New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-22

three heads OF departments instead Of one that waa
matter Of small Importance The important question was
are the who hold positions serving the city faithfully
ana honestly. Altogether too much Importance was
attached to forms and methods Of municipal govern
est officials OF thieves. People ought TO LOOK more
nae personal character OF the men eectea or mp
appointment to secure honest officials suppose neaos
eG 5 , are appointed ~ ne ce aha To
secure honest men On the contrary does not every
man acquainted with the practical working OF the plan
non ana Driberyf man Is appointed by the Mayor ~
Boar he has got 70 be
Inherent nn politics and even II they are not the A9eT
d t fave their own candidates a. wen as te or
chahces are that the Mayors appontee gets confirmed
by more direct form 1 OF bribery Thus the offices are
disposed OF at public SALE or what amounts 20 tne SAINT
gwen to the Mayor alone, without confirmation by the
board OF Aldermen, enormous power ia vested IN one
would be dangerous. He was BY no means sure that
any changes that could be made in the present charer
prove the administration of the city Government.
30 1ar as he personally concerned while ne was
his election this FAN largely Independent Democratic
votes which cast for him in consideration OF MS
Wlamsburgh ferries. His position in tho Assembly
w wSd be independent 50 Tar as les
what he believed TO be the best interests Of the city
AssEMBLYMAN MELVIN.
theodore ". Melvin, Democratic AssemblYman eject
from the WITH District Kings County expressed him
sell decidedly IN favor OF single head to each depart
ment Of the City Government including the Police and
City Works, and OF giving the appointments to the
Mayor subject confirmation by the Board OF Alder
men, He was also In favor OF separating the HEALTH
and Excise Bureaus from the Police Department In his
opinion head enough for any department As to
the Department Of Public Parks, 1t might perhaps be
well enough to have more than one Commissioner,
but they should be members OF the City Government,
and not as at preSent private citizens, entirely indie
pendent OF the Municipal Government He would sllS-
gest that the control Of the parks be placed III the hau
OF the Mayor Controller and President or the Board OF
Aldermen Nearly all the work 20 be done on Prospect
Park was already completed and only general super
vision would be required hereafter lie was decidedly
opposed a Metropolitan Police, to any connection
with the Municipal Government OF New-York 80 long rs
the two cities remained separate lie was also opposed
TO eectng heads OF departments by tine people IL was
contrary to the theory OF our Governments
State or National, was unnecessary and
might be very preludical to the best in,
terests OF tho city with tho present method OF
he nominated 10 the head OF department. Ike the CITY
Works, for instance, and when once nominated the
him. He would then be compelled to reward them for
political services, and, with the large patronage OF that
voters as would enable him reflect himself secure
the election OF his friends to other Offices The Department
power concentrated in tue man who was at Its head
would be too large for the public good Il not dangerous
aud not subject TO removal for maeasanee as he would
be II appointed by the Mayor and Common Council. IL
elective, but II impractca6le, and in the case OF
heads departments, the public interest was more
likely subseTved by having these officials appointed
aud subject removal at any time for misconduct.
AssEMBLYMAN wAGsTAPF AND OTHERS.
Alfred Wagstalf f., Assembyman from the With
Assembly District, was unwilling to commit himself
upon the general subject OF commissions, but did not
hesitate to say that there abundant room for i'm
pTOvement in many OF the commissions.
Another Assemblyman expressed the opinion that
there should be changes in the commissions. The
appointing system should be suppanted IN his opinion
by the election the people the ones to say who
shall manage the various departments.
Yet another Assemblyman VINO eonversed with re-
porter, said that there was conceivable reason why
any OF the departments should have six men 10 super
intend their affairs In the large mercantile estaD-
lshments there is one ruling spirit, ana ne
manages the business infinitely better than several
heads none " whom feel the personal responsibility,
could TO- The rule applies in public business and
If the Commissions should be discharged and single
man elected by the people TO the head OF
each department great expense would be saved and
more efficiency secured. Unless however the, Assem-
biz men of this city united upon plan without dis
tnetlon OF party no change could be Effected.