The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-01-06

Of the despotc than tho republican In my Inaugural
charter, stating that my judgment the unsnt OF
this city should be remodeiied sitter the general govern
ment at Wsshing,on-tha there should be governing
besd-a concentration of the executive power not de-
Capitalization az herethat the Mayor should DO 10 the
government OF this city what the President u to the
general government and that the heads Of the several
departments should constitute his cabinet perform their
duties under bis direction and be appointed by him with
the assent OF the Aldermen and be subjected to his re
movsl for cause
The two years experience which 4 have had since
these views expressed have but confirmed me In
the conviction that shall have relief until they are
adopted The practical acquaintance which have since
obtained with the working oi tho official machinery
has more than ever satisfied OF the nscessity OF
such u change Ny exertiops and per-
sonal sacrifices for tho public veal have been
tbwarted and defeated prncipsly from this Not
twenty our hours not passed Sleep have been assidu
ouey devoted to duties Gppersinng TO my once, to the
,eress have seen little or TO return to satisfy the pub
lie TO requite my feelings When, two years ago,
pointed out these objections to tho present charter aud
described the proper remedies there doubt 10 tho
minds Of many honest and intelligent men whether the
absorption Of much authority In the hands OF the
Mayor would not he productive OF harm and liable TO
abu,o. This doctrine when lrst enuncated by me- like
all new propositions, received with doubt and eau
ton but happy to say that this is not the fact now
Even who would withhold a patronage from the
present incumbent Of the Aayoraly have been forced
by overwhelming public sentiment, 70 yield their oppo
sit!oD.
IS apparent that the general pervadiug desire
into practical operAon therefore, to the exclusion OF
the many other topics requiring attention, have
Of your entrance into the service Of the people that
immediate action he taken to obtain the reform de-
mandcd.
But how oan this be accomplisheds Unfortunately.
only by the action OF the State Legislature. The sovereign
power to do 10, is admitted, dwes there and to that
body only look for relief Conoedpg the necessity
OF this change and tho general acquescence In the mode
suggested the question presented in what form shall
be adopted what notifications IN detail are required
hats In
Counci-how shall the Legislature become acquaint
with the wishes OF the people Of this city on this, to
It's guard against the efforts Of designing men, who
der the preex OF public good intend to take advantage
OF the general oeare lor auersuon 10 tne cnane. 70
those already existirgs
Upon due reflection, apprecatus the gravity and mpor
tance Of the subject convinced that the constituted
authorities OF New York, represented by the Mayor Al
dermen and Commonaty the proper orgs 10 make
the wishes OF the people known to the Legislature
We have been Just clothed wi the mantle OF official
ssihorty-snd, II must be assumed. fully conversant
with the desires OF those we represent.
Irecommend thcrt FORE that the Common Council at
take that the details be decided upon and that
form Of charter clothed with our official APPRECIATION,
be submitted TO the Legislature early day. that THAI
body may have before 1t, endorsed by this Official sano
ton such project ss We approve.
appears TO me that the leading features OF the neces
sary changes generally understood and acquiesced
in that there be little or no diversity OF opinion
among ourselves, n the subjecs should be referred 70
special committees OF each Beard. shall be happy, II
called upon 10 aid in framing such charter The Legs
lauie cannot refuse assent We the immedato repre-
.enixves Of the people TO be affected BY IT, approve and
sanction land the members OF the Legislature from
,hn city cooperate with US, rs am confident they WILL
An Gdoft,onal reason 10 presented for early aud
united action tho that ethers legs conversant WITH
or more Indifferent the public wants viii influence the
ennctrne ut OF charter more obnoxious the present
That sucb effort Will be mace, there can be ne doubt
DESIGNING men, who covet Official station are aresdy at
work IN laying plans 10 perpetrats through the Legsla
ture Albany, yet greater wrongs upon this doomed
city, and II viii require Al energies and most deter
mined remonstpnce 10 irustrste their designs
Az described me,some Of these schemes fraught
with incacupbe evils, the least Offensive OF which
The eonserupa.ea transfer Of the eoysnmsa Of tns CITY
e.rnsst protest. Mountaineering the psryadinE
belief that the coyrupuons and imbeotlity of our
present government arise, In the man, from
che absence Of sufficient power over tho depart
ents and the utter inability OF the Mayor TO enforce
obedience to The laws there those Who dosgn
prive tho cce OF much that Is left 10 In the way OF
.s os o.
temptation TO take away pre much al that 10 left He
Is now the ostensible head Of the police over which,
under present Aws, be exercises degree OF oou
mand but thoso who wonid this right arm OF the
civic power for base and unworthy purposes, would
mssion OF five po-sons he named at Albany, be
elected by the people
The great ano indeed the only defec, in the govern
ment OF the POLICE 10 found the distribution OF the
power 10 control Il anocg three several heads n this
department oficieut II should bc because
tho Recorder and City Judge have zach equal voice
with tho Mayor In the appointments and removal.-A
fatal subdivision OF authority
Judicial officers rarely qualified for executive
duties ard the fact clearly illustrated
than In the conduct Of Of tho Police Board at the last
election IN this city. The regulations Of tho Mayor
OF the citizen in the exercise OF tho right Of suf
TRACE, materially lntoriered with by his un-
welfare Of ,hs city by virtue OF nis ooc This power
TO do mischief psrissris Is bad enough on the Bench
and sbould not be allowed 70 extend is evi influence.
amorg our noble poHoe, who by good regulations and
severe drilling, have been placed under semi military
discpliue, hghs advantageous TO rs efficiency aud
,noroe Father thar dsras such body, by placing u
under partisan heads 10 continue under
thedirecton OF n divided authority, however chosen, u
had better he dissolved. Better that resolve society
into s original clements and protect our persons ami
property ~ bcst We can.
Thus looking upon the defects In our form OF govern.
nent the great head and front OF all dicusties
approaching the predominant importance OF providing
speedy remedy, have brought this question now be.
II The people expect relief thousand evils
which oppress them this city lo them Join us In ssk
Ing from the state Legislature the necessary chances IN
the organic undor aud NUT DO controlled
The city charter IL 10 the body polite what tho hcars 10
the human frame II the source ard o'sr of life, and
II detective IN its orgariy ,on or dwcved from MAJ sd
ministraton every function Impaired and health,
comfort and wsbeng excluded forever.
II is only 10 proper change In that drecton that
they cau look tor reform. For my part without VI,
do.pair Of tbR magri scnt metropolis. With all Us
power and wealth, and the mighty progress or IT'S com
merce can nothing but decay and ruin IFS mum.
c!rsl heart Oh 40 continue 10 destructive work
y the Ieet a,ure, IN who,e h.nas placed the power
cot 70 respoho 70 uein1nu, ct
the responsb lily Bo there. have performed my duty.
and viii ccrtsnuc my post, still struggng on AGAINST
lhe uarrassmons AT restrictions which render my
cxsriions reform futile But w. instead OF the relief
demarded The ngsature shall nct further Injuries upon
u.s. BIZ the fcincnt Of odous than those under
which soverr eud csrry out the aros schemes
tho corrupt interest," which tok 30 control and absorb
the ieycnucs pf toe ty ard o. strip the Chiot hegs
trtle CT even the limited power no postosts snail
romsln n thR office single day. can Jake 20 part
IN the Administrations Of his government and by remain
ing here appear n be 10 the least extent responsible u,
irs IA
sohemcs OF decentrarzatou intended 0r p.undor and
partisan Uewor, the political anvis st Albany ana
New YORK. II the ship must 80 dogp, lct thOso -no
drive her the roors take the helm and cornmanil
win not
You will perceive ths have devoted this communica
ton 10 general remarks touching the great questions o
the form OF the orgsn'c law Recommendations as 70 do
tails have been purpcsoly emitted. Many topics OF In
torest requiring the action OF the Conn Council have
been left ior another message. hope 10 that commun
cation to MAKE some important suggestions OF practical
character.