The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-28
uubA VI - VHt N1o
The City Charter Discussed
by the Senate.
AL SORTS OF OPINIONS VENTED.
Republican Rhetoric in Support
of Party Rule.
The Board of Assistant Alder
men Abolished.
Adoption Of the New Plan for
the Aldermen.
Fierce Fight Over the APP
pointing Power.
Strong Arguments For and
Against Havemeyer.
GREEN DENOUNCED WITH A VENGEANCE.
The Question Of the Appointing Power
Still Unsettled.
Adoption Of the New Plan for
the Aldermen.
Fierce Fight Over the APP
pointing Power.
Strong Arguments For and
Against Havemeyer.
GREEN DENOUNCED WITH A VENGEANCE.
The Question Of the Appointing Power
Still Unsettled.

Inc Question OF the Appointing Power
Still Unsettled.
ALBANY, March a, 1879
The charter came up az special order in the
Senate this morning, in pursuance OF previous
order. The lobby and moor of the Chamber we're
again thrOnged by an audience composed In large
part Of ladies and distinguished men OF politics.
Among the latter were Tom Murphy, David Mel.
hsh, E. d. Webster, George Bliss, Jr. Davenport
and Dexter A. Hawkins, all Interested In the fate
Of the pending measure. Senator Winslow was
again in the chair
BOARD OF ASSISTANT ALDERMEN.
Senator WOOdin, when the second section OF the
charter was named THE process OF reading it
through on Tuesday night having relieved the Sen
ate from the necessity Of reading it,, moved that
the following words be added thereto:-
''Fhe term Of ONCE Of the Board Of Assistant
Aldermen shall terminate on January /, 1874"
This was the method of abOlishing the Assistant
Aldermen proposed in the caucus hut as the action
Of that convention was not binding ON anybody
Senator Benedict at once entered upon speech
Of some length IN opposition to the proposed abo-
htiOn.
BENEDICT IN FAVOR OF THE BOARD.
He said New York was not like a little village
where every man knows his neighbor, but, like the
great banyan tree OF the East 1t dropsi its branches
and extends its roots until you may plant dozens
u villages under it's shade. Nowhere among the
6clavic or lighthaired races is power given like
this to small bodies Of men. The republican party
has always favored the retention OF the
Board OF Assistant Aldermen. And nobody ever
proposed to disturb it until the Com
nittee Of Seventy laid their rIofane hands
upen it. That committee had their little
enthusiastically representation, cumulative
voting, &C.; and this Board Of Assistant Aldermen
was too much for them. This notion OF theirs was
dipped in as a sop for them, because 1t was said
they would then 90 for the charter But every.
body demands Board of Assistant Aldermen. If
you want ''rings," the way to get them is to con-
centrate power in little knot of men like single
beard, where eight men constitute quorum. They
10 everything themselves and have no lower House
to check them, and eight men can WELD all that
power alone.
senator MURPHY-How about the caucusp
senator BENEDICT-Nothing was fixed by the eau.
Gus last night, as understand it, rather it was
oxed by caucus that every man should do as he
pleased. In regard to the reasons adduced by
some men why the lower Board should be
abolished, one OF the members OF the Board Of
Aldermen was here ana wanted the lower Board
abolished because they sometimes voted against
. measure that had passed the upper House. l
hope that will be ne sufficient reason. We want q
Board of Assistants that will sometimes vote
against the measures Of the upper House.
Senator Temann retaed his experiences in the
Boards OF Aldermen, especially the one in 1851
which was called 1.-THE Forty Thieves;r but even
then he found great efficacy in two Boards. Many vii
famous schemes started in one Board were stepped
In the ether. New York pays more than half the
q Of nj I'M Ad
directly in It's good government.
Senator Madden was also in favor of retaining
the Assistant Board
wOODIN WOULD LET THEM FILL THE TERM.
Senator WooDN said he favored retaining the
B0aro during its term OF Office; but as there was a
difference OF opinion as to when the term OF this
Board EXPIRED he thought 1t ought to be settled by
legal enactment. He wanted the question settled
and thought the amendment would settle 1t. AS
20 abolishing the Board thereafter he
thought 1t one Of the best things Tor the
city. II Is proposed to increase the AL
dermen to twenty-one-three from each
Senate district and six at large, securing local rep
resentaion therein, and all the essential elements
are, therefore, to be found in this single Board.
What more complete check against improvident
legislation can there be than this for 1t takes three
1Ourths Of the Board to carry any ordinance or
measure that imposes taxesy Besides you have the
Mayor with his veto, and better than all, you have
App0Tu00menL.
IN assertion that will not be denied by anybody.
Mr.. TREhAIN tas II brought to his mettle by 80
sweeping an assertion)-I deny 1t.
Mr.. WOODIN-Then am wrong, for you are any.
cody.
Senator Benediot-The Senatorial districts are
large in fact, though not territorlally; for the
knowledge OF people OF one another in the interior
" nve fold greater IN senatorial district than In
similar districts in the city. senator woodn may
roe al over Cayuga county and be greeted by
name Dy every man he meets, while hardly know
SENATOR wEIsxANx FOR ABOLITION.
senator Wesmann hoped the motion to abolish
than forty wears and the two Boards have been
tried during that time, and he had come to the
conclusion that the lower Board was merely q
nfth wheel Of wagon. II the Board OF Assistant
Aldermen Is continued 1t Will serve as a check
against the carrying out Of all great reforms
MURPHY WOULD RATHER ABOLISH THE ALDERMEN
senator Murphy congratulated the Senate that
the charter was to be determined by the sense OF
the members, uninnucnced by any secret action.
In this matter we should be moved by principle.
What Is the object OF a Cemmen Councily 1t is to
express the senSe of the people OF city concern.
would prefer to abolish the upper Board rather
than the lever. do not understand that node OF
10 be- Vested IN minority. Representation Should
be immediate and direct. We have all felt the
dinculty arising from this unchecked power OF ex-
penditure by small minority. II you have but
single Board elected by the city at large you Will
have many parts OF the city unrepresented.
WOODINS ADDITION TO HIS AMENDMENT.
Senator Woodin suggested an addition to his
amendment, as follows
And on and after that date the Board Of Aldermen
the powers and perform all the duties thereof
He wanted especially to set term to the present
Board There seemed TO be a ridiculous error In the
latest statute upon the subject. The act-chapter
674 OF the Laws Of '71-providing for the present
Board says that the Assistant Aldermen should be
elected every two years, annually after the first
election in 1872. And to set that doubt at rest he
proposed the first part OF the amendment The
other part provided for their adjustment there
alter.
AN AMENDMENT TO CONTINUE BOTH BOARDS LOST
senator Murphy said the word "annuallyr was