The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-18
PARr1sANsHIp AND THE CHARTER
The Distinct Recognition or Partisan Politics
by the commissioners
From the Commercial Advertiser.

inc Dtntinct Recognition OF Partisan Politics
by the commissioners
From the Commercial Advertiser.
The Greater New York Charter Commission. in its
report to the Legislature last winter. urged earnestly
the adoption OF a constitutional amendment provid.
ing for - minority or proportiona;e representation in
municipal elections" 1t had in view. as IL Explicitly
stated, the composition Of the proposed Municipal
Assembly. and in the course OF its argument on this
point It used the following language:
Such representation Is equally desirable, whether
Teal or non political. SO far, both in the history ~
GHat Britain and OF this country. the complcts ex.
found impossible. Many hope that In the future II
may nor De 50 But II such expectations be ~reaiEed.
u Is impossible TO mistake the meaning OF this
paragraph The Charter Commissioners here state
distinctly that the exclusion OF partisan polite. from
municipal elections is out OF the question for the
present. and their object is not to attempt TO ignore
partisan politics. but TO utilize Il to what tbey dseu
the best advantage by giving all sides representation
That partisan politics Is intended 10 apparent from
the use OF the term "non.political" In, contrast with
political" AMI by the reference to local =" tSsucs
The Commissioners SO further. They assert spc,ln.
cally that minority or propo-tiona;e representation
based upon partisan politics, IS "desirahle." and the
only reason why such q provision wal not embodied
In the charter Is that IL would have been of "un.
certain constitutIonniity." Again. speaking OF their
uVNAeiSa Ahainst cleClinR some members of tho
Municipal Assembly at large. and for a gradual 70.
tiremcnt OF the members OF one or 10th houses" tho
Commissioners say:
But in Greater New York. whore the political
division OF the citizens Is so ono sided. election,
wholly A. large for the Municipal assembly wpulL ia
likely TO mean. In most YEAR, the absolute extinr.
tion or the minority. Partial elect .onS at lar0a II,
ordinary years could only tent TO deere asp the mi.
nority's just and propurtionatc weight. -. The
commission has. Therefore. arranged In both houSes
or the Municipal A semhly Tor a system OF rrnraser
tAtion by districts that viii always secure a certain
representation for the minority.
What is meant by elections In Greater New York
being $50 onc.s!ded' Clearly the Commissioners
had In mind tie Democratic vote when that party Il,
united. What ia meant by the minority? ?" Clearly
again. tho Republican vote. for. with the Democrat,
party united, there Is practically no other minority
Here, once more, Is a recognition Of partisan polite.
and not only a recognition OF partisan politics, but n
frank declaration that \ system has been deliberately
arranged by which the minority party shall .aI.
ways" secure a certain representation in both
houses OF the Municipal Assembly. This arrange.
ment. In view OF the Commissioner previous state.
nent that tho complete exclusion Of polite, from
municipal elections las been found Impossible, con.
Sttuted nothing les than n direct Invitation TO the
Republican party TO make party nominations for
members Of the MuniciPa! Assembly.
One OF the slsncrs OF the report I'm question was
seth Low and IL the President OF Columbia UnIvers;.
~ has repudiated. recalled, or revised any OF the
opinions and conclusions we have Quotsd, the matter
! has escaped public nottOS.