New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-16
THE AMENDMENT PROPOSED.

|
| ticians.
THE AMENDMENT PROPOSED.
We therefore recommend the passage of the following
resolution proposing an amendment to Article VIII
| Section l. and to Article III OF the Constitution.
Resolved That Article VIII, Section 1, of the Con-
stitution be amended by striking out the words Eek
cept for municipal purposes" and so that the same
shall read:
"secton l. Corpor9ions may be formed under general
laws but shall not be created by special act except
in cases where, in the Judgment OF the LEGISLATURE
general laws The general laws and special acts passed
pursuant to this section may be altered from time TO
Resolved That the Third Article of the Constitution
be amended by adding thereto the following section:
"SectOn 90. The Legislature shall enact general
law for the government OF all cities In TINS stare ana no
municipal corporation shall be hereafter created by
SeIsve to the government Of any city in this state
except by way of amendment to such general law
GENERAL CHARTER FOR CITIES
The proposed constitutional amendment is suggested
for the purpose Of making 1t the imperative duty OF the
Legislature pass general law for the government OF
cities not ONLY but in order definitely, to limit the
power of the Legislature in the premises Your com
mittee suggests the passage OF the following DILL W
section l. Within thirty days from the passage age
hereof the Governor by ana With The r adV Sm ae
soners to prepare draft Of general law Tor tne
government of all Incorporated cities in this state.
! "Sec. q Said Commission shall meet ana 0rgdhlLIS
within thirty days after its appointment 1t shall
appoint chairman and secretary. The salary ap OIL
each of the said Commissioners shall be $4,000 per per
annum and the salary of the secretary shall be $1,000
per annum. Said Commission shall have power TO
Select an office in the city of New YORK. or III the cry
of Albany, and properly to provide the same with
furniture and stationery TO enable IL 10 perform anu
necessary clerks and assistants It's salaries and
penses shall be charge upon the state treasury ana
Be paid by the Treasurer on the warrant OF me So
troler The sum of 81, 500 is hereby appropriated 70
carry out the provisions Of this act. l. n,o novt
Legislature draft of the general law for the prepara
Of which it is appOned It shall ,a have N p1W r TO
in this state, at the expense of such city, stae
ment of such facts as said may fe 9 a6
ministration OF the government OF such Guy "o Is
| shown in the books records OF any such CITY
"Sec A. This act shall take effect Immediately
CITY TAXES, EXPENSES AND DEBTS.
The entire expenditure of this State for State pur-
poses is only about one-ffth the expenditure rom
taxation sum spent by city governments for purposes
of local administration. Although the expenditures
| Of municipalities for the purposes OF government,
vastly exceed te-expendture of the Sate the actual
cost of performing the several municipal services anu
! the condition of municipal finance generaly. are
practically unknown and extremely dieut ior ths
accounting in the several cities is more unte a
chaotic than the laws under Wch te f fbeT
can be no wise legislation with reference to the gov
eminent Of cities unless 1t be possible or 1as and
Be sPe Certainty al an the u facts relative to
the general condition Of municipal administration in
each Of the cities particularly to the exact
bill which shall require the chief financial officer Of
each city in the state to file annually with the state
Controller report of the financial administration foT
the past year. The financial year Of eaS sy s do 10
December of each year. The Controller should be re-
qured publish special report on the munclRal
| by him of the reports of the several cities. II the
municipal fiscal year should end the 3lst day OF Re-
10 have It's report in the hands of the state Controller
within ag S ga n aeE the o T@marle these reports
| In the form OF general tables, winch een-
bes together o%6s bg with rea tRe poT pSDta af
| before the adjournment of the Legislature.
THE CITY OF NETWORK.
As already said, because of the peculiartes OF the
case the committee has undertaken particular and
special investigation of the affairs of the city OF NeW
York The committee began its investigation by an ex
animation of the Mayor and several Of the heass OF
denartmens for the purpose of laying foundation for
| rs inquiries. Il then proceeded to an examina-
tion of the Office of Sheriff. At the last session OF
the tb he6 eT % Office in Ne% M based upon the
vesaton which we haa en m gT@ssv @e
which hill was passed. and in conformity with which
the sheriffs Office is now being administers Doord .,
Estimate and Apportionment, Board Of Sinking Fund
Commissioners, Department OF Parks Dep3r9eit VI
penaptment of Education. Department of Public Works
and the Department OF FINANCE
| TAX DEPARTMENTAL
With respect to the Tax Department many changes
and those of radical character are required III orue
20 make the department thoroughly efficient and to
socnro tustice in the imposition and levyng Of taxes
The work ~ this department is, in the opinion Of your
oomuit+ee conducted well as practicable under
the existing laws and conditions II, tho assessment
Of both real and personal properly ior PURPOSES OF
The sr S T 1nomy "
The Deputy Tax Commissioners a,0 .io An
eins Pi NAV he taken from them TO the Board Oh
TAX Commissioners But the SoLsSonefs are t her
throughout the %ad the the d nss
sessment differs in dlherent arinc accordInS To- the
are of the individual deputy commissioner
Nothing could be more aos a ~ ' i1Svdua per
sona property may be said @ no wholly IN ia Ye@
is purpose AS violates 5as every principle of inst
nok tonsi taxation The testimony as TO the manner
in which the lists are pTepaIe& more Ike the work OF
anu iSi than chapter out of the history OF the
government of the greatest coy ri of New
CITY costs three times as much annually as hc as go Of
the State Government ,s i got Justly equtbly fairly
or by system OF taxation worthy OF an aavdncea anu
intelligent society, one VINO Ieaos Une e'iuehoo ID"
hoT Fbe whole Gueson of NewYork CITY, however is
nexricaby involved wl1n i IL d mpos6e to effect
any change for the better or 70 sugges9 any eifee
iemeog es' hecn Radically amended We there
oTe Of opinion that any changes in the tax laws which
should be applicable to the Guy o. u new orh SOe
VIII Gn % the problem more difficult than it will
he II the present conditions OF things are allowed 10
continue. e,,,r, REPAYMENT
For the same reason it is not deemed wise or proper
- tts time 10 mako any specific recommendations
nv way Of bill with regard to the Department of Excise
IN tbe city of New-York. We do not hesitate TO say
hat the Excise law in that city Is to-day to all
praeticaI ntents and purposes as SHOWN
r.. tbe evidence herewith submitted,
pgya ,ottor and It's execution a formal bumbug
1 ~n an application being made for an excise license.
IN on duty Is 10 Inspect the character OF the
u he and Of the applicant Formally lie does both
Py he does neither. IL is the custom OF the tx
AeIa aa %meDt 10 refer applications the Police De
Sls stepf The reports Of the police captains are