The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-01-09
OUR CITY CHARrER Nv 1854
Some OF the Powers OF the Mayor t.
Hundred Hears AGO.


Although this city has no such thing 49,
charter now, II had q charter 2lO year, aaS
drawn up In the name OF His Gracious Maie,,s \
James H., by the Grace OF God King OF I'm, \
land, Scotland, France. and Ireland" SC, a do.
ument prepared under tho direction OF Thom,,
Dongan and generally called the Charter O, In
critics at that time.
There were no Greater New York Comm,.
sloners to meet for discussion and conference,
1886. There were no shorthand writer. TO tai.
down the speeches Of the Commissioners ana
no typewritcrs to present them in rough dram
for subsequent amendment There were ma
public libraries for the examination OF h~istor,l
cal matters connected with municipalrl..J
There were no daily newspapers to spprlse pub n
lilo officials Of the wishes OF ,hs vss-.-
James H.. distant several thousand mile.
granted to the people Of New York their char.
ter-New York. which was at that time oficiall,
appraised at s760.000 and the population q,
which was in q considerable part made I'm n,
negro slaves valued at $3.50 each. This origins,
charter was not, under these circumstances, IN,
outprowth Of what is now called a healthy
public sentiment: neither was II to be regarded
Is the embodiment OF such skill, wisdom, and
patriotism as arc possessed by tho men to whom .
was committed the task OF prescribing law,
for q community like tho Greater New lork.
with thousands of millions OF dollars OF wealth
within its borders and o population OF mo,.
than 3.ooo,0o0 This early charter seems, wh,uS
compared with the modern and progressive
clauses of the proposed Greater Now York char.
ter. now awaiting PUBLIC acceptance through the
medium of the Albany Legislature. a somewha,
quaint and primitive document.
va. addressed TO all whom thi. shall eom Sss
and wa. put forth by Thomas Dongan,
SVicn.xSmirsll Of New Yort and is and
denotes" Whereas" said the charter. tn,
Citizens and Inhabitants OF the snld CITY hsv,
prepep Costs and charges several pabli R"s
Buildings Accommodations and CONVENIENCE
Hall or Stathouse. with the ground there.
unto bclonxing two market Houses, the hridg,
. .upu ass D1ss ; a"a M IN New a GT Rs'f p T,,s r snSI,
and Settled one Terry from the said City Of Nav
and Conviency Of Passengers. the Said Citizen,
and TrayelIers." therefore the King granted
the Said City ali and every such and the sans
Liberties privilege. franchises rights Royalties
free customs Jurisdictions and ImpunitI,
the revenue from the two, market, houses,
from the wSar1e, and tho ferries dosA should snd
forever be paid TO the city and the right 10
i .Senis f ,nut nse IN the sbn ma. snss,. housss ana %, dock.
inhabitants Of Manhattans Island and the tray.
ellcrs thore." Who tho travellers there " were
10 not very clear at present. but they were prob
ably the Representatives OF the English govern.
ment temporarily settled in New YORK on Oh.
clal business without having sacrificed their
technical residence In Great Britain.
The charter OF 200 years ago gave power 10
the city to give and grant licences annually
under the publick zeal TO all Tavernkeeptr,,
Innkeepers Ord keepers. yictusllers. and
all. publluk Sellers OF Wine. Strong waters,
r~etaile." Tho rate Of such license was to bs
9xed by the Mayor and was not to exceed thirty
shilllngs per year.
The New York charter Of 200 years ago. stranc.
as It seems In orthography and etymologieal
arrangement. was very clear and explicit ia
and the Aldermen were to have full power.
under the public seal. to put n atop to the ne
farious practice of persons who. not being free
citizens of the city. shall at any time use
any art trade. mystery. or manual occupation
or sell or expose for sale At retail any merchsn.
or place. or standine within the city. and neg.
lect Of this provision was punished after notice
from the Mayor; he was TO cause Such shop
Windows TO be Shut up and also To Impose Such
reasonable nue for Such Onense not e.
ceeding Ave pounds" In other words. as II
was to pull down the blinds on any unauthor.
lied transaction OF business by persons not
legally qualified therefor by free citizenship Of
Ono Of the functions devolvine upon tie
Mayor and Aldermen under the mun!clpal
charter Of goo years age we. :, TO sIs5Si:s full
point. Order. and Direct the Establish.
ing. making. laying out ordering. amending
: and rcpaireinE Of all Streets. Lanes, Alleys, High
ways, water Courses, ferry, and Bridges" q.
the public expense.