The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-04

1
Supervisors but speak only Of the system and the evil
men much o. this and lax susS
justly ohgeable % these Commissions or Boards, and the
sooner al abolished the better The most dan
should have their attention directed 70 this subject before
an incubus in fastened upon them from which win DO
uce have but discharged duty.
THE CENTRAL PARK COMMISSION
Inc laying out and improving the Central Park and the
erection Of anew City Hall also in the hands OF Comma
sions, over which the Mayor has supervision How
faithfully these Boards may discharge their truss
the system Is liable to the objections urged against
others.
And thus constituted the Executive government OF the
city OF New York The Departments and Boards enumer
aed compose the whole. Il will be seen how enron sous
the impression that the Mayor the Chief Executive and
not govern Responsibility and power should 90 hand In
hand II is wrong to impose the former without mpart
authority Those Who are 70 execute the laws and ord
nances should derive their appointments from him, and
hold office NO longer than In his Judgment the duty sha
capable, holding the Office Of Mayor meet pub
lie expectations, until the necessary changes shall be
shall 60 from bad 10 VERSE; sinking deeper every
year in the sslough OF despond."
when accepting the nomination Of the national demo
declared my sentiments fully upon this subject Upon
that occasion presented the platform upon which
should 60 into the Canvass and the policy which would
govern my Official course, II elected.
The basis OF this platform was In the following Words:
am in favor q 90: bead 2 s ScsPossOs which shs
ocah The people believing thsi ths city requires
S % q .
esss: .L SssS have an IRON rule sSss no rule i a
My opponents took issue with me upon this principle,
and the people have decided Ia my favor. therefore
shall be made the charter which shall carry out their
wishes. Those who expect reform without reforming
;he foundation Of the evil viii be disappointed Under
the Mayoralty. That nnctionary Is but clerk His du-
ties are chiefly clerical and his powers subordinate.
official population and otherwise evince disregard OF the
public interests he has not the legal right to punish the
By his own authority he cannot remove any person
holding ohce under the city government except few
clerks in his own office However strongly convinced Of
the worthlessness Of officials he cannot remove them
He should not be made responsible without the neces.
sary power. No merchant, radesman or mechanic can
nate not smenabe to him. The head should have
ample authority 70 employ and dismiss his agents No
employees superior TO or even co ordinate with the pro-
ietors this rule Is good when applied to the usual
70 sn me NOV o. 80
every year. and kansactng public business Of such mag
In my opinion the principal difficulties under which we
labor may be traced to the want OF power in the Mayor
The Mayor, Chief Executive has not the necessary
authority to enforce prompt obedience and execution
Of the laws and without such authority concentrated in
the hands Of one man there can be good government
has i0 ,0 r. any person holding this office 70 attempt
evil doors VIII resist him In the courts and he must
cessarily be discounted.
Moral suasion official station avail not against the
corrupt element existing in New York. There be
corrective stronger and more potent. We require vi
gorous upheld by sufficient of law II is not
only necessary that should have Chief Magistrate
with capacity integrity industry and nerve but he must
be vested with requisite, uDquestonable Jurisdiction
With such man, thus strengthened and encouraged,
forms can be accomplished Otherwise all attempts to
this end will be futile
II the Legislature will remodel our charter in aocor.
dance with these views Isha spare effort to accomplish
great results but II that body shall omit TO do So shall
nevertheless do all that be done within the limited
sphere assigned me.
communication In which I shall make several recon-.
mendatons In detail II the necessary authority shall be
given by the Legislature Of the principal Of these
concentrations will DO plan for the reduction OF the
pendiures and increase Of the revenues At this time
will be unnecessary TO extend the length Of this docu
ment by referring TO besides, recommendations of
this character, which the Common Council cannot adopt
would appear 70 be an unnecessary consumption Of
and labor. Heretofore, when holding this ONCE made
many suggestions for the Improvement Of the city, which,
though appearing to meet general approval were not
acted upon by the Common Council. Permit me TO call
your attention TO them. II they shall be found acceptable
shall be happy to cooperate with you their adoption
The views now presented by me In favor OF q radical
change the city charter the results OF study obser
walton and experience. am confident New York viii
have no reforms until the fundamental law itself ID
changed Whether the Legislature will at this time con-
cur do not know but rest assured that
later the people will, with one voice. demand the estab
lshment Of the 'one man power" and the erection of
strong consolidated executive government the
cipel anarchy and ruin 10 which We speedily
tending. FERNANDO WOOD
On motion OF Aldermen GKvn one thousand copies
ordered 70 be printed and the Board adjourned 10
Monday merit, At FIVE O'Clock p. n.
The following are the names Of the members Of the
hoard Of Aldermen for I800-