The New York herald., 1872-11-18
A CONTEMPLATED NEW CHARTER.
Interviews with Mr.. Simon Sterne and
Mr.. Edward Sal0m0n.
Several Features of the Old Char
ter To Be Retained.
A MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE CALLED.

has cleared away and the great question OF the
government Of the country for the next four years
Is settled, speculation is busy in this city as to what
measures or legislation the coming winter will
bring forth at Albany. The enormous division Of
spoils that must inevitably shortly take place has
stimulated the curiosity OF the ollce-seekers and
office e-holders and the prophecies are numerous OF
the steps this and that political party Is likely to
take to secure the lions share Of the plunder.
There is one party whose forthcoming action s
keenly watched by the politeians-the Committee of
Seventy-an organization which has exercised vast
influence in shaping the destnes OF the city since
November 4, 1871. 1t was started for the purpose
OF securing an honest government for the city
without distinction of party, and was intended to
exist only until the elections OF 1871 were over.
The surprising victory the committee achieved in
the overthrow Of the Tammany Ring and the
markabe power 1t developed convinced the men,
bers that longer existence was necessary and
they determined to follow up their first triumph by
introducing various reforms in the municipal gov
ernment which would render corruption in the
future impossible. charter for the city was pre-
pared, sent to Albany, passed by the Legislature
and vetoed by the Governor, which, II 1t had gone
into power would have materially changed the
whole aspect OF local legislation Not disheartened
by their defeat the committee did not DISSOLVE
although the regular place OF meeting in Union
square was abandoned some months since. In the
last election the committee did good work, and
succeeded in electing their candidate for Mayor,
Mr.. Havemeyer, with the assistance OF republican
voters.
INTERVIEW WITH Mr.. sALOMON.
Various rumors have been anoat for the past four
days relative to the organization. 1t has been
stated that the committee was about to dissolve,
that 1t was about to prepare o new charter, and,
again, that it was to continue to exist, but would
take no active part in securing any further reforms
for the city. HERALD reporter, despatched
yesterday to ascertain the truth Of these rumors,
succeeded in finding Mr.. Edward Solomon, chair
man Of the Subcommittee on Legislation, and Mr..
Simon Sterne, Secretary OF the committee proper.
Mr.. Saomon was first visited at his ONCE on
Wall street, and, though extremely busy, cour-
teously answered the questions asked him by the
reporter. The following is the conversation that
took place:-
committee OF which you are chairman, Mr. Salo-
mon, are likely TO take in framing new charter"
take You are aware that the subcommittee Of
which am chairman was entrusted with the task
Of framing the charter sent to Albany last Winter.
Since that charter was defeated through the veto
OF the Governor we have not met, and cannot say
when we shall be likely to do so,''
''lt is rumOred that you have called meeting"
tThe rumOr Is incorrect have not done so.
and at present have no intention OF doing So
cannot see what necessity there is to call meet
AS AN ORGANIZATION WE SHALL TAKE
In the future, or whether we are to continue to
day the question Of what we ssal do viii be deter.
mined, and until then cannot say what will be
done IN the way Of preparing new charter or
submitting the one OF last year to the Legislature.
l have perfect right to call a meeting; but, as
said before; viii not do SO, until can see how it
Mr.. Sterne was next called upon, and found in
his office surrounded with papers. On learning
n IN
the future plans and purposed action of the COM
mttee Alter some conversation on minor points
the reporter asked whether the rumor that the
committee was about to dissolve was true or not
Mr.. SrERNE-There has been some talk OF dis
dissolve. A few OF the members think that seventy
men should not do all the work for city OF 1000 600
inhabitants, and meeting has been called In
which the question VIII be consdered but can
say beforehand that the majority OF the members
are strongly OF opinion that 1T would be grave
error to dissolve, now that so much has been ac-
complished There is one reason that would be
SUFFICIENT If there was not another, to continue the
work.
Mr.. STERNE-We have elected our candidate, w.
F. Havemeyer, for Mayor, and under the peculiar
that 1t would be well that there should be a body
behind him to sustain him in measures he may
although he was mainly elected by republican votes
and It is not at all improbable that difficulties
between him and the republican party may at any
MEET SUCH AN EMERGENCY,
at should 1t any time arise, think 1t would OF all
things be necessary to have the organization of
which he is the head, continue to exercise its func
tions."
REroRrER-In what way do you anticipate
Mr.. sTERNE-well, in this way As I said before,
Mr; MT Havemeyer Is % strong democrat, and In addi;
character. There is one matter in which he will
take decided stand that is that the rights Of local
selfgOvernment shall be respected. Now, the re-
publican party-and am now speaking in all kind
ness-is centralizing party, and would have the
Washington or Albany, for instance. AS demo
crat, Mr.. Havemeyer would be unalterably op-
zation is bad in itself and, bad as It is It has been
made worse in the hands OF corrupt men. II 1t
should be introduced at this moment the city
would lose millions Of dollars which should go into
the pockets OF the country members. With the
power that the republican party now possesses
an attempt will possibly be maze to Introduce
changes pointing in that direction. From what
know OF Mr. Havemeyer know he will oppose
such action, and hence the necessity of his having
an organization at his back to stand by him. do
not say that these difficulties will arise, but from
the appearance Of affairs it is very likely that they
FEroRTHs-Yill this question 1s considered at
Mr. STERNE-I don't know The first question 10
aer that the other mater may 1 Come pp
are aware that the Committee Is composed of
men OF all political parties, but think they will be
almost unanimous IN their support Of Mr.. Have
meyer.
RrPoRrER-what steps will you take about
new cndVtoF, OF VIII new cnarter be prepared?
Mr.. STERNE-Possibly some action will be taken
at the forthcoming meeting The HERALD laughed
at our last charter. but am still OF the opinion
that 1t contained some excellent provisions, al
though 1t was partly nv own work. 1t would have
become law had It not been for the Governors
veto, and II 1t had 1t would have, ere this affected
q radical change. cannot say what effect the ar
guments OF the Governor In returning it may have
had upon the members fthe Committee, but think
the majority OF them are still OF the opinion that
the charter was the best one that could be devised
and II new one is prepared, most OF the salient
features OF the original one will he retained.
REPoRTER-What features do you particularly
allude tor
Mr.. STERNE-We, take tine Police, Fire and
Health Departments for instance Our charter
united and made one, with the title OF .1The De.
partment of Public Safetyn This department
should be In the hands OF six commissioners, with
the Mayor at their head, and they should have the