USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. II > Part 22
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31. House's Telegraph line having been completed, went into operation this day, forming the third telegraph line,
NOVEMBER,
2. A fracas on the corner of Howard and South Pearl streets between three whites and three blacks; Michael Rourke was dangerously wounded by a knife ... .Mar. garet Paddock died, aged 23.
5. Election day. John L. Schoolcraft re-elected to Congress ; A. J. Colvin, district attorney ; Hamilton Harris and Eli Perry, assemblymen. Greatest numberof votes polled in the county for any two candidates, 13,906,
6. Walter B. Thayer, of Albany, died at Cannelton, Indiana, aged 42.
8. Mrs. Frances Dougherty died, aged 64.
9. Celebration of the completion of the Albany and Mohawk Plank Road, took place at the aqueduct.
11, Martin Lawlor died, aged 52.
12. Bartholomew Van Valkenburgh died, aged 49. Lucia M. Gregory died, aged 41. Nathaniel Ring died, aged 84, Joseph Sherwood died, aged 22.
14. Annual meeting of Albany County Medical Society. Address by Dr. James McNaughton, president, Officers
277
Annals of 1849-50.
chosen for the ensuing year : James H. Armsby, president ; William F. Carter, vice president ; B. A, Sheldon, secreta- ry ; J. B. Rossman treasurer; John Swinburne, librarian ; P. McNaughton, Howard Townsend, J. P. Boyd, Uriah G. Bigelow, and Leonard G. Warren, censors .. .... Annual meeting of St. Andrews Society, when the following offi- cers were chosen for the ensuing year : Dr. James Mc- Naughton, president; D. D. Ramsay, Ist vice president ; Lithan Algie, 2d. do .; Rev. Peter Bullions, chaplain; Dr. Peter McNaughton, physician; William Gray, treasurer; Peter Smith, jr., secretary; Robert Cameron, asst. do .; Peter Smith, Alexander Gray, James Dickson, James Dun- can, George Young, managers .. . Sarah Welch died, aged 16.
15. Annual meeting of Phoenix engine company, the following were elected officers for the ensuing year; J. B. Stonehouse, president ; J. Kearney, Ist asst .; D. Winne, 2d. asst .; G. Campbell, clerk; P. Hewson, steward.
16. John Curran was dangerously stabbed by Michael Smith on board the Isaac Newton.
17. Francis Hill was stabbed at a drinking house in Hamilton street. by John Sheridan . ..... The sloop Index, Capt. Morris Bumpus, arrived on her return trip from New Bedford, having made two trips of 400 miles each, equal to 800 miles, in 8 days. She left this port on the 9th inst., fully laden, and arrived at New Bedford on the 11th. She discharged her cargo, reloaded in part, sailed again on the 14th, and arrived here on Sunday evening, the 17th. Dur- ing the run she encountered considerable head winds, and when within twenty miles of New York on her return, nearly a whole day was passed in a calm. This favorite vessel is the property of Capt. Gibb.
18. John Sheridan committed to jail for stabbing Hill. . Sarah Johnston died, aged 92. . .... Canal receipts, Albany, Nov. 18 : flour, 25,310 brls .; ashes, 208 do .; beef, 1520 do .; whiskey, &c., 6380 gals .; barley, 18,250 bu .; oats, 6000 do .; wheat, 14,600 do .; potatoes, 1000 do .; seed, 5100 lbs .; butter, 79,700 do .; cheese, 95,900 do .; wool, 14,900 do .; hams and bacon, 21,800 do ...... The first snow storm of the season occurred before day light,
278
Annals of 1849-50.
and was perceptible on the surrounding hills after sunrise.
19. At a meeting of the stockholders of the Utica and Schenectady Rail Road Company, the president of the road, Erastus Corning, of this city, was voted a service of plate, for his long and valuable services, for which he has always declined to receive any compensation ...... In the early part of the week, three brigs arrived at Hudson from Maine for the purpose of loading. The high water en- abled them to reach Albany, they being of such a large draft of water that in an ordinary state of the river they would have been unable to reach our port. They were towed up and loaded with staves from the stave yard of Mr. William H. Dewitt, and immediately left for the south- ern market. Their presence in our harbor was the sub- ject of great curiosity among our commercial men ...... Maria, wife of Aaron S. Ward, died. Mrs Mary Percy died.
20. A lad named David Barscall drowned at the Rail Road ferry. Sarah, wife of William M. Graves, died aged 22.
21. Introductory lecture before the Young Men's Asso- ciation by Charles King of New York, and poem by Wil- liam L. Learned, in Pearl Street Baptist Church.
22. John Finnegan convicted of assault and battery with intent to kill, was sentenced to ten years confine- ment in Auburn prison; and Hugh Johnson and Patrick McCormick convicted of burglary were sent to the same prison, the first for 2 years and 6 months, the last for 4 years 6 months.
23. Alarm of fire, proceeding from Seymour's carpenter shop in Grand street, which was partially consumed.
25. A new company, the Schoolcraft Light Horse, numbering 120, under Capt. James B. Harris, went out for a target excursion to Sloan's tavern in Guilderland. The first prize, a silver goblet, was won by David Oster- hout; the second, a silver cup, by Mr. Schoonmaker, the third, a gold pencil case, by Mr. Henderson ...... The Corning corps, numbering 120, under Capt. John Osborn, went to Crane's tavern, on the Troy road, for target firing. The first prize, a $100 watch, was taken by John Clark ;
Annals of 1849-50. 279
the $30 silver goblet, by Alexander Thompson; the $15 gold pencil case, by John Ingmire, and the $10 gold pen- cil case, by William Dwyer. . Mrs. Hannah Hilton died. aged 51.
26. The streets were whitened with snow in the morn- ing, which disappeared in a few hours; the day dark and rainy.
27. Harvey Kilbourn, of St. Louis, died at the Franklin House, aged 45. Abigail, wife of Samuel Carter, died, aged 53.
28. The machinists of Jagger, Treadwell and Perry's establishment organized as a military company, under the name of the Eagle Guards, turned out for a target excur- sion ....... Thomas J. McCall died.
29. The Emigrant's Friend Society, organized for the protection and assistance of emigrants, elected the follow- ing officers: Hon. Franklin Townsend, mayor, president ; John Tracey, vice president; R. M. Van Sickler, rec. sec. ; C. P. Williams, treasurer; James Maher, John O. Cole, James Dexter, I. N. Wyckoff, D. D., H. B. Haswell, M. McMahon, directors ...... The quantity of flour, wheat, corn, and barley left at tide water during the 4th week in Nov., in the years 1849 and 1850, was as follows:
Flour, bris
Wheat, bu.
Corn, bu.
Barley, bu.
1849,
270,426
212,183
84,644
88,448
1850,
301,500
490,215
35,419
93,066
Inc. 31,074 Inc. 298,032 Dec. 49,225
Inc. 4,618
The aggregate quantity of the same articles left at tide water from the commencement of navigation to the 30th Nov., inclusive, during the years 1849 and 1850, was as follows :
Flour, bris
Wheat, bu.
Corn, bu.
Barley bu.
1849, 3,191,864
2,667,802
5,053,559
1,390,737
1850, 3,170,272
3,566,551
3,219,476
1,723,914
Dec. 21,592 Inc. 888,749 Dec 1,834,083 Inc. 333,177
The aggregate quantity of the same articles left at tide water from the commencement of navigation to the 30th
280
Annals of 1849-50.
of Nov., inclusive, during the years 1848 and 1850, was as follows :
Flour, brls
Wheat. bu.
Corn, bu.
Barley, bu.
1848, 3,074,292
3,038,168
2,886,575 1,544,603
1850, 3,170,272
3,556,551
3,219,476 1,723,914
Inc. 95,980 518,383 332,901 179,311
By reducing the wheat to flour, the quantity of the lat- ter left at tide water this year, compared with the corres- ponding period of last year, shows an increase of 156,157 barrels of flour.
The following table shows the quantity of some of the principal articles of produce left at tide water from the commencement of navigation to the 30th of Nov,, inclu- sive during the years 1848, 114 days; 1849 114 days; 1850, 122 days :
1848.
1849.
1850.
Flour, brls.,
3,074,292
3,191.864
3,170,272
Wheat, bu.,
3,083,148
2,667,802
3,556,551
Corn, bu.,
2,886,575
5,053,559
3,219,476
Barley, bu.,
1,544,603
1,390,737
1,723,914
Rye, bu.,
284,472
313,272
608,834
Other grains, bu., ..
1,425,739
1,376,558
2,404,326
Beef, brls.,
61,075
99,861
88,065
Pork, brls.,.
89,760
73,312
46,621
Ashes, brls.,.
63,676
56,180
36,421
Butter, lbs.,
23,516,783
20,510,411
16,607,981
Lard, lbs.,
9,775,277
9,051,821
8,276,934
Cheese, lbs., ..
22,985,803
41,622,669
32,125,874
Wool, lbs.,.
8,736,660
12,633,096
11,860,756
Bacon, lbs.,
8,201,865
8,422,242
9,514.421
Stephen Harris died, aged 61.
( 281)
STATISTICS.
CITY FINANCES, 1849-50.
The annual report of the Chamberlain for the year end- ing May 1, 1850, was referred by the Common Council to the Finance Committee, consisting of VISSCHER TEN EYCK, C. P. WILLIAMS, and JOHN D. HEWSON, who, on the 12th August, made the following report on the condition of the finances of the city.
The financial affairs of our city, from their magnitude and varied character, require from the officers connected with their management a strict devotion to duty, as well as zeal, promptness, fidelity, system and good order to control and govern all their operations. These essentials are now the prominent features of the Chamberlain's of- fice; and the officers connected therewith, are justly enti- tled to the commendation of the board for the faithful manner in which they have discharged their laborious and highly responsible duties.
Receipts and Expenditures .- The aggregate amount re- ceived by the chamberlain from all sources, during the past year, including $41,668.78, the balance on hand May 1, 1849, was 695,366.76 Expenditures during the same period 627,635.42
Leaving a balance on hand, May 1, 1850, of $67,731.34
In the year 1844, when the annual report of the cham- berlain was made, the city had available means, applicable to the support of the city government of. $19,464.67
In the year 1845 10,677.81
do
1846
6,797.98
do 1847 793.70
do 1848 662.35
do 1849 41,668.78
do 1850. 67,631.34
33
282
City Finances, 1849-50.
The large balance of 1849, and the still larger balance of 1850, are the results of the operation of the law of 1848. In former years the amount raised by tax for support of the city government was nearly if not entirely exhausted on the 1st of May, by its application to the payment of temporary loans. These loans were made in anticipation of the annual taxes, and the means realized therefrom were required for the ordinary expenditures of the city. By a strict adherence to the requirements of the law above referred to, and a due regard to economy in the adminis- tration of the affairs of the city, these temporary expedi- ents may be in a great degrec, if not entirely, avoided.
Loans and Interest .- The amount of temporary and other loans made during the past year is . .. $190,000.00 During the same period the amount paid and
cancelled by the city was ... . . $192,008.75 Cash paid to the trustees of sink-
ing fund for the same purpose 178,700.00
370,708.75
Making a diminution in the debt of the city in $180,708.75 one year of .
Of this amount, $153,415.36 was received from the state under the provisions of the law of 1849 relative to the Albany basin. The further sum of $20,000 was received from the state under the provisions of the same law, but the application thereof by the city was changed. by a law passed at the last session of the legislature. This $20,000 formed a part of the moneys paid by the city to the Pier proprietors, to procure their assent and release required in the law of 1849 relating to the Albany basin.
The amount raised by tax during the past year on account of interest on the city debt, was ... $45,500.00
Amount received of the Albany and Schenec-
tady Rail Road Co., and from other sources, 9,830.74
Making a total of. $55,330.74 The expenditures during the same period were 61,991.11
Leaving a deficiency of $6,660.37
283
City Finances, 1849-50.
This deficiency was caused by the accumulation of interest on the bonds held by the state, and which were paid and cancelled by carrying into effect the law of 1849, above referred to.
City Lamps. - The amount raised by tax during the past year for the maintenance of the city lamps was $10,000.00 The expenditures during the same period were 10,489.17
Leaving a deficiency of. $489.17
This deficiency was occasioned in part, if not entirely, by the high rates of oil during the past year.
The expenditures for the city lamps were,
In the year 1844, $7,135.90
1845, 7,121.58
1846, 10,899.49
1847,
9,076.85
6€
1848,
9,207.30
1849, 9,342.60
66 66
1850,
10,489.17
A part of the city lamps arc now maintained under the provisions of a contract made with the Albany Gas Light Company. The expense attending the execution of the contract can always be estimated, and it can be increased or diminished by the committee of the board having this subject in charge. The expense attending the oil lamps is variant and must continue so, under the present system ; and your committee would suggest that measures be adopt- ed by the appropriate committee to ascertain if the con- tract system can not be carried into effect for these lamps, and a large saving to the city be realized by its adoption.
Markets -The aggregate amount received from butch- ers for licenses and for rents of the several markets and out stalls, during the past year is . $1,819.08 Expenditures during the same period . 1,369.58
Leaving a balance in favor of the city of. . $449.50
Of this balance the sum of $225 was realized from the lease of the North market, which being deducted from $449.50 would leave $224-50 as the net sum received by
284
City Finances, 1849-50.
the city for the use of the large amount of property con- nected with the Centre and Vegetable markets.
From the year 1835 to 1845, the average annual net income derived from the several markets was $342.13, and from that period up to the present year, the average annual revenue was $915.69; a revenue entirely below a fair com- pensation for the use of so large an amount of real estate.
Common Schools .- The amount raised by tax during the past year for the support of common schools and the erec- tion of a school house, was. $9,503.36 Amount received from the School fund · 4.501.68
For tuition 301.00
Making a total of. $14,306.04 Expended during the year 15,340.46
Leaving a deficiency of. $1,034.42
The Ferry .- There has been received during the past year from the lessee of the ferry the sum of. .. $1,525.00 Expenditures during the same period for repairs. 273.34
Leaving a net revenue of $1,251.66
The ferry is now under the operation of a lease or con- tract and the city is realizing annually therefrom a fair equivalent for its use, whilst, under the old system, its management and maintenance was attended with expendi- tures far above the revenues received.
Night Police .- The amount authorized to be raised an- nually by tax for the support of the night police under the provisions of the 2d section of the act of March, 1848, is $17,000.
The amount raised during the past year under the au- thority conferred by the 3d section of said act, was $18,000.00
The amount expended during the same period
was 16,979.46
Leaving a surplus of. $1,020.54
Day Police .- The amount expended during the past year for the support of this department, including the sa-
285
City Finances, 1849-50.
laries of the police justices, was. $4,249.29 Making an aggregate for the support of the
night and day police of . $21,228.75
This sum ought, in the opinion of your committee, to be sufficient to secure a united and always reliable night and day police for our city, which would be prompt and efficient in its operation, and far preferable to the system now existing.
City and County Poor .- There was expended during the past year for the maintenance of the Alms House $15.405.87
For temporary relief in the city, salaries, cholera
expenses, &c. 12,885.83
Making a total of. $28,291.70
During the year 1849, the expenditures for the same objects were . . $26,127.49
During the year 1848. 33,966.34
1847 20,455.73
66 1846. 18,797.51
Justices' Court .- The amount received during the past year from this court for fees was . $2,667.84 Expenditures during the same period to the jus-
tices for salaries . 2,630.00
Leaving a balance in favor of the court of. . $37.84
Fire Department .- The amount expended during the past year for the support of this department was
$20,476.47
Of this sum $2,598.57 was expended for the Hose depot, $1,303.58 for new hose, and $890 for fire policemen.
Contingencies .- The amount received during the past year on this account from taxes, was. $40,000.00 From the state under the law of 1849, relating to the Albany basin. 20,000.00
From fines imposed by the Albany special ses- sions, ($1,240.50) rents, surveys, and sundry other items $14,699.86
$74,699.86
286
City Finances, 1849-50.
Brought up, $74,699.86
Expenditures during the same period 59,998.55
Leaving a balance in favor of the city of . .. $14,701.31 City Debt .- On the first day of May, 1848, the debt of the city was . $877,896.93
On the first day of May, 1849
858,396.93
Making a diminution during the year of. . . .. $19,500.00 On the first of May, 1850, the debt of the city was $677,688.18 Showing a reduction during the past year of $180,708.75
The debt here stated does not include the contingent liabilities of the city, viz: $100,000 of the bonds of the Albany and Schenectady Rail Road Company, guaranticd by the city, and falling due in the year 1852; and 1,000,- 000 of city bonds issued to the Western Rail Road Corpo- ration. Thesc liabilities of the city are amply securcd, and they can not therefore be classed as a debt, for the payment of which means should be provided.
Your committee have stated that the debt of the city on
$677,688.18 the 1st day of May, 1850, was .
From this there should be deducted the sum of $125,000 loaned to the Albany and Schenec- tady Rail Road Company, and upon which they pay an interest of 5 per cent; and also the further sum of $123,468.80, being the am't expended by the city for the same company, for the purchase of the depot and track in the city, which sum, according to the terms of the agreement, is to be refunded to the city or interest paid thereon, at the expiration of the 20 years, at the rate of 5 per cent per annum, making an aggregate of.
248,468.80
Leaving the actual debt of the city $429.219-38
Under the restraining operations of the law of 1848, this debt can be steadily and successfully reduced each year, if the common council on their part carry into prac- tical operation all the requirements therein contained.
287
City Finances, 1849-50.
To reduce taxation and lessen the burdens of our citizens should be-the constant aim of all, and in order to do so effectually, great care must be exercised in the prosecution of new improvements. If improvements are directed by the board, and the owners of the property benefited by the improvement are negligent or remiss in their payments, the deficiency must be raised by taxation. If the common council are profuse in their expenditures for the public lamps, or the night police, or in the ordinary contingent expenses of the city, all deficiencies beyond the amount received during the previous year must be raised by taxa- tion.
It is this inattention to small matters in the beginning, which has been the cause of rolling up this large debt against the city, and to cancel which all our energies should now be directed.
During the past year it became necessary to renew some of the loans of the city, and for that purpose stock was is- sued amounting to $50,000, bearing an interest of 6 per cent. This loan was taken by Watts Sherman, Esq., of this city, and upon which the city realized a premium of 12 per cent, being the first premium ever received by the eity.
During the month of May last, a further loan was nego- ciated with the same gentleman for $100,000 of the eity bonds, bearing an interest of 5 per cent. This loan was taken at par, and the amount realized therefrom is to be applied to the payment of city bonds, bearing an interest of 7 per cent, and falling due during the present and en- suing years.
To provide means for the gradual payment of our pre- sent debt, and the necessary inerease which must inevi- tably follow, when the water law is carried into effeet, requires the board to be firm in the discharge of their duty. and to be governed and directed by the restraining law of 1848, before referred to, and all other laws which may tend to the same result.
The character and prosperity of our city depend, in a great measure, upon the faithful discharge of the trust committed to our care; and it is for us to determine by
288
Assessors' Valuation.
our acts, whether the credit which our city now enjoys shall continue to grow and flourish, or be reduced to that low standard under which we groaned a few years since.
ASSESSORS' VALUATION.
From the Albany Evening Journal.
From many untoward and disastrous circumstances, the citizens of Albany, for several years past, have been bur- thened with what may be very justly termed most enor- mous rates of taxation; reaching a point far exceeding that of any city in the Union. The causes which have pro- duced such results have been numerous and in many instan- ces, unavoidable; while, in other cases, it has been the result of mismanagement and political manœuvering. The failure of the Canal Bank was a sad blow to the mo- neyed interests of our city, and coming at a time too, when we were sorely scourged by conflagrations, the finale to which was the devastation of nearly one-eightli of our city. The basin assessment has been hanging over our heads like a leaden weight, completely crushing us and retarding our progress. From these and numerous other causes, our rates of taxation have been ranging from two to two and a quarter per cent., and on one occasion going beyond even that high figure.
It will be a matter of congratulation to every Albanian, that we have at last emerged from the woods, and are now so firmly established on a good, sound basis, that we can rejoice at our deliverance, and look with bright hopes to the future. We have recovered from all our disasters; that incubus, the basin assessment, is wiped away, our limits are extending on every side; the last vestiges of the fire of 1848 are rapidly disappearing, and our popula- tion has, in spite of all the stumbling blocks cast in our way, reached over 50,000, an increase of over 12,000 since the last census. We feel that we have a right to rejoice for all these favorable results, and should any of our friends need additional cause for such manifestations, we have
289
Assessors' Valuation.
only to call their attention to the returns of the Assessors for the present year.
In the year 1849, the entire amount of real and person- al property returned as assessed by the common council, amounted to $11,971,274:38. For the present year the amount returned is $12,602,284.85, or an increase of $630,- 415.47, over the year 1849. The increase over 1849, when distributed among the wards of the city is as follows:
REAL ESTATE.
Ist Ward
1850
$422,665
1849
400,880
$21,785.00
2d
66
1850
602,010
10,570.00
3d
66
1850
903,186
29,171.00
4th
66
1850
1,925,175
66
1849
1,879,448
45,727.00
5th
66
1850
1,916,196
66
1849
1,912,306
3,890.00
6th
66
1850
1,003,360
73,210.00
7th
1850
583,289
68,354.00
8th
66
1849
351,860
35,775.00
9th
1850
853,009
66
1849
814,993
38,016.00
10th
1850
833,575
66
1849
781,365
52,210.00
Total increase of real estate,.
PERSONAL ESTATE.
Ist Ward
1850
5,500
1849
4,455
1,045.00
2d
1850
32,300
1849
27,300
5,000.00
3d
1850
92,200
66
1849
38,500
53,700.00
66
1849
930,050
1849
514,935
1850
387,635
$378,708.00
1849
591,440
1849
874,015
290
Assessors' Valuation.
4th ward
1850
766,822
1849
713,666
53,156.00
5th
1850
1,928,617
66
1849
1,896,240
32,377.00
6th
1850
151,950
123,450
28,500.00
7th
1850
44,200
27,200.00
8th
1850
6,500
6,800
9th
1850
103,500
66
1849
63,000
40,500.00
10th
1850
40,000
66
1849
29,500
10,500.00
Total increase of personal estate,
$251,978.00
real estate,
378,738.00
Total excess, .
$630,415.47
TOTAL VALUATION.
1st Ward
$428,165.00
2d
634,310:00
3d
66
995,386.00
4th 66
2,691,997.00
5th 66
3,844,813.00
6th
66
1,155,310.00
7th
66
627,489.00
8th
394,135.00
9th
956,509 00
10th
66
873,575.00
$12,601,689 85
The above statement gives us ample cause for congratu- lation, and although we have been groping in darkness for a long time, the day is breaking and light is pouring in upon us. As another gratifying evidence of our pro- gress we would state that the rate of assessment will be about 1.70, where it was $2 to $2.25 last season.
1849
1849
17,000
1849
291
Financial Condition of the City.
THE MAYOR'S STATEMENT ON THE FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE CITY.
Mayor's Office, Albany, May 25, 1850.
WATTS SHERMAN, EsQ.,
Sir, In accordance with your request, I take pleasure in presenting to you the following statement of the finan- - cial condition of the city of Albany :
For many years prior to 1847, the public debt of the city had been gradually rolling up, from the operation of the same causes which produce individual embarrassment : an expenditure greater than the resources, and a reluc- tance to resort to those trenchant and restrictive measures necessary, as well to reduce the evil as to prevent its re- currence. But, in the year 1847, the finance committee of the common council, convinced of the necessity of pre- venting any additions being made to the debt, and also of providing for its liquidation, recommended a restraining law, which was passed by the legislature of the state in 1848.
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