The New York herald., 1864-12-24

JRDAY, DNONNBAR "a,
mediate channel Of oonmnnieation bstween the
departments and Congress. II appears to us
that tho reports Of the departments and the dif-
erent bureaus under them, which are presented
annually, are sufficient to keep Congress
we'll informed - to the action Of the exeou-
tive portion Of the administration. Az to the
constitutionality Of the measure, We suppose
there can be no objection; but as prudential
and politic scheme We arc disposed to regard
1t as unnecessary.
The Rsorganixatioa or the City 0ovsra-
msnt-HOw tt may be Practically
Effected.
The corruption and inetaoiency Of our pre-
sent municipal government have become 80
notorious that movement is iu progress to
change the whole system By act Of the Legisla-
ture. Among the various plans proposed BY
the advocates Of this movement, that of govera-
ing the city by commissions to be appointed by
the State Legislature seems to have the strongest
adherents. But there are two fatal objections
to this plan. In the first place. it would de-
prive the people Of tho right Of suffrage; and,
in the second place, Il would not accomplish
the reforms desired. This il democratic city.
and no doubt our republican politicians would
be happy TO find themselves appointed 70 ofioe
here by . republican Lsgislature; but demo-
Gratis have quito - good right to govern
themselves and to hold Offices - their political
opponents. Besides this, tho fact s perhaps
not generally known that two-thirds Of the
municipal government is now administered by
independent boards or commissions 80 that
we may regard that system as having already
been tried and found to result in failure. Some
thing new and something better is needed, and
this we are about to suggest.
1t must be promised however, that the ques-
ton of the reorganization Of the city govern
ment is not necessarily q political question.
The democrats have been In power here for q
long time, and they have done very badly; but,
with the testimony In the Weed and Opdyke
case before us, we are by no means prepared
to say that the republicans would do any bet
ter. When the people have elected republi-
can Mayor, he has not been any Improvement
upon his democratic predecessors. When the
people have elected republican to the Common
Council, he has been seen In all the rings and
jobs originated BY democrats Of the same
calibrs. Our theory in regard to the two poll
tcal parties In this oity ID very simple. We
believe them to be equally pure and equally
corrupt There are good men In each. and
bad men In each. We would trust ono Of them
as soon a. we would the other, sside from their
political principles. Which ore Of ta m is to
be predominant, 10 . question which may be
safely left to the intelligence Of the p sople 1t
large, and the system d absolute commissions
by legislative sppoiatment b Objectionable
because it endeavors to supersede the popular
decision Of this question. It h equally objec-
tionable, a. We have before stated. because 1t
has been tried In two-thirds Of the departments
and found wanting.
Now, all good citizens agree that what we
need 10 this city ID somebody who may be held
responsible for sins OF omission and commits
sion. II In = multitude Of counseliofs there is
safety, In Q mulLit~As % city eaaUtsls there Is
corruption. A dishonest public ofioer, like .
piokpooket, Is easily lost In crowd. To re-
form the city government We must first sim
by abolhhing tho preseat system and organiz-
ing sno ther less complex. Let US have
Mayor and Board Of Aldermen, both 70 be
elected BY the people ~ at present; but let the
election take place every year and increase
the Mayors salary 10 $40, 900 per snnum. Lot
the Board Of Common Councilmen and all the
independent boards be abolished. Give the
Mayor power to appoint, and to remove for
cause, all the heads Of departments Let Tho
Board Of Aldermen be restricted exclusively
to their legislative functions. Let the Mayor
have the veto power. There, In ten lines, 10 Q
practical plan for the thorough reorganization
Of our city government and tho reform OF oil
it's abuses. Draft an act upon that plan, pass
1t through the Legislature and have it signed
by the Governor, and the press and the voters
of New York will do ali the rest If they do
not, then they have lost their influence and
democratic institutions are humbug.
Suppose this plan 10 be In actual operation,
and see how 1t will work. ALI tho subordi-
mates will be responsible TO the heads Of do
partment; tha heads OF department. will be
responsible to the Mayor, and the Mayor will
be responsible TO the people. II anything
goes wrong In any department. the Mayor IL
immediately called upon to explain and oor-
rect the abuse. The Mayor sends for the head
Of the department at fault Tho head Of tho
department. picks out the guilty subordinate
and Furnishes him. That ends the evil and the
complaint. II, ON the other hsad, the head Of
the department refuses to reform the matter
complained Of, then the Mayor removes him 1t
snce. II the Mayor should refuse to do that then
In the course Of few months the people would
turn out the Mayor 1t the yearly election.
Should the Board of Aldermen legislate badly,