New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-01-25
MP OpDYEPS REPORT.

We publish elsewhere tho report Of the
minority of the Committee on Cities TO the
New-York Constitutional Convention. 1t Is
prepared and signed by ex-Mayor Opdyke, 3.
ID. Hand. and S. w. Fullerton, and careful
peulsal of its provisions will, we think, satisfy
the reader that it embodies measures which, II
adoptcd would inaugurate n new and reformed
era in the history of our City Government.
The vital feature of the report Is that 1t truly
assumes that Municipal Government exists
not only for the. protection of the
rights and promotion of tho welfare OF persons,
without regard to their property, but also for
the protection of property. IL recognizes the
fact. also. that 40 long as both houses of the
Common Council are elected in the same man
ner, /. C., by districts or wards, both will con-
sst Of the same class of men, viz: district or
ward politicians None of that large, able,
influential class Of men of integrity, who
are known throughout our city and State, can
compete in a scrub race in ward, with polii-
tcian who drinks at every bar, runs with every
engine, dances at every ball, frequents every
billiard saloon and house of ilfame in the ward.
And if perchance one such should, at rare inter
walls. desire and secure election to either branch
of the Common Council, there is a moral GER
tainty that he will be powerless, as every other
ward and district in the city will be repre-
ented by the smonpure ward politician.
To meet these facts tho article proposed as
an amendment to the Constitution by the Com
mittee on Cities provides that the Common
Council shall consist of n Board of Aldermen
and Board of Assistant Aldermen. The Board
of Aldermen shall consist Of eleven members,
chosen for the city at large by such of tho
electors of the city rs have paid tax on
property assessed at $1,000. Even without the
limitation in the suffrage great re-
form would be accomplished 10y electng
the upper and smaller branch of
the city legislature from the city ut large.
Men of city regulations, business capacity, and
undoubted integrity, of whom the names OF
fifty will readily suggest themselves, of class
heretofore excluded from practical influence,
would stand at least fair chance of election
to that branch Of the City Government de-
signed peculiarly to represent the tax-pay-
ers of the city as against the public
thieves. For in the vote Of the city Mt
large their integrity and character would
avail, while in the vote of ward or district
it would not only not benefit, but would defeat
them. AS the article leaves the Board of
Assistant Aldermen to be elected by the dis
tricts or wards, it cannot be claimed that local
interests will be insufiiciently represented. The
thieves will still have full swing in the Lower
House, checked only by the veto of the Upper
The Controller, it is provided, shall be chosen
by the same class of qualified electors
Such a system of government would make
the two Houses, as they were intended to be-
check on each other, and would approximate
them in form to our State and National Gov
ernments in which greater wisdom, caution,
skill, and conservative power are secured III
the Senate by composing it of fewer members
chosen from larger districts than the House,
and elected by the Legislature instead of by
the people.
Under our present system, the two Boards,
and also the Board OF Supervisors, being chosen
in the same manner in all respects, form no
check on each other. and might rs well be one
assembly.
The proposed amendment very properly
abolishes the Board of Supervisors. A vigor-
GUS and united effort should be made by the
friends of reform in the City of New York to
secure so desirable change in their City Gov
eminent