The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-04

in which we print it elsewhere. There is
an impression here and in Albany that Gov
ernor Robinson will veto it; and we may as
well say at once that we shall not quarrel
with him if he does The bill is not en-
tirely bad, but it has some very bad features;
and upon the point which almost all people
DESTROYS Of reform are now agreed to con-
slider as vital it entirely fails.
What we hoped to find in any amendment
to the city charter, and not only hoped but
expected. was o central. responsible head,
the Mayor, appointing his subordinates in
the administration, to hold office during
his own term, unless removed for cause.
From Mayor thus controlling his sub
ordinates and intrusted with large powers
we should have right to expect as good
government as the public opinion OF the
city chose TO demand of him we could hold
him responsible for abuses, because he
would have the appointment OF his subordi-
mates. Now, the Omnibus bill does order
the present Mayor to appoint the heads of
some of the executive departments but
it gives to most of these subordinates longer
terms than the Mayors, and in fact, should
the bill become law, Mayor Ely would
appoint the most important officers of the
city and these would hold over under Mr..
Elys successor, and thus be independent
Of him. In this, which is tho most impor-
tant feature Of the bill, it copies the notori-
GUS Tweed charter. The Commissioner Of
Parks, for instance, is to hold Office four
years, the two Commissioners of Charities
and Correction are to hold four years,
the Fire Commissioner five years, the Elk
else Commissioner three years. and 30 on,
the Mayor holding two years. Moreover, in
several cases it is provided that the person
now holding the place shall hold over for
his unexpired term.
So far, therefore, as this bill was supposed
to give the city really responsible and eff
fective government it is a conspicuous fail
ure, and if it shall turn out that the
Governor vetoes it, it will probably be
on this entirely justifable ground.
That it has also some good features will be
seen by the following summary of its pro-
visions, which we give for the convenience
of those who have not time to read the
whole bill:-
1t provides for spring elections in the
month of April; makes the Mayors term
two years makes the official term begin on
the LIST of May provides for six Aldermen
"at large" besides the regular number,
and limits the incidental expenditures
of the Aldermen to twelve thousand dollars
per annum. It declares that all the heads
of departments and the Chamberlain shall
be appointed by the Mayor, without the
confirmation Of the Aldermen, and makes
them removable on written charges of mall
feasance, ineficiency or dereliction of duty.
The Park Commissioner is to be appointed
within ten days after the bill becomes
law, and is to hold office four years, with
salary Of five thousand dollars. He is to
have charge of oil parks, squares and
public places, and all other duties now
under the Department of Parks are to 60 to
the Commissioner of Public Works This
officer is to have charge of the Croton water,
drainage and sewerage, construction, repair
and lighting Of the streets, bridges, tunnels,
public buildings, wharves and docks he is
to have three bureaus, with city engineer,
city architect and an engineer of docks
and it is provided that no improvements
of any kind shall be made north of
One Hundred and Twenty fifth street un-
less approved by the Board Of Street
Opening and Assessments, and no street or
road shall be paved anywhere within six
months after it has been severed and the
Croton mains laid, except on the application
of the owners of a majority of the property
lying upon it.
In the Department of Finance the duties of
the Tax Receiver and the Collector Of Assess
ments and his deputy are consolidated
under one officer subject to the Comptroller.
The Bureau of Licenses is abolished. Two
Commissioners Of Charities and Correction
are to hold Office four years at five thousand
dollars per annum; and the present President
and the Commissioner having the shortest
term are to hold over during their
terms. A Fire Commissioner is to hold
for five years, at five thousand dollars
per annum, and is to perform also the
duties of the present Department of Build
ings, and the present President Of the Fire
Department is to hold over for his unex-
pired term. Two Police Commissioners are
to be appointed, and they are to be not
merely non-partisan, but, as the bill says, to
be opposed to each other on State
issues = but the persons who were presi-
dent and treasurer of the present
Board on March are to hold over for their
unexpired terms. The Mayor is to appoint
o Commissioner of Excise, to hold for three
years, at three thousand dollars per
annum, and he is not to spend more than
twenty thousand dollars per annum. The
Police Commissioners Opposed to each
other on State issues" are to make contracts
for cleaning the streets, and not more than