New-York tribune., 1873-01-23
ALBANY.
THE REPUBLICAN CHARTER.
HOW THE PARTISAN OBJECTION is NOT NET
THE CHANCES OF THE AMENDMENTS
Try TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUFR1

Tne only advocates OF the Charter were ocorto p''
and Commissioner Davenport both Federal once
holders, and the latter holding both Federal and
municipal Office IN violation OF the late order purporng
emanste from Gen. Grant Neither Of them attempted
TO answer the partisan objection the Charter
Since the argument conference has been held at the
Delavan House. and 1t reported that the Customhouse
clique are willing to heed some Of the objections urged
by the Committee OF Seventy. They are willing, for IN
tance to egsate all the present heads ofiDepartments
out OF Office including Van Mort Smith. But they
will not yield the point deemed to be the most vital by
the Committee Seventy that the Mayor shall have the
sole Of appointment without confirmation by the
Board o. Aldermen.
The Customhouse Ring boast that they can put their
charter through the Legislature 1t is, through the
power Of the party whip but they will find that weapon
less patent than the beginning OF the ses
son They expect to axe It the subject OF caucus
and thus keep their in the traces but there VIII Do
a strong opposition to such curse, and II caucus S
called for this purpose nearly half OF the party Will re-
fuse TO attend or be bound by II.
Another hearing OF the opponents 10 the Charter Is 10
had before the Joint Committee Tuesday next and
cannot be reported brought before the House Tor
discussion before the first second week in February
BY that time, IL IL believed by many the opposition 10
will have gained strength enough to defeat 1t altogether
is even doubted by whether any charter at
all will pass this legislature.
ADDRESSES BY GEO. BLISS, JR., HOWARD POTTER,
AND JACKSON S. SCHULTZ.
lGBFERAL PRESS DIsPATCHl
ALBANY. Jan. 22.-The Committees on Cities
OF and Assembly met in joint session in the
Senate Chamber this afternoon, to hear arguments on
the NewYork Charter bill, introduced in the Assembly
by Speaker Cornell and known as the Repuphcah
Charter. Prof. T. W. Dwight, Chairman OF the Com
mittee Legislation of the Committee OF Seventy;
Howard Potter also of the Committee on Legislation'
and Jackson g. Schultz, who was present as private
ia in
United States District-AttOrney George Bliss, Ir IN
favor OF it. OF the Committee the Legislation OF the
Committee Of Seventy there were also present John
Wheeler, George w. Lane and Henry Nieol. Dormah
b. and Mr. Vance, the President OF the Board OF
Aldermen, also attended.
Mr. Biss first addressed the Committee. briefly stating
the provisions OF the charter He said that since the
publication OF the charter they had heard criticisms
but they came mostly from some who deemed him
self personally affected. The proposition to abolish the
Board Of Assistant Aldermen was opposed by those gen
tlemen the ground that they did not desire 10
be legisated out Of office, especially as they
had just been elected. Another objection comes ron
head OF department who finds himself cut down.
Other objections from other sources, and yet they
all originate from the cause. Nevertheless. ne
said speaking those he represented he wanted inc
charter reported and passed substantially as 1t had been
presented He did not say 1t should not be amended
because he did know but that needed anendneht
nasSed with its main features undsturbed. They had
done their best in framing IT. had taken counsel U a
everybody they thought capable OF giving counse anu
were convinced ii what the people of New-1ork
wanted. They had consulted the Committee OF seventy
and thought they had got in 1t all they wanted then.
The found that the Legislative Committee OF that body
of citizens had. owing TO the treatment they had re
tcaiyed' resigned. ana committee had been APP
nointed hut the appointment recently made that
he committee did not know what was wanted. , -.
ton by section BY the aboshment of the Board Of
Assistant Alderman there would De saving VI 20 OF hsad ~
departments to be reduced; publicity was 20 Oe
given to the proceedings OF an the dePartehts
of the chief offices be removed; all special cleo
Ehh y6 s oseeon he
the appointing power to the Mayor and Board OF Alder
men, and said that it not In accordance win our
vstem of government 70 give the Mayor absolute power
in this respect. Moreover the Aldermen elected rom ON
the people are supposed 10 know the wishes OF tue
neone ana are capable OF giving advice the matter
Indeed ne said, Mayor Hayemeyer mas peen III oioo
some 20 days, and he had already maze seVera inls
takes in his appointments mistakes when ne Is eN-
tremely anxious TO correct ms proves tna' no pome
nothing he said in the charter concerning minority
representation or Spring elections sn@ont he sPOh1 t
provison and said the bill should be so amended that
their action should be governed by majority usteau Vi
With Mayor Hayemeyer's recommendation in his mes
There some opposition because IneIe was t ,h %
opening OF the bids The trainers of the bill could see
no force in such requirement, ana some marin isn'
be done by It, That officer could deteat al sueh pro
ceedinrs 6y simply absentng himself. BE concluded
by urging speedy action ON the part OF the
Prof Dwight followed. stating the opecVohs INC 'o
mee OF Seventy had the bill, which objections were
published yesterday. Howard rotef ioii'"'"' "u ''
in part
The Committee OF Seventy appeal 10 all honest men
holding either branch OF the LEGISLATURE 10 give
10 the CITY OF New York charter when shai nave no
other bur that of securing efficiency and economy
in the administration OF the affairs OF lhe cty Ny Iui
ana certain publicity OF all facts relating 10 tne same
nv the OF administrative duties In definite
spheres by strictly defined Responsiveness on tne par
OF officials Of the higher grades and by the OF
which penalties for neglect OF oihcia aules VI l. -,
municipal Offices may he enforced in some way by ct
prejudced thereby as OF oine , u
especially appeal to the members OF tue M a
party accomplish the end sought because the spect
Gle OF community like New IN %n'em snSIected S
the interest OF party only to charter peu
dcia TO the public good, must opera& 10 10 tle S ~
the nation. Certainly, after the greas "G,s hsrs
which has given them 1ne barty can wen afford
TO show example OF magnsnny ana n,cb Sefi " as
should not forget now that tne ncty M NV NJ ca
ried by the Democratic party in New.York CITY and
State at the last election as we're hgb in
authority in that party, and In official position ~ our
city Government and whose apaSe % ., aEs themselyes
personal and party ends dragged down n aae n
and the party TO which they belonged Inc
of the proposed charter which Will LII pe fr All onv pro ~
the personal OF party leaders AZ lne
not only the RrSe h.y belong and as the dishonest
men Of parties will agree and WORK togethe ior tne
furtherance OF ends by whcn tney may seouio ioi
selves and their friends places and money we look and
appeal the honest men OF boh parties IN .ne Legsa
ture on their side 10 defeat such sinister anu SELF
ish purposes In conclusion, while we deprecate any
hasty legislation on o matter 80 Important Tue Commt
tee quite as much deprecate the maintenance OF tne ed
isting state OF things in the administration OF our m
nicpa affairs and hope that you VIII speeay reaen
conclusions favorable TO the reforms winch we ASK a'
your hands
Mr. Bliss said he had prepared some amendments TO
the bill, which, however, did not materially change IT,
They were in effect that the consideration OF veto py
the Mayor shall n. had Immediately reception; that
the President pro te of the Board Of Aldermen shall
act as President when the President is acting as Mayor
that in case Of proceedings for the removal OF the Mayor
the Governor ,ha direct the Attorney to take the tes
oonv that mn o.nfraet shall be made unless the Con-