The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-26
rAE PROPOSED NEW CITY CHAR
TER.



Debate i'm the Committee on Giles i'm Joint
session.
ALBANY, Jan. 25, 1872.
The Committees on Cities OF both houses met in
joint session the Senate Chamber this evening to
hear arguments on the proposed new charter for
New York. large number OF distinguished cti-
zens OF New York were present, including Mr..
James M. Brown, Ex-Governor Sal0mon, Simon
Sterne, John Wheeler, Joseph Bumenthal
Samuel B. Ruggles, r. b. Sherman James
NJ. Hasted, Robert Hoe, Judge Emott
Frederick Schaick, Major Bundy, Henry N. Beers
Lewis Ballard, Colonel N. G. Dunn, Albert Klamath
J. J. ODonanue, Robert Mooney and Thomas d. Nc
Clellan.
Ex-Governor SALOMON was the first to address
the committee, anG IN opening referred TO the dis
covery Of great roDberies in New York, through
conspiracy among the municipal authorities, and
the origin and organization OF the CON-
mittee OF Seventy OF the leading citizens.
He then detailed the duties dev0lving upon this
committee and what it had done. He said that not.
outstanding all they had done an appeal was
made to the people, not only Of the city, but OF the
Stale, to do That which 1t beyond the power OF
the committee to 40. The people OF the state nOby
responded to this call. and took measures 10 secure
TO the city such reform measures as were
needed. The committee or q sub-commit-
tee OF fifteen, then proceeded TO form
q charter, the main features OF which
had been submitted from time to time to the Com
mittee OF seventy, and met their approval ana now
It submitted to the Legislature with the hope ina
it viii meet with It's sanction. lie referred to the
fact, and deprecated that party rules had been ap-
piled to s strc! sc, municipal aars and enforced
on the interests Of the city. It had seemed
to the committee that removal OF the
opportunity for this craftsmanship would result In
much good and he proceeded to illustrate the ad-
vantages or minority, or
and neld that the Board OF Aldermen elected under
TINS system would De by far the most fit represen-
It had been Ut tried in England Is The law in
our own ss Hr n s Tns ec9 Of me
principle is to act as restraint upon parties and
require them to put in nomination better cand
Aldermen larger powers than they have had
OF late and as is possessed in other
to Raise a the money Necessary to carry
on the affairs OF the city. They had also thought
had never been ionnd any more difcuity ia pu ting
scheme through TWO boards than would be expe-
renced win one twothlrds vote was also made
tan and comment upon all the otner leading
features features OF the charter-tne payment oi
powers Of the Mayor to remove from ONCE;
he being also removable; the departments to be
iZanons. 10 mad been objected that for the execu-
tive departments so many men could not discharge
lection lie discussed, and said that there would be
an advantage gained by having u minority present
the action, whatever II was. to see That II done
properly and legally. He held that II YOU put
TIE POWER or APPOINTMENT
in the hands OF one man, head the Mayor, You
Will put 1t IN the hands OF man nominated bv a
caucus, elected by a pary-the creature o. party;
and you Will certainly have TO experience again Just
such things as have been experienced within the
past few years. He said they mad provided that the
commissioners should have seats In the Board or
Aldermen, but without votes, like the Ministers OF
q
and it was hoped 1t would so result.
The heads OF bureaus appoint their suDordinates
and can remove them; the heads of bureaus are
removable by the heads OF the department, who, In
turn are removable by the Mayor on good cause.
Tney mad abolished the Commission OF Public Docks
and provided for Bureau Of Docks. The Depart
ment OF Public Parks remain was, with the ex-
cepton OF relieving 1t Of control certain streets
and some other slight changes, together with putting
II under control OF the Board Of Aldermen. He ex-
planned the organization OF
THE COMMISSION OF PUBLIC SAFETY
the members OF winch were to be elected every
three years He showed how charitable institutions
In the city were to be brought under the control
ana supervision Of tine Commission OF Charities
and Correction so long as they received donations
from the city, The f0ur commissioners OF Finance
are maze the Tax Commiss Oners. They are TO file
and publish monthly statements OF their affairs,