The record-union., 1892-01-29
THE NEW CHARTER.
Freeholders Take Another Whack at
1t Last Night,
No Action as Yet on the Manner OF
Electing Trustees-Powers of the
Mayor-Care Of Public Funds.

A committee from the Federated
Trades, consisting of J. A. Sheehan. J. D.
Jost, Richard Caverly and Otto Bell, APP
peared before the Board of Freeholders
ut the general meeting last evening to
ask that a provision be inserted III the
new charter providing for the establish
ment Of Free Labor Bureau and fixing
a days work at eight hours.
All the members of the committee
made short addresses to the board in sup
port of their request. They claimed that
such bureau would result in Kidding
the city Of many idle and dissolute per-
sons. They thought also that all city
officials and every person working in
directly for the city that is, on contract
work-should be required to labor but
eight hours per day.
Mr.. Cayerly told the Freeholders that
they had better make some provisions in
the charter that would be in the interests
OF the laboring men. Otherwise they
would be apt to look upon the charter
with dlstavor and vote against it.
Mr.. LaRue wanted to know if it was
not to the interest Of laboring people to
have good government and cheap taxes
MIR. CaYerly replied that this was fact
put then laboring people were sometimes
ignorant Of benefits that might come to
Them indirectly. As a general rule they
read but little.
A halt-h0ur was consumed in discus
sion, IN which the members of the COM
nlttee and Messrs. LaRue Green and
Welnst0ck took part. The latter made
snort address, arguing that whatever way
the elght-hour law might be looked at it
was sacrifice on the part of the laboring
people.
On motion of Mr.. Johnson, the board
TOOK the matters submitted under con-
sideration.
ELECTION OF TRUSTEES.
The board was about to take up the
sections in the Legislative Committees
report which were not considered at
Inc last meeting, when Mr. Hall
asked that this matter be deferred
until the next meeting. The i'm
portant question as to how the Trustees
should be elected would have to be con
sldered. and larger attendance of the
members Of the board ought to be had.
Mr.. Green and Mr.. LaRue wanted to
decide this question right away. The
former thought that most citizens favored
the election Of eachITrustee by the people
Of his own ward
Mr.. Hall said he was at first opposed to
Mr.: Green's plan, but on second thought
he had come to the conclusion that the
way he suggested for electing the Trus-
tees was the proper one.
FINALLY, on motion of Mr.. White, the
consideration of this section was made a
special order for the next meeting of the
board, after the reading Of the other re-
ports.
GRANTING OF FRANCHISES.
The section drawn by Mr. Smith. de
inning how franchises for street RAILWAYS
shall be granted, was adopted with an
amendment to the effect that the board
"a mot .a.1,F
construction OF street railway. except
npon condition that at least one per cent.
OF the gross receipts Of such railway shall
be paid to the city each year after the ex-
plfaIon OF five years from the granting
OF the franchise.
he original section was published
twice last week
LEGAL ADVISER.
ne following section Of the Legislative
Committees report was brought up for
discussion:
81. To employ. in addition to the CITY
Attorney, an attorney-at-law, at salary
not to exceed 81 800 a wear and whose
duty it shall be to advise the city officials,
and attend to all civil suits and other
matters in which the city may be legally
interested"
r.White wanted this section amended
so as to take the power of appointing the
City Attorney out Of the hands Of the
the section by prefxing TO it the words.
To authorize the Mayor"
The amendment was carried unani-
mously.
The meeting then proceeded to consider
the report of the Executive Committee,
Before taking it up, however, Mr.. Vein
stock was granted the privilege of read
ing the views of Mayor Seth Low of
Brooklyn on that city's charter. He
thought there were many points made by
Mr.. Low which would appear new to
many or the Oldest charter makers He
then read the article at length.
The first section of the Executive Com
mlttee's report, providing that the Mayor
shall be the chief executive officer of the
city, was approved.
The section giving the Mayor the
power to appoint subordinate officials
caused long debate.
Mr.. WeinStock could see bera whore
responsibility might be shifted about and
not fixed anywhere. The Mavor MIGHT
appoint man and the board might CON
firm the appointment. The officer thus
appointed might be corrupt or dishon-
est man. The Trustees would say, in de-
tense OF their action, that he was rhe
Mayors selection, and the Mayor might
say that the Trustees were ready enough
10 confirm him.
For the purpose of discussion, Mr..
Weinstock moved that the section be
made to read IN such way as 10 give the
Mayor authority to make the appoint-
ments Internationally the con-
tirmation of the board
Mr.. White protested. He claimed that
the city was apt to elect sometime a cor
rupt man to the Office of Mayor, and it
would be very dangerous to let him make
his appointments without restrictions.
BY this means he might be able to per-
petuate himself in office, and would be
very apt TO take advantage of all oppor-
tunities.
Messrs. LaRue, Green and Hall agreed
lnat the 'one-man power was danger
Gus, and favored the adoption of the sec
ton as first read.
The original section was adopted,
NO LENDING OF CRY FUNDS
The following amendment was pro
posed by MIR. White, TO be added to a sec
ton defining the duties of the City Treas
urer:
And ne shall not thereafter after the
money IS deposited in the vault under
any circumstances deposit with or lend to
any person, corporation or bank. any of
the money OF the city, or allow the same
Except IN payment of demands AGAINST
the city TO pass out Of MS custody. If he
shall violate any of the provisions of this
section he shall forfeit his office and he
for ever disqualified from holding any
position IN the service OF the CITY As soon
rs possible after the adoption of this
charter the Board Of Trustees shall pro-
vide suitable vaults and safes for the IIse
of the Treasurer. 1t shall be in the
power Of the Board of Trustees. by or1i
nance at any time, TO require the City
Treasurer to devote his entire time 10 the
duties of his ofiicer
Mr.. Neinstock did not helieveit a good
idea TO tie up money in the treasury. 1t
might be wise plan to put it in circula-
tlon oy lending it to different banks for