New-York tribune., 1874-05-05
BROOKLYN CHARTER AMENDMENTS.

A SERIES or CHANGES MADE IN HASTE BY THE
observation-disclosures OF MAYOR HUNTER AND
GEN. JoURDAN-THE ALDERMEN IN THE DARK.
The general character of the amendments to
the Brooklyn Charter are not generally known, ana
prominent officials unaware Of changes about to be
made in their departments II the bill receives the
sanction OF the Governor Gen. James Jourdan, Presl
dent of the Boards Of Police Excise. and Health. in
response to the inquiries OF TRIBUNE reporter said
that the charges that the charter amendments were
gotten up to make places for Republican politicians was
unounded The necessity OF amendments to the charter
OF 1873 was apparent BY its provisions therewas TO be
no election of Aldermen until 1875. Now. Of the
amendments Is simply the changing OF into 4.
without this, there could be no elections for the
ten Aldermen whose positions become vacant this
Fall. In regard to the Board OF Health, 1t was
stated that IL costs at least $4,000 per
year more than its predecessor The Democrats, while
IN power had way OF making small appropriations
and afterwari coming in with deficiency ibill In this
way their expenses during the last year were $4,000
The expenses Of the present Board cannot exceed sOOO
IN allan increase Of $500 at the utmost, which
is more than compensated for lby the addi-
tonal work which is to be done. 1t IN
tended to have added TO the Board Of Health the
Mayor OF the city and the President OF the Board
Of City Works. The Republican members were all in
favor Of this The Mayors presence In the Board would
lend 1t great deal OF authority, which might be
sary during an epidemic period There must have been
some opposition from the Democrats which prevented
his being made member OF the Board, aud substituted
IN his stead Jacob IL Bergen, the President OF the
Board OF Aldermen IL had been stated that the
real object OF the change to get rid OF Edward
Clark the oa contractor OF the city, who pays the city
$500 per year for the privilege or removing o &c.
from the city limits. But IL costs thousands every
to watch Clark TO that he does his work. and
then 10 Is soyenly done. During last Summer dead
horses and dead goats left rotng IN the streets OF
the city until the stencil became unbearable The
Board, 1t Is said, Is authorized 20 spend $4,000
more this year. 1t IL also empowered TO aunul
ones This is because tho Board of Health being held
responsible for the sanitary safety of the city IL Is only
fair that they should have authority 10 direct the
measures for the performance OF which they are
held responsible. The selling or kerosene oil Will
be restricted This Ia necessary measure. The
Inspector viii be legisated Oi Office, and under
the amendment the license fee OF oil sellers TO
De s. per year, and the fne for selling without
license will be ESQ IL has been extensively circulated
that the Police Board empowered 10 employ Gd
dtiOna counsel $500 per year. This Is true.
Assembyman John Oakley counsel. and add
uOnal counsel Is required The amendment relating TO
the police is limiting the number OF police surgeons.
Tho present regulation regarding them gives Que
geOn for each two precincts The regulation states
that theer shall be no more than nyo surgeons. This
number Il now employed
Mayor Hunter and Controller Schroeder visited
but both were unaware OF the nature Of the amend
ments Mayor Hunter said that from present appear
anCes II would soOn 10 be doubtful question as 10 who
The head VI tho ctS-the Preaant vi the Board VI