New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-05-01
n4prIc1N LEGISLATION.

p4RTIS1N LEGJSLA1ION.
Tho bills reducing tho Police and Park
Commissions TO four members, and giving the
Movor the power to fill vacancies without
confirmation by the Aldermen, have passed
both branches of the Legislature, and Deeh
anproved by the Governor. AS minated yes
terdav. we attach to these measures less I'M
portance than did the minority IN tne
Assembly. II is doubtful if they 90
much harm, and 1t is reasonably certain
that. after the Mayor had served distinct
notice that he was no party to the bargain
the partisan majority would have had httio
motive in examining them down the throats
of the Legislature but for the feeling that
70 abandon tho scheme on the heels OF
the Mayors letter would make them rluIou'
ulous. IL is dcubLful whether they gam
much by the bills, even in a partisan point OF
view. but they escape absurdity. Neverthe-
less we look upon these bills as dlscredltable
measures, in5tigated by partisan purposes ana
pushed forward by tricl,ery; and we are
sorry that Gov. Dix has signed them'
Theoretically it is proper that the appoint
mont and removal of executive officers should
rest with the Mayor, and when the Charter
was under discussion the proposal to give
him full power for these purposes and b0ld
him strictly responsible for its judicious ex-
ercise was approved by lis, as it was by Mayor
Havemeyer himself But the Republicans in
the Legislature saw fit to order things
differently, and the nominations OF the
Mayor were made TO depend upon the
confirmation of the Board of Aldermen. They
had partisan object to serve in this, ana inc
wishes of the citizens were not consulted
about it, They have a partisan object to
serve now by upsctting their previous arrange
ment. and again they act with entire indlifer-
ence to the people they are supposed to
represent OF course they have gained no
sudden light upon the principles Of municipal
government. They have no more idea now
than they had before of permitting the Mayor
to bear the responsibility of the government
of the city. The CuStOm-house politicians
who manage this trick have expressed an I'M
limited contempt and distrust of tho Mayor
all through his term, and have ceusured most
of his appointments with extreme violence.
They have not suddenly become his friends.
Accident has reduced the Police and Park
Commissions to a condition where the Custom
house faction would be glad to have them
remain and the imaginary power of appoint
ment conferred by the bill is probably neu-
tralized so far as the present Mayor is
concerned by the clause fixing the number OF
members at four instead of five. IL the
Custom-house has dccenty good luck, there
Will be no more vacancies during Mr.. Have
meyers term, and consequently no chance of
changing the political complexion of either
Board this year. With the Police and Park
Commissions to rely upon, Mr. Geo. Bliss, jr,
and his fellow-seryants doubtless think 1t will
be strange if they cannot succeed in carrying
the next election, and putting III Mayor OF
their own TO ill all future vacancies strictly
according to order
The real want of New-York in the matter
of municipal government, is simplicity and re-
sponsibility. Give us few officers, clearly
responsible for distinctly defined duties,
chosen at a separate election, 80
that no merely partisan issues can
confuse the choice, and then let them
have the power to govern. If they govern
ill., voters can see who is responsible, and
have al opportunity to apply the cor
receive. If voters do not do it, then
they will deserve just such government
as they get. In a word. we believe in Republic
can institutions. The present mode of govern
ing New York is shamelessly anti-Republican.
We have not abandoned the idea that
here as elsewhere the people have right
to control their own Government. If We must
abandon it, it viii be only after such fair
trial as the system of self-gOvernment has not
had in NewYork for many year. Till we
can reach that system, we simply object to any
partisan tinkeIing. 1t is in the interest of the
party now in power to-day; tomorrow 1t will
be in the interest of the party then in power;
always it will be against the interest of the
people whom it affects. Such as our present
makeshift of municipal government is, VIC
are used to it and can get along. We protest
against needless changes for merely partisan
purposes Ii we can be left to govern our
selves. well if not. please let us alone. The
Legislature has not chosen to do this, and we
make bold to suggest that the partisans who
hope to profit by the meddling will yet perish
by the sword they have invoked.
As an instance OF the unduatons Of the temper
ance movement the proceedings at Pennington,