The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-19
ably, all members excepting Senator Eoo.sno voting

ably, all members excepting Senator Eoclssine voting
10 It's favor.
roxpKIxs SQUARE
The committee HAD intended considering the DAILY
Tompkins square oil o-aay, nut did for OF
Goebet provides Tor 20 restoration OF Tompkius
square us public park al cost OF not moro than
$50, 900 whenever the Common Council shall pass an
ordinance 10 that effect and requires the Board OF
Estimate and Apportonmeni to furnish the necessary
money from any funds on hand raised by taxation.
rHE r BlLc BURDENS
The Public Burdens bill was considered In tho
shape 10 which y was placed by the amendments In
formally adopted last Thursday Ex-Judge Nelson J.
Waterbury argued against the adoption OF the bill
which was, be said so maniiestly unconstitutional
Nor would he 60 over the ground covered by tho
vious discussion wnich had caused Inc redraling Of
government Of New York city was now constituted Il
would place the entire municipal authority absolutely
IN the hands OF Board composed inally al Tour
men, but practically OF ono man.
senator Eccicsine mere interrupted and Initiated
the following coiloquy:-
Senator EccLEsISE-How can you tell the future
composition OF tho Board when thero q new Mayor
10 be elected ana his appontees VIII form part OF the
Judge WATxRnURY-There may be another Mayor OF
a different shade OF political belief think there
will be. But the hrst action under this bill Is
10 be taken before election, and Will not be
taken without view OF affecting The election.
As things now Mr.. Kelly the Boaru and for
purposes OF this plil This no Can controvsrt.
Senator EccLgsIxE-I can centrovert IT, ana and
am ready TO demonstrate the contrary
Judge wArERnuRY-Thc senator may differ from
me- ana wha. hnk is she general opinion OF New
York on this subject.
/. Senator PoMERoY-The discussion should be con-
6pod TO the provisions Of the bill
Judge WArkRBuRY-I was compelled 10 diverge
from my argument 0y the questions OF Senator Ec-
clesine. You must deal with things they are. No
person who has the responsibility Of managing vast
political machine can properly administer such duties
as these with sole regard TO public interests
such vast powers are 10 DO vested IN
evil In New YORK arises. IN my opinion, from
the large democratic majority. Ths city was prop
erly administered when the parties were nearly equal
ana the msjor,ty small
Senator EccLKslsk-when was the democratic ma
iority In Now York small?
Judge wATKkBuRY-within my recollection. The
celebrated contest between verplanck and Lawrence
for the mayorsi.y was ds.ermlned BY 100 votes.
senator EccLrnss-It is conceded that salaries
must be reduced and taxation decreased. TINS bill
vests the necessary powers In the proper ofacera
Senator PoxERoY-Wc are not making . charter.
but seeking 70 eject economy in municipal govern
menI We must take tho local authorities ~ they
are 4N4
ANOTHER FINANCE BOARD PROPOSED.
Judge WATxRBURy-it Is not necessary " lake them
as named in this oiL proper Finance Board could
readily be provided Tor which would represent all po.
liticai classes ana interests For instance. would
suggest for the present = Board Of i've, CON-
posed OF tue iayor. II. comm'ssionsr
and two members 10 Do elected by the Board OF Al
dsrmen, the two candidates receiving ihs highest
ZION would result In The cnoos Of Quo ropubcsn and
one democrat which would undoubtedly be Comptrol-
Tammaay and rspubcan--would 10 represented in
senator EooLr.,sa-Do you call Commissioned
would like 10 know what - his political status;
don't know where to ind him politically.
Judge WATxRBuRY-l don't know that Mr.. Camp
bell has defined his political status. He IL good
public officer, has tbc confidence Of lbo community
ana is Ind. pendent democraI such amend
meut have suggested Mould Tor the present
Board 10 administer these great powers. IN which
all xdoi parties would Be .s sh1S
any party Or iactou suggest this Is one plan 70 BE-
operated for Tho present; am not ,s a..ass'os Mr.:
Of mo ol,y; Blu. NJ ac.,vo pollloai leader
be ln,rus,ed With such vas. powef II 10000 New
York democrats could be distributed Throughout tho
stapce-the case woSid BIO d.nsrspi. ,s
Senator ronxkor-We don,s wsni them up there.
s1sss r i from
Senator EccLssIxx untcrruptins)-We don't want
them and won's have them; es. they DO come
minority democrat would Always vote with the re-
Jud, WArxxsuxY-Not always Frequently, I sup
pose, whenever the public good required 10. have
matters when thought il my duty. cannot under.
stand how u 10 thai this Legislators. republican IN
both branoass eau favor measures 70 MAKE. ono
braIch ol Tho oEposlng party absolute IN New York
- a PERMANENT MEASURE.
have another suggestion 10 mako to the com.
m,ttec as u perfnsnsnt measure Tor the control Of
financial matters in that CITY. IL Is this. Divide
Proh,b,s any member Of the board from
board serve without compensation. can indicate
geographical DIVISION o. tDe city which, under this
hat as par,sa now stand. ali would be- represented,
aud none ofthe districts wouii be close enough TO be
doubtful
Senator EccLxsxE-That is more than could DO said
for my district before last election.
NEITHER AN oLIGARcHY NOR DEsPorIsx.
Judge WArERRuKY-i make these suggestions 10 the
ommttee Tor tho purpose OF showing that there
practicable methods OF carrying out the design oil the
measure Tor when this bill was substitute-nAmcly,
OK pcnses ana taxation without perpctrang
an ongarchy creating a virtual despotism
In Tue course ofnis argument Judge Waterbury said
that II the sdninisratve features OF the present TILL
we're retained the proper way would DO TO apply 10
other depar the same rule as 10 conceded 20 The
Board OF Educ on-ttat H. ~ apport on the amounts
the departments 10 gross and allow the head
OF each dep ,rtment to regulate the details without
this no department could DC efficient.
DO WANT CHANGE.
Mr. o. b. Potter, OF ths Council or Political Re-
@ h WY ~. n s =. nans.ss IN ~.
upon the Dock BILL but IN behalf OF the taxpayers OF
New York he wished TO say that they had confidence
Ia the present mptroer ana in the Board OF Esti-
mats and Apporuonmcnt, and believed that the
requisite economy IN public affairs could DO
Effected through tho prcsens officials. There might DO
ground Tor the doubts al 10 Tho constitution lily
oil the bill He doubted the rcduction Of g. oo0 0oo
could stand 10 the manher provided Perhaps ~.
would be better. TO make percentage reduction.
The COMMITTEES, contrary TO tho expectation Of the
friends OF the bill, took no NAL action upon H.
DEPARTMENT BILL
Tho next subject considered was tho Docks
Department BILL upon which the committee was
addressed AZ very great length by Mr.. y. B.
Potter and attcrward by Mr.. Beers. The gist
OF their arguments that The sxtrav.gant failures
OF professional Gu neers charge Of the Dock De-
partmont, illustrated In useless structures,
costing over $1,000 per linear foot, had
driven tie taxpayers OF New YORK into
a combination from which the present bill
resulted ALI the mercantile associations oi tho city
assisted IN drawing up the bill last year. passed
both houses, was vetoed by the Governor.
but PROVIDED Tor ony one commissioner,
whereas the present bill provides Tor three
COMMISSIONERS Mr.. Potter SAID he knew from
his conversation with the Governor that he would
CONSIDER the bill impsrisiIy just ~ II no similar
measure had been considered last year.
THE BILL PkovfDEs
Az senator Ecclestnc . suggestion Mr. Potter
explained the feature Of the bill, which pro.
hibits the further issuing Of bonds for dock
construction and In reply 10 Senator Pomoroy said
that feature WIS also contained IN last years bill
Senator Eccissine then stated that the measure