The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-03-30

yyruRn HouR or NETTING.
Mr.. WDuHD moved that the House, after FrdSy next
uest ut O'Clock A. N. Carried
RURAL CzNK7ERm
Mr.. O'BRM introduced bin relative to rural cemete
riss. Referred to report complete.
NEW rosK POLICE JusrcH
New York. y Als an records sf vagrancy convictons
Referred to- report complete.
mis- oRDERIb TO A THIRD HEADING.
For the payment Of Barnhart and others for damages
To provide for the election Of commissioners Of emgra
Relative to tas State Prison expenditures
Recess to four o'clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
m cHARTns OF NEW YORK CRY 10 pQ AMENDED.
Mr. ALDEN, on behalf of the New York delegation re-
ported complete, bill to amsnd the charter Of New
York city, which wassrdered to third reading Here
Are the documsnts:-
The select committee consisting Of the New York des-
gatisn, 70 which referred bin introduced by Mr.
Joseph Rose, J and tho bill reported from select
mittss By Mr. Russan Smith, also bill presented BY Mr.
Sol B. Noble, amending the charter @ the city Of New
York together with petitions from citzsus Of New York
praying for amendments to the city chaser respectfully
submit the following
nroRr AuD.mI1.
That In the preparation Of the accompanying. BILL
desire secure to their constituents safe
economical and sound government The various interests
Importantly affecting the prosperity our city and the
rights of its citizens To mature therefore
system that would correct existing abuses without i'm.
pairing the Legislative judicial and administrative
powers necessary to the interests and good govern.
ment Of GOO nhabitants, task of ordinary
In their abors the delegation have been satisfied with
examining actual existing abuses and have attempted
them by the interpositon of wholesome checks
and by divestng mombers Of the Common Cous Gil Of pa
and the and exercise Of which
and elections. reform based upon such principles will
not merely protect the interests Of CITY, but be
OF to every honest elected to
has existed years. that members Of
the Commsn Council have, directly indirectly rendered
their positions subservient to their personal interests
and any provisions of law eectuay preventing the pos
sbty of this abuse will relieve our Representatives Of
serious burthen o. dstrus and secure them more COM
pleely the confidence Of ths community The delegation,
however not prepared believe that nero change
in the form Of our municipal government wn of ITSELF
to the Common Council and various depar rtents de-
ncient in integrity and intelligence but little be
IN Soa r
redress. repeated amendments to the city charter,
and new laws regulating interests have failed
to realize the objects designed, the cause be
rally traced TO the negligent criminal in which
they have been administered:
The bill introduced is designed to elect the Board
every year. A Board Of Councimen IL substituted for
the Board of Assistant Aldermen their number Increased
to sixty and to be elected from distinct districts Under
the present system the representatives in the Common
Council from every ward equally indebted to the
as general rule they cooperate In their respective
boards, to accomplish the same purpose. This political
alliance should not however, exist The same dsspotsm
that through the machinery Of parties could be imposed
entire ward cannot with equal success bs prae
tised districts; and by aferding oppor
tunity for discrimination, would not fail to secure
more independent and intelligent representatives. An
other important obest would be also attained. The
in the popular board OF the Common Council
disregarded in the Board Of Assistant Aldermen.
With the Board Of Counellmen it Is suggested that all
conforming with the principle governing our State ss
lature.
eectualy the s.ty the consequences Of rconsider
ate mprovdent legislation, the veto power of the
Mayor Is increased to an extent fully adequate 70 any
While the members Of the delegation were united in
the conviction that aldermen should be deprived of judi
cia powers connected with the criminal courts 1t
deemed necessary from examination of the various
powers heretofore legally vested in those officers TO spec
fy particularly the judicial duties OF which 1t il intended
to divest them Under provisions Of statute
isteral and judicial powers vested in aldermen
necessary for the welfare Of the city Among these pow
especially refer the authority issue
for the seizure Of gunpowder brought within the limits
Of the city contrary to law and TO decide upon its for
feiture resoration-ther duties at fres in the pre-
servaton Of peace and the protection Of property and
the equally important obligation Of maintaining order in
their res spective wards.
The abuse Of the power now vested in aldermen of dis
charging persons without bail, whom committed BY
another magistrate, provided against in the sixth
section The proposed change involves the necessity Of
creating judges Of criminal courts the provisions
contained in the bill of Hon. B. Butler, presented
behalf of the Metropolitan Hall Reform Committee de-
volving such duties upon the justices of the several
ward courts would their time to extent ut
tery inconsistent with the increased business of those
courts and prompt regard to the interests of suitors
Under this conviction the undersigned have provided for
the election of four municipal judges to assist the Courts
limiting, by provisions Of the charter the period
for which the corporation is entitled to lease the
authority under the existing law is liable to great abuse
nsthe hands of ignorant or corrupt men, and grants
conferred cannot be annued for years. by succeed
ing Common Councils however detrimental such arrange
ments may be to the interests of the city The limit
proposed ten years. That lease grant should be
given without adequate security for the performance of
the records Of the Comptroers Office that neglect in
this respect has deauded the treasury Of immense sums
of money Parties entering into obligations which they
have neither the ability or intention to perform, can
successfully compete with those whose offers are
appears reasonable that, to induce the lessees to
incur the heavy expenses essential to ensure the &C.
Son and ID s hat Of the n tho puS
the term this peculiar description of property should not
be thrown upon their hands, The adoption of this prn
cpe calculated TO afford equitable protection both
to the public and the lcssees
The 18th sec excluding from all contracts deaulters
the corporation commends itself to every one ex
city treasury of rendering 1t the interest OF the contrac
tors ani essees to be faithful in the performance Of their
eDGhReG0B
IN eaMaung the various bills referred to the delegation,
no provision discovered relative to the expenditure OF
money for obseques professions and entertainments
Public interest demands that restriction should be
imposed upon this mode Of depicting the city treasury,
especially since in 1S4S the Hon. Willis Hail. then
pora,ion counsel, in elaborate opinion, main
tained that under the charter. ample discretionary
power to expend public money for such
poses when not otherwise appropriated The thirteenth
section therefore limits such expenditures to the appro
pirate sacred to every American citizen
the anniyera National Independence the evacuation
of city by the British and the birth day of Washing
ton If any peculiar emergency should arise requiring
the appropriation Of money to the ilustrious living
dead unanimous consent must be obtaned-a condition
that willie sufficiently protecting the treasury, would
provide for any extraordinary occurrence.
The provision inserted relative to extra awards to
tractors and public officers it is presumed viii meet the
approval of all who have observed closely the action Of
the Common Council for the last few years. and the
parative ease with which, under various guses,
tractors have succeeded in obtaining amounts from the
treasury not specified in their contracts.
The fifteenth section providing for the appointment Of
the police by Board Of commissoners composed Of the
Mayor Recorder and City Judge has been inserted after
mature consideration. While the appointing power Is