New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-06-22
MUNICIPAL REFORM IN TIE NEXT CAN
T1SC


Assemblyman Hubbelrs idea that the suo)ec'
of municipal reform should be made cohspic-
mons In the canvass this year Is one well worthy
of consideration. 1t is not suihclent thaC 'ho
Republican platform should contain PLANK
simply favoring such reforms; but, as Mr.. huo-
hell saws. there should be some policy OF
LEGISLATION on the subject foreshadowed. One
half the time of the Legislature is taken up IN
LEGISLATION of this character, but it has been OF
that baphazard kind which as often results III
evil as good.
There is not a large city in the State which Is
not suffering more or less from evils IN us
municipal government. Every year the Legs
lature is asked to tinker the charters oil these
municipalities No definite policy has been de-
veloped. The lack of a general and compreheh-
sive act of incorporation has been the cause Oh
endless embarrassment and difficulty In the
management of city affairs. Inc speciai laws
on the subject possess no uniformity as 10 the
authority conferred but IN each case they eS-
tablish such powers as the persons asking Tor
them deemed desirable, or such as the Legls-
lature and Governor could be induced to confer.
Amendments and additions have followed until
the whole system has become inextricabiy IN
NOlNeu. IL II al ihPOi0''ii'
some general policy.
1t ought not to be in the power OF the Legls-
lature to pass laws increasing the salaries OF city
officials. 1t might fix a maximum sum- anu
then leave it for the local authorities to act
upon the question. That was done in the case
of the reform bills recently passed concerning
the Register and County Clerk OF Kings
County and Governor Hill made that the basis
of his preposterous veto OF those excellent
measures As officials are protected from any
interference with their pay during their Official
terms. there was no ground for the Governor s
veto 1t would be well TO have this and other
| such questions intelligently discussed during
| the canvass and in another year the Legislature
will assemble with some definite instructions
| from the people. 1t should be made compulsory
| uoon local authorities to sell franchises instead
of giving them away and no city should dc
| saddled with debt without the consent OF us
taxpayers. There should be an entire separa-
| ton of the executive and Legislative branches
| and the appropriations should all be made by
the local authorities and none by the Legis-
lature. Civil Service reform should be
| thoroughly enforced, and an end made TO the
use of the municipal Offices for rcwardlng parti-
san supporters. Officers receiving fees should
! give place to saaried ones. Such definite re-
forms ought to be made part of the platform
of the party.
Home interests have too long been neglected
While the saving of few thousand dollars II
some State Office has been matter OF genera
discussion, millions have been wasted IN Tho
cities without attracting general attention. II
the cities the tax levy for State purposes does
| 81, nf ha w a
levied. The State debt is less than per cen
of the total debt of the counties. 1t is eviden
from such facts that municipal reform Is SUB
ject that ought to engross large share OF atten
ton in the coming canvass. The many millions
that have been stolen and wasted by the Dem
ocratic city governments makes it necessary fo
the people to look to the Republican party t.
carry forward this reform.