New-York tribune., 1882-03-12
CHA RTER LEGISLATION.

A VARIETY OF SCHEMES THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT
| BEFORE THE Observation-Disclosures BILLS NOT
| LIKELY TO BE PASSED.
Immediately after the election last NOyem-
Der, when the Democrats discovered that they would
have majority the Legislature, they began formu
late numerous schemes for charter legislation affecting
this city Each OF the three leading Democratic factions
had bills prepared amend the charter with view OF
benenttng-not the city, but themselves This par
ticulary Of Tammany Hail. When 1t found that its
members Of the Legislature would hold the balance OF
power" prolific In projected measures of city leg
saton II had bills prepared TO alter the system and
provide a head Of the Street Cleaning Department,
and for other changes including spring cleo
ton 1t was designed to cut short the official term OF
Mayor Grace and capture the patronage under
his control AS the Mayor is not political fayorte
OF either Mr.. Thompson. who Is the head OF
the County Democracy, or Mr.. Kelly, OF Tammany Han,
expect avOrs at the hands or Mr French Mr.
| OBren or other stawart Republican leaders 1t was
thought an easy task to legisate him out OF Office
The assembling of the Legislature, however dispelled
all these illusions. Tie politicians who went to Albany
confident of reshapng the!cty Government forther own
benefit admit that their schemes are hopeless. AZ
of these persons has contemplated any legislation
benefit of the taxpayers and the improve
ment of the city Government, they have opinions to
offer on what they these abstract measures"
NJ C. Murphy, chairman OF the Assembly Committee
Cities is understood to owe his appointment to tho
influence OF Hubert o. Thompson and will, accordingly,
favor Mr. Thompson's aqueduct bill and similar meas
ures, which Senator Grady, chairman OF the
Senate Committee Cities, will probably
as strenuously oppose. Senator Covert and
other members Of the Senate Committee, and
Assemblyman Roosevelt and others OF the Assembly
Committee stated last week that they did not believe
radical for changing the city Govern
would be passed in this Legislature All expressed
the opinion however that separate bills might be passed
which would tend to Of the snarls caused
by the construction placed by the courts upon Some
clauses OF charter of 1873 IL also the general
opinion that other which would not maternity
disturb the present status Of the political patronage
under the city Oud meet with little oppo'
ston in the Legislature, but thst the political parties
are too evenly divided for partisan legislation to succeed
talk, which las been encouraged by
such Tammeny Democrats F. B. spnoa, to the effect
that certain ch arter amendments WOud Do
passed with the sole design Of helping Tam
many Hail and the Republicans at the expense
of the County Democracy. Assembyman ROOse
welt and others assert that no such legislation can
succeed, there too many Republicans III the Legs
lature who would not consent TO It,
A great efor5 will be made by Hubert o. Thompson
and the County Democracy to pass the bill allowing Mr.
Thompson TO expend $4,000 600 In building ne"
aGueduct All the immense patronage OF the Department
of Public Works used in the last election with the
purpose returning members OF the Legislature VINO
would vote for this scheme. Mr.. Thompson mas peen
spending his time ut Albany since the Legislature frs,
assembled in order 10 this measure although In
that time he has drawn about S1400 from the
CITY Treasury for performing duties in this city which
have been left almost wholly TO his subOIdnates
Mr. Thompson fears that this bill may be so amended as
to place this work in hands of a commission Of prac
teal engineers restrict the use OF the money In other
! ways. l., A., , a.
the politicians all seek the support of the policemen and
500 900 annualiy to the city expenses by increasing
their salaries will be passed and also the bi to increase
A. Of lin arpt,lo Of
EssembIvman Roosevelt thinks that his bill 10 provide
for the election OF Aldermen by Assembly districts will
be passed. There prevailing opinion that he sys-
TEN of minority representation az now enforced, VIII DO
declared unconstitutional whenever fairly be-
fore When the change Is made the resl tent
of the Board of Aldermen who in certain contingencies
becomes acting Mayor will probably be elected at large
Even the politicians admit that this change ought to be
made. ,.e. - -, ~,
to place the Park Department in charge OF shge mead
viii be passed. though probably in an amended form.
The scandals ataoned to the present management OF
the parks have prepared the way for this change. The
question who shall control the park patronage Is
e only obstacle IN the way OF the speedy passage Vi 'no
Assembyman Morrison will endeavor to have bill
passed to unravel the snarls caused by the con-
of the charter of 1873 This section provides among
other things removals OF heads of departments by
sIcd BY the courts he Mayor now can only remove
ocal by preferrng charges TO himself then sitting as
Judge and conducting long and expensive judicial pro-
ceedmg without any power to preserve the dignity OF hls
| DJrpd the Mayor cannot under construction of tho
courts attempt removal by this means If such an
official can only make satisfactory ARRANGEMENT WIN
the BoarI OF Aldermen TO prevent the continuation oil
his successOrnot difficult matter, unless the person
| nominated A. his successor has more money-he can
practically defy the Mayor and the taXpayers Police
Commissioner Nichols whose term expires III May, mas
some interest IN dtfeating any legsoh on lhls point
He like Commissioner Thompson. has been drawing pay
from the city Treasury while spending his time III Al
bany watching his own interests on TINS point as wen rs
the Interest OF Tammany Hall on other matters
of i573 which is likely produce good deal of trouble
in time unless remeded by the LEGISLATURE, u Una.
it, For instance, Commissioner French was nominated
succeed % TaG nad r Hed %SSF & Ss
of office Is for six years roln the date OF ms
commission while eXMayor Cooper who appointed NM
and Others of the opinion that under the charter Mr.
Frenchs term Of office is for six years from the expra
make difference of year two in the terms Of a num-
ber of city officials including those OF tnee rIu qI
| missioners. French, Mason and Matthew's. InIess d
remedy provided the city may al no distant ate ne
Two ses of officials claiming various Offices hus proVd
ing plenty OF work for lawyers anu arse Oi' oi '"A
payers. ,,,.u.,,or, an ,,e anna foot.
ing other city departments ana 90 REQUIRE M =, 10 nHo
estimate Of t eHPfnos'm P o a. @ annual viii
it is said doubtless be passed anyone should oner IL IN
the Legislature. As il Is now, ths ueBartment Is uh
mimi ed and uncontrolled in its expenditures as tax
| PAYERS too well know by recent investigations -,
tbe Fire Department an independent depar ,men thus
giving the person in charge OF VINO Is required 70
pwn assistants and not require him TO take persons
selected by the FTe Commissioners VINO are all ae''o
pThr ss been some talk by members Of the Municipal
Sorpty OF eudeaVOrug 10 get u snort plll
onire An CITY officials give their time eNcusVey III
bIsness hours the dulles which they are pad Dy ING
taxnayers 10 perform A now 1t is not alone such
| highly paid officials Commissioners thompson anu anu
Nich0ls who neglect their duties Tor weeks ana months
at a time but numerous other and minor Omcals arc
sInportc i'm idleness Dy the taxpayers, great many
c - officials are like the Public Administrator, VINO Is
regularly and ACTIVELY engaged III business III prnatc
office at consideTa lie distance rOm MS pu9iic Vmce
roe duties of wnch but not thc pay are hit 4nosSs
wholly To subodinates. bill also 10 aD0isa ~ ,ns %
of Assessors. which affords snecures ior 'u'o' P'"N
| clans, is talked or -. uoorIs having ourboritv
me, streets IL is proposed 10 attempt TO cohsO-