New-York tribune., 1873-01-08


the Of this scheme Of depreciation and as
one OF Ia natural appendages useless offices have oeen
| maintained and enormous salaries annexed them,
either rewards 10 the parsans ~ s authors, or with
view TO divert attention from the frauds they were
perpetratng hy the exhibition OF kindred extravagan
cles In the chief departments OF the municipal govern
en and to silence by exorbitsnt stipends. those Who
from close connection them could scarcely fail to
be cognzant of their guilt Nor Is this all There were
forming ho serSses oe SSaeve Some Of the largest
salaries are bestowed upon officers Of inferior grades
holding places which require, by comparison with high
er official stations but a moderate capacity. Thus the
Police Justices who for the most part persons OF
ability, have received and still claim salaries OF $4,000
per annul, when half Of that sum would be an ample
The GG S of most Of The Departments is ac
corning ~ the scale or extravaganee Insre are
$4,000 five Commissioner Public Chayitles five Com
missioners OF the Fre Department, and hye Commie-
roners OF Public Docks, with salaries OF 10000 each. l
believe that in most. all Of these cases the organ
izatons would be far more effective there were In
each department Commissioner, as responsible
head 10 perform most OF the labor, with the highest
salary now paid, and the Others with oneiourth OF
departments have been more economically OF e1clenty
administered than those, which have been conhded 10
character, wealth and leisure In NewYOrk who are al
ways ready to accept official positions which are merely
honorary and which the interests Of the city
deeply concerned Their interests and their pride
in ITS good name, have always been sufficient
vice When the city has such resource. ii is not only
needless expense but prodiga waste OF ts means TO
6estow upon them exorbtant gratuties. The sheriff,
register Of deeds county clerk and coroners are paid by
Tees and their compensation amounts 10 enormous
sum, altogether dsprUportioned 70 their services
recommend that the fees OF their offices be paid into the
city treasury. and that they be compensated by liked
salaries.
Unless provision Is made by law for uprootnG the e1
lstlng system OF municipal government, much doubt
whether the evils which have grown lp with it, and
some Of which cling to It stil, can be efectnay eradi-
municipal officers and appointing others IN their place
whenever he may think necessary for the purpose OF
carrying reform distinctly demanded by the
pubic voice In this case the Whole responsibility o.
seelg tnat the anllrs OF the city are honestly @ Sna
In either respect will make him Justly amenable to pub
Tic condemnation. The welknOwn integrity nrmness,
and experience Of present incumbent OF the office OF
Mayor give the strongest assurance that the power re-
ferfed Ia nav be safely ntrsted 10 h and that it will
be exercised solely in the interests OF thecy. should
TINS suggestion meet your approval AL the 0tner needed
measures OF reform may De provided ior Dy ie" well
Enlightened statesmanship In the eager pursuit OF
remedies for political and arbitrary control OF
maiorties has devised plan for securing the repre-
nieipa organzatons arst and since then n the more
extended sphere OF popular representation the plan has
been adopted with satisfactory results In Denmark ana
England in numerous cities and townships in Pennsyl-
vania and in of Illinois at large 1t has been
successfully carried into practice In the latter three
representatives, OF members OF the more numer-
GUS branch OF the Legislature, are elected in
each Senatorial District, and each qualified
may votes for person or distribute
them. he may think ht At the late election the
object in view proportional representation was secured
aud the composition OF the House OF Representatives
said 70 reflect IN exact proportions, the numerical
strength OF parties in the state BY this plan, with the
yreatest preponderance matortyis likely 70 possess,
the minority sure representation 10 detect resist
and expose abuse dlher with my Learned predecessor
regard the power Of the Legislature 70 adopt tins
plans and believing that 1t will prove check 70 the ten
dency ma0res representative bodies to disregard
the rights OF mnorities and 10 forget
ness OF their strength that the OF their consttu
paramount 20 their own, respectfully recon-
mend that it he adopted the City OF New-York for
in which than one person OF the same body
CRIME.
The alarming increase in frequency OF the crime OF
murder the city and It's enyrons demand your most
serious consideration Scarcely day passes without
witnessing a brutal and III many instances a fatal,
saut upon the persOns OF unofendng individuals usually
in drinking Saloons often the most frequened streets
and sometimes within the pureus Of Justice. Ac
oOrdng to the reports OF the secretary OF state on the
Of crime there less than three convictions
per for murder in the state during the nine
was not single conviction for that crime Since then
the number OF in which life taken has
aed with fearful rapldity This deplorabe increase Is
due 10 variety OF causes. Among them may be
aed failure TO convict from tine reluctance Of jurors
10 bring a verdict OF willful murder involving the
punishment OF death; the difficulty OF obtaining
iuries competent intelligence; the incapacity or
the delays in carrying sentences into execution by
the interpositon Of legal techncates. 1t will be in
hope for the suppression Of crime unless the
retriDutOn prompt and certain. The leading objects
OF the protection Of life and the security
OF property. No political system retain the cOnn
dence Of those who I've under IL unless these objects are
effectlaly accomplished. The lamentable manner in
York has forced upon the minds or many thoughtful
persons the unweoOme question whether their lives and
lar form " government. Nothing can be more deporabe
than the suggestion OF doubt as 70 tue superiority OF
character Under this view OF the subject the duty OF
securing property from depreciation and lie rom
meets itself closely with durability or political
system; for the machinery Of tue law proves made
il will soon be NJ e TO give way the VI force.
The difficulty which have alluded in obtaining ju-
of tu4if
rule OF law which had is origin IN period OF eompara
tive Ignorance, and under which has been almost u
possible 10 impanel a proper jury, in capital case.
The universal distribution OF the press brings to every
mans door the narration OK passing events ana every
intelligent person rises from perusal with distinct
impression In regard 70 them. II such an Impression ls
be treated opinion not TO be modified or changed
hearing OF eyidencs on both sides lnteDgene
and reflection the very qualities needed TO pronounce
righteous Judgment would disqualiy most OF our elti
zens from serving when murder Is 70 be tried
Under the passed at the last session of the Leg
atTe jury has recently alg Oseh s 70 by 5Sped
tnat this enactment viii prove IN pIaetlce remedy
FOR The difficulty referred TO- The further Obstacle 70
through the nterpOsiton OF legal teehncaes needs 10
be removed by some proper and elective Proylson OF
law. In framing our system OF criminal Jurisprudence,
the mercifu purpose OF protecting tue innocent irul
unjust conviction kept chiefly in view IL Is worthy
We may not created impedments TO the punish
ment OF the guilty and given rem TO crime through its
PROTECTION AGAINST FIRE.
The confagration of large portions OF the cities OF
Chicago and Boston, involving immense sacrifice OF
property and the loss OF many lives suggests the neces
silly OF revising existing laws in regard TO the e0nstrnc
ton OF buildings the deposit Of eonbubtbes within
our principal cities II due to the security Of property
and life that the provisions OF law in respect TO both
should be OF the most stringent character unuer lhe
existing law, the superintendent of Buildings IN the
CITY OF NewYOrk is authorized 10 msdify It's require
ments. with the consent OF the Supreme Court III Il
not TO be expected that the members OF TINS oody,
from the nature OF their functions, VIII De SO
competent 20 form a correct Judgment IN regaru
10 the proprety OF such notifications In special cases as
whose connection with the subjects OF nres ana
gives extent the character OF eA
perts. therefore recommend that no modification OF