The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-02-18

WOrK.
The New City Charter.
What is doing at Albany with the Corpora.
| ton bill for new city charter! In compari-
son with nine tenths Of the measures before the
Legislature, this one possesses paramount i'm
portance. To the city its passage is essential.
At any moment an emergency may arise, in
which the miserably restricted power Of the
Mayor, and the antagonism engendered be-
tween the several executive departments, may
be productive Of serious mischief. Only few
months ago,we were compelled to have recourse
to the Board of Health-in an unconstitutional
and roundabout way-to have the streets
cleaned. A similar embarrassment may recur
at any moment.
the germ, and even more man germ Of
the law required. 1t is based at bottom on
sound principle concentration of power and
responsibility. This feature alone covers a
multitude Of defects. The appointing and
removing power vested in the Mayor, degree
Of energy and efficiency will be impaired to
the city government which ought to ensure
faithful observance of the laws We have
already seen how much eau be done by an able
and vigorous Mayor; how much more would
have been accomplished had he not been tram
melled by the ridiculous restrictions Of the
present charter, establishing an imperium in
imperio, and rendering his right to oversee the
various executive departments matter Of
controversy!
1t is the duty Of the committee, in our opia-
ion to report the bill on the ground Of this fear
ture alone But there is no reason why it
should not be made perfect in all particulars.
There can be no one-but the small class who
are swayed by personal motives of emolument
who is interested in maintaining the present
system, or in preventing the city from obtain
ing good government. With o little care and
study, the best plan can easily be discovered
by the committee, and its adoption by the
Legislature can hardly be matter of question.
Let the members Of the former body lay them
selves open to suggestions from every quarter;
let them take the opinions of men who have
had a practical share in carrying out the pre-
sent and former charters let them consult the
press. We are not aware that any difference Of
opinion exists among the leading journals Of
New York with regard to the necessity for a
change, OF with regard to the character of the
government to be substituted for our present
one. With the exception Of one or two sheets
avowedly enlisted in defence of the interests Of
this one or that one among the present Office
holders, all the press of New York unless we
are much mistaken would support a charter
framed on a basis of undivided authority aud
undivided responsibility in the Mayor, subject
Of course in matters of appointment to the
sanction Of the Aldermen.
Ensured Of their support which implies that
of the public, the committee need not finch
from thorough scheme OF reform. No earthly
reason can be shown, for instance, for retaining
the Almshouse under its present management,
or the Board of Education in its present shape.
Both departments would be far better manag-
ed by q single commissioner appointed by and
responsible to the Mayor. Under the present
system, they are like the House of Lords in
England, which is only saved from coming into
constant collision with the other branch of the
government by the forbearance aud discretion
Of its members. What system for free
city! In point Of executive efficiency, one
single man is infinitely superior to the best
board in the world. Aud the possibility Of a
recurrence Of the alterations which have
already impeded the city government would
be entirely obviated by making both Offices de-
partments of the city executive, on the same
footing as the commissionership of streets.
Another reform which might very we'll be
included in the new bill would be the codifca-
ton Of the city ordinances. These have now
become so numerous that even the best informed
lawyer is often at a loss to know what the
law is; and citizens, policemen and others, who
ought to be familiar with their tenor cannot
possibly hope to gain even smattering Of
them Let q section be introduced into the
new charter providing for the consolidation of
all these various conflicting ordinances into
one municipal statute, which every one can
buy and read. Nothing has helped th, viola
lators Of the laws more than the prevailing
ignorance of their provisions. Nothing would
operate so effectually as check upon munich
pal officers as general acquaintance with the
nature of their duties
We have no doubt but other suggestions
will be made in other quarters, and all we ask
is that the committee pay them due attention.
Guided by the one main principle which is the
basis Of the bill now before them, they cannot
60 far wrong In matters of detail If they will
give patient hearing to the advice offered
them. This is the more necessary as the city
requires above all things charter which shall
be final Even the mischief produced by the
errors Of past charters has not been SO great rs
that caused by the continual changes. Let US
have an act which shall last us generation at
least,