The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-10

arising from this conception OF political equities
Here SIR. Pcckham fnstanced the city Of London,
which, though four times the size OF New York, had
debt but lItIo greater than New York, and claimed
tha, the reason for u was that The government was
tnero vested IN taxpayers Mr. Peckham spoke of the
proposition TO divide tho amendments and pass
and part OF them, and claimed that they formed
integer aud could not DO separated One OF them
could be passed without passing the whole He CON-
batted the clam that the amendments restricted the
right of suffrage "They give, said he 'the people
right say that certain kinds Of public service shall be
delegated to certain classes. and that TO persons most
likely TO perform Il faithfully shall the work be
given" 'sThis proposition has its analogy. ne con-
tinued .sin all the great corporations ~ 10 ono In
which not the sshsss. scinIlila Of sentimen. rs Is
appointed 10 40 a certain work. The argument that
every who Invest house indirectly pays taxes Is
such Ia tho case, though the admission is broader
than interprc OF the doctrine OF political
this indirect and inanitoslmal taxpaying Is
not such as appeals 10 "a man. 10 tne
man VINO MAKES o.. n cnech ana nome
II has been SAID, and With some show OF reason, that
these amendments would cut OF q number OF clerks,
qurement and endowment, from exercising an innu-
ence in ,he government OF cities. But, gentlemen,
OF the question. TO men whose votes worth
having there is here incentive labor and save,
and thus attain the pryliess OF voice IN sas govern
not DO allowed to vote" Here hr. Peckham
grew earnest and was betrayed into saying
few things which rather grated on the
ear. From Tho text, ''An empty bag don't stand
straight, he preached that tho man who mad nothing
was NOT d. 10 vote. | care. said ne, II hs
has been the richest man IN tho community, aud, ny
misfortune or Otherwise, has lost his possessions.
is unnt to vote The man who has
nothing has lost his honest independence and
opinion, Mr.. Peckham explained that II was not 10
the rich or to the very poor no looked for proper
manag emcnt. but 10 the vast middle class, who pay
most of tho taxes and are most oppressed.
MR.. ouLISs SPEECH.
Mr. Oun followed Mr. Peckham In an argument
which went to prove mat the amendments were
panacea Tor all the lnancal municipal all
inents for which the Legislature had been
Il ta,r.y years "For more than a quarter OF a
century, said he. "the Legislature oil tho State
has been devsng schemes for Altering and preventing
the mismanagemcnt OF municipal government In
all that time no success Can DO shown, and In NO
year, Notwithstanding the bills AID schemes that
men, been reduced" rhe speaker quoted no
end OF analogies to provo that the present was
not new ldea 10 government as naa Dsen c,amsa,
tokca OF the subject by the people was the result OF
dcmagogsm, and out OF Il oil bugaboo had been
manufactured TO frighten ignorant mon. The causes
OF the evils were classified by the Commission as
l. Incompetent and unia'thiui governing boards
and officers.
2 The introduction OF State and national politics
Into municipal affairs
3 rho assumption by the Legislature OF tho direct
Tho picture OF maladministration In the past could
hardly DC overdrawn, and II was painted IN vivid
source OF mischief wore assigned the motives OF am
bilious politicians aud OF the large class who, though
not dishonest or aevoid Of public spirit, arc led ny
habit and interest In tho affairs OF local governments
were alike regarded MS unpromlsiug Finally,
the Comm ission, whose survey AMI examination OF
the hole subject led carly period 10 the funda
mental question whether the general application OF
universal suffrage In the election Of the local guard
ians and trustees Of the financial interests OF cities
was accordance with sound principles, came TO the
conclusion that Inc choice OF those Offices should DO
lodged with The taxpayers They held, as Governor
T.la hat 4. INF fnI ~ he N
loca officers special ADMINISTRATION and local pur
poses such the case OF police, boalth, Schools
street cleaning, prevention OF IRE supplying wacr
ana gas and similar matters, were quite distinct
from the care OF the rights Of persons, property,
from general legislation, government! ~ us proper
sense They called attention TO the established policy
OF the state IN respect to villages, the village ex-
ecutve oicer the Board Trustees tho local iosis-
laturs OF the village being elected by voters possess
Ing the ordinary qualifications. but the vote OF tho
taxpaying electors being, With certain EXCEPTIONS
requisite TO confer the authority raise money by
taxation. This policy the Commission believed 10 DO
plainly applicable TO all Cities and, having considered
tho objections to II. they recommended Inc following
plan
First-The delegation OF the entire business Of local
to The people OF the cities, FREQ from
legislative interference thcrewith roserving 10 tho
alto It's OF making the general laws
winch tho local AFFAIRS DO admit istered and
also supervision OF The manner Of administration.
Second-A chief executive officer clothed Win the
authority Of general supervision and with The unfet
tered power 70 appoint the other principal executive
officers except those Two uhc chief financial ana chief
matter oil the public expendlfuc with tho power
OF removal, subject however, 10 tho approval Of tho
Governor.
Third-A Board OF Aldermen, clothed, now, with
all the log isatve powers except such ns relate TO tax
alton and expenditure. and elected as at present and
by the people.
Fotuih-A separate body called the Board OF f.
nance, TO DO elected by Inx ana rent payers. with
uch powers only as rotate 10 taxation expenditure
md dobt its principal junction being 10 dctcrmino
The amount Of the annual expenditure and 10 appro-
priale II to ats various objects and purposes The as
~ ~ hn.tu hA I'M
ment OF the chief financial and Law officers.
FJM-A detailed plan, designed TO be complete In
Itself, securing efficiency, order and frugality IN
the financial administrations, and 10 be executed by
tho Board OF Finance. Its main features are
!. The determination IN each yer OF the sum OF
money requisite 20 be expended tor all objects and
purposes and what part thereof rs TO be raised by
taxation and the evyina OF the latter sum.
2 Tho appropriation at the same time of tho whole
sum to DO expended 10 The several objects and pur-
toses.
propriatcd by compelling The relieving Of Deficiencies
70 the collection OF taxes.
l. Tho prohibition OF any expenditure beyond tho
sums appropriated by making all contracts
yagemcnts IN excess thereof void.
8. "A further enforcement OF the maxim "pay as
Tou go" ~ prohibition against borrowing money or
mourning debt, excap under certain specified condi-
lions not likely 10 arisc often
Such wss The plan embodied In tho proposed amend
ncnt tho constitution adopted by the Legislature
ast year. ana which, according to the terms OF ar
cie IL OF the constitution, must before as submis-
ns people % ss9 aaop'Ss ~ me present
Legislature at ths late day 10 the subject.
40 time for Adjournment having arrived, Mr.. Nor
gan, one Of tho committee, suggested that inasmucn
he Informed that the intention oil the L,glsla-
ure was TO dlsucss tho matter, IL would be well
just submit the subject to tho people and lot them
iccicc u TO suit themselves
senator Robertson, chairman OF the Jud ciary CON-
nittce OF tho senate; Ar. Gilbert. chairman oil tho
assembly, Judiciary Committees: Judge Piper and
thcrs OF tho opinion that no report tho sub.
cct Will be made.
yxcfsE INVESTIGATION
Tho Assembly Committee on Privileges
md Elections, which has conducted the Ex-
ise investigation, has prepared report
Witch ~ not yet signed by all tho
members Of the committee. IL Justincs Mr. skinner
q making ms charge aud reoites tho testimony
aiken. Dut does not advise any specific action tho
,art OF tho Assembly.
BiLf.
The Divnrcc b,ii defeated IN tho Assembly to-
lay after long discussion, which was SUBSTANTIAL
cpetiiion OF previous ones about tho same
ire. Tho only novel feature was introduced
" tue remarks OF Mr.. Dewitt g. Peck,
n IOswego who criticised tho action Of
members from New York city, opposing the general
principles OF Tho profession Of faith TO which they be-
opged that OF tho Catholic Church. Mr..
Jaly 10 explaining his vote said that he
opposed the bill strongly for the reason that
tended to loosen the marriage tic upon winch do.