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

influence and override the public good make charge
agans ~ genllemsn who compose the present Board q
Supervisors but speak only Of the system, and the evil
q h lax
justly chargable those Commissions or Boards and the
gcrous, however, OF all is the Supervisors The people
should have their attention directed TO this subject before
impossible 70 escape IN introducing now TO their no.
tice have but discharged . duty.
THE CENTRAL PARK COMMISSION
The laying and improving the Central Park and the
erection Of anew City Hall also in the hands OF Commits
Ons which s has No mow
the system Is liable to the objections urged against
others. n
city OF New York The Departments and Boards enumer
ated compose the whole win DO seen how erroneous
how unjust 70 hold him responsible for that which he can
not govern Responsibility and power should 60 hand in
hand i Is wrong to impose the former without mpar
ing the latter The Mayor should be clothed with ample
authority Those who are 70 execute the laws and ord
should derive their appointments from him. and
be performed with fidelity However conscientious and
capable holding the Office Of Mayor meet pub
made II the fundamental law Under the system IS il d.
shall go on from bad to wersc, sinking deeper every
year in the "slough Of despond"
When accepting the nomination Of the national demo-
cratic party Of this city "a candidate for the Aayoraly,
declared my sentiments fully upon this subject Upon
should go into the canvass and the policy which would
govern my official course, elected
The basis OF this platform In the following words
pos:s.s suthory enorcs prompt oSsdsncs o he Avs By
sas "a ss'P 1 ~ S
s1s ~ sy. ~ on ss No
al, a. now.
My opponents took issue with me upon this principle,
have rsht 70 EXPECT thu, the nccesssry .mendmsuts
shall be made to the charter which shall carry out their
wishes. Those who expect reform without reforming
the foundation Of the evil, will be disappointed Under
the present laws ii makes little difference who occupies
the Mayoralty That onctonary s but clerk. His du
ties are chiefly clerical and his powers subordinate
Though he may be surrounded by those who live upon
official population and otherwise evnce disregard OF the
public interests he has not the legal right to punish the
BY his own authority he cannot remove any person
holding office under the city government except few
clerks in his office. However strongly convinced Of
the worthlessness Of officials he cannot remove them
He should not be made responsible without the
sary power. No merchant, tradesman mechanic can
successfully conduct his affairs if those who subord
nate not smenable to him. The head should have
ample authority 10 employ and dismiss his agents No
private establishment be properly conducted If the
employees superior 10 ordinate with the pro-
avocoops Of life how ma more 20 y 4 when annsd
to immense Corporation disbursing millions OF dollars
every year. and tsansactng 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. as Chief Executive has not the necessary
authority enforce prompt obedience and execution
Of the laws and without such authority concentrated
the hands Of man there be good government
1t folly for any person holding this Office to attempt
that which he has no legal authority TO accomplish The
evil doors will resist him In the courts and he must
cessarily be discounted.
Moral suasion or official station avail not against the
corrupt element existing In New York. There must be
corrective stronger and more potent. We require vi
gorous arm upheld by sufficient warrant Of law It not
only necessary that should have Chief Magistrate
with capacity integrity, industry and nerve but he must
be vested with requisite, unquesonable jurisdiction.
With such man. thus strengthened and encouraged
forms can be accomplished Otherwise all attempts to
this end will be futile
the Legislature will remodel our charter accor-
dance with these views Isha spare effort to accomplish
great results but that body shall omit 70 do So shall
nevertheless do all that be done within the limited
sphere assigned me.
shall have tho honor submitting hereafter another
communication In which shall make several recon.
mendaons In detail II the necessary authority shall be
given by the Legislature Of the principal OF these
COMMUNICATIONS viii be plan for the reduction OF the
will be unnecessary TO extend the length Of this docu-
ment by referring to Il besides, recommendations of
this character which the Common Council cannot adopt
would appear TO be an unnecessary consumption Of time
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 in their adoption
! The views now presented by me 10 favor Of radical
change in the city charter the results Of study obser
have no reforms until the fundamental law itself ID
changed. Whether the Legislature will 1t this time
not do not know but rest assured that or
later the people will with one voice, demand the esab
lishmen OF the Some man power, and the erection Of
strong consolidated executive government the NUM-
cpal anarchy and ruin TO which we speedily
! tending FERNANDO WOOD.
| On motion Of Aldermen GENET, one thousand copies
ordered be printed and the Board adjourned 70
Mnnday nart, at Ave O'Clock Pm
The following the names Of the members Of the
Board Of Aldermen for $780,