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

the hands of the Mayor Referring to the movement on
next session OF the legislature he was conyincen &
NOV 70 oe gu % a m the Of
Brooklyn he had knowledge enough of the staemen,s
rant his saying that II the allegations were hall true 'no
obnoxious departments should be abolished.
AssEmLYNAS coLAHAS.
stephen J. Coahan. present Clerk of the BROOKLYN
City Court is the Democratic Assembyman eectof the
With District He said that he In favor now as nc
always had been OF the Democratic principle OF leaving
everything connected with the City Government III the
hands Of the people 50 far as practicable ,d ne went
Repnblcan than Democratic He believed in electing
all heads of departments by the people. and IN hayne
GoS 1 Of the 70 Board Of city wOrk where he
thought, the duties might perhaps be too large loL o
his mind with regard to that department with refer
to tho Park Commission, he had always regarGt r
that outside OF politics, and would be guided by cr
in any proposed legislation with refeenoc
10 It, He was in favor OF special election next 'ps
member Assembly he should do all he could 10 re-
store sefgovernmen to the city and II he eond nV co
get the principle that half loaf is better IMAM no
bread"
Eugene d. Berri, Republican Assembyman elect from
the With District Queens County said that he was ho'
in favor Of aboshDg the Brooklyn Commissions noi
did he believe that the Democrats whatever they ns
pretend really in favor of their abolition They 'nA
"A "a
party by opposing the Commissions and talking about
local self government" but IL they thought there Wns
the least chance of Republican Leglslatnre dos &
with the Commissions they would cease ther opPosit.
to them at II is not the Commissions as eonm
sons, that the people OF Brooklyn complain vi,
but the misdeeds of certain men composing some
| Of these Commissions. Take the water Doslu
az the Board of City Works; there is notn moth
ing 10 complain OF In their acton slnI M
troll of Repubcans It was the rascalltes Of the old
Democratic Board that shocked the public when u naa
| nhqri Arab Hlisgl. "a
noteworthy fact that he voted against the worst oOs
like the kingsley Reservoir contract which m nnder
Democratic control the public heard nothing IRON 'c
Under Republican control and tits very natural that
| the Democracy should elamor for ehante' anu H
| partments TO them. Having elected Democratic
Mayor with Democratic Board of Aldermen, ihey are
now anxious give the appointment OF al heads OF de
partments 20 them Who believes that II there was 70
be Republican Mayor or Board of Aldermen Tor thc
two years, the Democratic party would laNV OK
giving tho appointment Of heads OF departments 20
themi Their present clamor against COMMISSIONS is
What do YOU thnk was asked OF The plan OF reducing
the number Of Commissioners to one Tor eaeh Depart
| 1t is very questionable in my mind. answered Mr..
Berr whether sngle-headed commissions would DC any
better for the public interest than the present pan IL
would put too much power in the hands OF one man.
who, with the large patronage at his disposal gn use
existence aud that of his party. The same OWecuon
OF all heads Of departments It might be saie IN the
hands of "a like Mr. Hunter, but how would 1t DO u
his
In conclusion Mr. Berr SAID he was nor NED III ms
opinions about these commissions; ltmieh DC tat soe
changes in the charter could be made that would De gem
uine reforms He intended 10 ascertain the views Oh ms
constituents on the subject and guide his course N ihe
Legislature in accordance with their Wishes TIC De
ieved, however, that forms OF municipal government
administer the Government. Commissions were at one
time demanded by our best citizens; now OWING 70 pau
III some OF mem tneg nla 1eH1 m p
selection OF honest men 10 hold Office aud less TO chang
only way 1t can be done
AssrMBGBNAS -N'GROARTY
Alderman John McGroary, who has been elected by
the Democrats represent the IXth Assembly District
of Kings County expressed himself decidedly In favor
of abollshng all the Brooklyn commissions. He was
pledged TO carry out the resolution on that subject
adopted at the meeting Of the Democracy in the
Of restoring to the city Government tho power Of ap
pointing all It's officials and would give the appointment
of Aldermen II the Republican parry. being a ma
FORTY ia the Legislature sh0nd refuse 10 carry ont these
and Wond witness Inc effect Of this refusal Wien they
came To put ticket III the held next Fall.
AssEMBLYMAS ALLEN.
John J. Allen, Republican Assemblyman elect for the
Id district of Kings County said that he had not had
time the election to think upon the subject OF the
Commissions or his duties a legislator in regard to
them. lie had been professionally engaged in Court
every day since election aud expected to DO so engaged
until the Legislature convened He was not politician;
elected without any pledges TO any faction, ana
probably in position TO act as independently as
any man In the Legislature. lie shoud consult the
wishes OF his constituents about the Commissions and
legislation for Brooklyn, and be guided by what
he deemed be the best interests of the whole people
According TO his recollection the Charter adopted last
Winter II gave the appointment OF all the so-called
commissioners. Heads OF partmentso the Mayor,
subject to confirmation by the Board or Aldermen the
only reservation being that the present incumbents
shall continue in Office until their terms expire II this
he the reforms asked for already provided for In
tho charter after January 1875 unless point nc maze
in favor OF a reduction u the number OF Commissioners
or heads of departments with regard to this point Mr.
decide in bis own mind what would be best. The plan
had been suggested OF giving TO the Mayor the exclusive
power OF appointing and removing all heads Of depart
ments al his pleasure. IL was proposed be believed, at
the last meeting Of the Committee vi OHe Hundred
although seconded il. He decidedly opposed
to this plan The President OF the United states nad no
OF The City OF Brooklyn should have IL.
AssEMBLYMAS CoFFEY.
Michael Cofey, who succeeds Domnick Roeh as the
Dem0crauc representative of the lid District OF Kings
County is decidedly opposed to the whole system Of
Commissions and would have all heads OF departments
appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Board OF
Aldermen. He thinks head to each Department Is
enough with the exception OF the Police which ought
in his opinion to have three az present aud also the
Water Board, which should have three. II might also
be well enough, be thinks. to have three Park Commits
siOners instead OF eleven as at present. The water
should be restricted in its powers and be confined
laying water mains and sewers, aud supervising the
general expenses OF the Water Works; while there
should be Commissioners Of Public Works, as In New
York. attend TO repairs OF public buildings, &c. All
Heads of Departments, including the Park Commission,
whatever DC their number, should be appointed by the
Mayor and confirmed by the Aldermen. Mr.. Codey he
eyes IN giving all powers OF the City Government d.
TO the representatives Of the peopehe Mayor and
Common COunc-and lie will support all legislation
having this end In view.
AssEMBLYHAN WORTH
Jacob Worth who is reelected to represent the Repub
cans of the Win District OF Kings County, says that
he has decided what to pursue with regard
to the Brooklyn Commissions, in case an attempt
made to change the present charter As party ques
ton he could not how much capital could be made
either side. The Democrats represented III all
the commissions and in the Fire and Charity Commits
sons they had the control III the heads OF departments