The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-01-31
THE DIsFRAxcHIsEMxSr SCHEME
Comptroller Kciiy's Answer 10 the Municipal
society's Inquiries.

On the 10th inst. n committee OF the Mu-
nicipal Society asked Comptroller Kelly, in
writing. whether he would support with his in
fucnce the submission TO tho people OF the
amendments to the State Constitution proposed
by Gov Tildcn's commission. and II not,
whether. he would say what sections OF the
amendments were Objectionable TO him. and
whether they might be so modified as to meet
his approval. The Comptroller. in hs.rcply to
the communication. discusses at length the pro-
posed amendments. He agrees with the COM
mission us to the evils Of extravagunt expendi-
lures. enormous debt. and burdensom taxation
existing in cities. but he does not believe. with
them. that the chief cause Of these evils il
the exercise Of the right Of suffrage by all the
people OF the amendment giving to taxpayers
only the right to vote for n Board Of Finance
who are virtually to control the city Govern
mcnt. lie says
Glass distinctions to the rights Of citizens in matters
e are " w 70 o 'T ,p,T OF g a
distinction 81 property QUALIFICATION ~ the exercise OF the
right OF suffrage in TIL. city. won d, IN my opinion be a
pcrmcous and DANGEROUS Invocation OF established prin.
,ipl,s nn methods OF mumical ",einmvnt Nof Would
~ sch,nc insure thc teeu"h ' hume. AM nithlul
officers ipr the admin iraiion of financial affairs any
r nns WI su m its"rr w. III, -, V W., u,' ,
dauun OF our Government. AMI leading 1T our
strength aud security az milton lts not the use but
The abuse Of the principle that ever bring it into
tempt ar rudangcr It's preservation
To guard against the abuse of the principle Is
the true method OF securing good government,
General or local Tue ",'rlc,,d application
.oun Ihn. lie , , srips fT & S lnr,io n' u,
n,pt, AM, u,rofI lirni. NE NJ M civ ~, ' ,su II
from their election under system o limited ~ Of uni
Ntrsal suffrage The same detcptuns and combinations
81 greedy ashrani- Tor the control u public patronage
nhh plumber may he a. successfully piacused, anu per
hans with greater facility among narrow constituency
Of taNpnNcrs n among the whole body Of citizens II
all citizens performed their duty cs,assins the merits
81 caniidat., AMI always attended Ne polls ~ give
cif votes only Tor good men the election OF hon, Il and
competent officials wVu be equally a. certain under one
system ~ the other Whatever system or methods Of
MUNICIPAL zot erumcnt may be adopted. there Is no
OF rue To- p.sni ,er,ts H men Who 6od oee ars
not competent. honest and faithful
Mr. Eallv thnu nn,ls fnult with tina diatinrtiona
r,.i., la, ~, ,,.nIn,n,,t In favor ~ thn small
',.NN ~ ~ '""'''N'' ~ '"'N' " wv S'i"'i
Vtl'r' anu auuS'
But these prov -ions OF the proposed constitutional
amendments not only Objectionable on account OF
their disregard the principle uniformity IN the quail
they are impraccahle well a. violation Ut fuuIa
mental principle of democratic and republican govern.
meat
The property qualification gives TO the taxpaver a
double vote. one Tor members OF the Board vi Finance
aud legislative and judicial officers Of the city
Government The rich man would thus possess two
votes while the poor man would have bui ue at the
same polls think 1t would be imprnctcnhe to carry