New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-05
MR. CAMPBELL ON MUNICIPAL REFORM.


In answer to resolutions adopted on October
Is by the West side Association, Controller Campbell
has written the following letter.
NEw-YoRK. Nov. O. 1882.
have received yours Of the 3JtA ut lncosii reso
htOns Of the West side Association aud requesting my
upon certain propositions Tor securing imprOt
nent ia the CITY Government Will CONSIDER them N
First-ihe election Of a Mayor at time when no
election Is held AS declared IN my ie ter accept
lug nomination Tor Mayor by the citizens OF Newly ork
irrespective OF party, in favor of securing BY
every honorable means the election Of cltY
regard 10 state or National politics. the ahars VI The
city being business matters IN no wise connected with
general governmental policy. II for the purpose OF
securing this object II Is proper 10 hod an election Tor
Mayor Other tine than chat OF the eneral cleo
ton, reason why al ely ana county officers
Should not come under tne SANE rue. Tue cuAcs a.
the present time have nominated full ticket except
for Alderman, for which time did not permit, thus
eyncng their desire 10 elect all these Ocefs "Ilh"u
reference party ties. AS 70 the prOpety " changing
lie time Tor eectng local officers, there differences OF
YniOn among those VINO are most deslrOus 10 IN
prove the city government. On hand, IL Is
serted that special elections 90 not call out the full vote
Of the city. The professional politicians always on
gnRrd and with light able 10 accomplish their
eadS On The other hand II IS doubtless trde tAal trad
iIg could IL great measure be avoided Dy special cleo
tOus. Unless such elections should take place soon
after the general election double registry mgh b. re-
CURED IL the people would out In force, wOuId
favor special day for the election OF local officers.
SteOnd.-slugle heads OF the public departments.
have always ned deded views on TINS polt Executive
gques can only be efficiently performed under one head
ernnleuts are inns GRANTED I'm tbs STATE In conse
quenee OF the bad management o. the canals and state
prisons uuder triple and quadruple heads tue people
recently altered the Constitution 80 that DOtl the canIs
AUG prisons are nos managed by single heads, 10 the
advantage u the puOlc Interests.
NId-Heads Of departments 10 be appointed and re-
moved oy the Mayor al VIII J am. and always have
etsn, decidedly IN favor o. THIS proposition.
kV0rta-A board 10 control the expenditure for city
Purposes, majority OF whom shah be citizens without
Stsef Office 1he Board OF Estimate and AppOriOnment
Ia "a lne mllu served good purpose In the CITY gov
Sitteht The Mayor. Controller and head Of the TAX
Deprtmen, by virtue Of their Offices and the familiarity
dsiIx ey anas Wmch ey acquire Ia tle constant and
eSy DISCHARGE OF their dulles would ~ be M per
eas Tor membership OF board The president VI
ne board Of Aldermen Il elected by the people, though
aeslsuate1 D. them the presiding Ohcer " the
r.ard ~ not inconsistent with the Constitution, this
s1cer might be separately voted for by which method
vac pcope would not only Of the Board VI Estl
and appointment, but would themselves select
MIemOVaL Citizens elected IL the aud Tor the
t-aPo7e suggested who would only Oe called upon Oc-
asohaly ~ their functions, would not have
SAME knowledge OF city Affairs and OF the working Of
" departments the May and other officers who
fe constant attention 10 the subject We want capacl
AID integrity IL all officers. whether elected ap
gteG, who wiz do their duty faithfully and fearlessly
. We various trusts confde1 10 them am In favor OF
Plxh which will best guard the expenditure the OF
kPHe money but am not prepared now TO 10 what
snnef the present Board OF Estimate and AppOrton-
~snl should De reorganlZed.
uxHM-A modification Of the present law relative 10
- powers and duties or the Board OF Aldermen. The
'Asfter In this respect could be much improved.
he removal o. the Mayor al any Time by the
efagr Tor maeasance IL Office VI criminal neglect Of
10y There can be objection 10 lodging such power
the Governor provided be shall be nired 10 give
air and impartial bearing before acd 0g upon the
~'''f. The people OF city who have elected TO the