, 1875-01-12

Some tino ago Commission of two men
was appointed to prepare new charter for
the municipality Of Boston. Its most rro1ni-
nent member was Judge D. r. Curtis, WHO
was perhaps tho ablcst constitutional lawyer
in the country. Before his death, last Sop
tenber, tho main provisions Of the charter
were all decided upon, so that the instrument
bears tho wcighty impress Of lis hand
throughout The chartcrhas to bo submitted
to the City Council, which will probably re-
jcct 1t, since it ourtaila tho power Of tho
Council and sadly interferes with ring rulo in
general. 1t can thcn, however, bo presented
to tho Legislature. If ratified by TINT body
and by the popular vote, it will become law,
despite the Council. It is full Of hinta for
Chicago reformers, and wo therefore skotcll
its scope with somo detail
The'e1ecutive and Legislative functions are
sharply divided, and tho former il centercd
in the Mayor. His term of Office is fixed at
three years, and he is to receive an "honor
abte and adequate" salary, which must not
be changed during his term. 1Io has tho veto
powor, appoints, with the approval OF the
Council, all hends of Departments and mem.
bers Of Commissions, except somo Of the
School Board, md has entire control Of the
police. It will be seen that his 1ntics and
responsibility aro grcat1y magnifed. The
Legislative branch is to consist of two Houses,
-twelye Aldermen, chosen for three years,
one.thiEd Of them annually, and forty-eight
Councilmen, chosen for two years, half of
them annually. It is expressly provided that
no Alderman or Councillor shall discharge
any executive function or spend eny Of the
public money. The executive Departments
are many,-altogethor too many. There
are fifteen Of them. Fourteen are under the
charge Of Commissions Of from three to five
members. Tho remaining ono, the Public
School Board consists of six members ap-
pointed by the Mayor and committee Of
forty-cight, elected by tho people, two from
each word. This machinery seems altogether
too cumbrous. Government by Commissions
or Boards is an outgrowth Of lato years, and
has served as cover for tho most stupendous
frauds. It vas the machinery with which
TWEED worked, and the minor TwErps Of
other cities have found it an apt tool for their
purposes. 1t scattors responsibility, whereas
ths greot reform needed, in municipal and
nntional politics, is to concentrate RESPONSE
bility. This is tho weak point of tho Boston
charscr. 1t is something to be Summed, not
copied, by Western reforners. Tho Mayor, to
be sure, has tho power Of removing his
appointoes, and this is IN admirable rro-
vision, but it is not enough. No ring of
four or five mon can be broken up by dis
placing one or two Of its members. Each
Department should DO undcr tho control Of
ono man, appointed by and removable by tho
Mayor. Then responsibility is reduced to
tino point, and men insrusted with powor
dare not misuse it. The system of govern
ment by Boards is largely due to the costly
passion for multiplying offices which can be-
used as political bribes, and to tho fact that
1t furnishes such a safe cloak for corruption.
There is no more senso in having Board Of
Fire Affairs than Board OF Mayors. When
Capitalization Of power involves greater, in
stead OF less, responsibility to tho people, it
is something to bo sought instead Of Stunned.