New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-03-26
LOCAL OPPOSITION TO THE PARTISAN
CHARTER,

TuF COMMITTEE OF SEVENTY APpEAi. TO THE SENATE
A meeting of the Committee of Seventy was
held last evening, at which BENJAMIN b. Sherman pre-
sided communication received from the Liberal Re-
publican General Committee. asking conference 10 re-
laon the Charter. referred 10 the Committee on
LEGISLATION The following resolutions, prepared by the
Committee on Legislation. read by Prof Theodore
W. Dwight the Chairman, and unanimously adopted:
Reso<red, That this Committee view with soeitude
the lroess OF the Charter Tor this e,y now pending IN
pmntment the report Of the Senate Committees on
Of t6e aTog ea az eF had been made by tSe
friends Of Reform 10 put that Committee In possession
ton OF the proposed Charter discussed before
them with care. and detects oil most serious
nature pointed out The true theory OF the power OF
appointment carefully presented for their consider
alton They had abundant time for deliberation, and
We had reason TO expect that they would have brought
forward ,plan OF local government that would have
united all reform suges in its favor, would at least
ment The result is that they have reported scheme
which is beneath criticism and winch cannot he DIS
cnssed without an apology for the necessary waste Of
time.
pontment to office is the Mayor and that the Aldermen
may be properly associated with him in The confirmation
OF appointments. II the Aldermen actiously disagree
with him. they must be held responsible AT the bar OF
public opinion. The people will watch their conduct,
and temporarily though firmly oritcise IT. No scheme
OF government be tolerated which, under show Of
giving the necessary power to the Mayor robs him OF
the substance OF authority This the report Of the
Committee OF the Senate really does. 1t provides, In
substance, that if the Aldermen do not within five days
TO office shall be made by hun and the President OF the
Board OF Aldermen and the President OF the Board OF
Assistant Aldermen. This scheme invites the Board OF
Aldermen TO disagree to the nominations ana thus
tends to strip the Mayor OF all real power 1t thus intro
What would be thought of "a plan of
executive government which should provide
TO the Senate and that body did not concur with him.
that all appointments should be made by the President
OF the Senate and the Speaker OF the House OF Repre-
sentatvesi Yet this is analogous to the organization
proposed for our local government TO secure force and
can fsfHn IN
Of the affairs Of a million people at the center
OF the nations political and commercial activ-
lty. The Senate Committee call upon us TO
forget all constitutional ideas, TO abandon
all political opinion, to reverse all accepted political
theories for experiment having no sanction IN pre-
in order to carry forward the ends of temporary party
expediency. We respectfully insist that the time Tor
legislative trihng Is passed The people understand
mp the real point Of issue by any mere
show OF words. Speaking IN their name we affirm
that nothing viii satisfy them that departs from cor
rect principles. They repudIate the scheme by which
the power OF appointment was vested in the Aldermen
the Senate COMMITTEE Cities Nor will they consent
system of Municipal Government which vests the
appointing power in the Mayor aud the two Pres,
dents, aud without reference To the Board OF
Aldermen. such a plan is at war with executive re-
sponsibty and is without precede ut or foundation III
principle. the weekly and almost daily huctuatlng
opinions of committees aud political managers are OF
themselves evidence at once OF the uhsOununehs vi
their theories and OF the pertuay OF the purpose 10
subordinate 10 some convenient cOntrvanee the inter
ess OF the city 10 party or personal advantage.
ResOlred That we reatlirn the proposition that the
Charter the organic law OF lnc VI
National Constitution, il cannot DC made permanent 1t
be the product OF mere political partlsahsp Al wise
statesmen concede as TO constitutional provisions
The same view Will yet be taken OF MUNICIPAL char
ter We have persistently demanded IN That view,
charter which Will secure executive responsibility anu
power Spring elections, checks upon peculauon ana
extravagant expenditure, economy III administration,
Representation OF the minority and complete publicity
in ali the departments OF Government. We have pre-
sented clauses 10 the legislative Committees 10 be IN
serted IN the proposed Charter 70 accomplish these great
ends We earnestly desire them adoped. we nave
good ground expect the Legislature will further
our We cannot believe that II VIII be 1aise 10
great OF reform from which 50 much pO-
itca force has been gained by the party In power IL
the Legislature fails to do its part In tins great work OF
municipal reorganization, the responsibility Will not rest
upon us, but upon 1t alone We have
now reached the crisis IN the affairs
of our ciCy. The members OF the Legislature
must take ground either IN favor Of Reform or against H.
The eyes fOf all well wishers of the Republic upon
them We strongly appeal 10 members Of the LeglsIa-
ture, who desire promote the public welfare, now 10
take position which VIII be shown TO he justined by
the hIg hest considerations of political eXpedeucy.