The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-03-21
How Cities Ought to be Governed.
From the Chicago Times, 16th.l

| From the Chicago Times, 10th.
The report OF the commission appointed
by Governor Tilden in 1915 to devise par
OF government for the cities of the Empire
State will excite much interest not only in
New York but throughout the Union. The
members OF the commission, including
such men rs William NJ. Evarts, f. l.. God
kin. and Oswald Ottendoricr, enjoy the con-
tidence OF the public to such degree that
their suggestions will receive respectful
attention even though they may not be
adopted.
The plan proposed may be briefly out
lined. Its main features are these First,
the delegation OF all the business OF local
administration to the people of the cities,
free from the interference OF the State
Legislature, the latter to have power only to
make general laws under which local affairs
are to be administered, and to exercise SUI
peryison over the manner of legislation.
Second, the election by such persons as may
be qualified electors under the State laws OF
4 mayor or chief executive officer, such Of
ticer to be "clothcd with the authority OF
general supervision, and with the unfettcred
power to appoint the other principal eXecll~
tive officers" except the chief financial
and law officers, who should be appointed
by him with the consent of Il board OF
finance. The mayorto have also the power
OF removal, subject to the approval OF the
governor OF the State. Third, the election
OF 4 board OF aldermen by such persons
as mas be qualified to vote for mayor, such
board to exercise Legislative. power Is at
present. except with respect TO taxation
and expenditure. Fourth, the election OF
n .'board of finance" composed Of not
less than six nor more than fifteen MEM
bers, according to the size Of the city, by
taxpayers and rent-paycrs, and none Others,
with such powers only rs relate to tax
alton, expenditure, and debt, its principal
functions being to determine the amount
of the annual expenditure, and to appro-
pirate it to its various objects and pur-
poses"
The first and second OF these recommen-
dations are undoubtedly important. The
attempts OF State legislatures to administer
the affairs Of cities have never proved very
successful, and for good reasons. The ru-
raj members have no adequate idea OF the
requirements OF cities. They do not know
how to legislate for cities, and are pretty
sure to be managed by lobbyists who have
axes to grind. Besides, they have not that
personal interest as taxpayers IN the al
fairs OF cities which would incline them,
even il they were fully capable, to exer-
else caution and expend thought upon
measures OF proposed city legislation.
1t is also important that the chief eXccu-
tive officer should be clothed with ample
power to make his administration success.
The responsibility of making appointments
should rest upon him, so that in case inca.
pables and scamps get into office the people
can know where to place the blame. AT
the same time the chief executive should
in some way be held accountable, and the
way proposed by the commission is that he
shall be removable for cause by the govern.
or. Whether that is the best way is ques'
tionable, perhaps, especially il, as the com
mission recommend, the governor is to have
power to fill the vacancies created by him.
Splf