New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-14

Assembly Bill NO la, for tne Improvement W "
entrance to Prospect Park. Borough of Brooklyn
All these bills examples OF expenditures I'M
posed upon the city by Legislature at Albany
composed in great part OF members ignorant OF our
needs and desires. The charter was so oarei''
In protecting the local communities ior"''"e 40
city from expenditures for improvements nov W.
sired by those Immediately concerned that IL Gre
ated local borough boards with which rests the
right 10 originate improvements In their Respective
horougbs To ,bis extent was the charter intended
., rro,ect local taxation and yet the Legislature Is
asked TO ignore these provisions and TO dictate 10
the city expenditures for improvements which 'he
city does not seek.
Assembly Bill NJ. 235. 20 prohibit the dumping OF
refuse from the wall in Battery PARK seems 10
he unnecessary in view OF the fact that Section DIS
Of the charter expressly gives the Park Department
control OF this park.
MATTERS COMMITTED TO LOCAL AUTHoRi-
TIES
Senate bill No go TO authorize the es'aolsh-
rent of floating hospitals IN Brooklyn
Senate bill No. 25s 10 limit the height OF ouiid-
inss In New York city
Assembly bill No i3l. Ito prevent the placing oi
any high board fence except picket OF open
wood fence on the front OF any lot or lots III any
portion Of the city Of New-York known as inc
boroughs Of Manhattan and The Bronx, ana 10
have all high board fences now standing III saiu
territory removed before August. 1888 Inns o''
IS obviously one which IN operation would cause
much inconvenience and expense TO many persons
and is not called for by the city. The SUBJECT
natter of all these bills is distinctly within the
powers OF the municipal authorities. ard their IN
PRODUCTION into the Legislature. whore the citzehs
cannot readily watch them or oppose thein II d"
I'M oerable interference with the right OF homo RUE.
Assembly bill No. 2s2. TO authorize the Mayor
Aldermen and Commonalty OF the CITY OF Ne"
York by the Commissioner Of Public Works, 70
NJ Manhattan.
very well the bunGlng fashion in when a great
part OF the bills introduced In tho Legislature are
prepared. Neither the corporation nor the olhcs'
named in the bill has any legal existence the laws
under which they existed having been repealed
Moreover it presumes TO order the repavins OF a
street IN the city Of New-York. OF which the mu-
ncipal authorities should he the sole arbiters ana
which they are amply empowered to carry out
CIVIL SERVICE.
The charter carefully provides rules for the Civil
Service OF the city. Senate bill No. 9s Is designed
to overthrow this careful and cautou. legislation
and apply 10 the city Civil Service the law passed
last wear recurring that distinction shall be made
between merit AMI fitness" in Cvl Service
examinations throughout the state The effect OF
this law has been Injurious: In this city II wouid
operate 10 give the politicians greater contro over
hubble offices The charter expressly provided
different rulo for this city, the provisions thus de-
lberately adopted should be tested and rot ruth
lcsSly set aside ny the LEGISLATURE
SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.
Senate bill No would give TO the Mayor power
70 remove the presen, schoo! Commissioners. The
effect would be to deliver into tn. hands OF the poll
tcIans tho school system which under the admins
traitor of non political Board. mas been vastly I'M
proved during the last two years. and when the
charter intended to protect.
AUTHORITY OVER INDECENT CHILDREN
Senate bin Nos and 1856 is exceedingly mis-
chlevous in principle. II provides that when any
child shall hereafter be committed 10 the care OF
any institution in the city OF New-York. the So
cietv for the Prevention OF Crdelty to Children In
said city shall" have power TO direct that the Gus
tody of such child shall be given TO its parents or
guardian; and that In such case the Controller
of the city may pay 10 the parent or guardian,
through the society. the money allowed by law ior
the maintenance OF the chld. This bill Is vicious
because 1t gives to private soclety judicial power
OF a very serious kind; because payment OF public
money to parent for IL. support Of a child in the
care OF the paren, Is contrary TO the spirit OF all
our rvs upon this subject and would tend directly
20 pauperiz. the parents and discourage proper ef-
fort to maintain their own children.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
Senate bill No. amends provisions OF the char
ter as to the Health Department by emitting the
Presiden. OF the Police Board from the Board OF
Health by increasing from three to four the num-
Mayor by making the term fou- years instead OF
six and by giving 10 all the Commissioners first
appointed the ful, The charter provides that
OF the three Commissioners first appointed one
shall hold for six years-one for four and one for
two
Aside from the objection watch must be made
10 all attempts 10 alter the details OF the charter
before ii has fairly gone into operation, this bill
IS objectionable % because IT would add 5000 10
the expense Of the Department by increasing by
one the number Of Commissioners who are TO re-
ceive salaries Of that amour, without any apparent
necessity for such additional official; 90 because 1t
dsregards the desirab;y OF so arranging the terms
OF the Commissioners of Health that some OF the
members OF the Board viii always be men who have
had some experience in the duties OF the office; 49,
because the appointment OF four Commissioners at
one time. each Of them TO receive substantial
salary opens the way directly 10 deal between the
local machines: and % because. although the CO.
operation between the police and the Health De-
partment must he constant. the bill would remove
the President the Police Board from the Board Of
Health.
MUNICIPAL COURT
This is a minor civil court created by the charter.
taking the place OF the former civil district courts
in the boroughs Of Manhattan and The Bronx,
and of the courts Of the justices OF the peace in
the other boroughs. This court deals with great
number Of small litgauons. and is an important
part OF the judicial system. The Charter Commits
sion adopted a very careful plan OF organization
Of this court. Among the first bills undertaken
by the Legislature bills which propose TO
change the qualifications OF the justices to increase
their pay. 10 increase the number Of the judges
and districts and change their distribution; to in
crease the salaries OF the clerks the fees OF
steaographers and other details as 10 which the
charter makes definite provisions. Among these
changes is the important one OF allowing each JUS
tice 10 remain permanently IN his home district,
instead Of going by rotation through the several
districts OF his borough the charter prescrbes.
The rotation OF police Justices was made obligatory
several years ago and the system went far 10
break NJ the peinicious influence which The local
domination OF thu magistrates In a Circumscribed
district invariably created. The charter applied
the same system in tho municipal courts. and the
Legislature he's without delay interfered for the
restoration OF the old plan. The bills seeking 10
accomplish this Senate bills Nos 20. 10 and 49,
ard Assembly bill Nos and 229.
Senate bill No 23 seeks 10 amend the charter
so as TO increase from 5000 $500 the salaries
Of iustces OF the Municipal Court in tho bOrouehs
= proo M he Rrop ~