New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-17

compel hostile factions to adjust their differ
ences. and take action on important questions
like the water supply ownership OF ram
car lines. improvements OF transit facilltes. etc
The larger of the two houses proposed Ior
Greater New-York corresponds closely to the
London County Council and so far as the diiler-
ent conditions admit of comparison the as
sumption that II will attract Legislators OF the
highest character and intelligence. and com
mand large share Of public attention. the ENG
lish experience tends to confirm. Three County
Councils have been elected. and statesmen OF
national reputation. peers Of the realm ana men
of emnence in political. professional and busi-
ness life have taken an active part in the com
mittee work and public debates at Spring
Gardens. The weekly meetings are vigilantiy
watched. fully reported by the press and IN
diligently discussed The government OF Lon,
don was mystery until the County Councl
established. Public opinion is now brought
to bear upon every branch OF municpai pollc!
and service and the people of London know
what is going on With all the disappontments
caused by obstruction and partisan warfare
this municipal parliament has continued 10
attract high class of men and to interest the
public 1t may he hoped that similar beneficial
results will follow the creation of similar
assembly for Greater New-York. the second city
of the world and London's most formidable
rival. Membership in that body ought to be
invested with superior dignity. Public interest
in its work should be real and earnest
LEGISLATIVE HINDRANCEs.
The London County Council moreover has
not free field for the exercise OF its legislative
activities Under the act of 1855 the functions
Of the Metropolitan Board of Works were trans
ferred TO ii and il invested with the duties
formerly discharged by the justices in quarter
sessions. The territory and population under
it's Jurisdiction were large. but the limitations
of its authority were numerous. The ancient
CITY, except for specific purposes like drainage.
was removed from its domain and allowed to
govern itself The vestries and district coun-
are performed by town councils in other Eng
lish cities The police force remains under
imperial control: the School Board has its own
field of operations and is independent OF the
Council: and there has been little progress DUR
ing the last eight years in the direction or re-
producing in the metropolis the conditions OF
municipal government which exist in other Eng
lish cities. While the County Council aids the
yestries and district councils in financial OPP
erations and enables them to borrow money
on easier terms, it has not obtained absolute
control of local administration but is hampered
and restricted by limitations OF authority. Order
has vet to be evolved from the chaos Of an
cient privilege. parochial activity. imperia! au-
thority and vested monOpolieS. The London
County Council seems destined to establish ulti-
matey its supremacy as the one governing
body of the metropolis empowered to supervise
through standing committees every Dranch OF
local administration The unsolved questions
are numerous and complex and every new dec
ade of growth and civic progress renders IT
more difficult for Parliament and the Council
10 settle tnem.
The Municipal Assembly Of Greater New
York will have from the outset absolute con-
troll over local legislation. with such reservations
as are involved by the Mayors veto and the
concurrence of the Board Of Public Improve
mcnts and the Board of Estimate and Appor-
tionment in costly works 1t Will be free, apart
from these restraints and safeguards, to legls-
late for a population of 100000. 1t will regu-
late a yearly budget of nearly SOO0OOoUo or
about s. 600 600 more than is embraced by the
financial operations of the London County Coun-
Gill and il will start with a system or equal
taxrates and valuations which Is one OF the
remote goals of that body of legislators. us
authority will not be challenged by an inner
circle OF vested monopoes nor by irresponsible
school boards and unprogressive local vestries
This Municipal Assembly will be released from
limitations and embarrassments which have I'M
paired the usefulness and well-nigh parayZed
the activities of the London County Council
1t ought to be municipal parliament worthy OF
the second city of modern times and like the
London County Council, even in the present
condition Of suspended activity. II ought TO
appeal to the ambitions and civic pride of
class of retired merchants and active business
men who have nothing TO make out OF politics
except good name. l. n. F.