The New York herald., 1870-03-28
ANOTHER NEW CHARTER.
The Tammany Chieftains' Pro-
gramme Of Reform.
Provisions Of the Latest Magma Charta Of
the Metropolis.
The Tammany General Committee Meet
ing-Anticipated Riot.

eSsly cast Into the political caudr0n bubbled
to the brim, but when the froth shall have been
moved perhaps some useful compound will remain.
Contending armies have already met upon the
battle field, and the result. though hardly completed
will, doubtless, be gratlfying The progress OF re.
form has time out Of mind been attended
with incidents OF dire disaster, and one
cannot look forward 20 that grand goal
OF perfection OF whatever kind without
anticipating difficulties and occasional defeats. The
charter presented by the young democracy unques-
tlonabiy tended to arouse the dormant feelings OF
the masses. and, though unsuccessful 1t neverthe.
less created an appetite for something better It
has served to raise the cry for REFORM Great mea.
sures do not come like thnnderbolts Tney require
consideration and then sincere discussion must re.
dound to the public good.
THE NEW CHARTER NO. 3.
The Tammnny chiefs, as everybody knows, have
not been idle. for whilst their batteries were being
vigorously stormed they failed not TO perceive the
weak points OF their opponents. new charter has
now been prepared, which the Tammany chiefs con-
fdently believe wiz be acceptable to the people at
large. They claim that any charter now introduced
should be such q one as would readily meet the
views OF the taXpayers-a charter having ITS basis
on sound democratic principles. 1t Is not expected
that 1t will be unexceptonable In every respect upon
Its first presentation TO the community; but what,
with Judicious amendments and corrections, sug-
gestions and recommendations there Is reason
to nope that the adoption OF such charter is
not far distant. Moreover, the men OF Tammany
confidently believe that the charter introduced in
the interests OF the people will triumpnantly pass
the Legislature. Although at present IN It's crude
state the principal features OF the proposed charter
may be here set forth:-First OF all, the entire re-
strctons and guards OF the existing charter are to
be preserved.
THE BOARD or ALDERMEN AND ITS POWERS.
IL provides for flfteen aldermen on the general
ticket and for one assistant alderman from each
Assembly district to be elected at the approaching
judicial election. It is intended that this Board
should be composed OF the strongest men Of the
democratic party; that 1t should exercise general
control over the government and affairs OF
the city, ana that 1t should be Invested
with power TO impeach the Mayor. Another
important provision is that the Board be limited for
expenditures to three.f0urth vote. when for ceie
bration, &C., to q four-lfth vote. and when IN.
creasing O claim to unanimous vote. The Board
moreover Is restricted from increasing officers or
salaries except on the specific request OF depart
ment.
THE STREET AND CKoroS AoUEpUCr DEPARTMENTS
TO BE ABOLISHED.
Believing that many incongruittes and inconsist.
eucies exist IN connection with the execu-
tive departments the authors OF the charter
consider that oil tho difficulties could be
readily overcome by aboiishing the Street and Cro-
ton Aqueduct departments, and substituting
a department OF public works, with one
commissioner at its head, and with powers har-
monlously distributed In appropriate bureaus. The
charter also provides IN this connection that all the
veteran ofliceholders in such abolished departments
are to be removed. Old abuses to give way to a
new order OF things, which In their operation must
It is asserted, prove heathfui.
THE SOURCE OF RESPONSIBILITY.
The general complaint has heretofore been. and
not without some reason, that responsibility seemed
to attach to no ofylcial. whatever might be the
action OF those departments over which there was
supposed to be no head or governing power; that in
fact every department ran by itself as best could
1t is intended. however, that every department.
should be grouped as cabinet under one central
authority, power ba,ng invested In the Mayor to
impcach auy derect or Corrupt head, with a Judi
ciai tribunal to summariIy try and remove
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
1t ia intended that the Police Department should
be invested with power similar TO that which 1t now
possesses, the commissioner terms at nrst to be
for terms now enjoyed by the present Commission
ers and for like term OF eight years on the re-
newed term, and the whole force continued and
transferred during good behavior.
TIE HEALTH OFFICERS
With reference to the Health Department OF the
Board OF Police it is intended that the officers,
joined with the Health Oniccr OF the port the Coun
sci to the Corporation and three further commits
sIoners should be elected for a term OF I'VE years,
one OF whom must be standard physician. and that
they should have powers commensurate with those
now exercised by the present Board.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
There has not been much discussion in relation TO
this department. The new Tammany charter pro-
poses that the department consist Of five commits
sioners, elected for term or five years. and that
they be invested with powers the at present
enjoyed.
THE CORPORATION COUNSEL AND CoMPrROLLER.
No alteration IS proposed as to the election Of
Counsel to the Corporation Comptroller, as to
the powers with which those officials are now IN.
vested.
CHARITIES AND CoRRE CTIoNs.
The existing laws relative TO the Department OF
Charities ana Corrections are, BY the new charter
not to be materially interfered WITH Ii is proposed
that five commissioners be elected for term OF five
years and that all the existing regulations be
retained
PARK COMMISSIONERS.
AS in the case OF the last mentioned department,
no change is sought The laws which now regulate
and control the Department OF Parks with the Cen.
tral Park Commissioners and Central Park will
govern as heretofore aud all present rules wilt be
enforced.
A DEPARTMENT OF DOCKS
ia created consist OF board OF i've citizens. The
provisions OF this section are similar to those u the
citizens Association bill heretofore published.
THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT,
which is provided for in the charter, will have one
executive head who shall act as superintendent
nd r. 1pnartmpne a1 40
under existing laws.
SALARIES or OFFICERS.
No increase In the salaries of public officers Is pro.
posed IN the charter, but provides that their
number shall be substantially diminished.
THE ELECTION or CITY OFFICERS,
Regarding the election OF all city officers the char
ter contains provision that the choice should be
made at the general election In May, the Mayor d
Comptroller to be elected next November
The charter also sets forth miscellaneous provl-
sions providing for the sale OF public property and