The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-27
THE NEW CHARTER.



To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
In all schemes for new charter for the city of
New York perceive that the tendency Is TO increase
the number Of officials instead OF diminishing them,
and OF course In that way increasing expenses. 1t
was proposed to do away with the Board Of AS
sistant Aldermen. Then comes one to have
eight Aldermen 10 each Senatorial dis
trlct. This not being thought sufficient, an
other Is offered to have three for each
Assembly district. Then in the Registry act 1t is
proposed to have the city divided into districts Of
ESQ voters, when 600 with register and vote
In a day. My idea Is to make as few government
officials as posslble-no more than necessary to
transact the business between nine and four O'Clock
daily; that they remain faithfully al their posts
during these hours, Aldermen included; that their
pay be as small at least as Is usually paid for
equally necessary talents by private parties;
that all shall be salaried offices, and that
their receipts for pay be subscribed under a
general oath that they have received no benefit In
salaries. These rules VIII promote Industry, leave
little time or money 10 sporting last horses, last
women, displaying diamonds, &c. always pubic
plunder). Another advantage would probably be-
that OF diverting the minds OF those looking Tor en-
pioyment to other industrial! pursuits and not nave
public Office the Mecca OF their thoughts. That
the Courts civil. and as FAR as practicable The
criminal; the public administration department,
surrogates Court, and all departments as lar as
possible, should be made sesupporling
by juaicious fees, sufficient to pay Judges
also Register, snern anc all law officers
connected with public affairs. MY plan IS
a ne ab For instance % wous
make the number OF Aldermen thirteen, to be in
session daily from nine until tour O'Clock. All ousl.
ness to be transacted openly, properly organized;
but no committees. l recolect having paid city
taxes for my father when boy; the rae then was
the vast increase IN population and In values (even
taking into account the Introduction OF The CrOtOu
be higher to-day. A charter upon these general
principles would probably accomplish this desirable
object.
would continue further delails oi such plan:
Since writing the foregoing notice a movement
has already been made to increase the rate OF taxa
ton. This Is altogether unnecessary. Comptroller
fusng to pay large salaries ana by dlsehargng use.
less officers. The Legislature should follow this
make them bureaus under the one Responsible
head, 1.-THE Mayor and Common Council" with
RI M at to eac y s
been created only to make offices. The
appropriations recently asked for by eacn OF
several Of the commissions are greatly In excess
OF the whole annual expenses OF the city govern.
ment but Il few years back. In these CITY affairs
am in favor Of the eRALD's idea OF paying or the
national debt by degrees ana not have all tall upon
the present generation. For instance, would stop
cept to keep them in order, and use all means OF
obtaining income from them, by leasing at auction
annually the privileges OF boats on the lakes goat
wagons and passenger stages on the grounds places
for refreshments. all sales Of any kind on the
grounds and would sell everything raised or
produced on the grounds that are unnecessary
FOR public purposes. would have the Bureau OF
Docks attend to keeping the docks IN repair, and
make the Bureau sefpaying. DO away with the
present SYST elm Of dock ana harbOr masters; have
all that business pass through the Bureau that the
merchants and snipOwners may receive justice and
annually for permanent new docks. me greatest
savings could probably be made In the Police
Bureau without decreasing the force, and making 1t
more agreeable TO them than tue monotony OF
pacing the streets-part OF which know Is done
now. l would make it their duty 10 inspect the
paving and payements within Their nner beats,
lie contract work within their beats; also
do all sanitary inspection, and perhaps many other
things that would not interfere with their main !
business. would also have Inspectors Of Election
and Registry detailed from the force The ONCE OF
Fire Marshal-one for the benefit OF insurance COM
panies, formerly their officer and paid by them
should be abolished. 1t was created for party pur-
poses. The superintendent OF Buildings should pe
a very small affair. know that the public have no
there are in this city, the expensive build.
ings occupied by them, and how unnecessary hal!
OF these perhaps are. Ii your intervlewers could
obtain their names, offices, salaries, the rents and
expenses attending them. 1t would make an inter-
Immense machinery r1' of the government these are
only a few rambling remarks ana small part of
reform but cannot close without noticing the
open political bias OF judges and officers OF the law;
there Is nothing worse. James I. Brady and many
others always regretted that they were made cleo
i've believe It 8, tng general regret and ~
reform to have them again appointed by
the Governor. Unless our legislators follows
the democrats because the minds OF the people are
bent on REFORM and Just so soon as 1t Is perceived
that reform is not intended the city becomes demo-
cratic. We want the economy used in private
es ADJUSTMENTS. Look at Stewards, Jairay's and
O.ners. True reform comes through the influence
OF the press, and 1t should be kept before the people,