The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-01
THE FIVE AMERICAN CHARTERS.
Charter Conventions Of 1929
and 1916.
Popular Votes on the Amendments in 1924,
1929, 1916, lS49 and 1858.
THE REJECTED CHARTER OF 1916
Complete Municipal History of
the Empire City.

The new charter, which common consent has
almost unanimously decided Is a necessity for the
Empire City, will form the fifteenth mot count
Ing supplemental enactments granted to It since
It was first permitted TO enjoy municipal
privileges Just 220 years ago. it being at that time
the city OF New Amsterdam and unaer the jurisdic-
zion OF the States General OF Holland. In the dis
cussion which must now naturally take place over
the framing OF the new charter 1t Is only inter-
esung but instructive to review the various Dutch,
English and American charters under which we
have thus far been governed, in order that we may
select the goodthat can be found In them and dis.
card the regulations that have been proved obJec-
fonable so that we may benefit in the future by
tne experiences OF the past Beyond this the his
Tory OF our municipal government Is OF interest," in
asmuch as 1t shows how, as the population has In.
creased from considerably less than one thousand
staid and simple-m minded souls TO one thousand
Zines that number OF heterogeneous Characters the
provisions OF the charters have had to be expanded
so as to meet the requirements OF the increasing
population and the extending area required for
bher dwellings and places OF business
The Struggle for Municipal Rights.
The charters under which the island Of Manhat
tan as a European settlement was first governed
were one granted TO the Dutch West India Company
In 1921 twelve years after Hudson's discovery, and
the "Charter OF Privileges and Exemptions"
granted to the coonlsts 1929. These, however,
In no degree savored OF municipal or self-govern-
ment and IL was not until the colony exhibited :
signs OF prosperity and the European population
began to increase that the cocniss expressed de-
sire TO enjoy civic rights like those which they had
experienced IN the Fatherland. The first occasion
upon which the people OF the colony OF New Meth.
brands were consulted with regard to public affairs
was In August, l6fl. An Indian Sachem having re-
fused to deliver up one OF his tribe who mad muir.
nered harmless Dutchman in retaliation for the
death Of a relative at the hands OF the whites
many years before. when the murderer was
small boy, Director General Kieft desired
TO commence. hostilities against the tribe. but
was deferred by the objections OF the colonists who
threw upon him the entire responsibility OF the pro-
posed conflict. In consequence o. this Kieft reluc-
fantly sought the counsel OF the community, and
bummoncd the masters and heads OF families az
Manhattan and It's vicinity TO meet at Fort Amster-
dam, 'to resolve there something OF the1rst ne.
cessty." And thus. on August 30, l64l, was held
the
FIRST REGULAR MEETING EVER HELD IN NEW
AMSTERDAM.
The assembly promptly chose "Twelve select
Men" TO consider certain propositions submitted by
che Director, and who thus became the nrst repre-
sentatives OF the people OF our city, BY their advice
the war was postponed until the hunting season
hnd upon their beng convoked again. on January
lo4, tHcy tHcu dSScuteu 10 proposed cXpeQl-
zion against the Indian tribe who screened the muir
perer. But being now convoked IN quasi corpo.
rate capacity these representatives OF the people
were unwilling that their action should be limited
10 the registry OF proposed decree or the dictato-
rial Director. They began 10 eviHce the spirit OF
freedom which they had imbbed in their native
Eand and now were intent upon taking the initiative
IN popular reform. They demanded that the people
should have representatives In the Colonial Council
krht t.i.T
Two votes. while the only nominal Councillor had
but one, arguing that IN the fathcrand,, the Coun-
Gil OF even small village had five or seven popular
representatives. they proposed that the members
OF the Council should be increased to at least five,
OF which four should lie elected from the common
atty; two Of these four Councillors TO be annually
replaced bv two Others chosen from the twelve men
selected by the people. They further demanded
that judicial proceedings should only take place be-
fore full Board, and suggested The organization OF
militia force.
CONCESSIONS PROMISED.
Kieft saw that II would be imprdent TO refuse
any concessionsto the popular delegates; he, there
FORE Informed them that he had already written to
Holland, whence lie shortly expected ''some
persons OF quality ana "a complete Coun.
CUP but the commonalty might now choose
persons Ito help in maintaining Justice for
them," two 10 be changed annually as suggested
need requredT and certain times IN the year should
also be appointed for them 10 assemble together
''upon public affairs" and advise upon specific
propositions-'thus far their authority should ex
tend" He however, stated that he was not aware
that the twelve men mad received from the Common
ally any further powers than that which related Il
the case or the Indian murderer.
THE TWELVE SELECT mEN' DISSOLVED.
But Eieft did not desire popular reforms. lie had
OBTAINED from the representatives. OF the people al
fnat he wanted-their assent to the hostiities which
he ionged 10 commence against the fndians-and II
return he gave a reluctant promise for limited pop
MAR representation, which he evidently never III
teEded TO funl. lie found that the twelve men In
their corporate capacity we're becoming embarrass
Ing to him. and he determined to save himself from
any further trouble at their hands He there
fore issued proclamation on February
IS, 1912 In which he thanked them
for their advice In respect to the proposed war
which would he adopted "wIth Gods help and IN
fitting time;r and dissolved their body ana forbade
the calling OF any assemblies or meetings of the
people, on pam OF corporeal punishment, without
an express order OF the Director General as they
''tcnd 10 dangerous consequences and 10 the great
INJURY OF the country and Of our authority" And
thus was suppressed the first attempt at popular
government In what Is now the Empire CITY OF the
Western World.
THE EIGHT MEN,
In the following year, l64S, the Indians having at.
tackled the Dutch trading boats IN the North River
IN the alarming crisis which ensned Kicft was