The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-03
Governor Ho0man's Message 90 the State
LEGISLATURE.

/
The Message of Governor Hoffman is pub
lished in full in another part of the paper. 1t
will prove highly interesting to our citizens
just now, as we have recently passed through
something like a revolution in our city gov
ernment and affairs, and as we are about to
have another important change made in the
organic law and administration of the munich
pal government. Both the events that have
transpired during the last few months and
the destiny that awaits us from the hands Of
the Legislature at Albany are full Of interest.
Tho views of the Governor whether in accord
with those Of the dominant party in power
or not, will be scanned closely by the people.
The Message is long, and lacks that terseness
which is characteristic Of the writings Of the
abest statesmen; but II Ia smooth, argumen
tative, in good temper, represents fairly the
state Of things and contains valuable sug-
gestions for legislative action.
The Governor has nothing to say about
federal affairs, which is rather unusual
in such documents, but confines his remarks
to matters concerning the State. The reason
given for this is expressed in neat and
sensible manner. mindful, he says, ''of the
fact that the majority of the Legislature and
of the Executive are of opposed political
parties, refrain from discussing questions
connected with the administration of the fede-
raj government upon which our views would
widely differ; hoping that, in dealing with
the home affairs of the State, we may be able
to work together, earnestly aud heartily, for
t1,o ~ 70 NJ
people," We hope the Legislature will be as
judicous, practical and patriotic and will act
with a single eye to the wants and interests Of
this great State of New York, regardless Of
! who may be President, who control the
patronage of the Custom House and the fede
raj Offices Or what men may he foremost In
the future. State politics and interests have
been too much involved In federal affairs
This new departure of Governor Hoffman is
commendable, and worthy of being followed.
The most important matter treated of, and
that fully, by the Governor Is that relating to
the government of this city. Adverting to
''the recent exposure of great wrongs in the
administration of the local government of the
city of New York, which ''has aroused pub
lie attention, to an extraordinary but whole
some extent, 10 the necessity Of reform In
the conduct of affairs, and upon which "the
people have spoken in a way not to be misn-
terpreted," he says there is a demand for an
improvement in the local government through
legislation, which should have neither party
nor personal ends In view, but the general
| welfare. He does not enter into lengthy dis
| cusson of the causes which for long time have
been contributing to these disastrous results.
He does however, trace them back, with good
reason, to the Interference Of the Legislature
with the local selcgovernment of the city and
to the frequent changes that have been made
for political aud partisan objects. cat one
time governed" he remarks, under local
laws, which failed TO fix responsibility any
where; at other times under varied, discOn-
nected and irresponsible commissions, created
to enable political minorities In the city to
| exert political control, confusion, mismanage-
ment and extravaganza were apparent to
every one; but the responsible authors thereof
were concealed under The complicated ma
chinery which was unwisely substituted for
single government of the people"
Then referring 10 the existing charter, under
which 'the great wrongs" in the admnstra-
ton of our city government eliminated, he
says these arose not altogether from the de-
fects In that instrument, but from the bad con-
duct of individuals and anteoedent clrcum-
stances as we'll. The charter, he asserts, was
great Improvement on the former state of
things, and he notices the fact that II was hailed
with favor by the people and press and passed
by nearly unanimous vote Of both houses of
the Legislature. cit broke up the irresponsi-
BILE commissions in which the city government
proper had been substantially merged" II
restored to the people their constitutional
right of local self-government. Still the Gov
ernor thinks the charter has proved defective
in some respects and might be improved.
The great defect he regards is in Initiating
the mistaken doctrine OF the Congressional
ure-of-Office law, whereby subordinate
in administrative duties is made independent
of the appointing power or chief executive.
Here the Governor argues at length, aud
wisely, on the necessity of centralized
power 10 the head of the city govern
ment and of making him responsible.
There can be no good government IL any c3 oIi-
munity, large or small, 10 the administration
OF State city Or 2 family w,eA divided and
Irresponsible Executive authority What we
want is q fundamental law, fixing the power
| end responsibility in the Mayor, which shall
BE- permanent and not subject to being SUBJ
stautially repealed by 'ihe surreptitious In
sertion Of clause in Il tax levy or by any
other political device. This great city of a
| million al inln i,nIan l.o In rad N