The New York herald., 1877-02-15
THE CITY GOVERNMENT.

MAYOR ELY's PLAN OF REFORM-IMPoRTANT
SUGGESTIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE.
In Of the great felt by the citizens Of
Now York. without respect to party as TO movements
receiving shape to remodel our city government,
u representative Of the HERALD called upon Mayor
Ely yesterday to obtain his views this important
subject He expressed himself as cordially in favor of
immediate change, and hopes that tho Legislature
will pass all necessary laws that tho present heavy
expenses can be reduced.
THE MAYORS PLAN.
''Do you think there is much room for Improvement
upon the present system 7" he was asked.
~ think certain improvements are practicable In
the administration OF city government and have
communicated them to my friends and to tho members
Of the Legislature, with whom have had tho privilege
Of conversing. !" .
'what would you suggcstg"
~ think the federal government at Washington IS
tho best form OF government in the world AS lar
practicable | would conform our city government 10
H. am OF the opinion it is the bcst that human WIS.,
dom has devised, whether the rulers honest dis
honest. am quite sure that our city administration
would bo greatly improved vigor efficiency and
that the expenses would be very greatly diminished by
reducing each OF the boards oil comm ssioncrs to a
single person. have nothing against any OF the
commissioners personally think they are ali Iai,h-
fu and efficient, but in the interest Of reform they
should be willing TO retire. They might determine
among themselves in way who should hold Office
in the Legislature passed laws reducing their
number long as the Election bureau is IN the Po.
lice Department IT should have two commissioners,
of each political party. Tho Dock Excise Health,
Tax and Charities and Correction departments should
havo but one commissioner each. The Health
Department and tho Tax Department discharge
certain Judicial functions which would occasionally
require associate comm ssioners. In the former de-
partnent this Is already supplied by two esoDcio mem
bcrs aud 10 the latter the Mayor and Comptroller
might be similarly added. The most important one OF
the city department that OF Public Works, has but
single Commissioner, and one believes that its
vgor would be increased by multiplying the number
There formerly Croton Board composed Of
several saaried commissioners, but II was abolished
and made bureau In the Department Of Public
Works, with very great advantage both efficiency
and economy In the further interest OF reirench-
ment propose to increase the Board OF Estimate and
Apportionment. 1t now consists OF tho Mavor, the
Comptroller, one OF the Tax Commissioners and tho
President OF the Board OF Aldermen, all OF whom
their existence to political influence l
would add TO them one or more gentle
the taxable property OF tho city. would then in
termination the number and the compensation of all
the city employees and also all questions relative to
the levying OF annual taxes assessments for I'M
provements and the issue Of temporary permanent
city bonds. This would place the power IN body Of
men who could not shirk tho responsibility and eau
be made accountable TO public opinion and to law
This Board should also act as ommissi0ncrs OF the
sinking fund. With these two changes In our adj
mnisraon citizens will have the best city gov
crnment wbch rs practicable or attainabIc under
present constitution and laws, and without these
changes the various amendments which have been
suggested Will be, In my judgment, OF little vaucu