The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-02
THE BROOKLYN CHARTER.
sGNAroR GOES PROPOSITION TO REVIVE THE
IRRESPONSIBLE BOARDS.

aeNAToH GOES PROPOSITION TO REVIVE THE
IRRESPONSIBLE BOARDS.
20 TIE EDITOR or THE HERALD
A nation is simply an aggregation OF munlcipali.
ties. ana unless municipal governments are pro-
tscted Capitalization auarcny Is sure to follow.
Municipal government Is embraced in the words
s'home rule, and Wherever 1t is permitted econ {.
Omy and official honesty flourish. Prior to the
Revolution the colonies were each governed under
local charters. one cause OF the hatred OF the
colonies to England was the repeated attempts OF
the Crown TO interfere In their domestic affairs.
The founders OF This government were home rul.
ers In the strongest sense oil the term The Rev.
C'1rlon was caused by George Ill. violating the
Principles VI home rule The Trainers OF the con-
sttution OF the United States took every precau-
ton to protect the rights OF every State and
municipality. BY fore, OF circumstances, since
the late rebellion, the federal government has
arrogated power to interfere with local affairs,
and the result has been discomfort, corruption
and confusion.
Where municipal government is so constituted
that part OF The government goes out this year
and part next the puoc have little control and
are reduced 10 she sad necessity OF fighting cor.
Tuption by ptecemeal. This called the classified
system.n ON the other hand, where the entire
government Is elected Tor the same period. and
SO great that all parnes regard 1t. This Is known
as the popular svstem.' The classified system
cnded in total failure. The popular system was in
vogue in this country until within thirty or forty
years, when the classified system began to be
adopted. Ever since municipal government has
been growing worse until imbecllty and malfeas-
ance seems lnseparabie from local boa rds.
The city OF Brooklyn, like many other cities In
the State has let the blight oil special legislation
1he revenues OF the city were so Immense tnat q
without causing much attention. Tue Assembly.
IN the interest OF politicians. altered the old
vls0rs became classified bodies. lew Aldermen
would 20 out this year. a few Supervisors next
and 80 on From mat moment those ooards began
popular system, party lines were strictly drawn:
When cleo ion time came the minority assailed
ments were made, taxes had increased or any
department broken uown, the majority alone
were responsible Electlons then were periods
OF great excitement rich and poor attended the
polls. and every ballot was vote Of confidence or
When this "popuiar system" was abolished and
the classified system substituted thlngs changed.
Party opposition dled out. Leaders were no
sought tier by poIltIclans- Official creatures 10
professional politicians. became more useful.
lions between born parties. Mixed commissions
came in vogue, where half the members were re.
publican and hall demOcratic-like hat infamous
body, the late Board eli Supervisors OF New YORK.
The interest o. the city was divided into fractions
and different boards or governments were estao-
In 1872, q number of leading citizens drew up
Charter. Their Object.was TO restore home rule"
abolish the CLASSIFIED system, make the Board
OF Aldermen the supreme and only legislative
body over municipal interests and every other
board subordinate, to get rid OF double
government and useless officials. This charter,
though sadly mutiiated. was passed alter much
opposition. The result was that. from being one
OF the worst governed cities In the state IL IS no.
the best. Next all the entire Board OF Aldermen
are to be eec ed Tor the first time in over
quarter OF q century.
For some unexplained reason Senator COe haa
introduced OH In the Senate restoring the old
CLASSIFIED system The result will be, If the bill
passes that Brooklyn viii have once more two
distinct governments, each administering a frac-
tlOnal interest, and eacn Dv reason OF the cassl.
lied system on which 1t Is elected, removed Us lar
as possible from the healthy influence OF public
opinion. In short the evils abolished will be re-
stored and system thai never should nave been
permltted VIII be ndugurated against the wishes
and interests vi the people, S.