The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-11
City Reform.

American and Foreign bible Society.
Five Points House of Industry. Tabernacle, TX p.
City Reform.
ADDRESS OF THE METROPOLITAN COMMITTEE
THE CITIZENS OF NEW YORK.
The undersigned were appointed committee at q
great meeting held at Metropolitan Hall on the fifth
March last, to psomote the measures Of reform in
city gove.np that were then recommended BY u
unanimous voice Of that meeting
Those measures embraced appropriate remedies Il
the great evils under which the city is stu suffering
wit defective charter, and incompetent and unfait
al pubiic officers and representatives in the Comma
Council.
In carry into effect the directions Of that NEE
Ing your committee addressed memorial to the Legisl
for the passage of such laws the emergency
manded, and personally attended at Albany to secu
In accs, with the prayer Of the memorial an %
authorizing Important changes in the charter Of the cit
take effect . Law when approved at election to
held on the seventh day Of june next
This act, although not all that was dedred contair
many valuable features which should DO eDgrafed
the present form of government and the committee
not hesitate to recommend 1t to the warm and earnes
upport Of the friends OF reform.
1t establishes proper footing the veto power
an Ineffective check upon hasty uprodsnt, and injur
IL creates constituencies Of different magnitudes for tn
two Boards conforming in this respec. TO the rule b
which the ordinary legislative establishments Of thu
ton at present existing, by which the same distrc
elects representative TO each branch Of the Commo
Council
It takes away from local legislators their judcia
functions, which have been exercised TO shield part
riends from punshment and TO give immunity TO vid
ence and crime
It establishes many guards over the making of con
tracts and the granting of franchises and property
puI.los with severity only the bribery or ofl
oiAs but the attempt to bride them It creates au
Citing board, and requires the sale Of all property
RES Sc, at auction, to the highest bidder.
these provisions eminentJy jutt wise and nerea
sary and IL approved by you Of the election TO be HEX
in June next viii constitute the fnt decisive step ID
tSat vas. ssssmbase at Sssropos.n Hail from WSie
the authority Of this committee enanatsd.
In the address adopted ut that nesting Is forcibl
stated that not only must the charter Of the city b
wisely framed but competent and faithful servants
be elected in order to secure the inesmable blessings q
90 government
The committee are mindful Of the importance Of thes
views The Legislature did not grant tho prayer Of th
memorial Tor election this spring Of members q
ton members Of the two Boards therefore taxi
place until the ensuing fall but the adoption Of the oI
pass, will doubtless have an important influence ovs
that election. Should they be defeated the hope II
form will be greatly weakened Their adoption will Shot
impetus to the cause that win act with great force AM
eject the nomination and the selection Of candidated
On . previous occasion, amendments to the charte
were defeated from the neglect Of the public authore
to provide suitable ballots in their favor. The amend
ments embraced in the act before you will BE- eppose
BY ell those whose vocation Of prohtting by nisgovezn
| Inent viii be affected by their adoption.
The duy Of securing the approval of the citizens
upon the friends q reform there viii be pretende
friends whose efforts will take different direction
Against their rtons will be your duty to guard
Your best exsrtons win be necessary to carry out tn
great object of improving our local government The IN
concerned in risgovernment too deep us
the hope that the adoption Of the amendments will
opposed The opposition win be exhibited in pretende
zeal for saving what they call our ancient chartere
rights as the people Of this city were not their safe Dc
pooy aud better to suffer great evils than al
ppt to improve our condition by voting for wise amend
| Aents
fhsgcity, by growth upexampled in all previous his
tory, bas outgrown its form Of government The char
ter nss adopeed for uncomfortable por
nlaiion and locality It was suited to . people VIII
iilatuive, Judicial and executive character, tina
were devolred upon Alderman, were performe
old and well Known cases occupied Ii
post but tie vast duties to be performed attenda
upon advance in numbers, wealth and extent, ON
seize upon the immense patronage Of the city cal. for
careful division Of duties and for the interpolation
checks and safeguards upon their Performance Tha
| amendments No amendments ever be made excep
vth the authority Of the legislature The appeal tn
legislature ade the condition that the approx
OF those interested In the chapgc-he citizens Of Ne,
Iork-sboud fret DO given. Our chartered rights hav
thus been guarded from nconsiderate alterations. an
hey Will be greatly and secured by adopt
ing the proposed amendments.
! We entIaat your earnest co operation with in Thu
object The example Of this city in misgovernment ha
been cIosely initiated in other Iocal es unit
wide and deep Generalization been exhibited as r.
fruits. Inc evil 10 nuru TO all the great ineres
society and threatens TO affect the reputation nd pre
vent the spresd of those free institutions which has
their Jgip and derive their support from the community
which they operate Success Ia arrestng this down
ward course in the spot Of it's origin viii have the
! beneficial results bsie and else where.
is necessary that there be thorough organization
ami united effort the part Of a the friends Of reform
IN order 10 accomplish It, Committees for this purpose
viii be- ftou tine to time, appointed 70 invite yoHr ale
We ash your prompt attention to their calls and you
cordial services in this behalf.
hoses Taylor, John /. Mason,
BENZ r. Winthrop, Peter Cooper,
James pocrman, Martin Zabriskie,
Penj L. Butler, Henry Grinner
+. +. Narbury, VIM, IL Hoople,
a, Vauder aoei, John Harper,
M I C1asken5os, Vim Chaucey,
Ilios senern, Birtis Skidmore,
Francis Burritt, It. O. Le Roy,
VIM 8hitlock, jr, A. Bartlett
Joshua J. Henry, 1hos B. stilman,
Edgar Ketchum, Rich. A. Reading,
SIMEON BALDWIN, Vim. s. Coney,
Isaac Adrance, Henry Erben,
jos W. ecrurd, Thos. whitney,
Alfred Fell, Isaac II. Bailey,
IoIf Dauia Har