The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-03-07


form-Great Excitement In the Wigwam
-Magnificent split among the Bone and
sincw-Grand Chance FOR q New Reform
Party, dc.
In answer to a call tor public meeting OF the de-
mocracy at Tammany Hall, last evening, to take
into consideration the proposed amendments to our
present city charter, very large and enthusiastic
assemblage OF aparties seemed to be in attendance
James s. Roosevelt was called upon.to preside.
Messrs. Edward H. Nicoll, John N. Burkhead,
with fifteen others, were selected az Woe Presi.
dents; and Messrs John b Haskins, Patrick Raft
erty, with others, were appointed as Secretaries.
! The PRESIDENT came forward and announced the
purposes OF The meeting. He said II was called TO
take into view the present structure Of city gov
eminent, which, as II existed, was represented as
being, by tar, too expensive, and liable 10 abuse.
He said they should he, and they could be, reduced
There should be suthciency OF checks and balances
lnterposed 10 prevent an infringement upon and to
\ constitute well. ordered government. Upon the
eve OF an election, II was usual tor both parties TO
thod OF reform. Large promises were made, which,
In the end, turned out 10 be little less than dead
letter There had been but little difference between
any Of them. This meeting was called to take into
consideration some requisite reform In our city
government, which he hoped would prove of sub
stantia benefit and answer the purposes complained
Of I, was time something done to this end,
and he was happy to see so general demonstration
of the popular voice as was here manifest.
The call Of the meeting was then read and heartily
approved. After which, the following preamble and
solutions presented, and rapturously applauded
and cordially approved
Whereas. the Common Council Of this city have
S o sSo
OF the ate with view Of having them passed into
law and submitted to vote Of the people for approval
And whereas. the existing charter s essentially and
radically detective unsound IN principle unjust and un-
equal in its action and the fruitful OF nnumera
BILE and glarng abuses the administration Of city
affairs and requires thorough and vigorous application
OF the hand ct REFORM to produce healthy change in
And whereas, the public mind which has been for a
Icing intenty alive this subject and urgently de-
srous for adequate action recognise in the
amendments proposed by the Common Council mea-
a. 70 AL ss
And whereas, it is highly Desirable that the amend
ments finally submitted to the vote Of the people shall
be such as will be adopted by them and also such will
be just equal beneficial and satisfactory in their opera
ton and efect-therefore,
based solely upon population the very foundation of
truly and involves the principles
the Common Council are deficient nasmuch as they do
not recognize this sound doctrine in the construction Of
both of the proposed Legislative branches.
Resolved That to preserve the equality Of represen
taton it is requisite that there should bs periodical ap
poronmen OF the members OF both branches Of the Mu
nicipa Legislature founded census and that the
amendments Of the Common Council deficient, mas
much as they make such provision only in relation to
Resolved That no legislative organic alton can DO
sidered realizing to the full the lessons which
wisdom and experience teach that does not provide for
the election Of members Of bran h from larger dis
rcts well for longer terms than those OF the other
and that the amendments of the Common Council
deficient nasmuch they give to the several wards
the election Of the members Of both branches Of the Com
Resolved, That is sound principle that the whole
Of the body represented should participate in each cleo
ton Of representative that. in dens:iy populated
Is liable to the additional objection that unworthy cleo
tors resdng in districts not electing. eau easily and
wroDgfuy vote in those districts which do elect that
the evil and unfair results which have attended this
caution against holding out temptations for
resort to 1t and that the amendments OF the Common
onehd Of the wards to elect their Aldermen at the
same time
Resolved That the history Of this country has fully
shown the wisdom Of guarding with jealous care against
owe. lssi.la.e and 70 iegi.lass wrongly tia. the
be the Veto and that the amendment OF the COMMON
Council deficient In asmuch they do not subsan
italy invest the Mayor with this power important to
the public welfare.
Resolved, That the experience OF all governments
has proved that tho accumulation o. patronage in the
hands of person is injurious the public
and DANCE the officer selected dispense it, that
recipients uniformly homes and deserving il inprac,c.
able while ito distribution by weak bad enc has
might be made the means in influencing corruply
primary and general elections that, while the
else OF so much power our National and State exc
cutyes has led 70 growing and earnest demand that
be diminished and dlfused IL not wise for In the
lace Of this pregnant iact deliberately to invest
own executive with like power, elected he 10 by
constituency embraced within a compass and
subject fewer and direct nduencss and that the
deficient, nasnach they give to the Mayor patron
age far exceeding that Of the Governor in most of
spects than that By the Of this state
is more capable defective for bad purposes
Resolved That the necessity of taking away from the
Common Council the appointing power, he impolicy Of
lodging il with the Mayor, and the sdom Of diusing
it, lead consider election of the heads Of depart
judcious dispensers Of political patronage
appointment BY them Of their respective under officers
as wise and sauary reform, and the only proper dis
position of the and that the amendments Of
Common Council are dehcient inasmuch as they do not
provide for such election by the people.
Resolved, That our members Of the Assembly and the
Senate 3y 30 Amending the plan OF the Common Council
as to secure the adoption Of the principles set forth in
these resolutions, will IN our opinion carry out me will
Of Their constituents extend sound political
and advance the interest. Of the city
Resolved That members OF the Assembly and
Senate are recommended to provide far practca
be for separate submission to the people Of the prin
cpal reforms embraced in the amendments adopted by
them.
Resolved That while we have thus freely expressed
sense of the deficiencies Of the proposed
by the Common Council, We cheeruliy acknowledge
that they embrace many substantial reforms and to that
extent, their adoption would be beneficial and that the
members III the Common CoulCn entitled 10 the
commentator Of their constituents the real and IN
terest they have evinced in this matter
MI. BsApy was then called for. (Hore great tumult
enacted, some shouting Brady Brady and others
opposition, ""question,0
The CHAIRMAN presented himself, and sndeavored to
appease the excitement which prevailed e. Brady"
Brady rang through the hall, and he upon the
stand 'nidst the most yocfslons applaussl
Mr.. BRADY then said:-Fellow citizens merely
to this stand at this time In answer to your requisite
1t was my purpose to address yen upon the subject
which so much engaged your attention. yet had de-
signed to avail OF making replies thought
might lie necessary after hearing these revolutions
which have been read to upon the opposite
side for know that different opinions than
those which may BE- submitted to you by those &c nile
men who have been specially invited to address you
upon this occasioD therefore waive the present pr
vilege, and promise myself to respond as may be st
become me in the position have assumed
Cries OF go on" "go orr" Brady" Brady.'D-
There two three OF these resolutions which
cannot approve, and to which mus. with . due
regard to my feelings unhcsatingy dissent from
Fellow citizens appear before you iul Of confidence
that there is no body OF who prevent my being
heard when address them such. | a native Of