New-York tribune., 1878-05-10
THE MUNICIPAL AMENDMENTS.

ARGUMENTS IN THFIR Favor BEFORE THE 1'Di-
CIAeY COMMITTEES OF BOTH HOUSES BY SIMON
srERNK WHEELER H. PECKHAM, sTEPhkN II.
oLIN AND OTHERS.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
Albany, May 9.-The Judiciary Committees
of both heard arguments to-day from legisia
five committee appointed 10 represent committee OF
6ftv formed recently in New-YOrk advocate the sub
mission OF the municipal amendments to the Constu-
tion passed by the last Legislature. Messrs William H.
Webb Simon sternc, Wheeler II. Peckham. W. d. Morgan
Arthur q. sedewick, stephen H. Oln, Alexander Han-
ton Willy Wallach and W. ii. Morrel appeared al'houHh
all did not prOler arguments.
simon sterne was the first speaker. He gave sketch
Of the work done by the Municipal Commission and
said that Il appointed because the Indebtedness OF
cities bad become great 10 threaten the existence
of their Governments The commission came TO the De-
lief that only way Of reforming the government OF
cities was to establish board OF finance elected by tax
navers SOLELY and having the entire control Of expend
tures Every kind OF taxpayer included in the list
even rentpayers being admitted. The commission ala
not think the Legislature would be deceived by the cry
of dsfranchisemen owing 10 the fact that In ali the VII
lagos Of the their expenditures were voted upon oy
tax-payers only The commission thought the Board of
Finance would represent in cities the people who had
some stake in It's government. The communstc spirit
was spreading aud under the guise Of taxation the
opertyboders Of NewYork might be robbed OF their
property After Tweed shown to be a robber.
10000 men gave him their votes for Senator Alter
such an example, the commission had right to say that
certain proportion of that 10000 should be elmina
ted from voting for the Board of Finance BY industry
and economy all could rise into the ranks OF the voting
class.
Senator Robertson here interpOsed and said that he
originally introduced the amendments spoken Of and
was still of passing them. Mr. Serne then. con-
tnuing said that the amendments cut OFF many indirect
ways in which cities contracted debts by forbddng them
10 make any expenditures without appropriation In
his opinion the Legislature would incur very little odium
by submitting the amendments TO the people. There
was another amendment the Constitution providing
for minority representation in cities passed by the last
Legislature which worth attention. passed by the
present gsature and approved by the people IL would
give property holders representation In the Board
of Aldermen Of New-YOrk 1t would be wise TO divide
the city nine districts and give the taxpayers
power TO elect one Alderman at least IN each OF tose
districts The present form OF minority representation
In New-YOrk was only representation OF the caucus;
even that better than the old Or where the repre-
sentatives of one party controlled everything
Wheeler II. Peckham said that ne hoped tie people Oi
NewYOrk could that they were travelling cn road
that led TO financial ruin There not man who did
not admit that republican institutions presented forms
their heads in shame There was sad contrast with
European cities Parties looked upon city governments
as the places where funds to be collected TO sup
port them. Every man who had controlled New-1ork
S .ag hda fa6 1T sfe ec pSca PARTIES Of England never
dreamed of touching the purse OF London The govern
%en that city was & yee9 IN s 81 ye
four times large. Rightly considered the OBJ
nOxiOus amendment restriction OF the suffrage
was simply the action OF the people deciding that for
certain purposes, special agents should be appointed
who would be likely to do the work faithfully IL was
said that poor students and other young men would be
dsfranchseO. He thought that there ought TO
be some object of ambition for young men. Men had
said that the commission raising class dstncuOns
In America that the poor was not less qualified
to Judge of municipal affairs than the rich man In
reply, ne would say that he was not in favor OF the
dregs of the population vOTng on anv question: endl-
cants had no right the suffrage their manhood was
gore Very rich also were frequently indifferent TO
the amount of taxation. The great middle class was
the one that felt taxation, and 1t was this class that he
would appeal to take al interest in local e&pendl-
turee.
Stephen IT, Olin said that the misgovernment OF New
York shook faith of Americans In their institutions.
The amendments not disfrdnchsing measure.
All other methods of governing cities had failed W. H.
MOre said that he understood that II wassO late in the
session that the Legislature could not be induced
10 pass the amendments. lie would ask whether the
eaders political parties would not agree To pass
hem without discussion. Senator Robertson replied
hat there were no party leaders in the Senate The
committee then adjourned without taking any action