The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-19

In the general provisions of the charter clauses
are inserted against bribery and corruption;
giving citizens the right Of action when spe-
honest act of public officer; providing for the
examination Of public officers on judges
order; prohibiting double Office holding, and
for other purposes.
These are in substance the main features of
the new charter 1t is a law experimental in
and destitute of that directness and simplicity
which more than anything else tend to secure
good and honest government. Unless great
change has come over our politicians and Office
seekers-we are likely to see more corrupt bar
gains and conspiracies under this law than we
have ever known under any former charter, for
it will be impossible to prevent collision be-
tween the Aldermen and the departments if
dishonest men manage to get into power. We
have advocated from the first strong
but simple form of government, vest
ing oil Legislative and money rails
ing power in common council
and all executive power in Mayor, who
should appoint and remove the heads of sub
ordinate departments at his will, and be
directly responsible to the people for the
honesty and efficiency of the whole admins
tration. If the State Legislature had been
composed of men of integrity and broad
intelligence it would have given us law that
would have greatly promoted the progress and
prosperity of the city and have united New
York and it's suburbs in one grand municipal
ity. Under such q charter we should in few
years have had a splendid system of river
streets, docks and piers under the plans of the
present Dock Commissioners, and two great
viaduct railways running along the avenues
near the two rivers and opening up the
northern portion of the island and the
beautiful lands of Westchester county to
our citizens for residences. But the
Legislature has chosen to give us q very differ
ent sort of charter, and the people must do
the best they can under the circumstances.
The election is close at hand and it is most
important that active, energetic, honest and
live men should be placed in power to initiate
the new government. Our citizens must guard
against the stoppage or the Gripping of any Of
those great works Of public improvement now
under way or contemplated for the benefit Of
the city by electing to Office men Of liberal
views who are able to appreciate the
future that is in store for the metropolis.
The Department of Docks has been abolished,
but the work laid out by the Commissioners
must not be abandoned. The powers Of the
Park Commission have been crippled, but the
fine boulevards and parks that will soon make
New York one of the handsomest cities in the
world must be pushed to completion. The
last election purified the political air and dis
posed of much evil, but we must be careful
that the next does not either carry us back to
the old corruptions or put drag on the wheels
of progress. Enterprising, intelligent and
honest officers can do much to remedy
any defects that may be found in
the new charter, and the people should take
care that none others are chosen. The politi-
clans are already busily engaged in making
combinations and bargains, but the work Of
November may be repeated in May, and all
their labor may be thrown away. AT all events,
our citizens will insist that party nominations
those of political dickering and trading, or
they will take the reins into their own hands
and drive the municipal wagon for themselves
We have got befogged and muddled law;
let us have young, vigorous, enterprising and
honest men to carry it out.