New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-11-13
THE PROCEEDINGS,

The session of the Special Committee of the
State Senate was given yesterday Committee or
Legislation OF the Council of Reform OF this city, whcl
presented printed statements and appeared by three
speakers The following members of the council were
present: W. H. webo. O. B. Potter, Henry Day. Edward
Fitch. WWaach, Frederick Setback, JW. HAYES. Joseph
Pool Amos +. Emo AMI Professor Theodore W. Dwight.
Mr.. Webo preseu ed the members of the Council and
said that they had some suggestions to make TO the
committee 1--WE do PROPOSE" said he, to go radl
eav into matters to ask for charter or TO tear
the present charter to pieces" reply questions by
Senator Mccarthy, Mr. Webb said the Council OF Reform
Organization growing out Of the work OF destroy
ing the Tweed ring; that 1t composed Of members
of different parties who were taxpayers interested in
| the attempt TO reduce the expenses of the City
| Government; that many members had been en-
gaged for years looking into the workings OF
the departments Our object" said he "s TO reduce
the in the City OF NewYork pay good deal in
taxes and there others who pay much more.
Taxes increase with the increase in the expenditures OF
the City Government and interested, therefore
In reducing those expenditures"
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CHARTER.
Mr. Webb presented paper signed by the Committee
on Legislation. containing the following points:
There should be general repeal of and no extern
sve changes IN the present charter OF TINS city nor
sbonld there b. an attempt 70 substitute for another
charter This charter is the result OF very careful con.
sderation by OF the wsest and best puoc of
tins Stale and city and has proven TO be one OF the beet
ueNclOpeu
by rla and has become necessary 10 remedy them by
legislation but while II in some respects be
OenefcIsly amended think IL should not suffer any
| considerable change.
H. That the Board Of Estimate and Appointment
should be Civ power To regulate all salaries ana pubic
expenses this citv provided that should have
raise aries, and that In It's appropriations
each year IL should be limited TO amour 10 he an
nualy decreased by definitely diminis ed percentage
Oh gwen valuaiiO Of assessed city property.
Ill. That excepting revenue bonds, bonds, except
for refundng the city debt shOud be Issued BY the city,
except 10 emergency in acquiring or imprO wing
It's real estate In the present cOnuiuO OF the city no
expense should b. incurred eXcep such emergencies
which cannot be wet by cnrrent taxation.
~ That further measures should be taken 10 retire
the debt OF the cty and that the Constitution OF the
site should b. amended prohibit the Increase
Of this debt 10 amount above per cent Of tue
sessed value Of the cty's real property, excepting IN
extraordinary ID specified eInrrgencles
V. That the alleged mblguv of the charter IN regard
TO the Independence OF the DICK Department be re
moved, ana that this department be paced upon the
footing the other departm EMS OF the CITY Gov
eTnneHt
VI That the General Fund of the city be made more
productive.
VII That restrictive measures be taken to prevent
unnecessary public improvements.
ARGUMENTS OF PROFESSOR DWIGHT
Professor Dwight spoke In support Of thr frat two
points He said he personally prepared VITA
to demonstrate the aGviSabi1y Of
the points recommended, but that the committee was
prepared do that He called attention statement
reductions that De made IN the expenses for
ing government Of thIscity, prepared by the
Council of Reform and submitted the Legislature last
sprlng, in support of the Pubic Burdens bills The
statement ended with rrcdpitulauon Of tie savings
be made IN the city expenses. without detli
ment 10 the public service, as follows: