tention to duty, and by furnishing evidence of fitness for the post. This is a virtual promotion, and in my opinion is calculated to stimulate a laudable ambition among the members of the Department, and to encourage them to a more faithful and zealous performance of their duties.

The subject of lighting the wharves and piers with gas, has been so often urged upon the attention of the authorities, and thus far without success, I cannot close this portion of my message without adverting to it, and renewing my earnest recommendation for your early and favorable attention. It is demanded by every consideration of public policy, public safety, public convenience and humanity.

The condition and management of our markets are subjects meriting attention, as well with reference to the extent of the accommodation afforded to the public, as to the amount of revenue derived from them.

Washington market, the largest and most important of all, is in a very dilapidated condition; and that cleanliness, which is so essential to such a place, is almost impossible. The ground on which it stands is already required for commercial purposes, for which, if sold, it would command a large price, and becoming the property of private owners, would be subject to taxation, and thus diminish the amount of annual taxes, In view of this, I would suggest for your consideration the expediency of abandoning that location for market purposes, and selecting another site on the margins of the Hudson river, where more room could be obtained, without interfering with the commerce of the city. The tide of population, during the past few years, has

flowed upwards, until the lower wards retain comparatively very few permanent residents; yet, for want of the desired accommodations elsewhere, Washington market is the resort of residents from every section of this city, and in my opinion, much of the crowd and confusion in Broadway, may be attributed to the numerous vehicles passing to and from this market. Ground could, I have no doubt, be readily obtained in the vicinity of Gansevoort or Fourteenth streets, and the erection of a large and commodious market there, would afford very general accommodationit would be equally easy of access from every quarter of the city, and would be as desirable in point of convenience to the dealers in country produce, and to the boats which necessarily throng in the vicinity of so large and important a market.

The streets in the immediate vicinity of Washington market, are at times almost impassable, owing to the number of country wagons standing about, and which are permitted by the ordinance to remain during certain hours of the day, within three hundred yards of the market, on the payment of a small daily fee. This has been found very annoying to parties transacting business on the streets thus obstructed, and numerous complaints have been made to me on the subject, but it has not been in my power to afford any relief. The ordinances regulating the markets are not sufficiently explicit, and in some instances they contain conflicting provisions. They require your attention, and will, I trust, be amended without unnecessary delay.

The remarks which have been made as to the condition of Washington market will apply with almost equal force

to the others, with one or two exceptions. During the past year a new market has been erected on the site of the old Essex market; additions have been made to Centre market, as far as was practicable; and contracts have been ad`vertised for the rebuilding of Catharine market, and the market and Station house at the junction of Houston and second streets.

The action of the Legislature at the special session in July, with reference to public parks, has had an important bearing upon the interests of our city. One act has taken. directly from the centre of the island, towards which the flood of population was rapidly pouring, an area of nearly six hundred acres, comprising the ground between Fiftyninth and One hundred and sixth streets, and the Fifth and Eighth avenues. These limits embrace, in my judgment, an area vastly more extensive than is required for the purpose, and deprives the citizens of the use of land for building purposes which cannot judiciously be spared. In this portion of the island many contracts have been heretofore awarded for opening streets and avenues, and the contractors will have an equitable claim as well for the profits which they might have derived, as for such damages as they may prove to have sustained. It will be your duty to protect the interests of the city as far as possible in this mattet, and so to legislate, that while the tax-payers shall be protected, the rights of all parties interested shall be carefully preserved.

Many years must elapse before our citizens can derive any of the benefits which it was anticipated by the friends of this measure, would result from its enactment, and un

less great care and prudence are exercised, the city may be involved in prolonged and expensive litigation. The Legislature at the same session, also framed an act authorizing the laying out of another park, between the Third avenue and East river, and Sixty-sixth and Seventy-fifth streets, comprising nearly one hundred acres. Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment for this park, have been appointed by the Supreme Court, but it seems to me that one park of six hundred acres, is quite enough for our city, and if another is demanded, it can hardly be deemed the part of a wise and judicious policy to embrace within its limits any of our water front on the East river, and especially when it is in such close proximity to the park already laid out by legislative action. The shore on the margin of this park is generally bold, affording a depth of water invaluable for commercial purposes, and having this in view, I trust that you may deem it expedient to invite the interposition of the Legislature in arresting a measure which, in my judgment, if consummated, would inflict lasting injury to the commerce of our city. I am convinced that you, equally with myself, are fully sensible of the importance of this subject, and that it will receive due attention at your hands.

I have refrained from making any particular allusions to the various Departments separately, for the reasons that the limits of a message will not permit, and that their condition, with reference to their expenses, and the amounts appropriated to each, have been fully set forth in the annual appropriation bill, recently submitted by the Comptroller, and which will, I have no doubt, receive early attention at your hands, as no action was had thereon by the late Common Council.

Since my accession to office, a very important change has taken place in the organization of our Common Schools, the Public and Ward Schools being now merged into one institution, managed and controlled by the Board of Education, and the property of the Public School Society has been transferred to the city, which has assumed the indebtedness of that organization. This, which has been effected by legislative enactment, will, it is to be hoped, prove highly advantageous, as there are no conflicting interests to retard the prosperty, or impair the usefulness of these valuable and popular Institutions.

They are such important elements in the training and culture of future generations, and the influences extended by them are so beneficial, and so universal, too much care or attention could scarcely be bestowed upon them; and it is a source of gratification to me, to be enabled to state, that their condition is most satisfactory, and their means for the diffusion of knowledge among all classes who desire to avail themselves of the inestimable benefits of education, ample to meet all the demands which can be made upon them.

The advantages flowing from a well organized system of popular education cannot be too highly appreciated, or the means of imparting it too sedulously watched and cared for. The appropriations for school purposes for the current year are large; but in view of their intimate connection with the security of our liberties and the perpetuity of our noble institutions, at once the pride and glory of our country, few, I am sure, will be found to complain of the

amount.