The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-24
GREEN AND VAN MORT AGHAST.
Three Democrats and Three Repub-
cans Form the New Board.
g -. : 'lla ia,,ts., vl.... 90 ~
TIEMANN in TWEED'S SEAT.

Both branches OF the Legislature met as usual
to-day, but the sessions, especially that OF the
lower house, were little better farce. The lob
bes completely deserted, alew stray spectators
only were seen in the galleries OF the Assembly
chamber, and thenumber OF members present was
less than ever. The new Erie bill having been
practically abandoned, for the time being al least,
there was hungry ana disappointed look upon the
1aces OF the bone hunters all day yesterday, and
there was O general exodus of Lobbyists to other
parts last night. The custom heretofore has
been for both houses adjourn over IRON Friday
until Monday. and Notwithstanding that Saturday
sessions are now held, most OF the members
who reside within convenient distance from the
capital stin follow the former practice and run
home to spend the holy Sabbath in The bosom OF
their families and receive spiritual strength Tor tile
next weeks legislative duties, while others run
down to have ''high old time" IN New York.
The consequence Is that there seldom is quorum
in either house on Saturday, ana to-day there was
not half o quorum III the Assembly when the count
was called Oh motion for adjournment, the vote
II 10 15-showlng that there We're only thirty.two
members present Either lthe saturday sessions
should be abandoned or members should remain to
attend 10 business.
TIE NEW YORK CHARTER.
IL would now appear that the labors OF the Com.
mtee OF seventy IN the interests OF reform are not
to be without practical results. They have pursued
their labOrs here with remarkable perseverance,
ana the fruits thereof viii undoubtedly appear
In tue shape Of new charter adopted by both
houses. For the last week the time of the Commit
tee on cities Of the Senate has been almost enurely
occupied in considering and amending the Commit
tee Of Seventy's charter which came from the Az
semby. During the last two three days the CON-
mittee has been IN almost constant session examn-
ing the different propositions presented from all
SIDES and In behalf of rival interests, Their final
meeting last evening was protracred until long after
midnight, the charter studied over section
by section, ana at last 1t was com.
pleted reported 10 the Senate to-day, and
made the special order for next Tuesday morning.
There is scarcely section In the document, as 1t
originally came from the hands OF the Committee OF
Seventy, which has not been amended In some par
ticular or other, though many OF the amendments
are merely verbal, and some OF them were suggested
by the Seventy people themselves to make the
pnraseology more perfect. The charter, as 1t now
stands, taken as whole, is not so satisfactory 10
the seventy wise men OF Manhattan Island as the
one which their concentrated wisdom hrst con.
cocted, nor is 1t entirely satisfactory TO the COM
mt'ee by whom 1t mas Just been reported;
. one as they could present IN tlme
TO get 1t through both houses during
the present session, and-the subcommittee OF the
Seventy who nave been stay ing mere for the special
purpose OF looking after tnis charter business are
Wiling 10 take II rs IL Is now amended, inasuch as
1t sim retains the most essential features OF the
original darling document.
THE MOST MATERIAL AMENDMENTS
made by the committee ana assented 10 by The
Seventy win sort OF silent protest and with In
gering nope that tney may be modified before the
charter shall nave been adopted by botn houses, re-
late TO the Board vi Aldermen, the Department OF
Public SAFETY and the Finance Department. AS 1t
Is amended all the heads or depart
mens ONCE TO be removed and new
ones elected or appointed. There are TO oe two new
branches OF the Common Council, Board OF Alder
men and a Board OF Assistant Aldermen, each TO
consist OF thirty members. SIX OF whom are 10 be
n
was presented, ana seriously considered, 10 nave
one Boaru elected from the senatorial districts ana
the other from the Assembly districts, but the COM
mittee nnaIlY determined 10 reject II. Ihe new city
fainers are to serve without pay, tns provision nav
ing been adopted with the IDEA lhat better men can
be secured, men VINO VIII be willing to devote their
time 10 Tire interests OIL the city without emoiument.
ONE PRINCIPLE OF CUMULATIVE VOTING
Is to be tried IN the election of these boards and OF
other officers which are u be elected. Inc COM
mlttee were determined TO retain the proposed plan
OF cumulative votlag in order tnat the idea might
be tested and proved III practice, and they were
equally ANXIOUS To recommend the creation OF nom
taIusan commissions, as already Indicated IN the
herald. 1t Il for the purpose oI pleasing the
Comlnlttee OF Seventy people and Of responding 10
--tte CRY LOT radlcal reform that the Committee on
Clues nave recommended THAT clean sweep be
made OF al the municipal magnates now ia ONCE.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
me provisions relating to the department OF Pub.
nc safety have been completely altered. In the
Tor the election by inc Board Of Aldermen, Of six
commissioners, VINO, together with the Mayor
should constitute the Commission OF Public safety
Under me charter as now amended the Mayor IL not
made MEMBER and the SIX Commissioners are to
be appointed within ten days alter the passage OF
the act by the two Judges or inc
Superior Court having the longest time
and Judge Curtis. TINS would secure the appoint-
ment OF three republican and three democratic
Commissioners. Tine commissioners are to divide
themselves Dy lot into three classes each class 10
conlaIn one Commissioner OF each OF the TWO poiill.
cal parties and To mold ONCE for TOUR, ST. anu elgnt
years respectively. There are to be Ponce, FiTe,
Health and Building Bureaus In the Department OF
PuDlc SAFETY as previously provldeu IN TIE Cnarter
the Commissioners.
OFFICIAL BEHEADING EN- eros.
Thus all the present oticla heads oI these de-
partmcnts are TO be cut Oh, but the subordinate
Onlcers are 10 be retained as far as possible. 1t
Health must he a practical physician. Tne pro-
visions relating to the Finance Department are
ELABORATE, and the amendments 10 this portion OF
the charter among those which were most care
fully considered by the committee. The seventy
people proposed to cnange the name Of CnamDer-
lam TO That OF "Sub Treasurer" ana 10 give nm
only limited powers uuuer the Comptroller The
Committee on cities have changed tue cnarier so as
TO retain The present title OF chamberlain, and
have invested In han extensive powers as
A CHECK on THE CONTROLLERS.
The design OF tna Is obvious and The committee
think the amendments IN relation 20 tne Chamber
lam VIII meet Wltn popular approval. Iuls idea Eas
been taken IRON the present practice by winch the
State treasurer IS made cheek upon the state
Comptroller. II l., IN snort an application OF the
State system 10 the city vi New YORK. The Unani-
berlaln Is 10 be appointed by the MAJ or ana con-
Drlned by the Board Of Aldermen Idese are me
chief changes made by the committee Dusthere are
the different sections HARMONIOUS aud the charter
MS compete as possible.
Z THE SALARIES or ALL THE PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
are Excd. The Mayor. Comptroller and Corporation
eounsol ~ appointed Ny The MAYOR, comptroller ana