New-York tribune., 1873-02-21
THE DEBATE IN THE ASSEMBLY.


REFUSAL To RETAIN THE BOARD OF ASSISTANT
ALDERMEN-DIsTRICT REPRESENTATIONS RE-
JECTED 49, TIE CHARTER ELECTION TO BE
HELD IN THE FALL-MNOR AMENDMENTS
DEFEATED-A NEW TWENTY-FFTH SECTION
PROPOsED-MR. JACOBs'S CRITICISMS.
GENERAL PRESS DIsPATCMl
ALBANY. Feb. 20.-Ihe House went into Com
mittee Of the Whole this morning on the New-Iork
Charter
Mr. c. G.. Cornell moved 10 amend the second section
by providing that legislative powers shall be vested n
the Board Of Aldermen and Board Of Assistant Alder
men. lie called attention 20 the fact that the legislative
powers of the city had always been vested in the two
Boards and claimed that 1t the only way TO secure
full representation to the people.
Mr. Woods advocated the amendment saying that
the Assistant Aldermen the only immediate repre-
sentaves ofthe people. AS the Board Of Aldermen
constituted 10 districts OF the 80 were unrepresented
init
Mr. Pierson stated the action Of the Committee in
framing the b that they had heard various parties
BILL that there but one protest against this pro-
vision OF the o aud that protest from the Assist
ant Aldermen themselves who protested against being
legisated out Of Office. There not another single
respectable organization appearing before the Commit
tee objectng the abolition Of the Board Of Assistant
Aldermen. II there any amendments 70 this bill
which would give a better government 20 the City OF
New-York he was Of the Committee who was ready
10 accept them.
Mr. Roche asked II the German Reform Association did
not appear before the Committee and ask that this
Board OF Assistant Aldermen should be retained.
Mr Person replied that le had stated his recollection,
which was that only the Assistant Aldermen appeared
this point.
ARGUMENT CONCERNING THE BOARD OF ASSISTANT
ALDERMEN.
Mr.. Norton regarded these Assistant Aldermen as
entirely unnecessary They were an expense 20 the city
without any adequate return.
Mr. vppv n IN 1ookq AZ
proposition with regard to It's expense Il the duty
Of the Legislature 70 give TO the City Of NewYork the
best government possible. and 1t also its duty to
that IL mad republican form OF governments and 20 DO
that must 20 II that the representative system
carefully guarded and thoroughly effected He referred
TO the National and state systems, and asked why the
people OF New-York City should not have the same
opportunity for checks and balances. Under this BILL II
the Republicans in the ascendency every official pro-
vded for will be a Republican If the Democrats
into power then every official viii be Democrat. This
was not right and he claimed that there should be pro-
vision made for this Board Of Assistant Aldermen,
that check may be had upon those in Ipower He in
sisted upon the representative system being maintained
intact,
Mr.. Blumenthal explained that. even with all the
changes in the charter for the city there had always
been Boards and II seemed strange 20 him that
these sweeping changes should be made now He then
proceeded 10 explain the effect Of the change which
legislative body. As 70 the present Board, he said,
nothing could be said against ITS character II stood
high in public estimation, and possessed the confidence
OF the people. He doubted whether this proposition
would be made By the Committee on Cities. Were this
board OF IS Democrats, he doubted whether they
would give this vast power 20 it, representing
does only onehaf the city; and II they would not
der circumstances they should not under existing
circumstances This In fact giving all the legisla
tive powers Of the city to Is men, who may be elected
upon ticket, and from one ward or one district Ii
was in effect dlsfranchising seyeneighths OF the clti
zens OF NewYork How is IL possible, he would ask for
the poor in the wards to get relief from these Alder
mem How will these Aldermen know who Is deserving
and who is not Now poor woman can 90 to the As
sistant Alderman Of her ward state her case and he
can attend 70 IL az once.
Mr.. Campbell also spoke of the great Injustice 10 the
people which would result from aboshDg the Board OF
Assistant Alderman.
Mr Norton inquired in what way the Board OF Assist
ant Aldermen acted as check the Board OF Alder
men.
Mr Campbell said there various ways and oppor-
tunities.
Mr. Burns said this Board OF Assistant Aldermen could
be made 70 act as check for instance in the matter Of
renting The present Reform Board had rented
these armores for $4,000 each, when they could be
secured for $4,000 Now could not the Board Of Assistant
Aldermen act as a check upon such scti
Mr. Norton said he had spoken Of the Board IL IT,
There Is provision giving them any such power there
fore they are a useless appendage.
Mr. Burns-But propose at the proper time 10 offer
al amendment giving them requisite power.
CITY LEGISLATIVE BODIES.
Mr. Beebe then addressed the Committee, warning IL
against this proposition TO break tho great fundamental
principle Of a republican form Of government-repre
sentaton OF the people in their legislative bodies He
quoted Story show that all legislative power should
not be concentrated in legislative body. He also
"a Ioh ey
tenn proposed was well adapted TO the perpetuation Of