially ap- point its Clerk, who shall receive a salary of twenty- five hundred dollars per annum, payable monthly. He may appoint an Assistant, who shall have a sal- ary of $600 a year. Every law, ordinance or reso- lution of the Common Council, before it takes ef- fect, and within five days after its passage, must be sent to the Mayor's office. * * If the Mayor ap-

prove of such law, etc., he shall sign it, and it shall take effect immediately. If he does not approve it, he shall return it, with his objections, within ten days after it is delivered at his office.

The Common Council are Commissioners of Highways in and for said city.

The Charter defines the laws and ordinances which the Common Council has power to make, and the penalties for their violation. There are thirty-six of those provisions or ordinances, It is

provided that nothing in this act shall affect the powers, duties, rules, orders, or ordinances or reg- ulations of the Board of Health, as they exist under the laws of the State. The Common Coun- cil shall have power to impeach the Mayor by a resolution passed by a resolution of two-thirds of all the members of the said Board.

THE EXECUTIVE POWER OF THE CORPORATION. - The executive power of the Corporation shall be vested in the Mayor. He shall be elected at a Charter election, and hold his office for the term of two years, commencing on the first Tuesday of May next after his election; and the Mayor elected at any election held hereafter shall not be eligible until one term shall intervene, and the acceptance hereafter of any other elective office by the Mayor shall operate to determine and end his term of office as Mayor. His office is in the City Hall, and is open daily for business between the hours of ten o'clock in the morning and four o'clock in the afternoon. His salary is three thousand five hundred dollars per year, to be paid monthly by the Chamberlain.

The duties of the Mayor of Albany are plainly set forth in the Charter, and his powers, though suf- ficiently guarded, are plenary.

It is his duty, among other things, to communi- cate to the Common Council, at least once in every year, a general statement of the finances, govern- ment and improvement of the city; to recommend to the Common Council all such measures con- nected with the security, health, cleanliness, and ornamentation of the city, and the protection of its government and finances, as he shall deem expedi- ent; to call out and command the police and fire- men, and to call together the citizens and commis- sion special policemen during an emergency, and take all proper measures for the protection of the property and lives of the citizens in case of riot or disturbance.

He shall have power at any time to suspend, for neglect or omission to perform the duties of his office, for inattention to such duties of his office, or incompetency to well and efficiently to execute the same, any officer holding an office to which the Mayor has the power of appointment absolutely, or subject to the confirmation of the Common Coun- cil. After such suspension, notice must be given to the Common Council at its next meeting. The President, within five days, notifies the Recorder and the Law Committee of the said city of such fact, and that they are required to meet with him at a time and place designated. At the time and place the President, Common Council, Recorder and Law Committee are to meet. The Recorder pre- sides. Ten days' notice must be given the offi- cer suspended. The President, Recorder and Law Committee form a commission for the trial of the officer suspended or removed upon written charges to be made by the Mayor. The Clerk of the Com- mon Council attends the meetings as Clerk of the Commission. The record of its proceedings is filed with the Clerk of the Common Council. In the event of no dismissal, the city shall pay the cost and expenses of the officer so tried.

482

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

CITY OFFICERS APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR. - The following officers are appointed biennially by the Mayor : a Chamberlain, Receiver of Taxes, City Engineer and Surveyor, Street Commissioner, City Marshal, Inspector of Weights and Measures, Overseer of the Poor, Superintendent of the Alms- house, and one City Physician. These appoint- ments (except the Chamberlain and Receiver of Taxes, which shall be made on the eve of the Fast- day of St. Michael the Archangel) shall be sent to the Common Council for confirmation at the next regular meeting after their appointment.

He also appoints the Assessors of the city. He also appoints, within three months after his elec- tion, a Corporation Counsel, six District Physi- cians, four city Bell-ringers, and such clerks and subordinates, not exceeding two, as he may re- quire. Such Bell-ringers, clerks and subordinates hold their position at the pleasure of the Mayor.

He shall also appoint a Janitor, who shall have the care of the city buildings on South Pearl street. The Janitor may appoint an assistant.

CORPORATION COUNSEL .- The Corporation Coun- sel acts as the legal adviser of the Common Council and of the several Officers, Boards, and Commissioners of the City, who shall not employ other counsel. His salary is $6,000 per year, and he receives no fees. He gives bonds for the faith- ful performance of all his official duties. He may appoint an assistant, whose salary is to be paid by him. The Corporation Counsel may, with the written consent of the Mayor, employ other coun- sel in the management of important cases in which the city is interested.

CHAMBERLAIN. - This officer receives all the money due or payable to the Corporation, and collects all assessments, apportionments, and rents. He receives and disburses all moneys raised by tax in the city, including money raised by county tax for the maintenance of the Alms-house therein. His salary is $3,500 per year, payable monthly. He has authority to appoint a Deputy Chamberlain, with the approval of the Mayor. His salary is $1,500 per year.

Both these officers must give heavy bonds for the faithful discharge of their duties.

The Mayor, Chamberlain, and President of the Common Council constitute a Board of Audit, and examine, audit, adjust, and settle all accounts, claims, debts and demands payable out of the moneys in the Chamberlain's hands appropriated for the Alms-house. Before these demands are audited, the Board is authorized to issue subpoenas to the claimants, or any other person, to compel their attendance before the Board for examination touching said demands.

These are among the duties of the Chamberlain. They, with his other duties, render his office one of the most important connected with the city govern- ment.

RECEIVER OF TAXES .- It is the duty of this offi- cer to receive all taxes provided by law, and to retain in his possession the assessment rolls and warrants which shall from time to time be delivered

to him by the Supervisors; to enter daily, in suit- able books kept for that purpose, the sums received for taxes, respectively with the name of the person on whose account the same may be paid, and the ward for which received; and he shall, at the ex- piration of office hours, exhibit such entries to the City Chamberlain, the amount received by him on such day, and pay over to that officer the amount so received.

It is a misdemeanor, punishable by imprison- ment not exceeding six months, and fine not ex- ceeding five hundred dollars, for the Receiver of Taxes, or any person in the employment of the city, or for the County Treasurer, or any person in the employment of the county, to enter in his books any payment of taxes or water rates on a day different from that on which the same is paid; or to accept any less sum for such tax or water rate than the amount by law required to be paid, when such tax or water rate is in fact paid; or to throw off or deduct from the sum due any interest collect- able thereon; or to make any false or untrue entry with respect thereto.

Thus we see how carefully the city government guards its interests against fraud and peculation.

The Board of Supervisors of the county causes the corrected assessment roll of each ward in the city to be delivered to the Receiver of Taxes for said city on or before the tenth day of December in every year, with a warrant, under the hands and seals of the members of the Board of Supervisors, or a majority of them, commanding such receiver to collect from the several persons named in the rolls the several sums mentioned in the last column of said roll opposite their respective names, and to pay over the same in manner directed in such warrant.

The County Treasurer examines the account of the arrears of taxes received from the Receiver of Taxes, and shall reject all taxes on land that shall there be imperfectly described, and on all taxes erroneously assessed in form or substance.

The duties of the Receiver of Taxes in case of non-payment thereof are admirably defined, and are more fully considered in the history of the Board of Supervisors.

THE COUNTY TREASURER receives, as compensa- tion for his services, an annual salary to be fixed by the Board of Supervisors. He is not to receive any interest, fees, or compensation for his ser- vices, except in proceedings for the sale of land for unpaid taxes. In cases where payments are made after first publication of the notice of sale, or on the sale, he shall receive five per cent. on the amount, to be addded to the tax. The County Treasurer transmits to the Comptroller an account of unpaid taxes assessed upon corporations, or upon the lands of non-residents or unknown owners, in the City of Albany, on any collector's affidavit thereto.

BOARD OF FINANCE. - The Common Council, under the Charter, at its first meeting in January, 1884, appointed a citizen of the city, not an office holder, to act with the Mayor and Chamberlain

483

MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF THE CITY OF ALBANY.

as a Board of Trustees of the Sinking Fund of the city. Every third year after the first day of Jan- uary aforesaid, there is to be a new appointment. The members are a body corporate, who, together with the President of the Common Council and one Alderman, to be designated by the Common Council, constitute a Board of Finance for the city.

BANKS DESIGNATED FOR DEPOSIT .- The Board of Finance designates, after notice duly published twice in each week, for two weeks, in the Corpora- tion newspaper, two banks in the city, who are to give security, in which all moneys received by the Chamberlain shall be deposited, and shall fix, by agreement with the banks, the amount of in- terest to be paid on such deposits. The Board has power, after publication of the like notice, to change the banks.

CITY TAX BUDGET .- Among the duties of the said Board is that of annually preparing a city tax bud- get, which includes all sums required for every municipal purpose during the year next following the first day of January after such budget was pre- pared, and shall report the same to the Common Council.

BOARD OF CONTRACT AND APPORTIONMENT. - This is a very important Board, and in its practical work- ing admirably protects the interests of the city. It consists of the Mayor, Chamberlain, Street Com- missioner, City Engineer and Surveyor, and Presi- dent of the Common Council. The Corporation Counsel or his assistant has a right to be present at every meeting. The Board meets on the first and third Monday of each and every month be- tween the hours of 9 A. M. and 5 P. M. Reporters of newspapers may be present at most of the meet- ings.

This Board has charge, under the direction of the Common Council, of all the altering, regulat- ing, grading, paving, repaving, flagging, curbing, guttering, cleaning, opening, draining, repairing and lighting the streets, roads, places, alleys and avenues; of fencing and filling building lots; re- pairing and lighting docks, wharves and piers; and of constructing and repairing public streets, drains, alleys and bridges.

It issues all proposals, receives all bids and awards all contracts for doing the foregoing work. All contracts, however, except for lighting the city, can be made for a longer period than two years.

Contracts are let to the lowest responsible bidder, who presents with his bid the bond required by law. All contracts and bonds are approved by the Cor- poration Counsel as to form and validity. The Board appoints biennially a clerk at a salary of $2,000 per annum. He keeps all records and ac- counts of said Board.

It is the duty of this Board to apportion and assess all the expenses for work, labor and services per- formed and all the materials furnished, with the in- cidental cost and expenses attending the same. Such apportionment must be duly verified by the Street Commissioner, City Engineer and Surveyor, and ratified and approved by the Board of Contract and Apportionment. The provisions of the Char-

ter in regard to the duties of said Board are nu- merous, but we have given a synopsis of its most important duties.

The STREET COMMISSIONER appoints, with the ap- proval of the Mayor, two Superintendents of Streets and one Superintendent of Lamps, who shall hold office during the pleasure of the Commissioner. He is entitled to the services of the Clerk of the Board of Contract and Apportionment, when not engaged in the work of said Board. He may also employ, when necessary, not to exceed six day- laborers, to hold their places during his pleasure. Such Superintendents perform such work as shall be required of them by the Street Commissioner. Day-laborers are paid out of the Street Contingent Fund semi-monthly by the Chamberlain.

The Street Commissioner's salary is $3,000 per year; that of the two Superintendents $1, 200 per year respectively. The Street Commissioner re- ceives the further sum of $500 per year for the maintenance of a horse and wagon, to be used by him in the discharge of his duties.

If necessary, he has power to employ not to ex- ceed two teams, to be paid out of the Contingent Fund. He has power, from April Ist to November 15th in each year, to employ not to exceed four ad- ditional day-laborers. He has charge of lighting the city and to determine the position of lamps, and to see to all defects in the lighting the city.

All the oil, gas and electric lights of the city are supplied under contracts let by the Board of Con- tract and Apportionment.

CITY ENGINEER AND SURVEYOR .- This officer appoints one deputy engineer and surveyor, with the approval of the Mayor; also one draughtsman and one rodman. These officers hold their office at the pleasure of the City Engineer. This official receives a salary of $3,000 per year. His assistants receive $1,000 per year and the rodman $1, 200. The City Engineer and assistants are fence viewers for the city.

The City Engineer makes all surveys, measure- ments, maps, profiles and diagrams necessary for the taking of any land by right of eminent domain, or for the widening, paving, repaving or otherwise altering or improving any street, avenue, alley, lane, square or lot in the city. He also decides all disputes between owners of land on each side of division fences, touching the method of con- struction or repairing such fences. The division of the fence between such owners, or the part each is to bear respectively in the expense thereof, shall be decided by the Deputy Engineer and Sur- veyor.

CITY PHYSICIAN. - It is the duty of this officer to visit the Alms house at least once in each day; to attend and administer medical assistance to the sick in the Alms-house, hospital, pest-house and other permanent or temporary buildings now erected, or hereafter to be erected, on the Alms- house Farm. He appoints one resident physician to assist in the discharge of his duties. He reports on the first day of each month, and oftener if re- quired, to the Mayor, of the condition of the pau-

484

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

perism in the Alms-house; the persons admitted to the Pest-house, Lunatic Asylumn and Hospital; when sent and by whom. He receives a salary of $1, 200 per annum, payable monthly, out of the Alms- house Fund. His assistants receive $200 per an- num.

SUPERINTENDENT.OF THE ALMS-HOUSE. - This offi- cer has charge and control of the poor and insane committed to the Alms-house, and of the real and personal property used for such purposes, and of the farm and appurtenances belonging to the same. He must give his undivided personal attention to the duties of his office, and cannot engage in any other trade or occupation.

All persons arrested upon charges of insanity shall be sent to the asylum attached to the Albany Alms- house, and it is the duty of the Superintendent of the Alms-house to transfer the said person or per- sons from the said asylum, when directed so to do by either of the Police Magistrates or the Chief of Police. The Superintendent must reside at the Alms- house in the city. He receives a salary of $2, 500 per year and provides his own table and that of his assistants, who reside at the Alms-house, from the money appropriated to the support of the Alms- house.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 109

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1452

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452