USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. II > Part 23
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This law is one of the most restrictive character: re- quiring that all expenses of the city government, and the deficiencies arising from the non-payment of assessments for street improvements, together with the interest and ten thousand dollars of the principal of the debt, shall be raised by taxation annually : and also providing that no expenditure of the public money, except for the ordinary expenses, which with the amounts, are specified in the law, shall be made, unless the appropriations for the same shall have been passed by the votes of two thirds of all the members of the common council.
On the first day of May, 1848, the debt of the city (ex- clusive of the loans made to the Western Rail Road Cor- poration, and to the Albany and Schenectady Rail Road Company, both of which are so amply secured that they can not be considered absolute liabilities of the city), amounted to $752,896 93. Since that date, this debt has been reduced $211,764.90; and the exact amount of the same at this present time, is $541,132 03.
292
Financial Condition of the City.
This rapid extinguishment of so large a portion of the debt, resulted from the assumption by the state of a part of the expenses which the city had incurred for the ex. cavation of the basin at the eastern termination of the Erie and Champlain canals, and from the effect of the restraining law before alluded to.
There is every probability that the amount which will be realized by the trustees of the sinking fund from taxa- tion, receipts from the sale of city property, and payments of assessments, will not fall short of $20,000 annually. As this fund is sacredly pledged for the redemption of the debt, it is sufficiently evident that the liquidation of the same within a reasonable period, is placed beyond contin- gency. In addition to all this, the city, in its corporate capacity, possesses property which may be fairly valued at $415,000, of which $375,000 are invested in real estate, and $40,000 in the stocks of water-works, insurance and plank road companies.
The population of the city, as shown by the last census which was taken in 1845, was 42,189. The increase during the then previous five years was 8,476. The census which is to be taken this year, will probably show the present population to be over 50,000.
The value of the taxable property in the city, as shown by the assessment rolls returned to the board of super- visors, in November, 1849, was $11,971,203.
In speaking of the value of the taxable property, it should be remarked that, although the assessment rolls furnish the only criterion by which the aggregate value can be ascertained, they are by no means a correct one. To lessen the amount which cach county must pay to- wards defraying the general expenses of the state, it has been, and still continues to be the practice of the asses- sors in most of the counties, to value property at much less than its actual worth. In this respect, the county of Albany is not an exception; and, therefore, the assessors of this city have established a standard of valuation which is equal to about sixty-five per centum. For this reason, the value of the taxable property in the city of Albany, may be safely estimated at $18,000,000.
Taxes for City Government. 293
Trusting that the information here contained may serve to maintain the high credit which our city already enjoys, I remain, very respectfully, your ob't serv't, FRANKLIN TOWNSEND, Mayor of the City of Albany.
TAXES FOR CITY GOVERNMENT.
The following statement of the amounts raised by tax for the support of the government of the city, is gathered from the reports of the finance committees of the years 1848 and 1849.
Amount required to be raised by tax for the support of the city government, 1848.
For Night police $18,000.00
Public lamps, 10,000.00
Contingent expenses, 30,000.00
Fire department,. 5,000.00
Interest on city debt. . 47,000.00
School house on Arbor-hill. 7,000.00
Temporary relief of city poor, 7,000.00
Account of city debt, 10,000.00
Improving streets, . 22,500.00
Support of common schools, 9,003.36
Total,
$165,503.36
Amount required to be raised by tax for the support of the city government, 1849.
For Night police,.
$18,000.00
Public lamps, . 10,000.00
Expense of fire department, 20,000.00
Contingent expenses (ordinary),
30,000.00
On account of payment to pier proprie- tors to obtain their consent to the law relative to expenditures for excavating Albany basin, &c .. 10,000.00
To pay interest on city debt, 45,500.00
On account of sinking fund, 10,000.00
34
294
Pauperism in Albany.
For support of common schools, . .. 9,003.36 For alterations and repairs to district school No. 10, . 500.00
For temporary relief of city poor, . 5,000.00
Probable balance that will remain unpaid May 1, 1850, on assessments and ap- portionments for improving streets &c., approved and confirmed during the year ending Nov. 1, 1848, 10,000.00
$168,003.36
PAUPERISM IN ALBANY.
From May Ist, 1849, to May 1st, 1850, overseer of the poor, of the city of Albany gave permits to 1,373 persons to enter the Almshouse; of which number 169 were Ameri- cans, and 1,204 were foreigners; of the latter number 737 were chargeable to the commissioners of emigration,
The ages of those admitted were as follows: 202 were under 5 years; 190 were 5 and under 10 years; 79 were 10 and under 15 years; 112 were 15, and under 20 years; 320 were 20 and under 30 years; 218 were 30 and under 40 years; 152 were 40 and under 50 years; 62 were 50 and under 60 years; and 32 were over 60 years.
Of the above number, 6 were idiotic; 19 were insane ; and 563 were afflicted with various diseases.
The amount collected by the overseer from the com- missioners of emigration, during the year, on account of board of the emigrants supported in the Almshouse, and paid over by him to the chamberlain of the city, to be placed to the credit of the county, is ....... $2,405.97 The additional amount audited and allowed by
said commissioners for the like purpose, the payment of which has been withheld for the want of funds to pay the same, is 2,038.39
Making a total credit to the county, $4,444.36
The amount collected from said commissioners
295
Pauperism in Albany.
and paid to the chamberlain on account of temporary relief, is. 2,542.26 The amount audited and allowed by the said commissioners, and remaining due the city, is 2,598.08
Total amount collected and due,. $9,584.70
During the year he assisted 1560 persons principally heads of families by affording temporary relief, exclusive of fuel; he also aided in the funeral expenses of 270 de- ceased persons, who died within the year, which expenses amounted in the aggregate to $914-25. Of the whole number thus relieved 280 were native born citizens, and 1550 were foreigners, 718 of the latter were chargeable to the commissioners of emigration; and of the former, 38 were persons of color.
Of the whole number assisted 1555 received less than $5 each, 166 received from $5 to $10 each, and 109 re- ceived more than $10 each, one of the latter received $72, that being the largest amount given to any family.
The number of families who shared in the distribution of the fuel during the past winter, is 804, composed of 3162 persons. The heads of the families thus relieved may be classified as follows: Americans, white, 177; do. (co- lored) 62; foreigners, 565; of the latter 212 were charge- able to the commissioners of emigration.
For the purpose of granting the above temporary relief, and of meeting the incidental expenses of his office, the undersigned drew orders on the chamberlain for the pay- ment of money to different persons amounting in the ag- gregate to $7,118.39 From which deduct the following, to wit : for ac-
ยท counts charged to county for cholera and other expenses, incurred by the city, prior to Nov. 13, 1849, which accounts were audited and allowed by the board of supervisors amount- ing to .
$550.40
Amount of similar accounts chargeable to the
county from Nov. 13, 1840, to May 1, 1850. . Blank books and stationery for office, .. .. Desk and repairs to office, and other incidental
84.30
67.89
296
Comparison of Taxes.
expenses, . . 49.87
Delivering wood to indigent families, .. 145.50 Amount collected from commissioners of emigration and paid to chamberlain on account of temporary relief,. . .... 2,542.26 Amount audited and allowed by said com- missioners not collected. 2,598.08
Making a total amount of credit. $6,038.30 Balance, exclusive of fuel and incidental expen-
ses . $1,080.09 To which should be added the expenses incur- red by the city for fuel delivered during the past winter to indigent families, to wit: 291 cords of wood at $5.51. $1,603.41
Amount paid for delivering same, . . 145.50
2583 tons of coal at $4.38 1,132.96
Total for fuel $2,881.87 Balance of expenses for temporary relief proper $3961.96 The number of cords of wood on hand belonging to the city is 150.
The overseer during the year took the affidavits of 986 emigrants, principally heads of families (representing 2606 persons), who for the first time applied for relief at his office. All of whom were relieved by him, either by sending them to the Almshouse, or by giving out door or temporary relief.
COMPARISON OF TAXES FOR 1849 AND 1850.
1850.
1849.
Expenses of night police. .$18,000.00
$18,000.00
do public lamps 8,500.00
10,000.00
Interest on city debt,.
35,500.00 45,500.00
Sinking fund,.
10,000.00 10,000.00
Contingent expenses,
27,000.00
30,000.00
297
Albany and Schenectady Rail Road.
Fire department,
15,500.00
20,000.00
Temporary relief to city poor. .
3,000.00
5,000.00
Common schools,
9,853.36
9,503.36
Deficiencies improving streets, .
3,500.00
10,000.00
On account payment to pier pro-
prietors.
10,000.00
Totals $130,853.36
$168,003.36
ALBANY AND SCHENECTADY RAIL ROAD.
The following facts are gathered from the annual report of the condition of this company made to the comptroller on the 30th November.
Capital stock subscribed and paid in $1,000,000
Funded debt as by last report, 552,000
Total amount of funded debt ..
700,000
Total amount of funded and floating debt,. .. 700,000
Average rate per annum of interest on funded debt. 6g per ct.
Cost of road and equipment,. 1,711,412.30
Length of road nearly 17 miles; double track 9 miles; weight of rail, 60 lbs. per yard. The company own 3 en- gine houses and shops, 7 engines, 36 first class passenger cars, 33 second class do., 45 mail and baggage, and 34 freight cars.
Miles run by the passenger trains 51,545; do., freight 32,248; freight carried 63,012 tons ; number of passengers carried over road 284,279.
Expense of maintaining road,. ... $19,000.10
repairs of machinery, &c., 5,924.87
operating the road, 66,247.01
Total expenses, . . 91,171.98
Earnings from passengers, 132,207.69
freight,. 70,242.69
rents and mail services, 6,134.50
Total earnings,.
$208,584.88
298
Basin Excavation.
The receipts are the same as the earnings.
Transportations including tolls paid state,. .
$91,171.88
Paid interest,
38,808.67
dividends, 70,000.00
Surplus fund, .
8,604.23
Total amount of surplus and reserved fund, . . 25,000.00
ALBANY AND WEST STOCKBRIDGE RAIL ROAD,
Capital stock subscribed and paid in, .$1,0000,00.00
Floating and funded debt,. 930,895.01
Cost of road and equipment,. 1,930,895.01 Length of road 384 miles. The company have leased the road to the Western Rail Road Corporation; the ex- pense for repairs of machinery and running the road, are paid by the lessees,
BASIN EXCAVATION,
It was charged in August, that the person having the contract for removing the earth which had accumulated in the Basin, had dumped it near the channel below the city. The editor of the Express, having investigated the matter, made the following statement. It is interesting as showing the changes which the channel of the river is subject to in the neighborhood of the city.
During the last spring freshet, the ice formed a com- plete dam, from a point a few yards south of the termina- tion of the docks near the island, and a new channel was made by a diversion of the great body of the water which was flowing down the river. When this formidable bar- rier was worn away, it was found that an entire new chan- nel had been made through the creek, and running out into the river at an opening in the dyke, nearly opposite the Abbey, and the flats had been materially increased, in very many places. The forwarding men, who are most
.
299
Barley Trade.
deeply interested in the navigation of the Hudson, last year had a channel cut through these flats upon the west- ern side of the river, and when the work of excavation of the basin was commenced. made a visit to this formidable obstruction. Upon consultation they arrived at the con- clusion that by lessening the depth of water upon these flats by depositions of earth, it would be forced into the ori- ginal channel of the river, and in a great degree aid in rendering it navigable for vessels. Accordingly, the earth dug from the bed of the basin, is taken in scows to the flats, and dumped upon them, so as to lessen the quantity of water in that locality, and throw it over into the chan- nel. These deposits are of a hard formation, impregnat- ed with clay, and remain in their position, notwithstand- ing the ordinary current ; rivermen contend that it is proving an advantage to the navigation instead of a detriment, and is consequently worthy of approval. When the bill aus thorizing the removal from the basin, of the obstructions to its free navigation, was pending, it was contended that the work would cost from $150,000 to $200,000. The
whole expense however, will not exceed $35,000. The Jower section will be completed on Saturday, after having dug out over twenty thousand yards of earth, affording eight feet of water in every portion of the same. The upper sections will also be soon finished,
THE BARLEY TRADE OF ALBANY.
Albany is the barley market of the Northern and East. ern states, and of many of the cities in the Atlantic states, Purchases have been made herc during the past season for points as far south as Charleston, while with Baltimore and Philadelphia a large business has been transacted. To show the increase of the trade in this article within the last few years, we give from official documents the receipts of barley at tide-water for a period of nine years : 1838 677,338 bush. 1845,. 1,137,917 bush. 1841, 121,010
1846, 1,427,953
1844, 818,472 1847, 1,523,020
. 300
The Barley Trade of Albany,
1848, 1,548,197
1849,. .1,400,194
1850, ... .. 1,720,000 bush.
At Albany almost the entire of these receipts are sold. Of the new crop of the last season, of which we estimate that at least 1,600,000 bushels were received at tide-water, we have reported sales in this market of 1,330,000 bush- els. In these reported sales the contracts made with our brewers early in the season for the delivery of barley are not included, and allowance should also be made for sales which were not reported to us. If we place the sale of the new crop in this market at 1,430,000 bushels, we think we shall be within the mark. Of the value of the contract sales and the sales not reported to us, we can not make any estimate, but we have made a valuation of the actual transactions reported, reaching to about 1,330,000 bushels, all of the new crop, and find it amounts to the sum of $1,008,574, an average of 76 cents on the bushel. The lowest figure paid was 65 cents, the highest 1013. The greatest number of bushels sold at one price was 117,500, which brought 100 c .; 89,100 bushels were sold at 85c .; 77,200 at 77c .; 75,100 at 60c .; 69,500 at 78c .; &c., &c., and the smallest quantity sold at any one figure was 700 bushels at 97c. It will be seen that the receipts of barley at tide-water for the season which has just closed, are 1,720,000 bushels, exceeding our estimate, which was considered a rash one, made at the opening of the new crop, 120,000 bushels, and exceeding the receipts of any previous season. The high prices realized during this season will no doubt be a sufficient inducement to farmers to sow a greater breadth of land than usual with this grain. Whether the next season will call out the crop to such an extent as to justify the payment of high prices, is a problem yet to be solved .- Argus.
301
Hills and Creeks.
HILLS AND CREEKS.
For the past twenty years there has been a species of civil war going forward between the lads and young men residing on the hill, as the Texan section of Albany is called, and the creek as the upper part of the 8th ward is stlyed. We remember twelve or fifteen years ago, that these fcuds were of a serious character : on one occasion a Creek who had ventured from his valley, upon the hill, was set upon by a large party of Hills, who pounded the life nearly out of him, when he fired a pistol and they re- treated just far enough to enable him to limp down hill all bruised and bloody, being well revenged a night or two thereafter, for two of the Hills who strayed down into the creek, were attacked and soon transformed from tolerably good looking fellows into mummies. There were in those days frequent fights, in which one hundred and fifty per- sons, and often as many as two hundred, were engaged. Many who were engaged in them have grown up to man- hood, become peaceable and influential members of society, and their children have succeeded them in carrying on the war. The combats within the last eighteen years between the Hills and Creeks, would fill volumes. For the last ten years the war has been carried on, but with less spirit, and at times lengthy cessations of hostilities. On Saturday, Nov. 4, however, it was renewed, and on sabbath afternoon the Hills and Creeks met again upon their old battle ground. The Creeks marched up hill, and the Hills drove them down again, when the latter sallied down and were driven back in great haste by the valley men; and wo to the straggler or cripple who could not run fast and lagged behind his fellows. The running fight, which lasted several hours, attraeted great crowds of spectators. No one, we are glad to say, was seriously hurt. This species of sabbath breaking and disgraceful wrangling should be stopped by the interference of a strong body of policemen. If such civil war is allowed to exist, it will soon be as of old, unsafe for persons residing on the hill or in the creek, to venture into the distriets of the contending parties. It is morally wrong that such oecurrenees should take place in a law abiding community. -Knickerbocker.
1
INDEX.
Albany Register begun, 206 Gazette, Robertson, 191 Webster & Balen- tine, 193, Journal, &c., 206
Daily Times. 254
Academy medals, 234, 252 exhibition, 252 and Mohawk Plank Road, 241, 276 and Schenectady rail road, 245, 264, 265, 297 and W. Stockbridge, 298 and Bennington rail road, 258, 260, 261, 254 1274 and Schoharie plank road, 261
Insurance Company, 247 City Savings Institution, 263 Savings Bank, 263 Exchange Bank, 247 Emmet Guards, 248 Republican Artillery, 246 248 269 City Tract Society, 243 County Medical Society, 276 Abercrombie's Army, 60, 228 Abeel, Johannes, Mayor, 126 Almshouse report, 245, 259 Alvord Nancy, 256 Alderman, fine for absence, 92 first board, 70 Aldermen, 89, 100, 110, 112, 114, 120, 126, 133, 197, 201 duties and powers of, 71 Ames, Julius R., 264 Animals, domestic, 55 Anti-federal majority, 206
Aqueduct, 92, 192 Artcher, Esther, 274 Arbor Hill, 254 Artillery, election, 246, 248, 269 Assessors valuation, 288 Ashley's ferry, 208
Atkins, Robert, 264 Auction store, 210
Austin, William, 264 Austin, Volkert, 270 Avery, Lydia Ann, 259 Babcock Abby, 255 Baptisms in Dutch Church, 146
Barhydt, Richard, 258
Bassett, Rev. John, ordained, 205
Barnum, Caroline Matilda, 264
Barry, Thomas, 192 Battle N. Orleans, anniversary, 248 Basin excavation, 298
Balentine, Solomon, 193
Baker, Rebecca, 254 Balch & Fryer, 195
Barnard, D. D. appointed min., 272 Baum, Abm., 272 Barton, Catharine, 272
Barley, quantity received, 279, 299 Barscall, David, 278
Barrington, N., school, 196
Barber, Robert, 206
Bell, Congregational church, 258 Beversfuyck, 190 Beverskill falls, sold, 110, 137, 143 Beverwyck, 19, 190, 226 prosperity of, 30 severed from manor, 32 legal tribunal at, 37 defences, 183
304
Index.
Beekman, Gerardus, 195 Betts, Daniel, 244 Bedell, David A., 244
Becker, Jan, treasurer, 110
Berries, 55 Betson, Mary 260 Beardsley, Phebe, 265
1 Benson, Cornelia Dunbar, 249
Beeren Island, 231, 24
Benton, George, 268
Bergen, Margaret, 270
Billeting troops, 115, 116, 124, 130, 138, 139 Bourne, Capt. Andrew, 102
Bogart, John, 199
Boston rail road, 245
Bookstore, first, 192
Bounds of city, 67
Booth, Eunice, 256
Burglaries, 276, 271, 208, 269, 270, 275, 279, 209, 258, Claverack purchased, 24
260, 261, 264, 267, 251, 252,255
Bull's company, 138
Burying ground regulations, 94
Buffalo, steam boat, 256
Burger excise 104, 116.
Burgesses Corps excursion, 269, 270 election, 274
Bulgin, Arthur, 274
Burk, Gco. W., 270
Blake, Hannah, 253 John, 184
Blockhouses, 125, 135, 137, 143
Blue Bell tavern, 192
Bloodgood, Lydia, 198 Abraham, 200 Bratt, Johannes, 115, 118
Bratt, Daniel, 249
Brand. Andrew, 273
Bremer. Fredrika, 271
Bread, dear rates, 103 assize of, 204 British army, traces of, 59 at Albany, 227 Brigs, arrival of two, 278 Briggs, Hannah, 274 Broadway omnibuses, 261
Casting, large, 276, 247
Cartwright's tavern, 192 Caledonian fuziliers, 264 Capron, John, 265 Carson, Sarah Matilda, 260 Catskill, see Katskill.
Centennial ann. of charter, 203 Chambers, Ivie, 201
Charter of the city, 61, 93 reception of, 89
commission to procure, 88
expenses of, 102
printed, 191
centennial anniversary, 203 election, 259,
Chamberlain, first, 71 oath of, 126 Charbonnon, Anthony, 264
Champlain William, 265
Church, 43, 53
first presbyterian sold, 242
conveyed to Hendrick, 52
Claxton & Babcock, 206
Clark, John, 269
Cloet. Bata, 118
Cluett, Elizabeth, 273
Crane, Elisha, 202
Cregier, Marte, 136, 138, 142 Columbia county, 203
Comparison of taxes, 296
Congregational church, 258
Colburn, Edward B., 267
Congress Hall, fire at, 251
Coal, search for, 242 Colored citizens meeting, 274
Colvin, A. J., 276
Corning, Erastus, award to, 278 corps, 278
Convention, delegates, 205
Constitution, federal, 205, 207
Court house, 206 first, 4 Counterfeiter arrested, 200 sentence of death, 203
Coopers, sentenced, 201 Columbia county, 203 Corporation created, 64, 69 powers of, 69 Curran, Mary, 265 Cuyler, Gansevoort & co., 199
Index. 305
Caldwell, William, 234 Campbell, J. N. 255 Archibald, 242 Canal closed, 241 boat sunk, 241 first arrival, 261 opened, 260 receipts, 275, 277 Candles, manufacture of, 207
Carey, John, 196 Carters licensed, 98 pressed, 139 society, 252 Castle island, 231 Chapman, William H., 241
City lamps, spirit gas, 271
City revenue, 210, 211 bounds, petition to change, 246 Hall, 144
ordinances, 191
plat, release of, 61
records, 88
finances, 281, debt, 286
Clapp, Ruel, 249 Clinton, George, 195, 209 county cut off, 206
Cold weather, 272, 208, 209, 211, 258, 263, 253, Commercial bank dividend, 246 report, 280 Constables, 100 pay for patrolling Sundays, 211
Conveyances, acknowledgment of, 105 Cooper, Richard, 274 . Corn, review of, 105 sunk, 269 quantity received, 279 Crapo, Martha, 275 Cralo, 184 Cumpston, Edward, 195
Cummings, Jane F. 246 Cutler, John N. 244
Dempsey, Lawrence, 263 Dellius, Rev. Godfredius, 102, 137 Factories, 257
Dempsey, Margaret E., 268 De Wandelaer, Johannes, 136 Decker, Johannes de, 42, 47 Dibble, Joseph, 263
Dowesborough glass factory, 205 Doig, James, 198
Dogs, extermination of, 202
Dougherty, Frances, 276 Dodge, Helen, 259
Drowned, stranger, 255
Dubison, suspected, 107 Dubois, Elizabeth, 270
Durant's grain store fell, 258
Dunlop, Janet Andrew, 242
Dudley, J. E., 242
Dutch language, 217, 240 names for Albany, 226 names for fish, 240
Dutch church, fortified, 183 Dyckman, Joannes, 30, 42 Eagle tavern lot, 274 guards, 279
Eastern troops, 228
Edgar, Dr. Alexander, 199
Eighth ward census, 269
Eights, Abraham, 199
Election, 276 legislative, 206 returns, 1789, 208
Elgin, Lord, 272
Elm tree, 196
Emerson, Ralph Waldo, 248
Emigrant's friend society, 279 Errata.
p. 33 for Leendersent, read Le ndertsen p. 193 under 1783, for Ga- zette read Gazetteer p. 226 13 lines from bottom, for sproutes, read sprouten p. 144 omit Perrykell. Esmay, Barent W., 262, Esopus, massacre at, 183 Executioner wanted, 203 Excise, amount of, 46 regulations, 104, 141 breach of, 132
35
306
Index.
Fair, state agric. soc. 271, 272 for cattle, 198
Famine, 200
Farrall, Catharine, 253
Fast, protest against, 15
Fast, 63, 110, 113, 124, 125
Federal Herald, 206
Ferry, 63, Ferry boat sunk, 276 laid up, 248, 254 income of, 284
Finch, Margaret, 270
Finnegan, John convicted, 278
Financial condition of city, 201
Fire, 272, 258, 259, 200, 261, 262, 263, 271, 267, 266, 270. 244, 246, 247, 251, 273, 275 department, 248, 285 apparatus, 10-4
First presb. church, 242, 255, 256 Game, 190
Firemen, torch light procession, 273, 274 Firemasters, 94, 97, 104, 127, 131. 133
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