The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-03-24
CITY RE EFF o n NJ i.


iect of consideration by the undersigned and others,
while members of the Common Council during the
years I8605l. Having partially matured theT
views they brought them, early during the present
year, before an assemblage ofther fellow cltzens,
convened to consider the subject, who, AFTER many
successive deliberations at length at their final
meeting, held at st. Nicholas Hotel. on the 18th OF
February last adopted the following Address to
the Citizens of New York containing. it is believed
the most reasonable and practicable measures to
affect the greatly desired end of reorganization of
our municipal policy.
This address was accordingly given to the printer
on the day following its adoption and put type for
Immediate publication in the newspaper press. But
q committee, appointed at meeting OF citizens at
Stuyvesant Institute, having the same matter under
consideration, it deemed advisable to delay the
issue of the address until after the result OF the deb
Grafton of this committee should be made known
Subsequently, another meeting at Metropolitan Hall,
held for the purpose, caused still further delay
of the publication, which it then expected would
become unnecessary, in consequence OF the plan to
be presented by or both Of these committees.
The result of their labors embodied in bill re-
ported in the Legislature is now before the public
But this bill containing features to which large
number of citizens have objected, and which, it is
apprehended by many will tend to defeat the adop-
tion of its excellent provisions by the people the
undersigned have assumed the responsibility of ssu
ing to the public the following address previously
adopted. as above stated by body of their fellow
citizens with q view to facilitate the accomplish
ment Of the great object, which the Objectionable
characteristics of the bill now before the Legislature
might otherwise fail to effect
DANIEL DODGE,
EDMUND GRIFFIN,
WARNER CHAPMAN.
ADDRESS TO THE CITIZENS OF NEW YORK.
The time has come when public safety in this
city demands the earnest interposition Of all good
citizens to stay the alarming progress of disorder
and crime; and the rights Of property, burdened
with excessive and constantly increasing taxation
are entitled to just and more economical
management of municipal affairs. II the city go
yernment be not made effective in the repression
of outrages-f its administration be not conducted
with more of economy and Of public justce-then
must life and property be FASTENED to condition of
peril that may well excite the most serious apprehen.
sion.
While acknowledging the business of the loud and
universal complaints Of public evils, we propose not
needlessy to swell the popular claInor, int to sub
init to the judgment OF our felow-ctZens such pro-
positions as will redress the grievances of which it is
their right to be relieved. In the accomplishment
Of this object, We believe that an amendment OF our
defective municipal organization would be the most
essential, If not the only effective, remedy. Expert
epce has shown that the selection of more faithful
public servants cannot be well secured until the
rupt system, by which unworthy men are now thrust
into power. be destroyed by force OF law. Oppor
tunties Of illegal or dshonorable gain should also
be removed from public officers and their position
guarded by checks and responsibilities, for which the
charter now contains no adequate provision.
For the attainment Of this end, we submit the fol-
lowing propositions for embodiment in amendments
to the charter OF our city -
1st The veto power OF the Mayor shall be strength
eped, by requiring vote Of two-thrds of all the
members elected to the Common Council for the re-
passage OF any vetoed measure. Any head OF de-
partment may be suspended by the Mayor, who
shall have power to fill the vacancy during such sus
pension and such suspended officer shall not be
nstatsd except by the Mayor, or by acquittal after
trial for impeachment.
At present the Mayors veto is an entire nullty,
and affords no check whatever on hasty or corrupt
legislation for vetoed measure may be re-adopted
by the same bare majority which secured its first
passage. The Mayor has now practically no power
to correct abuses in the departments, the hesda of
which are irresponsible, and especially when
acting in concert with the Common Council, may
get all authority at defiance tseems nece sary that
the Mayor should have power to arrest at once any
evil corrupt practice which may be brought to his
notice and this power can be conferred on him only
by the authority to suspend the heads of depart
msnts. Thus, when occasion may require, he can
exercise a beneficial control the conduct OF all
executive officers, as the charter contemplates.
I'd. The Aldermen shall hereafter have no magis-
terial judicial authority and their duties shall be
restricted to legislation III the Common Council The
entire separation ofiudical legislative and executive
functions, as existing IN the national and the state
governments, has been found to be essential TO the
purity and efficiency OF their exercise The benefit Of
this wise policy should be secured to city. Es-
peciay has this provision at length become necessa
ry the protection OF the public for the election of
Aldermen has been, or may become, dependent in
too great degree on bands OF public disturDers who
il brought within the power Of the law may receive
discharge from prison by their own aldermanic ma
gistrates; or they may avoid trial. or escape due
punishment through the influence Of their own alder
manic judges who now constitute either the entire
court, majority on the bench, at every criminal
trial ia the city
Sd. Let the power of the appointment or policemen
be vested in three commissioners whose action shall be
subject to the approval Of the Mayor and let all po-
Icemen be tried by to be created for
that purpose. These commissioners to be nominated
by the Mayor, and appointed by council, consisting
OF the Recorder or City Judge, or both, and major
ity of the Judges Of the Supreme Court and of the
Superior Court and of the Court OF Common Pleas;
and each commissioner to hold his Office for the term
of six years, except that the commissioners first ap
pointed shall hold their Offices respectively for two,
four and six years 80 that one commissioner shall
be appointed every two years the inauguration OF
the Mayor. The captains OF police to be nominated
by the Mayor, and appointed by the Recorder and
Police Commissioners. Proper provision should be
made for an examination Of the physical and moral
capabilities Of police candidates, and qualifications Of
high order should be required. Liberal salaries
should be given 10 captains OF police, for the purpose
pointments should be made to continue during good
behavior Any participation in the organization or
conduct Of primary other political meetings, and
efforts made to control voters, at either primary or
general elections should constitute sufficient cause
for removal from Office.
The policy of placing the police in condition in.
dependent Of the influence and changes OF political
parties, by taking the power of their appointment
and removal from elective officers, and continuing
their term Of Office during good behavior is called
Tor by the most urgent considerations Of public good
Much Of the public disorders and crimes il attibu-
table TO the weakness Of the politcalybased system
Df our police. Rowdies and desperadoes may be said
sometimes in reality to have appointed themselves
policemen. Many Of them are the organizers, or
rather disorgonisers Of primary political meetings