New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-08
THE CHAMBER AND THE CHARTER.

In unanimously demanding further time for
the work of making charter for Greater New
York, and appointing committee to present the
case to the Legislature, the Chamber Of Com
merce at Its meeting yesterday performed cred
liable act. Whether or not practically useful
results will follow remains to be seem We
should not have the slightest expectation that
they would excepting for the assertion positive
ly made at the meeting that the members of the
Charter Commission are themselves anxious for
more time. IF that is true they may conclude
to make an earnest appeal to the Legislature.
and the refusal of such an appeal would be
equivalent to declaration that the Commission
is incapable and untrustworthy. Moreover, Gov
ernor Blacks message affords some reason for
believing that the Commission can command his
influence.
The chief feature Of yesterdays meeting was
Mr.. Hewtt's speech. We do not believe that
Mr.. Hewitt ever made better speech in his
lfe-that is to say n speech more exactly adapt
ed to the situation and fhe purpose. We heartily
approve every word Of it. If The Tribune has
not recently renewed the appeals for delibera-
ton in this affair, and for n submission OF the
proposed charter to the people. which 1t kept mp
all last winter 1t is only because there was ap-
parently no hope of postponing final action, while
there was a possibility of improving the brief
period allowed for discussion by the frank ex-
preston of such opinions as might he adopted
with reasonable safety after a hasty examna-
ton Of vast and complicated subject. We
have constantly felt how inadequate any such
consideration Of the proposed charter must he
and are not in the least ashamed TO find our
selves in the company Of Mr.. Hewitt, who. bring
ing to the task keen intellect, long civic eX-
perience and much official knowledge. explicitly
declares: 81 have tried to understand 1t: know
nothing about IT," IF that Is Mr.. Hewitts con-
dtion how utterly prepOsterous is 1t to suppose
that the Legislature can be prepared to judge
the charter lntelligently before the first of March,
The work imposed upon the Commission was
enormous and intricate. and the document which
is issuing from their hands Is Of corresponding
bulk and complexty. 1t is no reflection upon
the men who have accomplished this monu-
mental task in some fashion to doubt or to deny
its perfection. 1t is miracle II they have even
half digested the subject.
Mr. Hewitts comparison Of the time spent by
the ablest men Of their generation in drafting
the Constitution Of the United States and in the
discussion which preceded its adoption with the
time allowed to the Charter Commission, the
people and the Legislature is striking and in
structive He did not mean TO imply that the
analogy was perfect. The Constitution Is not
only infinitely less detailed. but extremely diff
cult of amendment The charter is body Of
laws which is always capable Of rectifcation by
quick processes. But whence proceeds so much
as the semblance of necessity for requiring
citizens of character and ability to toll terribly
under every conceivable disadvantage. with the
probable result of having their work subjected
to impatient condemnation and endless altera-
tons. after q Legislature wholly incompetent as
to this matter, whatever its general qualifications
may be. has automatically damned it through:
We deny as we always have denied, that there
is any reason whatsoever in our civic circum-
stances, or any argument derived from senti-
mental considerations, for precptancy which
would be rash and perilous if the issue were
life or death. Even In that case we insist that
to take action without more elaboration than
has been given to this matter would be rank
betrayal Of the people by those whom they
trusted
With reference to the submission Of the char
ter TO the people we say once more as we have
said score Of times. that the referendum Is
device which ought not to be employed for the
settlement of ordinary questions under repre-
sentative government. Mr.. Hewitt was careful
to express the same opinion. but he properly in
clnded the adoption Of a charter for this terri
tory and population under the rule which is uni
versally applied to constitutions. These three
million people have an inalienable moral right
to accept or reject an organic act profoundly af-
fecting their welfare and destiny. II in The
action of the Chamber Of Commerce. supple
mented, as we trust it may be, by other organiza-
tons and by individual citizens. there Is any
hope Of bringing this momentOus transaction
under safe conduct, we believe it will I've wei
coined by great majority in every community
whose credit and prosperity are at stake.