New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-01-08
THE DEBTS OF CITIES.

GOV. HARTRANFTS SUGGESTIONS
A DIVISION OF CITY INTO SMALL MUNICIPALITIES
ADVANTAGEOUS HOW ECoSohicAL GOVERN
MENT WOULD BE SECURED BY THE MEASURE
IRON A STAFF CORRESPONDENT on THE TRIBUsEi
HARRISBURG, Penn, Jan. 6.-The forcilje
manner in which Gov HdTtranft calls attention in his
message 10 the alarming Increase OF dobt and taxation
large cities surpnses politicians OF both partiOs aud
ELECTS the hearty praise of thoughtful who have for
several years past to lOOa upon the growing ex.
travagancc ana corruption in municipal governments a,
one OF the chief evils OF the times Gov Hrtrnft sas
that IN thus pointing acknowledged evil he had
intention ~ striking nj any particular city any special
set OF men There II evidently something wrong IN the
present sysem Of administering the affairs Of ces and
ho thinks it IL tirie determined effort were made
to effect reform In his message NJ does not prescribe
remedy but asks the Legislature 10 authorize him APP
point commission 20 examine into the condition N tho
municipalities in the state and prepare legislation to
prevent tho continuance OF the abuses OF power by which
tie local authorities are loading debts upon thea beyond
tie ability ~ Tie property holders ~ ply. II the Legis
lauro acceds bis requostand he will his personal
influence 20 keep the question alive in both Iiousesa
commission will I've appointed composed Of men Of high
character end fitness for the work, and is report viii
attract attention throughout the country FOR the evil ID
will attack Is by confined 10 Pennsylvania.
In con crsaon the Governor says that he disposed
TO thin. at TIE most efficient remedy will be found ia
dividing large cities like Philadelphia into number ~
small municipalities. Joined in a central governments for
certain specified ana limited objects. The SEPARATE
municipal governments should have the power OF taxa
tioafoI U,- pulposes. such schools and sloot ia.
prycme;.ts while the gcntri city government should
control Tie police the fire department. wafer works and
aud eeWcrS Under the present. system the members OF
cii council strive each TO get mach money spent N
city f. regarded IL 81 contents belonged tO enemy.
and lawful spo for whoever could seize upon them
II every ward raised by taxation the money spent
hon
oftgiui7 lion at is certon the Governor thinks the
o.Iciala would DO be tn u nuch sricter accouiia
bllty and degree or economy WnniN prNah tnt
a. lrlf1Yn. Philadelphia formerly consisted OF
collection of small municipalities, and the aaiIs 81 most
OF them were administered in an honest ana eflnont
manner.
rs LONG M vast sums u money nro spent by small
body of cf t, the Governor believe 10 WEI D. hifd %
Ind u remedy for the corrupt practices now 40 much
complained a.. Ia small municipalities, ~ III country
toNn,h tle puDc officers are under tue eyes 81 i1ar
,le management OF afIrs. There T. moi much money 10
handle, ana therefore DO great temptation 10 maze
officials dishonest. Ia la-ge municaiitls ON TIE ,0n
tsry, TIE vote 81 the sn<e CIrn - or 80 ltie Nt'h
that n" often ind arcnt about Using u; power accu
muatns I'm the hands of few men. responsible only 10
tla whole body ~ yOtrrs The vast macIiiy Of whon
n. NJ, ~ money De ui>blr-cd attract d-lDnt>t ~ u.
AID often UIH. u0Ac,t intn Togtts. These Vows ~
Governor advance ia no Upnondted way, bni raef N
fine film col -fg,Sfios 4 cOult--pf OF HDlc men. no
tipl- mi .tt ord % he remedy brit ti remedy
ought speedily DC applied be y yeH positive. 10
riti. 10 municipalities swept away Gnd comprlcn-
siy- ana uniform code gtc.ed. an1 IA as clt ioanfs
luaidru l.u-t Being pttitlui5 tempered VIA % 40
icesllfur. IL cs Alteration 10 fht fr tlat Tie npN
institution does NOT. rnPp'srd by s0,ae, prevent
,he pasc oi special laws Tor PhilaiepilA end rus
classes a4i requires that an lcgisatlnn aetEg lhon
snail 20 gcg,ra. Tor class; blt ns PhlnlePiia - tie
tie second socia aos affecting either be pat unsr
the guls- % general laws.