New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-03-31
CITY REFORM.
Amendment to the City Charter.


The following proceedings took place IN the
Assembly on Tuesday afternoon:
Mr.. Alden, on behalf Of the Ne~-fork Delegation
reported complete bill to amend the Charter OF New
York CITY which was ordered TO third reading Here
are the documents:
The Select Committee, consisting Of the New-York
DELEGATION to which referred bill introduced BY
Mr. Joseph Rose, Jr and the bill reported from Sc
lee, Committee by Mr.. Russell Smith also bill pre-
scented by Mr. Sol B. Noble, amending the Charter Of
the City Of New.York, together with petitions from cit
liens Of Eew-York, praying for amendmenbto the City
Charter, respectfully submit the following
REPORT AND BILL
That ia the preparation Of the accompanying bill
smendng the CRY Charter they have been sctuated by
earnest desire 70 secure 20 their constituents safe
economical and sound government The various inter
esu involved have been the subject OF legislation for
years importantly affecting the prosperity Of our City
end the rights OF its numerous citizens. To mature
therefore system that would correct existing abuses
without impairing the legislative Judicial and admins
aye powers necessary TO the interests and good gov
eminent Of 650000nhabtsn ts, task OF no ordna-
~ responsibility and difficulty.
In their sbors the delegSion have been satisfied with
examining actual existing abuses and have attempted to
remove them by the interposton of wholesome checks
and by divestpg members Of the Common Council Of
patronage and powers the possession and exercise OF
which have controlled TO considerable exten. nomna
tons and elections. reform based upon such prio
cples will not merely protect the interests OF our City,
but be source of congratustion TO every honest
elected 10 conduct the affairs Of our Municipal Govern
ment general pcion has existed for years, thst
members OF the Common Council have, directly or in
directly rendered their positions subservent 20 their
personal interests and any provisions OF law eectuay
preventing the possibility of this abuse will relieve our
representatives of serious burthen Of dstrus and
secure them more completely the confidence of the
community The delegation however are not prepared
m hpl n I'M
pal Government WILL OF tself work any very extensive
or useful reform. II those elected TO the Common
Council and various departments are deficient in in
teeIy and intelligence but little can be accomplished
in securing economy and sound Government. IL sto
the ballot box must look for protection and redress
II repeated amendments TO the City Charter and new
laws regulating various interests, have failed 10
realize the objects designed the may be generally
traced to the negligent criminal manner In which
they have been administered.
The bill introducedis designed to elect the Board
OF Aldermen for years one half going out Of office
every year Board of Counclmen is substituted for
the Board of Assistant Aldermen their numberncreasea
20 sixty and to be elected from Distinct districts Under
the present system the representatives in the Common
Council from every Ward are equally indebted to the
influences for nomination and election and conse
quently, general rule they cooperate in their re-
spectve Boards TO accomplish the same purpose This
political alliance should not however, exist The same
despotsm that through the machinery of parties, could
be imposed entire Ward, cannot with equal sue
cess be practiced numerous Districts and by afford
fail to secure more independent and intelligent Repre-
senatives Another important object would also be at
tanned The Representation in the popular Board OF
the Common Council would be based upon population
conditiGn now utterly dsregsrded by the Board of
Assistant Aldermen.
With the Board OF Councilmen suggested that all
appropriations Of money should originate In this respect
with the principle governing our State Leg
stature.
In conformity with public sentiment, and to protect
efectuay the city from the consequences ofnc0nsder
ate or improvdent legislation, the veto power Of the
Mayor increased to an extent fully adequate TO any
ordinary emergency.
While the members of the delegation were united in
the conviction that aldermen should be deprived of
judicial powers connected with the criminal courts II
was deemed necessary from an examination of the
various powers heretofore legally vested nthose officers
specify particularly the judicial duties OF which 1t is
Intended now 10 divest them. Under provisions OF
statute some maeisteral ~ Judicial powers vested
In aldermen for the welfare OF the city Among
these powers especially refer TO the authority TO
issue warrants for the seizure of gunpowder brought
within the limits OF the city contrary to law and to de-
eide upon It's forfeiture restoration their duties at
free in the preservation Of peace and the protection Of
property and the equally important obligation Of main.
tanning order in their respective wards
The abuse of the power now vested in Aldermen, OF
discharging persons without bail, or when committed
by another Magistrate is provided against in the sixth
section. The proposed change involves the necessity
of creating new Judges OF our Criminal Courts the
provisions contained in the bill Of Hon. B. f. Butler
presented behalf CT the Metropolitan Hall Reform
Committee devolving such duties upon the Justices OF
the several Ward Courts, would consume their time TO
ar extent utterly inconsistent with the increased bust
ness Of those Courts and prompt regard to the inter
ests of suors Under this conviction the undersigned
have provided for the election Of four Municipal Judges
to assist the Courts Of Sessions and Oyer and Ternner
The propriety of limiting, by some provisions of the
charter the period for which the corporation eRei
lease the property and franchises of the City must be
apparent The authority under the existing law is Ii
able 10 great abuse in the hands of ignorant corrupt
men, and grants conferred cannot be snnuled for
years by succeeding Common Councils however detri
mental such arrangements may be TO hcnterests OF the
CITY, The limit proposed u ten years That lease
or grant could be given without adequate security for
the performance of the conditions " equally necessary
since appears from the records OF the Controllers
Office that neglect in this respect has derauded the
Treasury of immense sums OF money. Parties enter
ing into obligations which they have neither the ability
OF intention 10 perform, can successfully compete with
those whose offers made in good faith la relation
to ferry esse sppears reasonable that 10 induce the
lessees incur the heavy expenses essential insure
the accommodation and safety Of the public guar
should be afforded that at the expiration OF the
term this peculis. description OF property should not
be thrown upon their hands The adoption of this prn
cple calculated 10 Afford equitable protection
both to the public aud the leases.
The 18th section, excluding from all contracts deau,
to the corporation, commends itself 10 every oae
without explanation and will have the effect while pro
;ectng the city treasury, OF rendering IL the interest OF
the cont actors and lesees 10 be faithful in the perform
ance OF their engagements
In examining the various bills referred to the deers
ton no provision discovered relative TO the expen
dture Of money for obsequies professions and ente
tanmens Pubic interest demands that restriction
should be imposed upon this mode Of depicting the city
treasury especially since, N leiS the Hon Willis Hall
then corporation counsel In elaborate opinsn main
tanned that, under the charter, ample Discretionary
power convey cd % expend public money for such
purposes when not etherwse appropriated The thir
teenth section therefore limits such expenditures 10 the
appropriate anniversaries sacred to every American
ctBen--the anniversary OF National independence the
evacuation OF cur City BY the British and the birthday
OF Washington II any peculiar emergency should
arise requiring the appropriation OF money to the ius
usous living dead, unanimous consent must be 90
tsined-s conditions that while sufficiently protecens
the treasury would provide for any extraordinary oc
currcnce.
The provision Inserted relative to extrs awards TO con
tractors and public ocers s presumed will meet the
approval Of all who have observed closely the action OF
the Comuor Council for the sstfew years and the cora
psrsiiye ease with which, under VARIOUS gaises con
tractors have succeeded in obtaining nognts from ne
Treasury not specified In their contracts
The 6feenth section, providing tor the sppOiatmest
Of the Police BY Board Of Commissioner, composed