New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-18
THE CONTENTION And THE CITIES.

At the desire Of the Committee on CitieS OF
the Constitutional Convention the article on
munlcipal government. with all the amendments
thercto has been referred back TO the commit
foo which will soon submit a revision OF us
work We are glad TO learn that Mr.. Johh-
son, Of Brooklyn. the sagacious ana "iGe".
chairman OF the committee. and Mr.. Frahcis' vi
Troy whose experience and influence nave De'h
of great value In directing and supporting lts
conclusions. believe that the essential features
of the article as reported will be ratified by me
Convention No opposition 10 the purpose OF the
provision compelling equal representation oil TIE
great parties on election boards has Deen dc'ei-
opcd and the delegates are apparently uiahi-
nous in their desire to have this saleguarh
established in the organic law. The clause au-
thoriZing the Legislature 10 create state com
mission to carry out the constitutional mandate
NAV be withdrawn. but It's disappearance would
not be- important. since II Is merely perihisSNe
and the idea would still remain az useful sug
gestIon to future Legislatures. The main thihS
is TO obtain a guarantee Of absolute eq,aliy
'n the registration Of every voter and the count
.of every vote" and this the Convention seems
resolved 10 supply
There Is n disposition on the part OF some
delegates to urge the adoption OF speclal
amendment providing for separate municipal
elections There Is no serious objection to ms
considered by itself. but we see no occasion Tor
It. and there is scmblance Of Improperly rs
well us "A possible disadvantage in making the
various elements embraced in the general prob
lem Of city government questions FOR discon-
nccted debate and treatment. thus subjccting
a comprehensive and symmetrical scheme to the
risk Of disntcgration Considerable hostility.
happily unmarked by bitterness. however, exists
among Democratic members Of the Convention
TO the provision giving the Governor power
TO remove the head Of the Police Department
in any city and appoint his successor for the
term Of the Mayer then in Office. II was 10 be
expected that this moderate and logical eXten-
sion II the Governor authority would be- OPP
p1eed by the party whose adherence 10 the prac-
iicc OF home rule has been less conspicuous than
It's professions Of devotion 10 the theory: but we
see no reason 10 modify our opinion that the
change proposed would be beneficial in opera
ton.
We have been glad TO note a strong disn-
cnation among Republican delegates 10 accept
that part Of the committees report which would
give the Mayor Z city power To ini'lct Scri-
ous misfortune upon It's people and In less
legislature interfere The majority Of the com
mittcr after careful dclberation determined To
recommend this application Of tie principle Of
HON, rule aciuatcd solely by n desire 10 pro-
mote the common welfare. With a full con-
seriousness we doubt not of the dangerous posi-
btlcs involved. they concluded that on the
whole the probable advantage outwcghcd the
certain risk on this point We were constrained
10 disagree with them. ard rejoice NJ their
intimation OF willingness 10 accent Mr.
Choaic's suggcftlon that the Legislature he per
mtlrd by thrcchfihs' majority to oycrrule
Mayors veto This amendment would provide
4 valuable defence II not nm entirely adequate
security. against audaciouS schemes OF munlc-
ipal mischief |; would. AT least give the people
a chance To register n protest where If II was
Intelligent and determined. 1t would probably
be Needed.