New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-17
THE CHARTER.

The instrument which yesterday passed the
Assembly and goes to the Governor for his
approval violates nearly all sound principles
of municipal government. 1t is not scheme
for the good management of the affairs of
great city, but mere piece OF special legls-
latiOn for the benefit of a political faction.
We ought to have charter which should
make Rings impossible; which should enable
the good citizens of New-YOrk to select their
Chief Executive and their Common Council
without reference to partisan differences
politics being quite as much out of
place in the management OF city
as in the management of bank or
railroad which should fix the RESPONSE
bility of good administration so clearly
that we could instantly reach an unfaithful or
inefficient officer. The Mayor should have the
power of appointment and removal; his term
should be a short one, so that we could
quickly change him if he abused his author
ity: municipal elections should be held in the
Spring of the year, so that they might not be
complicated with party politics, and the voters
might consider nothing but the personal fit
ness of the candidates. Then, if the people
are fit to govern themselves we should have
an honest city administration; if they are not
fit to govern themselves, it is high time for
US to know it.
These are the principles of municipal re-
form for which we have cOntended; but with
the petty politicians at Albany they naturally
find little favor. A charter, in the estimation
of these gentlemen, is not an act for the good
government of the city, but scheme for di-
verting to personal or partisan benefit the
mt
rOnage of the metropolis. In all the long
debates of the Senate and Assembly over this
matter it is hardly an exaggeration.to say that
the dominant patty have not even made
prctcnse of considering what the city wants;
but the whole dispute has been battle be-
tween factions for the political plumber. OF
course such a charter cannot last, The affairs
of the chief city of America cannot be forever
mismanaged in this fashion. If we are to be
plucked year after year for the benefit OF
factions we may prepare ourselves for bank
ruptcy for it is inevitable. Another Legisla-
ture must give us what this one refuses.
Meanwhile, it is some satisfaction to know
that in the battle between the two factions OF
the Republican party the CustOm-ho house clique
has been thoroughly beaten. If we are to be
ruled by a Ring it is at any rate not that
vulgar, thievish, and utterly corrupt Ring of
which Mr.. Thomas Murphy Is the refulgent
center. Bad as the charter is it is not so bad
as the instrument which Murphy, Bliss, and
Davenport first forced through the Assembly.
The Mayor is deprived of the most important
part of the power which rightly belongs to
him, but at least some of it is left. The
four favorites of the triumphant clique
- Nv ont nns
clause of the charter; but Andrew II. Green
is kept in Office too. The whole power
of the Department of Public Works, the De-
partment' of Parks, and the Board of Police,
as well as the control of the Law Department,
are secured to the Republican managers who
have won this fight and in these four depart
ments are placed the lions share of the
patronage and political influence While Mr..
Green, however, remains at the head of the
Department Of Finance we may feel assured
that though the Ring steal our votes our
money will be comparatively safe. The heads
of the other executive departments are
to be appointed by the Mayor and
confirmed by the Board of Aldermen.
There is no provision for the contingency of a
disagreement if one nomination is not con-
firmed, the Mayor will send in another. The
Mayor may remove the head of a department
for cause, with the consent of the Governor;
but in practice this will not prove very
important privilege. Heads of departments
are to appoint their own subordinates. The
Assistant Aldermen are retained until 1854
ridiculous arrangement, because If we can
proftably dispense with them at all we can
dispense with them now. The present
Aldermen are to hold office until 1875,
and thereafter to be elected annually on a
system which provides in an imperfect way
for minority representation. Perhaps, with
Mr.. Havemeyer and Mr.. Green in the two chief
places of trust we can manage well enough
under this arrangement for another year.
But the people will not be satisfied until the
municipal administration is radically reformed !;
and it seems absurd to adopt a change now
which satisfies nobody and must be followed
by another change very shortly.