The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-01
0svsxnor TiidsR sRd the City CHAR
ter--"Retter Late than Never"

| thorough reorganization OF our huunaSAP0A BS'-
eminent We trust this is true. There is no
subject on which the sagacity of the Governor
could DO more usefully employed We only
regret that he did not take this great subject
| in hand at an earlier stage ofthe session. We
fear it is too late 10 do anything valuable be-
fore this Legislature adjourns, although there
is no subject, not even canal reform, on which
the necessity for early action is SO urgent
| This city comprises about one-fourth OF the
population OF the State. 1t contains nearly
one-half Of the taxable property. The value
of the rural property OF the State is more than
doubled by its nearness to so great and valua-
BILE market as New York city. This city is
the chief mart of the foreign commerce of the
country and has close business rela-
tons with every State in the Union.
1t has been . painful surprise during
the winter and spring that Governor Tilden,
q resident of this metropolis, lawyer whose
extensive professional relations with various
railroad interests have given him clear per-
ception Of the importance of the city to the
general commerce of the country, should have
treated its wants with apparent indifference.
Nobody knows better than he how scanda-
lousy this great city has been misgoyerned.
Nobody better understands the defects of its
present charter. 1t seemed astonishing
therefore, that be should permit the greater
part of the session to pass without lifting
finger for the redress Of its grievances and the
rectfcation Of abuses which have so long pre-
vailed in its municipal administration. We
attention on this great subject. We pledge
him our loyal support in any intelligent
efforts he may make to give US wise munich
pal government. We are sorry he begins 50
late, but we will not further reproach his
hardness if he will now lift this great subject
into the prominence it deserves.
The friends authorized to speak for him
express doubts whether the contemplated
message will be sent in now or deferred
till the next Legislature. We regret that
he has given occasion for such doubt. His
1 plan, so far as he has foreshndowed 1t, requires
1 no delay in the first steps. So for as it can
be conjectured from what he has given out it
contemplates the passage of law authorizing
him to appoint a commission Of eminent
citizens to frame charter to be submitted
to the people of the city Tor adoption. There
| is no reason why he should not ask the
present Legislature to confer on him this
authority. Governor Tilden has been too
long conversaut with the subject to need
another year for sketching the outlines Of
good charter. and the maturing Of the details
should be left to the capable men whom he
will appoint as commissioners with the adj
vantage Of bis suggestions in the progress Of
their work. The Legislature is entitled to
know his chief points, his fundamental con-
ceptions, before it passes such an act; but the
minor provisions and adjustments should be
lett 10 the commission. The act ought to be
4 passed before this session closes, with a pro-
vision tor submitting the new charter to our
citizens in the next election.
If it be true that the Governors plan con-
TEMPLATES submission of the charter to O
vote Of the people and makes its success de-
pend on their acceptance it Will vindicate the
4 Cover tors fidelity to the great principle of
home rule Such plan-if this be the plan
/ is full recognition OF the right of the people
of the city to determine the form Of their
local government The project Of commits
! sion Of competent men TO frame a charter is
preferable to the direct action Of the Legisla-
ture, a majority Of whose members know
nothing Of city affairs. We are quite willing
to trust the selection Of the commission to the
untrammelled choice OF the Governor. Such
ex-Mayors Of the city as Mr. Opdyke and Mr..
Hoffman would be valuable members Of the
commission, because they would contribute
ripe experience and practical knowledge of
details. Tax Commissioner George II.
Andrews would be good member. One Of
our great property holders, like William B.
| Astor, some eminent lawyer Of the standing Of
Sfr. Evarts, and even apractical politician like
John Kelly, would be fit members Of such
commission. 1t should be so composed
as to give il the advantage Of every
variety Of municipal experience, SO that no
/ important point could escape attention, but
with such a ballast Of high character ard
strong sense that crude or one-sided sugges-
tons would be ruled cut A charter framed
by such commission would embody the most
I enlightened ideas on tho subject Of municipal
government, and would doubtless be adopted
by great majority Of our others The plan
OF the commission should not be reported to
future Legislature for its sanction, but be
submitted directly to the voters Of the city.
This would be home rule under the guidance Of
eminent practical wisdom. A charter thus
framed and adopted should be superior to any
thing We can ever expect from rural legisla-
tors who know nothing Of the city and whose
ignorance makes them the easy dupes Of art
ful and plausible demagogues who assume to
represent the city,
We hope Governor Tilden viii net spoil
great opportunity by that tendency 70 pro-
crastinaiion which Is the infrm part Of his
character. The laurels ne has won By his ap-