The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-08

meut o, capital eneciually AID In restoring
lie former growth and prosperity. IPs,~E r,y T. v.,o
THE OLD AND NEW BOARDS OF ALDERMEN
WILLIAM r. ROBERTS ELECTED PRESIDENT
oY THE LATrEI-HIs SPEECH AND OTHER
PROCEEDINGS.
The Old aud the new Boards Of Aldermen held ses-
sions yesterday. Tho former body met al eleven
o'clock for tho last time, with Alderman Purroy In
TIE chair Resolutions OF thanks passed CON-
planetary TO the retiring officials, when speeches
we're mado by Aldermen Cowlng. Rowland and others.
Theneeting was then adjourned sine die.
a tweye O'Clock the Board OF Aldermen for 1873
was called 10 order by Chief Clerk Twomsy, twenty
members being present Messrs: Lewis and Philips
we're absent IN Consequence Of tho recent death OF a
relative
MI. snuer was chosen temporary chairman, after
which ballot was taken for President, with tho fol-
lowing rcsalt-wiam X Roberts, l2 William Il.
Gedncy, o; JOIN Morris, 1; Bryan Richly, Alder
man Roberts, having received majority OF the
Of members composing tho Board was then declared
20 DO elected.
PRgsrDExr ROBERTS, ADDRESS
On assuming the char President Roberts satd.-
GksrLkxEs ov the BOARD OF ALDERMEs-lu ac-
cepiing the presiueDcy OF tho Board 10 which you
have eiecici inc desire ~ tender you my grateful
acknowledgements Tor 30 signal manifestation of your
confidence and regards. As your presiding officer
will endeavor TO discharge my duties with strict I'm
pArtay and trust In return to receive ut your hands
ms CORDIAL and earnest support as you gave to my
predecessor who tor the past two years ably lis
is manifest gentlemen, that the people every day
giving attention to The proceedings oil tho Board
OF Aldermen and, owing TO the jucious selection of
its members Tor some years past according
larger measure oil their confidence than formerly. l
corIa" II will be the aim Of the present Boaru
alone to deserve, but to merit an increase this feel
ing
rowRR OF CONFIRMATION
ono OF the most important tuucto OF the Board
OF Aldermen ~ tho power 10 conhrm reject tho
nominations oil certain officials who are intrusledwith
the expenditure OF the public funds the execution Of
the laws aud tho protection of Info and property.
THIS prerogat.vc Is Wise ana precautionary feature
OF all representative government anu particularly in
that OF cur own. mayor may DC WISE capable and
honest, single minded IN his devotion to the inter.
ess OF the people, absorbed IN the promotion his
personal schomes, but IA neither should the
proper ciecks or safeguards upon power be omitted
or relaxed. tho princIple IL correct and Is
less adapted 10 aud demanded In the interest
Of good government IN u great city than that
oil tho State nation and Is TO be hoped that
change in our municipal laws will ever deprive the
Common Council vi this wise and necessary check
upon the appointing power IN OR local governments
Correction oil abuses Is good, out prevention by wso
appoin tment Is Deter Tor, alter uil, good pal
government does not depend so much upon forms as
upon the character Of those VINO administer II und.
ac neea Immediate revision, The forms OF our mun-
cipai government are such AS TO moet ali tho require
ments OF au c1ic ont and economical government.
LICIsLArlvE INrERAEDpLISG.
Gentlemen, am sure represent the sentiment OF a
great majority OF the people Of this CITY when say
That nearly all the evils under which city has sui
tered tor the last twenty years are directly attributable
10 pernicious and partisan Legislation Albany Much
Of II las been hatched IN the touost corruption and
moro IN the solnshucss anu anmosity Of disappointed
politicians. Governor Robinson In his very excellent
Message, states that 2.4o0 laws have been passed
during that time Tor this city and, that the
ory OF these were " cover mere schemes Tor plum
der. change Official power from OF men
10 another II 2,4UO legislative acts during the last
twenty years have not only failed TO benefit city,
but have Increased beyond calculation the evils
they promised to prevent and the primary
and fruitful source from when sprang scheme after
scheme Of plunder and misgovernincnt, why continue
apolicy which has been condemned ~ the people Of
this city and by tho Governor himself Must not
The conviction force Itself upon tho Governors judy
ment and conscience that tho tmo had arrived
when the people Of this city should be allowed to try
the experiment, or y. least 10 revive the old plan
which worked well (Uelore the State Legislature
resolved Itself mo municipal council Tor this cil Of
allowing the people OF New York to govern them
selves This Is the remedy aud very simple one,
TO rce us from the constant interference with our
uiars, which has been au unnixed evil from the first.
Leave present charter as stands anu my abuses
which may exist to the people OF The city, who are
most deeply Interested; our courts ireo from
party bias; our press fearless and independent; our
people Intelligent ana vigilant IN tho administration OF
our government and the expenditure Of tho pubic
money Docs not the history OF the past twenty years
and tho unanswerabo logic Of facts demand in tho
name OF good government and home rule, that legs-
latve intermedding With the government OF this city
shall and hereafter
COST or MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
public with tho idea that tae city administration
spends $50, 600 600 year carrying the govern
meni, but glance at the hgures VIII show how IN
just tins mputaton IL Tho public debt has been re-
duced 81 1l056S % the past year, and taxes for
this year Will be less by $1,000, 900 thun they the
year previous Now, Ia view oil these gratifying facts,
so complimentary TO the officials who were lnstru-
men Ia bringing thom about think It safe 10 say
that II We are not with by tho State
ties the next few years Will show such substantial
forms IN our city governments as VIII give an impetus
TO business aud au advance to tue values OF real es
tate.
In this connection desire TO say that IN my opinion
the Board OF Aldermen do much to encourage tho
vast commercial interests OF our city. We must not
shut our eyes to the TACT that other cities are rivals
Of New York for much OF tho foreign aud domestic
trade when cgtimateiy belongs 70 u.s. and We should
leave nothing unuone TO Keep our great metropolis up
with the times aud with the wants oi commerce,
which s the foundation oil our greatness, the very
life blood of our prosperity.
REAppoRTIoSMENr,
There are two questions Likely 10 come before the
present Legislature IN which tho people OF this city
have deep Interest one IS the apportlonmen OF the
state according the last and tue other the
proposed constitutional amendment restricting tho
right OF suffrage on questions involving public cxpen-
diturcs The present apportonment deprves the city
Of New York Of lis proper representatives IN The
Legislature We are entitled to seven more members
oil Assembly and Two more senators than VIC nave ut
present This is so maniestiy unjust to the people OF
is CITY that " Is to BIO hoped the present Legislature
Will discharge It's PLAN constitutional oDigron by
passing just and equitable apporticnment bill
The question Of restrclng Tue rishl OF suffrage
financial questions proposed by the cobsti onaI
amendment is contrary TO tho spirit OF insttu
uOns which based universal suffrage. II the pos
session oil money Is 10 be the test OF CITIZEN rights
duties and Interests thcn poverty becomes political
crime and dcgrados tho man in the eyes OF his more
fortunate fellow citizen Il the principle of manhood
suffrage is TO be abandoned and money suffrage sub
stituted our defuultcrs Will be more honorod than
their impoverished victims. 1.-THE princplc
why not apply IL 10 The election OF mtmUers OF tho
state Legislature aud OF COngrcss, and nay, 10 the
Prcsuency; Tor surely II man Is not III 10 DC IN
trusted with vote fJr city Official no Is unworthy
cast ballot Tor the Chef Magistrate oi The nation
Let Us hope that the people OF inc great State OF New
YORK Will not like the craD walk backward, but Will
continue 10 advance In prosperity and freedom,
keeping In view tho sheet anchor OF our liberties,
manhood suffrage and the motto OF our state, Excel.
sor.
EIEcrING oPFIcsgs
Mr. Francis J. Twomey was next reelected clerk OF
the Board Tor 1873 and Mr.. James Walsh sergeanLai
arms.
committee OF three, consisting Of Messrs waeh.
ner Bennett and Morris, was appointed to wait upon
the Mayor and inform him that the Board was ready
FOR the Transaction OF business. Tho gentlemen pro-