New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-08
SUBJECT CONSIDERED THEN.

SUBJECT CONSIDERED THEN
This subject was carefully considered by your
sue some ss Worth of bonds authorized but
not issued by Mayor strong's DECENTRALIZATION
Assembly and the practical necessity for such re-
authorization was proved 10 my mind. not merely
but by the statement made BY the counsel FOR one
OF the unsuccessful syndicates zone OF the nnost
advised his clients bid for the bonds II they
had not been authorized by the Municipal Assem-
As to the charges q conspiracy which you make ase
Sg Mr. Pierce bis ne sad ha 25ng M
marks worthy Of serious reply. Such reckless
ness Of statement. unsubstantiated by. even the
slightest evidence Invariably reacts and never in
tures public official word as 10 your premises
The members Of the Municipal Assembly are thor
oughly aware that they are vested with legslat i've
provements such as the proposed repaving and IT
therefore requires twists Of vermcular rea
in regard 10 their Hall Of Records issue is going
b OCe mem aI 70 Vss on ,g the Com
missioner OF Highways is one wiki which have
missioner shall bargain with the Municipal Assem-
bly, TO ne particular streets 20 he repaved
that each repaving contract would. under the pro-
visions Of the charter have 10 be approved by
I may be allowed, however 70 express the opinion
that the worst probable selection OF streets by the
Highway Department acting II does upon pro-
fessionsl engineering advicel would almost certain
y be better than the log-rollng OF even superior
with limited amount of money to spend II would
be impossible to repaye anything Ike the mile
az OF streets in each Councilmanc OF Aldermanic
district Whereas proper regard for the ctys
fares in iii repair should be repaved in one such
district the same consideration would dictate re-
This does not accord with the theory OF legislative
patronage IN me Municipal Assembly any nDrs
OF the River and Hsrbor bill.
the saf ~ny BE 81 zap Mo Rs 6ahE a
city Of New-York for the twelve years prior TO
partment without dictation by, any legislative BODY.
and the selection OF streets has, I believe met
:. would not have addressed you at this length =
gwen TO any 49, statements thai y0g MAJ mske as
counsel 10 legislative investigating committee
may seEys to o6sc15s the public mind IN TegsTd
| interests OF every citizen Of New-York
TO BE DISCUSSED CALMLY.
The question of abolishng the Municipal As
semby or curtailing its power 10 the extent which
| Aldermen Of the former city. Of New York; is
TIER city Because your remarks for the Te a
regret that you should have seen At to treat this
subject from the standpoint Of partisan or IA,
Assembly not alone in regard this Hall Of Rec
ords bond issue. but in respect 10 numberless mat
tiers requiring It's official action has been disgrace
tu 70, civilized government and until you became
its defender not voice had been heard from either
| Democratic or Republican sources recommending
| the continuation OF the Impossible condition nov
| prevailing.
Apart from me fundamental differences in rolitl-
| cal conditions between municipal government In
! this country and IN Europe. believe that the
trainers Of the charter in copying foreign models
ana bestowing such large powers upon the Nunici-
pal Assembly, lost sight Of the fact that abroad
the committees OF local Councils actually direct The
| administration OF their municipalities The charter
| on the other hand retained the American sys
tenn OF departmental administration. but superim-
| posed thereon system OF constant legislative IN
| reference. This Is anomalous. illogical and cum
bersome to a degree fatal 10 efficient admnistrn-
| ton. II Is the excess OF government cnd where
there is too much government there is continual Oo
! struction No city can grow and develop the gov
! eminent Of which is so bound up IN impossible
! checks that nothing Is ever done. The recent
ton OF the Council In regard 70 the Hall ~ Rec
public opinion 70 the extremes 10 which the leaders
! o. the present "hodup' have been led know
! that my attitude in this matter has been
taken solely in the public interests and believe
| the position Of the Mayor and Corporation Counsel
To you, however this controversy has seemed
! administrative officers OF the city on grounds
fundamentally absurd as 20 discredt yourself even
I with those who have been your well wishers II
YOU have assumed this iu1efensble position merely
! through a misunderstanding Of the facts brought
| about, perhaps, by erroneous or interested repre-
senta lions I sincerely hope, not merely FOR your
own reputation. but for the sake OF good govern
ment that YOU will reconsider the conclusions pub
! Nshed IN the interviews referred to- Believe ne,
| very truly yours,
BIRD 6 COLER. Controller.