New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-23
THE COMMITTEE OF SEVENTY.

CLOSE OF ITS LABoRs-FARBwELL ADDRESS.
The Committee of Seventy, which was APP
pointed at Cooper Institute Sept T. 1871 has issued
farewell address TO the public, in which its aDors are
reviewed and assigned for its dissolution
The man parts of the address appear below
The Committee was not intended by yOu TO be a per
petua or permanent political organization. Its mem
bers dd not 20 act IN that capacity, nor have
such an organization If they desired it, II was created
temporary purposes. IN the heat of great pubic
which followed the exposure OF the frauds which me
Tammsny Ring had committed. Honest men OF bot
parties, for the time being left their party lines, aud
united for the rescue Of the City Government
y who had seized them. Under such circnIn-
stances, the influence Of the Committee,
zsps wasmost wholesome and powerful, and the NUM-
cipal campaign of 1871 will stand as signal and most
their owE hands IN lawful aud constitutional methods,
the Of their grievances, and the overthrow o
those who had committed them. 10 is not necessary
mere 10 recall the successful steps toward reform that
accomplished as the result or That election Dy the
n,d OF this Committee The plumber OF the City Treas
the great Oeuses which had been committed, ana gult
was brought home in the public mind at least TO all
the principal offenders Proceedings were initiated
and placed IN competent hauds, DOM 10 recover
the plumber and 10 bring the plunderers TO justice
The corrupt influences Of the great army OF office
holders and the Vaccinations OF politicians. together
with hostility OF the then Executive prevailed over
all considerations OF the public welfare, and the Legis-
Stature OF 1917 adjourned without having lifted huger
az passed slnge measure of Importance for the relief
committed like their predecessors to give a and
Charter TO the city, and 10 pass such other
measures inst regard 10 the rights and welfare Of It's
citizens should dictate, and Governor was installed IN
Orce WHO enjoyed the absolute confidence of all the
people Of the state and who would do nothing. and
ssut nothing adverse 10 the cause OF Reform How
far the then elected redeemed their pledges
and far they fell short OF our just expectations Is
For The purpose Of securing the rights and representa-
ton OF all classes Of the citizens IN the City Government
We conended stOuy opportunity for the adOp
on m The Charter OF some principle OF Minority Repre-
and ~
ton secured the introduction OF that principle 10
very limited degree but sufficiently as we believe to
demonstrate the entire practlcabty and eXpedency OF
that system OF election in such a city as ours The
ioIth stcIOn VI tn9 S,V Poe rroI6"s tt
general state election which shall occur In 1874 and
an paay Thereafter there shall be q Aldermen elected
three O WHOM shall he elected in each Senate district OF
lie city constituted and SHAH be residents OF the
distnct I'm which they are elected, but voter shall
vote for more than two Of said Aldermen. and
that there shall also be elected six Aldermen at
arre Ia lie voted for on a separate ballot but 20
voter shall woe than four OF the said Aldermen
large Thus hereafter no party or union oil parties,
and 10 interest combination of interests, winch may
he strong enough ia the whole city, or III any single dis
trct command the votes Of Onehlrd OF the voters
can be deprived unless by their own ndoence
and default OF prOportiOnate and valuable represents
Goyfrnment We reenTd the abortion OF this plan of
secton even in this modified form, to be long step
forward in the science OF municipal government, aud
believe that when It's wisdom shall have been tired
and felt in the practical operation of the Charter the
people will never be persuaded TO give IT up lu
one important respect. however, the Charter OF 1873
hopes and under the name OF Reform, was
an outrage upon that much abused cause IN that 1t com
promised with corruption in Office, and expressly con-
tinued in Office certain heads OF departments who had
been placed where they were by the expiring efforts OF
The discarded Tammany leaders, and were known 10 be
more or less sympathy with them. The triumph
achieved IN this respect by corrupt and selfish poll
tcans over the virtue of the Legislature was fatal
obstacle 10 the thorough renovation OF the City Govern
ment AS whole however, the Charter OF 1873 was ac
cepted by the Committee and by the community as the
best that could obtained under existing circumstances
aud under il the power of appointment Drusted 10 The
Mayor and Aldermen has been fully exercised, ana the
various departments OF the City Government nave been
as far as the lmpeyectons Of The Charter would permit
reorgauzed by the appointment OF officials who gen
eral enjoy the public confidence.
THUS tie retrospect OF two years continuous efforts IN
The direction OF Reform though marked with many di
appointments and failures affords abundant cause OI
Generalization and encouragement; ana candd com
parson OF the condition OF the city today with that
Which presented the time OF the movement that re-
suited the appointment of this Committee, exhibits
marked, ana hope permanent progress ana the gen
era reformation Of our municipal affairs, though f
from complete has been far advanced 20 Indicate
1T opportunity for this Committee TO retire from u'
scene.