New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-01-23
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM.

chief imnerfectons connected with its government
JfIam not mistaken, the greatest of all the causes
that have operated to corrupt the government of our
city and State has resulted from the special ana
martial laws that have been passed-laws that nave
enabled artful and designing men TO obtain the
property of the industrious and unsuspecting part oil
the community without giving 1t an equivalent III
any form of useful labor. Our legislators seem 10
have forgotten that the true object OF all laws IS 10
establish and enforce justice as the only possible way
by which the weak and the unsuSpectng part of the
community can be protected, and the lives and liberty
of all be eflectually secured.
Our fathers framed for us a Constitution and form
of government intended to enable their posterty to
embody in the forms of law the highest wisdom,
virtue and intelligence of a whole community
They intended TO make that wisdom and intelll-
gence ardil to secure the blessings of righteous
government forlthemselyes and their posterity
To obtain and maintain such a government, we
need the wisdom of simpcity-we need laws that
can be known, understood, and enforced. Every
law that is passed should render the rewards OF
honest labor.
We now look with longing hope TO your Conyen-
ton for such revision of the Constitution of this
State as will make it clearly the object of all future
laws TO secure the rights of ALL and establish lashG
as the only possible means by which the general wei
fare can be surely and effectually promoted. r.
There can be no work more important than 10 llnu
ont and remove the causes that have produced the
friqhtfu state of political decentralization that now
threatens all that we hold dear a nation
Ii will be found that the evils that now demand
the deepest consideration and the most Determined
action of the Convention. have grown ont OF long
continued of special and partial acts OF egs
The only possible remedy for these evils will be
found in putting end 10 all unjust and unnecessary
acts of legislation. 49,
Every law that is passed should he open and free to
every company corporation, or individual that may
require the protection of such law to AID capital ana
labor in the most eiectual way TO promote the gen
eTal welfare.
II was wisely designed by those who framed for MS
the Constitution of our State and nation, that the
President Of the Union and the Governors OF the
States should share largely III me exercise ol toso
powers and responsibilities that are necessary 10
maintain a wise control over those rights and inter
ests which the people have intrusted to their care
The people feel that they have Alright to look TO
and RELY upon their government TO do those things
for them which they, dsndr'dadis cannot doJor men"
ScIrcs 80 ,
tive head with power TO stop 10y veto all acts oil IN
furious legislation. -, ~
II was Intended that the President of the Union
and the Governors OF States shoniu ho'u w,M,
faithful execution of the law-and also for fathinl
performance Of duty by every man holding once oy
rirtuc Of their authority and pOrcr.
The great principle to be constantly Kept III view
in the organization of government, IS 10 make II
continually manifest that al the laws that are passed
and every office that IS created are lhlehoeu 10 sup
plv some real want of the people.
Every law that Is passed should he SO clear pam
and positive, that no man cond long nOu once uiV'
il and receive its emoluments, without Il lalthiul
performance of the duties required by fhe law. IL
is in vain for To hope FOR wise ana gOod govern
ment until wise and good men can BE- Hdncd 10 accept
office and can BE- docicd thereto and continued hcreiR
Such men viii not accept Office until some assur-
ance can be given that viii lead them 70 believe tua
a faithful performance of duties useful to the public
will secure them continuance In pace, anu sui'd-
bic pension when worn out IN the pubic service
Ii is now in the power of the Convention 70 frame
a code of laws for all the large cities OF The state
that will prove in It's application an lncstnabe bless
ine-dirs that rW enable people 70 form and carry on
their local qOr0Hmons uh The same intelligent economy
and care that q rise and G00d iudlridadt you'd ddOp
II The thOie community W0e AT members % hH o~"
family
wise community will. like trse individual, take
the necessary measures 10 secure men OF integrity
and capacity To nil every ohce required by the wants
of the people.
viii now venture to propose for the consideration
of your honorable body plan to secure "A wise ana
good government for our clties-a result Tor when
thousands are looking and longing with anxious
hope. Under our form of government, AZ IN our Pm
waite business we have 10 night 10 expect perfect
workmen without first giving them AN opportunity
to know and understand the duties they are required
The knowledce reauisite to enable men to perform
their duties wisely and well can only be obtained bE
adopting means that will secure more stability m all
the departments OF government, ana more ,sPoG"Y"
yHfiffNt
should be relieved from the power OF mere party
politicians and their continuance IN place should be
made 10 depend on their own capacity integrity, ana
fidelity in the performance of their duties.
To secure such faithful intelligent men in all the
executive and judicial departments OF the govern
mcnt il will be necessary 10 have them appointed To
serve for and during faithful continuance To per
form the duties of Their Office
To form and maintain an economical government
for our cities it will be necessary to give The people
the orer 10 elect one of their wiscst and most respOn
sfl,l
city to form council OF appointment, whose sole
duty it will be to scoct appoint cdtch orer dpd kcp ~
office The trscst and bet men INT can ne tOaHd 10 MI
erery office roquJtd by The lrrnfS Of city,
This Council of Appointment should take and sub
scribe 10 an oath. by which they should individually
promisc and agree TO make every appointment II
respective of politics or religion One-tlird Of tins
Council Of Appointment shond 90 out of office every
year and their places be- filed by new election III
the wards from which they came.
To enable the electors 10 give an Intelligent vote
the names of each candidate should he placed before
the people at least three month. before an election
| would recommend that the Common tolhcll
should be purely legislative body, and that all the
executive work OF the cities be carried on through
bureaus or departments similar to the bureaus ana
departments now Organized lhdel lno General GOV
eminent of our country. --.-
would recommend that the Mayor elected directly
hy the people be clothed with power 10 suspend and
dismiss from Office for good and sufficient cause the
heads OF any one of the several bureaus OF depart
lnents of the Government; and also with power 20
prorogue the Board Of Aldermen or COuncllmcn
Whenever such measure IS demanded gJ inc great
and important interests of the city,
In this way. the Mayor would be made individually
responsible for proper supervision of the men APP
pointed by Council OF Appointment, also elected by
the people.
The whole power and duty of this council Of APP
pontment should be to their best Judgment 10
select and make every appointment required by the
bureaus or departments of the GOyeInnent-cVeIy
appointment To be made by the council TO have en-
tire reference to the qualifications that are necessary
to make them useful 10 the city,
In this way, the Mayor would be made directly re-
sponsible to the people the whole people who elected
him. for the administration of the Government.
1t is the privilege of your honorable body now IN
session to frame a code of laws that will dry mp the
,,reat fountain of lcplsntXe cnrImntinn: this be