New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-31
COMMENTS on THE PROPOSED CHARTER.

COMMENTS on THE PROPOSED CHARTER
TIE PROBABILITIES OF lis PASSAG"-CdANGES ~
POLITICAL CONTROL WHICH IT NIGHT EFfLcr
"What are the probabilities OF the new
char passing :" is question asked by every poi'
an. and yet give satisfactory answer All
except those directly affected By Its passage aeknowl
edge tna IN many respects the charter Is adapted 10
rive the cty better and more economical government
than f. NOW pnssos,cs But the angcs proposed are SO
sweeping that the Interests a cIed by joining forces
may be ibr to dcfeatIt prominent Democrat sad
yesterdays
81 think that charter amendments to Tho present
one Will he passed. But do not believe that Repnb-
n Icpisnture Will place tho entire control Of this
ci,y I'm Democratic hnn l., and this h virtually what
would he done ~ the passage OF the charter introduced
by Senator Mctar,hy tank IL llhey tlat ms char'cr
was introduced TO provOk" di'cus7on and draw tho o
OF the OppOsiinn Il N ended, THINK TO gep tue
views of the press tie subject of charter U"lues-
Onably strong effort VIII Dc mad' ~ pass 'n"i'''
but not this one"
"What d Yen think are the weak points in this char
ter y
"TLe leading one in my opinion is that which gives
tie Mayor the appointment oi AL heads Of departments
without confirmation by the Aldermen, ana the power
Of removal without he approval OF the Governor Iht0
rctcally ths Is good thing but practically T. will not
work we'll Few meu who possess the ability to
he at the head a department OF the CITY Government
would lie wiling 10 he at the mercy or the caprice OF one
man. At of Office of these heads o; DEPART
mcuts would be short, terminating with that
tho Mayor who appointed them. There Is another
thug to be taken into considerations The chances are,
OF COURSE that a Democratic Mayor would be chosen.
We have never had but slmon-Iur Republican
Mayor-ticorgo Opdykc. There IL TO he only ono head
Of each Department. thc Police, the Charities ana
the Tax D., artmcnts Will not Democratic Mayor,
exercising his free Will, appoint Democrats over
at departmental How long would II take before the
-. l.. lfr..st, Try
department ?!
.Dir not the chatter OF 1870 confer upon the Mayor
the power ~ app.intin. the heads OF departments
without r quirur confirmation bY the Aldermen r.
"Ij did Bat the leading positions paicrlled on
before the bill became law A. OAkci Hal was then
Mayor. and -uch namei the various Commissions.
{nt IN, nrn were .c,i mated ~ Whham " 1wcrd and
Peter T. sweeney. and the Republican. had fu repre-
sr alton In ,ch Commission, and ~ matrr"f course,
their fnl share II appointments IN every department.
Theoretically Only the bear citihris should Ill the
Offices IN the ct,-s mrth!ng ovcr 5000 IN
number Practically they filled IN good part hy a.
i've p,iriit,- aul tLty WI cuiuu' to hc. And each
pnl.titaI leader 10 whether he be- Democrat or
Ec iplrau. D, compelled 10 ioJd after the Interests IT
a. ~ low, L. ~ nr won have none. thus h"'ng
tr ci-o what chance do' charter hay" or pAs-AG" by
= Republican l. Ei-l,tur winch rt!cuc!iJ u'o" 'Il
ia. l,aIuuigr 81 tt Lttd tttY "i ~" YORK lut" u"
hands - hr - urrrIi-. and in.nrr' - u"crhiIt a~rru-
duo, pa tl'c cty aad probably IN the state within
Via do yeg think are To-" good features in the pro-
rinrr a,c several. think eprns elections are
good thing I de '"t h"rvc tnat t"ry ""ud nah" onr
nun .V' COZ" ,,'i i.,", t,,,,,,I
q. u D, li prescott UI tlcb wnul l"yr 'l' ellie" oi
compelling carl parry L. pllcc In nomination good nri
Inrgt ""I be- aiI fnt prom. ms tIii "iJ"'.l mann
Mcu w.ud rr b"t"u th'u, while now toy drr c'trirl
intu o oa the ru.h ~ y tnna ana state tickets
Is a good tMuS too mo tendency MAJ
Tweed IN, corrupt crew. I'm lrInrNE n9t ."ns
ago showed how tno exposes al Inc VdT.'l@ depart
lt. lff