New-York tribune., 1899-07-30
WOULD CUT MAYORS TERM.
FRANK MOSS FAvoRs REDUCING 1T TO
TWO YEARS.
.,zrr COMMITTEE TO RESUME ITS sEs-
sroNs ON TUEsDAY-HoRGAN & sLAT-
a...r ..r,r-1 TO BE PROREn

TERYs PULL" TO BE PRoBED.
Although Frank Moss following his custom.
I'll not commit himself to any definite state
rr.nt of the plan of procedure when the Mazet
committee resumes its Investigations on Tues
asv appearances would seem 10 Indicate that
,he buildings Department will receive early at
,ortion number of subpRnas for various
members Of the Department have been served
calling for appearances on August l. One Of
Mr. Mosss subpoena servers endeavored yester-
A., TO find the members OF the firm OF Horgan
3 Slattery, the architects whose close relations
With the Tammany administration have OF late
been a matter Of public comment. Mr.. Mazet
admitted yesterday that Messrs. Horgan and
slattsry were to be put on the stand. and inti-
mated that the examination OF them might re-
veal great many interesting things. Mr.. Moss,
Il is understood is particularly anxious TO learn
why this firm, which was unable at one time
10 meet It's obligations. can now control pracu-
cary all city contracts. The assumption is that
there is some silent partner" who is manipulat
ing things. and who is responsible for the pros
rerity that has recently come to the concern.
Rumor has ii that Mr. Moss Will show in his
examination OF Horgan and Slattery that they
have the support Of John F. Carroll and Rich
ard Croker.
4,
sides the Buildings Department that will come
IN for early consideration will be the depart
ments Of Taxes, Water Supply and Police. Mr..
Moss detectives working every night col
Letting evidence upon the conditions which con-
tnue in the Tenderloin. Mr.. Moss will have
some interesting evidence TO offer concerning the
pohce laxity in this part of the city which per-
mits hundreds Of robberies every night to be
ba
Tenderlon district and its resorts. He intends
10 show. also. that the poolrooms and houses Of
vice 10 which he called Chief Deverys attention
in the first hearings Of the committee are still
running.
TALK OF AN EXTRA SESSION.
As the renewed sessions of the committee ap-
proach the talk OF an extra session OF the Legis
lature is revived 1t is said that the Governor
is perfectly willing to call such session for the
purpose Of receiving a report from the COM
mittee urging the vital necessity Of certain
reform measures, in the shape Of amendments
to the charter, for the better government OF the
city Mr. Moss frankly stated yesterday that
be advocated shortening of the Mayoralty term
to two years reorganizing the Municipal AS
senlbly and decreasing the number Of municipal
Offices
-Four years is too long for Mayor 10 serve,
Mr Moss said yesterday. The Governor serves
only two and I think it would be 10 the interest
Of the city if the Mayors term was cut down TO
two years Where public officers have TO go be-
fore the people for approval every two years the
effect upon their conduct is salutary. while when
they have four years ahead Of them they gen
orally do as they please because If they are cor
rupt they can make enough money TO retire when
their terms expire. A great many people are
urging the reduction in the term of the present
Mayor to two years as the only means Of chang
ing the dsgra ceful state Of affairs which the in
vesugation has shown 10 exist in several OF the
municipal departments The only way this
be done is TO call special session Of the Legis-
lature 70 amend the charter I have no doubt
that Governor Roosevelt would consent to call
the extra session. because he feels a very deep
interest in the matter of correcting the abuses
that exist here. and he is anxious 70 do every
thing in his power to put end to them
The movement for this action is by no means
PARTISAN II is being advocated by Democrats
as well as by Republicans. 1t is a movement not
OF politicians but Of people who want a clean,
decent law respecting government. Thls pro-
posai did not originate with the committee. our
aim Of course. is TO remedy by legislative action
the abuses IN the city government which the IN
vestigation has uncovered but. so far as the
limitation Of the sMayor's term is concerned
Il
mined uDon. For my own part. have not given
the matter thorough study yet, and do not
know II there are any constitutional obstacles.
but il is being urged by many people as the Only
remedy that can be applied TO the conditions OF
police and other evils that the city is now labor
ing under The scat Of the present administra-
tion is the Democratic Club and the whole gov
o~nroent of the city is under the control OF one
man whose power is absolute. With such power
IN his hands for four years II is no wonder that
bc can be defiant The sentiment in favor Of
two year MayOralty term is growing. People
are realizing that such reform would go rlsht
70 the root OF all tn abuses that are practised
under the Tammany administration
AS TO THE MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY.
With regard TO the Municipal Assembly, am
not so sure that it would be altogether wise to
take from 1t the power Of passing upon Dohu
tssues The tendency Of Tammany government
is toward the concentration Of municipal con-
troll into one mans hands and II this power
We're teken from the Municipal Assembly there
would Re no check or curb upon the Mayor and
the Roard Of Estimate and Apportlonment. we
should 40 slow in lessening the power OF the nu-
ric,-oi Ieo,islators I am in favor, however, or
aboiishing one Of the two houses. ! am III laFor
also Of reducing the number OF municipal offices
The charter. in my opinion provides lor aI'o-
gether too many -,. .o.v,t,,, q,
The committee Will meet on Tuesuay inoI @ IlIIs INNS
Ar 1920 o'clock in Part TX Of the Supreme Court
The rrasent nIan is 10 continue the hearing for
tuo ard nArhaps three weeks when another re-
reee 80 tv,o weeks will be taken Mr.. MOSS was
urrrenared 10 say yesterday whether, IN We" VI
Richard Croker's early return from EUROPE ne
vro,,ld he called before August ~, the date LOI
which he s. under subpoena. He VIII surrey DT
ii5 -, Moss explained but exactly when
cannot tell"
\ Y