The New York herald., 1876-01-20
SPRING ELECTIONS.
Interviews with Senators and Mem
bers of the House.
THE NEW CHARTER DISCUSSED
General Approval of the Spring
Election Clause.
ALBANY. Jan. 10. 1879.

! Messrs woodln, Wagner, Tobey, Baaden Jacobs and
Morrssey.
In answer TO your correspondent his views con-
cerning new charter and spring election for New
York CITY. Senator Woodn sand: :-'I in favor Of
new charter and a spring election, If | could see my
way clear to having them. If you tell me what
that combination is down in New York give you
pretty fair idea whether bill for a spring election
will pass There's no getting the fact that COM
binaLion to beat charter and spring election has
been made How strong It is cannot say. II is SAID
Governor Tden is in it, OF which there can hardly be
any reasonable doubt II is true he is pledged TO
spring election but what can he do II he has deber
] aely entered into bargain with certain parties in
| New York TO throw his influence against it In
\ the hopo OF being paid back an equivalent
While l favor any measure that may give
the people Of New York more satisfactory local
government, cannot overlook the fact that spring
election will involve expense that the city is i'll ht-
ted to bear The election expenses for the year will be
! just doubled Still that would not deter from
voting for it If were quite it would prove final
There Is going into this thing with the
chances Of being defeated. That in turning out
the two Police Commissioners shows plainly that bar
gain and sale has been made between certain high
tracing parties on both sides of politics"
! SENATOR WAGNER.
! Senator Wagner said 81 want to see and read
the proposed charter. want to hear from those who
have framed il what arguments they have to give in
favor oft As a spring election haven't made up
! my mind. There is one argument in its favor ana
another against The in favor is that 1t would
give the people better chance of getting
good and efficient officers; the other is that 1t would
stir up excitement and involve expense. Where
municipal State and national candidates all boxed
up together the chances the municipal will
embrace many equivocal nominations, but where the
local ticket alone there better prospect
the people getting the right kind of candidates for
local offices. open to conviction and not
mitted way the otner There is good deal to
be said both sides but until the question is fairly
before 1t would be premature to decide"
SENATOR BOOTH.
Senator Booth said:--sI would like TO see the
charter first and hear it discussed before making up my
mind There is no doubt that there are a great
many abuses in the city government Of New York that
demand being remedied. am entitled to say from
the of being of the committee appointed to in
vestigate the departments their working. If we
cannot have a new charter we certainly must have a
number of amendments. l not in favor
OF legislating out Of office who have
been elected by the people for certain
term without sufficient l ready
anybody defer to the wishes of the people of the
city of New York. and II they want spring election
they must have it, That, however remains TO be
vassed / think do without charter
| Our report will point out abuses that should be
rected 1t will embrace recommendations based on
inquiry and observation that the Legislature act
upon by amendments to the present charter. But my
mind is not yet made up as to the final course shall
take. There may be very good advanced for
spring election and charter and shall give them
all due weight"
SENATOR ToBEY.
Senator Tobey said son the question of a spring
election believe the republicans will a unit
What side they may take cannot say. myself am in
favor of certain changes in the method of municipal
administration in New York Our committee OF inves-
tgation discovered great many abuses that call for
correction If the proposed charter be like the synop-
sis have read in the papers has chance of pass
ing The idea Of one Fire Commissioner with a salary
of $4,000 year is simply ridiculous That sort OF
trenchment look upon the very of economy
When the subject up for consideration shall
probably hold caucus and decide what course TO pur-
sue. The chances of success be considered. In
the first place, IL is unlikely Governor Tiden will
sent to have Mayor Wickham and Comptroller Green
legislated OF Office Then il is a question whether
a spring election would bring the republican vote;
and Tammany Hail. having the organization, would
sweep the field and place matters in condition
than before terrible tight may be expected over the
question. but II Is my impression great deal will de-
pen Upon the two republican Senators from New
York Their views will be deferred to- and one OF the
two possesses the entire confidence by of long
acquaintance, OF all the republicans in the Legisla-
ture."
SENATOR BADEN
Senator Baden said:'I think IL is a very good idea
TO separate the local from the and national
tions next fall The State ticket has too often dragged
with il the local ticket loaded down with the worst
class Of candidates. The only objection see to II IS
the EXPENSE but then that is A small consideration II
tie proposed scheme turns real benefit to New
York city OF course cannot say am committed to
it, for am committed to nothing We must have dis
II, and II convinced clearly for the
welfare OF the people OF Now York city III vote for 1t
without hesitation"
Senator Jacobs d-"l have given the subject very
little attention. but from what know Of spring eeop
lions in Brooklyn, recolect that the chief complaint
made against them that they failed TO bring out
full Still there may be analogy between the
Of Brooklyn and New York In New York the
people have shown what they can do when
they are in earnest about municipal reforms,
and perhaps spring election where property questions
were involved and the issue was simply one OF honest
government where all classes OF citizens would be in
terested, might draw out the entire independents
vote, composed of merchants, &C, who feel inter
est in having two such Offices that Of Mayor and
Comptroller In honest and able hands. l shall be
guided BY what consider the best interests oi the
people OF New York. and when have read the charter
I'll be better able 10 give an opinion the question"
SENATOR hoRRIssEY.
Senator Morrissey said:-'I not committed either
10 a new charter or spring election / want TO hear
the arguments for and against There is grievous
want OF harmony among the departments of New York
city and county They are all hgnting among them
selves. The Mayors Office and the Comptrolers the
Board Of Pubic Works the Fire and Police depart
ments the Dock Department aud even the Park De.
partment, are all out OF joint 1t is the most scandal
Gus exhibition OF city government that
was seen. Why, all OF these branches OF
the municipality should 60 together like cockwork
big reform is wanted In New York city. How get
IL is now the question. This is subject that takes
time to think You cannot rush charter through
here until Il is sifted and weighed Perhaps may
be able TO get all we want without any charter al all
There Is no occasion for any hurryn
VIEWS or THR ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE
The Assembly Committee Cities composed OF
the following members:-Fish, Of Putnam; Higgins OF
Kings; Smith, OF Onondaga; Graham Of Monroe; Pea
body, OF New YORK; Guge OF New York; McGroarty
OF Kings; Whitson, OF New York and Killan, Of New
York The democrats Of the committee are McGFoarty
killian and Whtson, the latter being anti-Tammany.
Your correspondent, in conveTsing with these
gentlemen tho subject OF tho proposed
charter for New York. a full digest OF which
was published IN tho HERALD found them one aud ali
very reluctant TO speak about the matter a all In
deed Higgins and Graham decline TO say ANYTHING
mill 10 M -. - IL.