The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-08

Dy Judge Trumbull that the municipality 10 20 %
pc cited. They rest upon the well understood iacs
tnat these corporations are OF twofod character
the one public as regards the state as large IN SO
lar ~ they are its agents In governments the other
private In 30 far as they are to provide the local
necessities and conveniences OF their own citizens.
in the latter capacity as mere corporatlons it is
neither Just nor Is II competent for the Legislature
munity OF the benefits thereof. In view OF these
HISTORICAL FACTS
ana o. these general principles the question recnrs
Wnothor our state constitution can so construed
% TO confer upon the Legislature the power TO APP
point Tor the municipalities the officers who
rights In winch their own people alone are
concerned II it can be It Involves these
the legislative interference to be by any general
rule, II can and may be partial and purely arbitrary.
As there Is nothing requiring the persons appointed
sent In from abroad. and it's
NOT A REMOTE POSSIBILITY
but that self government OF towns may make way
for government by such influences as can force
themselves upon the legislative notice at Lansing.
except such as - the state may voluntarily
ave 1t, as regards the taxes to be levied,
the buildings to be contracted for the psyemen.s
inevitable that parties, from mere personal consid-
eratlons, shall seek the ofices and endeavor to
In general are not to ieel the burden, compensa-
ton such as would not be awarded by the people
VINO must bear 1t. though the chief lie binding them
saarIespaid the one side andIdrawn on the other.
The
GOVERNMENT Oh AN oLIGARCHY
may be just as regardful OF private rights and as
little burdens0me as anv other; but II it were
sought to establish such government IN our cities
by law II would hardly ito 10 call upon protesting
people to snow where In the constitution the power
TO establish 1t was prohibited II would be neces-
sary on the 0tner hand to point out to them where
and oy what unguarded words the power had been
conferred. The State NAV mould local institutions
according to It's views or policy expedIency, but
local government Ii matter OF absolute right and
the State
CANNOT TAKE 1T AWAY.
1t would be the baldest m0ckery TO speak OF a city
AZ possessing MUNICIPAL liberty when the State not
only shaped Its government. but at discretion sent
In It's own agents TO administer 1t, or to call that
system one OF constitutional freedom under which
1t should be equally admissible to allow the people
full control In their local AFFAIRS control at all.
l speak with the utmost respect and Difference to
the legislative department. even though the task
am called upon 10 perform Is to give reason
why blow aimed at tho foundation OF
the structure or our liberties should be
Wardeu OH. Nevertheless, when the State reaches
out and draws To Itself ana apprODraes the powers
which from time lmmemOriai have been locally pos
sessed and exercised and introduces into Its legs
lat0n the
CENTRALIzING IDEAS
OF Continental Europe under which despOtism,
whether OF monarch or Commune, alone has -FOUR
1shed, we seem forced pack upon and compelled 70
take up ana defend the plalnest and most primary
aXlOms OF free government. as II even IN Anglican
liberty, which has been gained step Dy step through
extorted charters and bills OF rights, the punish.
ment OF Kings and the overthrow OF dvnastles,
nothing was settled and nothing established.