New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-02-19
MAYOR WOOD ON THE NEW CHARTER


MAYOR WOOD ON THE NEW CHARTER
We noticed, on Wednesday, some Of the lssdise
points in letter written by Mayor Wood to tho City
delegates d the Legislature in reference to tho pro
posed alterations in the Charter of New York City.
The following 10 a complete copy OF the document,
tn. Ro. r. NJ Biatatjors. Abanv.
DEAR SIR: In relation TO the proposed City Char
ter can express q favorable opinion of its leading
features. With the exception Of the continuance o.
the great Of leaving our local issues TO Do de
cded at the general election find much to approve.
Its leading features correspond with my ideas OF
good form Of government, as expressed !"
sueural Address to the Common Council In -
main 4, il very like thst adopted by the trainers q
The Federal in the present Constitution:
With d. sht modifc atoms il will be most excellens
substitute for that in force. tits an error how
ever TO suppose that good government depends upon
The organic law Ii does not; because without hon.
est fearless and capable executive ofhcers the moss
perfect form Of government ever devised ~ numZ
intellect will prove entirely Inadequate 70 tne "e
Of the people. Therefore, we require not only gceo
Charter but also good functonaries, TO execute n
laws under it, These must be chosen with exclusive
reference 10 their fitness and capacity for the place.
to be filed by them.
cal ssues should be permitted to enter the canvass
which cen only be accomplished by an entire sspars
tion of the elections for national and state onceew
from those for municipal officers and thus the oo
iec,ion 10 the charter now proposed IL leaves Us -
we are with our own local interests entirely ~ 10
mercy Of the exciting, and at times overPowenng
sues Of national and State politics; AS isvorsoiI
think of this new charter, II Will, IN my opinio.s
entirely fail In removing the difficulties under
which we suYtr II it does not also provlde log
the election Of charter officers at some other time
than that AT which we choose State and nationA
officers.
In the Message sent by me TO the Common Council,
January H. 1855 refer 10 this subject in the follow
ing language: :" cannot omit expressing my conyic-
LapoGfe mil he art ad
by separating the election fer charter officers from
that for State and national ocers. As DOW conduct
ed our local interests almost entirely lost sight OF
In the conflict on State national issues. As the les
ser is always absorbed by the greater, 30 are the sp
psrenty smaTler affairs OF our City Government lose
SIGHT Of in tho contest on candidates for higher
offces.
"Tbe magnitude Of our municipal interests calls fce
the closest scrutiny into the qualifications Of pereons
To take charge Of them No other considerations
than those connected directly with local questions
should be included in the canvass for City rulers.
The evils Of frequent elections are OF lutte
a. compared with the danger OF the selection OF i'm
proper men, In the struggle for a Governor OF
President, persons entirely disqualified viii some.
times slide unobserved, into place OK local truss
ara power The Election law, which places the can
didses for Count on the same ballot win Can
didaes for State offices, increases the evu Attae sse
election there we're twelve names on the same Daiiots
In the haste and excitement OF election Gay, ,Z
difeult for even the most intelligent voter 10 seecs
tho names Of those for whom he desires 10 VOTE when
C,nnd ann tbs seine ticket; but, when the DUTY "
In =, led upon the iterate ignorant, II Is seldom
e1ecised especially there Dc .nS SsaD:''
Though In office but one month since ths eoovo
was written yet the experience OF tnAt mon'u n
cor frmed these views. The connection De'weenIo-
cal notifies and that Of the State and nation detr-
mental 10 the interests of the City. Sow'iofk mas
"rarnment and Q municipality OF ne own q; 700 gress
msoptude TO be jeopsrdized by being made secona-
ary 10 the overwhelming influences oen "sn -
hGrIE
,b General Government in this City over Sbsims al
o,hsr poIiticsl considerations and II Is anno" nv
yabIy the tact, when the central power a. I'll
;no,on has a direct interest In the results VI
LECTION here that our local interests are suomsrseo
entirely. When . President IL TO Dc chosen, =.
Confessional msjority to be secured VI ny IL
ure 70 be sustained Or o4p.'is IN ali Inc csnddsss
81 .vsu Tor municipal officers a. Tor thoee III
-sc,ly reanred. The General Government ~
never been beaten in this City, when i had .
ION for twenty yesrs the then exiting Nstions. Al.
;nstrations have been sustained IN this City eod Az
the candidates Of the party with "nicn II Is
nave been successful. There NO arguing .sssnss
30 f.cts The conclusion ID inevitable that otneR
,,s,, than our own influence not confros'tae se.
at;on ~ our own rulers when elected at the genera
ELECTION IT, under these circumstance honest M
| CAPABLE men happen TO Do designatso ior -, We
iTebted Tor |, more TO accident or TO tho nterposi-
tor Of Divine Providence IN our favor iaan 70 .no
soretboupbt and discriminating action oil she votsIs
tbsmmlyes No, let there be a sspessfion' IRE
yocsble and entire; let there be but one e.. .'ass
uhen local officers are TO be chosen, sna nxs -
r';r. 10 The welfare ard prosperity o. Ne~.York.
II dSeripg upon National or State enss1os, We ".
| mite without embarrassment OF sD.u sasa, ~" =.
charter officer sssS' the ss' cossss
men psI not whether they are IN favor or against
I ~. ou,s;de issues involving nsasess OF nAuSnsl IN
sSy Su. whether in favor q az economical GOvsrn
l CITY md b.. SpsS:ss so n IsTs not
PES - nrsSsnt several other points equally worthy
Time s,t 70 this change be nsde IN the chs.ts.
Oas propossd could give il my support though not
spprovsg al its details loo. up.n ss.s ~ ri:
c;,y II is, In ny opinion, paramount to all othss
o.cstiors sppertsning to the City G.se!1ae.e.
,.h this alteration the paper now subratsed BY 10
Board Of Aldermen will be applicable 70 our wenss
| thiIty yesys, VNy respectfully yosn