The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-29
MUNICIPAL CHARTERS.
The Future Government of
NJ s<sE
Jersey City.
Three Charters Before the Legislature-0utli
and Important Features of Each-lhe Argu-
ments To Be Heard at Trenton-lhe
Ring AFRAID Of the People-The
Pavonia Club Member Again.

There Is no greater problem to be solved by the
present Legislature OF New Jersey than the SETTLE
ment OF the Jersey City difficulties. That hapless
municipality has not only been robbed but ab-
soutely demoralized by a corrupt ring which owes
its existence to the Legislature OF last year. 1t
would not be correct TO state that that Legislature
was corrupt Many members OF the dominant
party were thoroughly honest. but they suffered
themselves to be whipped into the political Kennel
better known as a caucus, when the passage OF the
Jersey City cnarter was made party measure.
other members of that party were ION The make,n
ana they postponed the caucus to so late
day OF the session that the contractors Ring had
to plank down $4,000 before final action was taken.
This sum may appear large Tor such locality as
Jersey City, and a few OF the Ring members. grum.
bed against the price; but they yielded to the per.
suasive power OF the ''head CENTRE" who assured
them that there was "a power o. money into It,"
And he was right In the
SEVEN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
wrung from the people OF Jersey City during the
reign OF the Ring, not to mention the very liberal
commissions which contractors have to yield on i'm
provement certificates, his expectations have been
more than realized.
The least the present Legislature can do for the
people Of Jersey City Is TO loose the hands of the
robbers from their Threats. Even then 1T VIII be O
small reparation for the wrongs inflicted on pa
tent people. whose children Will have to share the
burden or the heavy debt imposed on the city. The
first measure OF relief can be afforded by the pas
sage OF the
CITIZENS ASSOCIATION CHARTER,
now pending IN the state Senate. 1t was prepared
by Messrs Ransom ana Fleming at the request of
the association. Instead OF demanding such rad.
cal change as the repeal OF the existing charter
inn nj qunh
render the commissioner practically harm
less This small instalment OF justice they
believe the Legislature will not undertake to refuse
In the first place the Mayor end Board Of Alder.
men will be elected as under the present system.
Secondly the existing Boards OF Finance, Pubic
Works, Ponce and Fire Commissioners Will be con-
Linued but the present members thereof must
RETURN TO PRIVATE LIFE
II they be not elected in the manner specified at the
commencement OF the ensuing municipal year.
The members of these commissions shall be nomi.
mated by the Mayor ana confirmed by the Board OF
Aldermen. In this way
A HEALTHY CONSERVATIVE MEDIUM
Is attained between an irresponsible legislative com.
mission on the one hand and a conspiracy OF gin
mil politicians AT the ballot box the other.
Thirdly the Board OF Public Works VIII become "a
purely executive board so that they shall carry out
sucn improvements only as the Board Of Aldermen
the direct representatives OF The people, may order
The other boards shall be subject In ike manner to
tie legislative department, on tue good Old principle
that these men are the
PEoPLE's SERVANTS. NOT THEIR MASTERS,
as at present. The salaries OF the members or the
commission shall be reduced. The salary OF the
Chief Engineer and Surveyor VIII be fixed az $4,000,
ard that OF his assistants, not To exceed four at
$4,000 each. The expenses OF the surveying and
engineering department must not exceed $25, 900
TO $40, 900. Ii the stan employed by the Ring
rendered an equivalent Tor hall the enormous sum
OF $500 OO1 pald 70 them during the past there
viii be very little work left Tor any surveyor for the
next three years. The foregoing are the cardinal
points OF tne amendments winch are numerous,
covering the entire charter. Next In order comes
MR.. wEART'S CHATTER.
plan OF municipal government watch was adopted
by the New York Committee OF seventy. anu is now
penulng In the New YOrk Legislature. glance aJ
It's leading features will reveal the great merits or
the scheme. 1t PROVIDES that the CIT, government
shall be vested In the Mavor, twelve Aldermen. and
an Executive Board, to consist OF six commission.
ers, VIZ, Finance and Taxation Water ana Sc wer.
age Police, Public " orks, Fire aud Education The
Mayor shall be elected annually, shall receive
salary OF $4,000: the Aldermen are to be elected
annually, two from each Aldermantc district, and
shall receive as compensation $40 for eacn session
the sessions not to exceed twenty IN any one year.
IN TING FOR ALDERMEN
each electOr shall be at liberty to place upon his
ticker Two names for Aldermen, or ne may put the
same name on twice, and In canvasslnQ the votes
for Aldermen every ticket upon when the name ior
Alderman Is written or printed twice snail be
counted and canvassed as two votes for that person.
and the two persons receiving the highest number
Ot votes IN each district snail be declared elected.
THE SIX COMMISSIONERS
above named snail be appointed by the Mayor by
and with the advice and consent OF the Board or
Aldermen. and shall each hold Office for the term of
seven years. ana shall eacn receive an annual salary
Of 5000 aud devote their time to the interests Of The
city. And any member who shall fail TO attend me
sessions of the Board OF Aldermen during TIE FIRST
twenty sessions shall have deducted from mis- com.
pensaton tue per diem allowance or $40 session.
The second section OF this cnarter sets forth in
very specific yet simple terms the manner IN when
the duties Of the Executive Ibard snail be dis
charged and Is as f0llOws:-
That the Commissioner Of Finance and Taxation the Com
missioner OF Police, the Commissioner Of Fire,
sioner Of Pubic Works the Commissioner OF Water and
THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
OF the city, and shall be Mayor Of the
CITY, VINO shall have the right discuss brought
te said board session once IL two weeks
s,pg as Board Of Finance and TaIaon. Board Of Com
Board of Commissioners Of Pubic Works., a Board OF
solers Of Educs,ion That each q said Commissioners
IS The sn P1 he
sds he e o and
ad E.scyps oa Of he and when
the charter required be done % said Board and when
perform the dS,e. under the Charter required to &c aone
required to b Done sad Board and when IL
Board duties p Fe H %or charter s,c.o r vsssd e
which pertains to the water supply construction
asr sns ss As Board Of
the duties heretofore vested the Board Public Works in
relation TO the wafer the Passac River the
extension OF the water works. the supply use OF the
water the construction and and ali
assessments TO be made therefor the bonds OF
said city, 70 be denominated on their face Jersey Cy
Water scrip; and when in session board Commis.
sones OF Education they shall perform duties under
the charter to be performed BY the Board of
yded ,nat said Board shalt not be obliged mold sessions
during tue month OF August liz any year. unless the public
health should IT, Board NAV he
At any time by the proclamation of the Mayor.
The Office OF clerks to the various Boards now IN
existence Is abolished, and that OF Clerk of the FIX
ecusiye Board Is created He shall record the pro.
ceedngs OF each Board In separate Journal and he
s empowered 10 hire the requisite number OF clerks
inc mayor and Board OF Aldermen shall make ali