New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-14

The Bar Association allies itself with the
Chamber Of Commerce in demanding adequate
time for the consideration Of the proposed
Greoter \ew-Yorl charter. This body may al
WAYS bp counted on TO take a just view OF pup
lIc ouestions coming within its sphere. while II
Is so conservative that any action by II always
Inns great weight in the community. 1t was
couro geous I'm defending the nOnOr OF the Bench
and Bar when Maynard stole the State Senate
of 1892, and its investigation and report on
that crime in spite Of the sneers at the Sunday
school morals of "brefess lawyers was po-
tent factor in bringing about the overthrow Of
the IIill machine. Doubtless there are those
now who will sheer at the demand for delbera-
ton in forming a government for the three
million people dwelling about this harbor Inc
forces making for the enactment Of charter
tbe provisions of which even the drafting Com
mission does not completely comprehend, may
he too strong and too bold to be patient or de-
Law. But nobody is likely to indulge in mock
cry Of the opinions OF the New-lo rk OAR WIN
has not lost his memory
The enforced ignorance OF the most ih'eiii-
gent citizens Of these cities concerning the char
ter under which they may be compelled 10 hve'
Is # ANYTHING. understated by the Bar AssOcia-
ton. The charter just published CONSISTS OF
many hundreds of printed pages dealing with
matters so complicated that even men like ex'
Mayor Hewitt confess themselves unprepared'
after such study as has been permitted 10 IN
derstand its provisions or form any Judgment
az to It's probable workings. Moreover even
| the keenest intelligence and the most diligent
| study are Of little avail owing to tie Constant
and unpublished changes made by the Commits
doil
| sneak on what they suppose are provisions OF
the charter. only TO be told that the chapter in
oucstion has been amended. Let it be assumed
that the work Of the Commission Is III the maih
we'll done and only requires carefni pol'smns
and minor amendment. Even for that work
| ,here Is onlv n little over two weeks left, and
meanwhile the provisional draft Is SO subject
70 revision that it is impossible TO determine
what sort of a government 1t VIII nnally give
Even II IT We're already perfected, the time
wonld be roo short for a proper examination or
| its good and bad points.
| MANY even Of those who object to referen-
dum as the Chamber Of Commerce proposes.
| strenuOnsly oppose the scheme Tor ieglsia'lns
ne into an unknown form Of government. We
| are at least entitled to know what Is to be done
with MS. If not TO say what it shall be. The
upon the lives and property rights of citizens
than does either Federal or State Constitution.
Those documents were prepared in the sight or
| all men, thoroughly discussed and submitted
for popular approval. This new instrument, FOR
| all anybodc can tell. opens the way for multi
farous evils 1t multpes officers and boards.
il fixes upon rs vast expenditures, 1t changes
the jurisdiction OF courts, 1t introduces hun
dreds of intricate questions concerning properly
and procedure 10 puzzle lawyers. and subjects
| citizens 10 untred administrative expediens.
| They nav be excellent Innovations. But TO ask
citizens and especially lawyers, who are bound
| 10 protect the vested interests OF thei: clients,
| 10 accept blindly a hastily drafted and more
hastily amended organic law. and 10 submit
without protest 10 Its being forced upon them
| by SNAP process, is to ask what ought never
| 10 be demanded Of great body OF free Ameri-
| can citizens accustomed 10 a voice in their own
| concerns