those rents should stand as security for the payment of the principal and interest of the debt. Whatever differences of opinion may exist among the members of this Board as to the propriety of some alteration of the present rates, they are entirely unanimous in their desire to keep unsullied the credit of the City, which would be injuriously affected by the total abandonment of the revenues, and that no change should be thought of which should shake the confidence of the public in the stability of legislation on matters connected with the hitherto unbroken faith of our municipal government. The Board would earnestly recommend that no alteration be made in the present system without the fullest and most careful deliberation.

In regard to those portions of the Twelfth and Sixteenth Wards which were exempted by an Act of the Legislature from the water tax, the Board would recommend that pipes should be laid down, even in those districts, as fast as the comfort and safety of their increasing population require; but that, in relation to water-takers in those localities, the rule should be adopted of charging them, in addition to the rent, so much as the water tax would amount to if levied on their property in the same manner as on property in the other sections of the city.

By communications from the Water Commissioners appointed by the State, this Board are informed that the High Bridge over the Harlem River is in steady progress. When completed, it will evidently become expedient to place the whole line of the work, both in New York and Westchester County, under the charge of a single department, directly and solely amenable to the Common Council. In that event, some changes in its organization may be advantageously effected. The duties of the Department might be confided to a single executive officer, (as is the case in Philadelphia,) subject to the supervision of the Joint Croton Aqueduct Committee of the two Boards. Under that officer there could be appointed a Chief Engineer, with such subordinate Engineers as may be necessary for the constant inspection of the work, both in this City and Westchester County, including the Croton Dam,

the whole line of the Aqueduct, the High Bridge, the Reservoirs, pipes, and hydrants, and every part of the structure, now become so important and extensive, that no duty relating to its perfect preservation can be neglected without danger of the most serious consequences. It will, of course, be obvious, that the Chief Engineer should be an officer of experience and fidelity, and adequate to any emergency which may arise; and the Board would venture to add, that, for the purpose of conferring on the Department that degree of vigor and regularity which the great importance of the interests it has in charge renders indispensable, it would be exceedingly desirable that some provision should be made, or understanding had, that the subordinate officers, at least, should not be subject to removal except for official misconduct, and that the permanency of their situations should solely depend on their fitness and fidelity, and on the diligence and success with which they manage the works and protect the public interests. All of which is respectfully submitted.

JAMES A. COFFIN,

MYNDERT VAN SCHAICK,

SAMUEL B. RUGGLES,

HARVEY HUNT.

New-York, June 17, 1844

Doc. No. 4.]

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