New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-10-23
MUNICIPAL MISRIIE.
A FLEA FoR UNITED ACTION BY TAXPAYERS
FORMATION OF CITIZENS COMMITTEE PRO

A PLEA FoR UNITED ACTION BY TAX-PAYERs-
FORMATION OF CITIZENS COMMITTEE FRO
POSED.
To the BditOr or The Trt6HHe.
SIR: 1t is the popularity of politicians to be
gasping aud selfish To complain Of the consequences
of committing such men exclusively the custody, con-
troll and disposition of the property Of our municipality
and OF our feOwctzens does not become unless we
are prepared to substitute for the existing race OF Office
holders Office seekers civil service maintained on
decent principles and organization OF taxpayers re
solved enforce their rights aud TO do their share OF
supervision and assistance in municipal government
believe that real estate owners whose Interests are
largely In the upper districts OF NeWYOrk have become
convinced Of the necessity Of some cooperative move
nent order their property from coniscation
There may be multitude OF plans for eyoking district
or general action this subject would for the mo-
ment suggest no untried experiment. Let MS have
body of respectable and welknOwn citizens similar To
the Committee OF Seventy which the work Of
reform in 1871 Agencies already trusted by practical
and honorable merchants and taxpayers for the conduct
OF important public work may be employed in the nom
ination OF such committee as | have Indicated Let
one OF the organizations named hereinafter invite the
rest through their executive officials or governing
board select three gentlemen including the President
or VcePresidcnt representatives upon the Citizens
Committee numbering thirtyOr more. other Oganza
lions shall come inwbin week OF the election, scrt
TIME the list of candidates especially for the Judiciary
and the aldcfmanic tickets and recommend TO the
people at large those only who known to be pay
ers and respectable mon.
II our Board of Aldermen composed exclusively
OF such persons would he approved by this Committee
II may be accepted certainty that needless extrava
giant and corrupt public works would never be contracted
for Here lies the root of the evil which deeply
Germs not alOUe the real estate owners but citizen
who pays Excessive and unjust assessments
largely the consequence Of the miserable political aud
ayarcOus schemes of Aldermen and their associates
that is scarcely cxaggertiOn to that honest
energetic. and intelligent Board of Aldermen would
speedily redeem city from misGule. Such Board,
with the of the Mayor aud the vgilant Con
trolle confidence in the ability of our cit
zens govern themselves. and to reduce the burden of
debt which involves property and the municipality in
endless trouble aud difficulty.
The organizations to which wonld appeal, as fairly
representing tine best people in the city, the Bar As
ISOLATION, Chamber of Commerce. Board OF Trade Me
chancs and Traders Exchange, Cotton Exchange. Prod
nee Exchange. stock Exchange. Clinton Hall Association,
Historical Society. West Side Association, East Side ASSO
citation 1t be urged that IL Is late for action this
year. Not all. Two three days would suffice for
conyenng such committee. 1t being understood that
work is strictly nOnpartsan. essentially labor OF
and sefntcrcst there seems Ia be no objection To
the gentlemen temporarily al the head OF these organza
volunteering to associate themselves in Citizens
Committee for the public good. Tho action OF such
body would be supported by all good citizens, ana their
conclusion need only he printed in the daily papers 10 he
circulated throughout the town The Young Mems Mu-
and the effective eectOnecring would be done by
energetic and intelligent young men Is there dis
position to try this experiment A CITIZEN.
Netr- York, oct 20. 1873.