The New York herald., 1871-11-17
TIE PROPOSED NEW CITY CHARTER.
Hints Thrown Out About IL by the RepL bli.
Ofiicinl Organ.
[Fr0m the Albany Journal republican orgenb

Hints Thrown Omt About IL b. the Rephbii
cnn Ohcinl Organ.
[Fr0m the Albany Journal republican orgenb
First among tue acts sOS oi the coming Legislature
shoud be the passage OF q new charter for the city
81 be al ne opening the
should be put upon the statute book 81 the earliest
inc metropolis for its productions The rest OF the
State VIII defer manly 10 their Judgment. But IN
order 70 assure the entire success OF the movement
outlines publicly developed. Tue charter should ce
framed. not by theorists but BY pracrlcal men. and
It's general features should be published in advance
OF the session. in order that there may ne full dis
cnsslon and concentration Or sentiment. Mean.
while, we throw out iew thoughts.
In the first place the charter should not be framed
with mere partisan purposes. Though Il VIII come
with view siinpy OF helping The republican party.
Our party was put III control OF the Legislature and
tnem genuine reiorm. based unon Their real inter.
ests. 10 tnaL trust we mus be faithful The first
question win ihe ciar,er must ne us adapaon 10
effect as party contrivance. What Is just and
rgnt not what may most servceable 10 the party,
must he the controlling consideration. Indeed, II
were guided simply " selfish partisan interests
this would be ihe wise course since the more true
we are TO the just expectations OF the people the
more assured ana the more permanent will be our
power.
The new charter should be distinguished by the
greatest possible simplicity. The multiplication Of
machinery and me dispersion OF accountability
should be avoided. Power and responsibility In.
stead OF being aissociated, should De united ana
concentrated. Thcre Will OF course be an executive
head and a legislative body. Around tDenl with
proper Restrictions, should be grouped the various
branches OF administration In u way which VIII per-
nih,y @ y to bubble opinsn. We 90 not attempt
to forestall The Judgment OF the committee as
be organized; we only urge here the general
principle that there should he ntte separation OF
cnmstances viii warrant What Is desirable IS that
the whoe machinery shan be Drought as close 10
the people possible, amt that fhey snail be able at
all times 10 move H. not by complicated action but
by touching rev KEYS.
Tnen, upon all matters relating 10 the expendi-
turc OF money anu the creation OF Indebtedness,
there should he the most rigorous restrictions. Ihe
power which mas been SO scandaionsiy abused
shonii be tied up and hedged about with the most
stringent safeguards. Some OF the provisions or
! own city charter are excellent. and may perhaps
! ii there were any thought OF tanspanting
| tncm-be susceptible Of Improvement. No appro.
! prlation eau be made Tor any purpose except
BY a twothrds vote, with the veto power stiIl hc
hind it, No debt can bc created except by special
act OF the Legislature. No money raised for one
purpose can be devoted 10 ano her, even by vote
OF The Common Council no contract can be
executed or work commenced unti seventy per
cent OF the assessment - collected These provIs-
ions may In part be inaDpicable 10 New YORK
owing 10 tts heavy demand Tor improvements AMI
some OF them alTtady substantially existing, have
been Overridden. We refer 10 ihem not 10 urge
their adoption. but simply rs illustrations OF tue
extreme extent 10 which restrictions should be
iaISa proposes e no rcS on na e oSes @ be
cnttailed, bui that the inortlinate ices shatl
| be abolished u would Inake the trade OF
the yicohs clSss Who have most devoted themselves
10 II. And this Is cmmentiy desirable. ior after ali
tnat may be done Ia the way oi ailsere legislation
and rigorous safeguards, the hope oi tho people
really rests upon driving bsd ,nen ou' Of once and
putting g00d men IN.
Finally, In the new arrangement the tax levy
should he LETT TO local adjustment, and not brought
Ia the Legislature. New YORK should determine ,ts
own rate and amount OF taxation like every other
county. Besides being correct ~ principle. ihis
Will be Invaluable 10 practice. The tax levy mas
pccn q profile fountain oI corruption and de-
bauchefy. Its volume has been swollen not only
wun The frauds OF the municipality but with the
blood money OF legislators. In any genuine reform
ths OF vpnAllty must be cut Of