The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-26

ests they cover. Strip the Comptroller of this
patronage, and he will be more capable of dis
charging his responsible duties with efficiency
and impartiality. The plan we propose is in
reality founded upon the model of the United
States government The Commissioner Of
Public Revenues would stand in position
similar TO that of the Secretary of the United
States Treasury The Comptroller's Office
would be q subordinate but independent
bureau in the Finance Department, the Same
as the Comptroller's Bureau in Washington
or the present Chamberlain's Bureau in this
city. The Comptroller would have almost the
same control of the fiscal concerns of the cor
poration as at present; would still examine and
approve all accounts against the city, sign war
rants and perform the other duties pertaining
to such an Office But the supervision Of all
the bureaus and the large patronage of the
Department would vest in the Commissioner
of Public Revenues, and the Comptroller,
whose duties demand entire impartiality,
would not be called upon to audit approve
and pay the claims of host of ofice-holders
Of his own creation, who would be, in the
event of the appointment of q political or
dishonest Comptroller, his tools and accom-
plices.
In framing the charter the Legislature
should, as we have said, look to the founda-
ton of sound and well-guarded system of
government, and not to the mere fitting of the
law to the present officials or to the interests
of any particular set of individuals Mr..
Havemeyer will not always be Mayor of the
city, and hence the desire of the Committee Of
Seventy to make the charter for him and not
for the city is but shortsighted policy. So
for as the appointments are concerned it mat
ters very little to the people who may secure
the Offices so long as their duties are faithfully
and honestly performed. But it is essen
tial that harmony should be re-
stored among the various departments,
and that the powers and duties of
each should be distinctly defined. The dis
graceful squabblings and jealousies that have
prevailed for the last year are destructive of
efficient government. The great interests of
the city have seriously suffered Public i'm
provements have come to a standstill; the
works laid out in the upper part of the island
have been interrupted; assessment Lists of
over two millions and half have laid in
the Comptroller's Office over year, upon
which seven per cent interest has been running
on assessment bonds, while valuable time has
been wasted on idle law suits and purpossless
quarrels. All this should be brought to
an end without delay. The republicans,
who have carried the city on the
promise of giving the citizens vigorous,
enterprising and liberal, as well as an honest,
government, and who have a large majority in
both houses of the State Legislature, will be
held responsible for their pledges and for the
future management of our city affairs. The
cry of non-partisanship raised by those who
desire to partition the spoils among the
strongest partisans in both parties is fraud
If the republicans choose to work with DEM
ocratic tools they can do so. If they desire to
trust their own men with power, they are
equally welcome. But they are bound to give
New York good and harmonious city govern
ment, and the people are willing that they
shall do so in their own way.