New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-06-13
REFORM CLUBS PANACEA.
REMEDIES FOR MISGOvERNMENT IN
CITIES PROPOSED.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS PROVIDING FOR
MINORITY REPRESENTATION. REGULATING
THE SALE OF FRANCHISES AND RE-
FORMING THE CIVIL SERVICE
SUBMITTED TO TIE CITIES
COMMITTEE
fBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUyE.l


Albany June 12-NIlnority representation Is the
remedy suggested by the City Reform clubs for the
Ills which cities have been suffering from Tor many
years This medicine they presented TO the COM
mittee Cities Of the constitutional convention
this afternoon, and recommended It's acceptance III
the form of n Constitutional amendment New
York and Brooklyn are to try It, the representa-
tives Of the smaller cities declaring that while they
consider the medicine good one, they would pre-
fer TO have the great cities make TINS new ue-
parture of Home Rule free from the interference
of a "hayseed LEGISLATURE before they swallowed
IT, II was therefore, left optional with the smaller
cities whether or not they should also have a
Common Council elected by a system of minority
representation TO manage their affairs. The litte
cities cautious.
This panacea for the evils of city government
put NJ at a meeting of the Committee OF
Twenty-one of the State organization of city Re-
form clubs Among the members present were
Horace r. Deming J. Augustus Johnson ana
Lewis L. Delancld OF New York; Ansiey Wilcox
and General John c. Graves. of Buffalo; f. w.
Douglas. of Troy: !. W. Richardson Of Nonkers'
Matthew Hale and Marcus T. Hun, Of Albany. ana
David Hcaly Of Brooklyn. These men appeared before
the Committee on Cities OF the Constitutional Con
vention at the Capitol this afternoon, and said that
they had drawn up three amendments to the Con
stituton. one provided for Civil Service Reform
second FOR the exclusive right of cities TO dispose
Of all city franchises. and third for Home Rule
in cities
In advocating minority representation. Mr. Dem
ing said that the Common Councils of New-Nork
and Brooklyn had for years been disgrace -
those cities The Republican party in some years
had hardly any representation in them. although
representing large proportion OF IN" taxpayers.
The Democratic party also had little representation
in them since no Democrat was nominated unless
he promised 70 obey the bosses. But II was hoped
by establishing minority representation to change
the character Of the Common Councils of New
York and Brooklyn. The State Of Illinois had
tried the experiment with its LEGISLATURE ana IL
had been highly successful The people Of Illinois
would not now give up the system. In order To
elevate their character. the Common 'ouncils OF
New-York and Brooklyn also were relieved from
Interference by the Legislature through pro-
vision that 10 general or special law should take
effect unless approved 10y such Common Council
In conclusion. Nj Deming declared mat II MI
noriy representation did not prove to be the magi-
cal potion by which the corrupt body OF the TOM
mon Council of New-York was 10 be restored 20
health. he was willing to accept the Car.
The home rule amendment provides that the
Legislature shall enact general laws for the govern
ment of cities under an appropriate classihcatoh'
so that all cities of the same class shan posses
equal powers cities already ORGANIZED may ''"i
eanize under the general laws on a hltJ'I',$ vi
OF the citizens at a general eIecuoH' gu" az
laws shall provide for Common Council "hich
Tsoees In cites OF more than $4,000 people the
members Of the council shall be elected on se'l-
or
that there shall be a minority or proper mate
representation in such council, ana IN cities ~ r@S
than 10000 the electors may determine whether
they shall have minority representation CT not
When a city has organized under general Law" no
s sPgGSi aci By i6 local egstve authority Th
Legislature shall provide methods by which city
under the general law may amend lis own chaft'r'
subject TO the Constitution
Ansley Wilcox explained the purpose OF the pro-
posed amendment relating 10 municlpa! franc nlscS
1.-THE object of this amendment he sa.4, is 20
deprive the Legislature OF all authority 10 grant
CITY franchises such franchises for gas or water
companies We wish cities 20 derive proht from
the sale Of all franchises We provide IN ne
amendment that while the Common tounru pl n
CITY may grant n franchise. the terms upon "hich
- Ssball he sold snail b. named 10y a commission
appointed by 4 supreme Court Justice; We nI.p
provide that franchise shall be granted for thirty
wears only That Is for the purpose OF obtaining
a larger profit for city II a franchise proves -
Andrew H. Green. one OF the members OK me
committee said that he favored irpNlSloiS !h
street railway franchises, that II they proven hshs
nrodtable the rate OF for passengers should pc
reduced. MI Wilcox SAID thdt ne aei''i VIZ" ''''
Mir Derninc spoke in favor OF civil Service re-,
form amendment He said that II was submit ttl
because two Of the great State departments tH'
Department Of Public Works and the Prison De
nartmenf were now exempt from tIvil service
regulations. The amendment provides that W"
LEGISLATURE shall make regulations. 50 Jar a. az,
proprate concerning fitness Tor oWclai HulN % d'i
nersons seeking appointment or promotion ln Stdte
or CITY service. and that all appointments 3hil ~
without discrimination based on oWCial ldN"I 81
on political or religious opinions or amhat'"ha. -,
Mr. Deming asked for another nearing upon IN,
amendments offered. and the committee granite
q for TUESDAY next. Then many members 90 the
Committee Of Twcnty-One viii appear hef'r" inc
INJECTIONS which may be made to the three city
~ the Constitution proposed To-Day.