The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-24

that u neeueu amendment In some respect. Still
OUGHT TO PASS WITH Ts MAIN FEATURES uNDIs-
TURBED.
They had done their best IN framing it had taken
counsel from everybody they thought capable OF
giving counsel and were convinced it was what
the people OF New York wanted. They had CON
suited the Committee OF Seventy and thought they
had got In IL all they wanted then The found that
the Legislative Committee OF that body OF citizens
had, owing to the treatment they had
ceived, resigned, and new committee had been APP
pointed, but che appointment was so recently
made that the committee did not know what was
wanted. The article published this morning, said
Mr.. Bliss bears on its face the unmistakabe sign
the police to show that they did not understand
hs ad said mat they had only ss
referred 70, and which had been wiped out. our
LIMITS THE POWER or THE BOARD OF POLICE
10 retire policemen for physical inability TO per
form their duties. Mr.. Bliss then proceeded to
point out the provisions of the bill section by sec
ton. by the adjustment of the Board of Assistant
Aldermen there would be saving OF 1920 900, IL
nP5 $2opOoo The number ana salary Of the heads
to be given to the proceedings OF all the depart
ments; advertising bills were to be reduced;
THE PRESENT MONUMENTS or THE CHIEF OFFICES
WERE TO BE REMOVED.
all special elections which were very expensive
were to be abolished.
Mr. Bliss thus stated each provision of the bill,
which has already been published. He noticed the
S e "ns Hs
SAID that 1t was not in accordance with our system
OF government to
GIVE THE MAYOR Absolute POWER
In this respect. Moreover, the Aldermen elected
from the people are supposed to know the wishes
OF the people, and are capable OF giving advice in
the matter Indeed he said, Mayor Havemeyer
has been in Office some twenty days. and he had
already made several mistakes in his appoint
| ments-mstakes which he is extremely anxious to
correct. This proves that the power should not be
he said, in the charter concerning minority repre-
sentation or Spring election. He spoke of the
BOARD OF APPoRTIoNMENT PROVISION,
and said the bill should be amended so that their
action should be governed by majority in
in accordance with Mayor Havemeyer's recon-
mendatlon in his Message. There was some oppo-
sitlon because there was no provision requiring
bids. The trainers OF the bill could see no force in
| such requirement, and some harm might be done
| by It, That officer could defeat all such proceed
| ings by simply absenting himself. He concluded
by urging speedy action on the part of the commit
tee.
PROFESSOR DWIGHT.
Professor Dwight presented his argument when
Mr.. Bliss had concluded, making long and ex-
haustive review OF the needs of the city, although
he SAID he had been unable to perfect the
argument and proposed amendments as he
inaccessibiity of the charter as presented.
Mr. Dwight was interrupted several times by Bliss,
whe e T A.
| dermen, and loosely declaring the only relief to
be n removing the Mayor, MI Bliss said. very
"W Professor Dwight be kind enough to say
that that theory was originated by Mr.. Eaton, who
sits beside him, not by me1 think it the most alb
~ understand that the author of the theory Is
Mr.. George Bliss" responded the Professor
objections to- the board OF officers who are named
| to present charges against officials, Mr. Bliss said,
the Board" From this 1t will be seen that
THE SPLIT BETWEEN THE CUSTOM HOUSE MEN AND
is well defined and bitter.
HOWARD POTTER's REMARKS.
Mr.. HOWARD POTTER followed and said:-
The Committee of seventy appeal to all honest
men holding seats in either branch OF the Legisla-
ture to give to the city of New York, the metropo-
lis of the nation, whose example for good or evil In
matters OF municipal administration Is felt and FOL
lowed by other cities throughout the length and
breadth OF the land, charter which shall have no
other purpose but that OF securing
| EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMY
| in the administration OF the affairs of the city by
fun and certain publicity Of all facts relating to
the same; by the arrangement OF administra ton
duties In definite spheres; by strictly defined re-
sponsbiities on the part of officials Of the higher
grades, and by the enactment of provisions in the
amendments or by general law, by which penalties
for neglect OF official duties or naladministra.
nn, nal Offices may be enforced in some Way by BY
ciiaenS bpA,uo,vrad thereby as taxpayers or other
wise And we especially snreaI Y Ihe members Of
the republican party 70 accomplish une eha sougnt
York. IN which there is a very large majority Of
democratic voters, subjected IN the interest Of
CHARTER PROVISIONS pREJup1c1AI 70 THE PUBLIC
GOOD
must operate to the discredit Of the Republican
party, not only in the State but in the nation.
Certainly, after the great victory which has given
them the power they have in this Legislature, the
ample OF magnanimity; and certainly 1t should not
forget now that the victory which it has achieved
is In no small degree due to
THE WEIGHT CARRIED BY THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
in New York city and State at the last election as
a consequence Of the presence in its ranks Of men
who formerly were high IN authority in that party
and in official position in our city government, and
whose abuse OF their trust for personal and party
party to which they belonged. The amendments
Of the proposed charter which will be urged upon
you in the interest of party advantage, WILL alter
all, only promote the personal ends of party
leaders, at the expense not only OF the public SER
vice and public purses, but OF the party to which
ties will agree and work together for the further
ance of ends by which they may secure for them
selves and their friends places and money, we look
and appeal to the honest men of both parties in
the Legislature to unite their side defeat
sinister and selfish purposes.
In conclusion, while we deprecate any hasty leg
islation on matter so important the committee
quite as much
DEpReCATR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE EXISTING
in the administration OF our municipal arars, and
we hope that you will speedily reach conclusions
favorable to the reforms which we ask at your
hands.
MR.. BLISS AMENDMENTS.
Mr.. BLISS stated he had prepared some amend
ments to the bill, which, however did not ma
terially change it. Tney were, IN elect, that the
CONSIDERATION Vi veto Dy tne mayor SnaH ne nau
Immediately on reception; that the Presi-
dent pro tenn. of the Board Of Aldermen
shall act as President when the Presi-
dent is acting as Mayor; that in cases OF
proceedings for the removal OF tie Mayor, the
Governor shall direct the Attorney to take the
testimony; that no contract shall be made unless
the Comptroller endorse on its back that there Is
money enough on hand to pay for the same; that
the Board OF Health may delegate any OF its powers
to the Sanitary Inspector: that ordinary business
advertisements may be inserted In the Cny Record
In case 1t will reduce the expense of the pub
lipato IN n cif n no
OF Apportionment shall not be decided by unani-
nous vote, but by three members: and that the
term of Office OF policemen and fremen shall not
cease with the terms OF the heads OF departments
Professor Dwight stated that the committee
would soon present TO the Legislature a codifca-
ton OF all laws relating to the city and county OF
New York.
SPEECH BY JACKSON g. sCHULTZ
JACKSON s. SCHULTZ spoke, taking objection TO
the charter on general political grounds damag-