New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-03-07
MUNICIPAL REFORM
LIGHT FOR OUR LEGISLATORS

LIGHT FOR OUR LEGISLATORS
MAYOR MEDILL on THE CIVIC GOvERyyp,, -.
CHICAGO-ITs WEAK POINTs-PRAcTrc,I ~, "
FORMATION BEARING ON THg MYpITs -.
THE PROPOSED CHANGES IN OUR MCSIcTp,,
GOVERNMENT. Al
TO me razor Of The Trtbun,
SIR: In reply 10 the numerous interroc,.
tories contained IN your letter answer seyiqiiu.
Q. Population A. Population Of tho city AZ s,,....
Is 5000.
Q. Number Of Aldermen and salaryi A. Porty Az.
men, from 20 words. elected for two years each .e.
each year. They receive no salary.
q. Are there two Boards a. Only one Boardsu
dcrmen.
Q. Arc tho Aldermen elected by wards or On Oe,...,
ticketl A They are elected by wards. and tAis MA
gives ward poliicians--wbat arc called here -
mcrs and scaavag5'-from half OF more Of the ward.
Q. Il the complete representation in use A. No
Q. Does the Board control all di3burscmentst 4 Va.
the Aldermen vote all appropriations city expeDa
turcs, and control the disbursements TO that extent
Q. What are the general powers Of the BOlrdl p
make all ordinances under their charter powers 70 v
all appropriations; 10 lcgsate on every munielpal ma
ter; to order the bn1ing Of bridges tunnels sew,rc
water-ppe-. school-houses, hreengne houses, pols.
stations and al other city buildings the opening widen
ing and improving Of streets and sidewalks and alev,
and the yacating Of streets and alleys; TO es,abh IA
limits, regulate the mode Of building. prescribing cena,
and lnes, and multitude Of other municipal pOgeus
similar nature.
O. DO the Aldermen elect any city oIlcersi A. Ts,,
DO and several Of them (hc Adrrmcn) row indicted
for selling those Offices TO the hi-he-t biGaeFs the Az
pointing power Of the Aldermen includes the POarda
Education and number OF minor officers, such a,
WciChcrs gaICprs inspectors OF oils, engines fish ee,
these appointments are mainly made corruptly or h.
fayOutsn. and not generally FOR merit htl -; To-
officials elected ~ ballot, and no responsibility esa
DE made TO attach on any individual Alderman for y.
lrctlng bad Ohcal,; patronage IN the hands 0fafst
!dlFC hJdN necessarily prrtI1 Neinn ana corruption
q. Can the corporation taxes. must 10 reoeip
power annually from the 9iale A. Ihe Common Cois.
ell has power 10 assess whatever amount ~ general
taxes it plrd.cs there is 10 limit; tie highest tax yet
levied was 20 mills on cash valuation Il property; tins
j. exclusive OF special sc''inrht Tor street improve
meuto, or rates charged for water, which amounted q
much more M the aggregate.
g Does the Legislature authorize each appropriation
or give general powersl 4. II g.ye general powers 4
j. forbidden hy the new Constitution 10 dict4t, apploy
atoms or assessments on cities.
THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
Q. Moyor-how electedl A. lie Is elected by popgs
vote on general ticket.
Q. Terml 4. Two years.
O. salary 4. Four thousand dol,f. per ANNA
O. Can he be reelected in Succession 7 \. re can
Q. Has he entire cOntgOll A. Not by any ncars
O. WHAT are his general powersl A. He nay va
any ordinance Of any kind that Is passed by tie Con
mon Council including the annual appropriation bm
IT takes two-thirds vote Of al the Aldermen caryI
bill over his veto. He can recommend measures 70 d.
Council; must enforce the ordinances, subject to nmI
exceptions He may issue pcocamations for killing
mad dogs and dogs unmuzzed, and for keeping bob
days. He may release any person put in the BrdeEel
for violating city ordinances. He mist counterssn AZ
warrants on the treasury before they can be paid
O. Does he appoint all city OilcersI \. No. be sp
pOnts very few viz: Controller, once In two yeas;
a Corporal on Counsel once in two years; Commls
sioner OF Taxes, in four years; member OF the
Boqrd Of public Works one every two wears; a Bride
.ralI Comm i.siA IL N
the Mayors staff who look after the licenses believe
that is ebout the extent o. bis appointing poSe[ Ies
COUNCIL confirms all these appointments, except the nI
q. Can bg be removed ~ the GovrnO'i
\. He cannot.
O. Must he sign all warrants 70 render them yaldi
He must sign al warrants TO render them yaAdd
rather to authorize their PAYMENT
Q. l. part of the city Government discharged byDe
partnents, such as Public Works" Health" Sc. A.
Yes; We have Board OF Public works, Of Police ADD
Fire. Health, iucatOn and House OF Correction, lt
Bridewell) and three Park Boards.
q. How are the several departments constituted A
The Board Of Public Works consists q three mcmGn
holding Office for six years. appointed by the Mayor, and
confirmed BY the Council the Board OF Police and Pn
consists of three members elected one each yearorths
wears by the voters the County OF Cook VIII embraces
1000 square miles Of territory outside Ot the cy limits
but the police and frcmen are suppredDT taxes levied
the people OF the city alone TINS mode o. selecting
tie Board by foreign corporation IS ndeersbe and
done for partisan reasons several years since lRe
salary OF each member is 5000 per aunum The Board
Of Health consists OF SIX members ana the mayor set
OhicO President thereof. The County superior COuHae
points the members Of the Board OF heatl-t%o eel
year. They have powers independent OF the Coln,-
and can do pretty much ms they please IN ad OF N
public health and supprcssng nuisanceS. &C. Iner ~
airy Is $500 per aunum each. Inc Boird OF LlnC1.yt
consists Of 20 membcrs-One from each Ward-Wn no ml
Office iOur years, and are appointed by the C'hnc IlJ
receive no salary The Park Boards not controiN
by the Council. have independent powers, ana 9s
authorized To levy certain amount ~ taxes Dol eAcF
ing SO many mills on the dollar. The members are %
pointed by the Governor and confirmed Dy thc sSH
Senate. .
q What the general powers Of these deparime'si
A. The general powers Of the foregoing Boards are O0
pretty much they please, being accountable 10 30~
thOrty; each seeks 10 spend money with generous Br
atty, being jealous lest the others wOnid get ahead
In mOucy-spCnding; the Board Of Health is the mos
economical. and the Board OF Public Works the least
q. Are the Boards independent of or controlled NH
corporation n. They are independent OF t.e so.los
tOn and the taxpayers, and under no control Wha'd
except to the amount OF approprlatiOns, wAhb a"
liked by the Council under the Influence or tie Bolr.
q. Can the officers Of these departments he remod
by the Mayori A. They cannot; the M1yor has %
power OF removal and this 10 the weak pace II our "
ncipal fabric our system NAV be termed sySteng
"dijunctyc cOnjunctiOns" each Board being lucefa[
ent and irresponsible ana lrremOYaDe. In shOib w
copied sy stem from yours. and have Teap'd on
smaller scale the same harvest OF results VIZ. muniPe
extravaganza and corruption, aud. hAe your peopi
have had TO resort 10 political revolution, me Gians
Jury and Criminal Court, fOI protection AGAINST We
workings OF our bad charter. 49,
O. What officer receives the city taxes \. Tho civ
Collector who each day pays over his Collections W 10
City Treasurer 90 - - -
the order Of the Mayor and Controller. ,,.
O. Are the common schools under the control y.
corporation COMMISSIONER A. They are uhaef '-'
control OF the Board OF Education. -.
O. How Is the Police Department constituted anlDr
erIed A. This has been answered already, ~ ~
the three Police Commissioners have the appJnNenvS,
the policemen and OH eers ~ the same numUenls az.
500 men, a. well a. Of the Fire Department, via 80
men, and the general management ana hulerIssOs ovt
both branches they have the expenditure o. 90 =, sS
100000 per annum; the salaries o. the ilen AZ.
each, ana fixed by the charter the numOer o. n'' "a
fixed by the Council; that Is men can De VOC" C S'
not oil; the policemen are removable ny u e 90 h,
sioners for cause after a hearing, but may ail''' "
Superior Court.
INTERESTING GENERAL OBSERVATION
believe / have now answered all your Pucs.D'
There is "A bill before the Legislature "nen 'D-
will pass, Mat greatly changes our system OF s,".
ment While 1t does not repeal or change any
Boards IL gives the Mayor the power Of appointing VIZ
the confirmation of the Council, all Boards ahu W
officers, except Treasurer. City Clerk ami CITY AuO.s.
who are to be elected; but. more important suH' -
him the power of removal OF all officers VIZ
Mayor may DO authorized to appoint. Ine ""'