New-York tribune., 1900-12-02
THE CHARTER REVISION.

II is, Of course, impossible TO pass at once an
intelligent judgment upon an entire scheme Of
charter revision, such as thar which an able
Commission has just reported. not without grave
doubts as 70 the wisdom Of some of its details
after months of assiduous labor. Certain con-
spicuOus features. however. have been so long
the subject Of public consideration that a fairly
mature opinion of their merits can be expressed,
while others are of such a nature as 10 permit
Of prompt valuation. Within these limits it is
proper 10 comment this morning on the arduous
and perplexing work which the Commission has
brought 10 close on the prescribed date. 1t
should he said in advance that the time allowed
was not sufficient for the purpose, and il will
be little less than a miracle if. as the discus
sion proceeds, Mr.. Riyes and his associates do
not discover provisions which they themselves
would prefer 10 modify.
We have said repeatedly since the Commits
sion was appointed that the community would
be far from satisfied with its recommendations
IL they did not clearly appear to insure large
reduction in the cost Of local government II is
gratifying TO find that the enormous increase of
municipal expenditures under the present char
ter has made deep impression on the minds
OF its revisers. and that they confidently an
ticpate a substantial relief from the changes
which they propose. Their vigorous attack on
the grossly swollen salary list is especially vel
come, and we believe that they have made no
mistake in providing that the heads of depart-
ments shall be completely stripped Of power to
hx the remuneration of their subOrdinateS II
has been veXatious 10 the public and demoraliz-
ing 10 the whole service 10 witness during the
last three years the constant raising of the
salaries Of men who Were already overpaid in
most eases and in many cases entirely suner-
huous. II IS not doubted that the payroll could
be cut down 10 the extent Of several millions
without hardship TO any individual. but the
cash saving thus directly effected would NOT
measure the value of the process The exist
Ing system and practice have strongly tended 10
imbue the oficeholding class with a false con
cepuon Of its relations 10 the public, and TO
encourage n prOhgate use Of opportunities
rather than modest and faithful performance
OF obligations.
The keynote OF the revision is the establish
ment Of responsibility and il is proposed 10
effect this 10 a considerable extent through CEN
traliZation OF authority. though In some mat
ters such highway. sewer and buildings
administration. the opposite course is pursued
and public convenience and executive efficiency
are thought 10 he promoted by a local distri-
button OF powers. Acknowledging the force Of
adverse arguments. the Commission retains the
four years term OF the Mayor and gives him
absolute authority 10 remove his appointees.
judges and members Of the Board Of Education
excepted throughout his term. This latter
chsnge VIII probably not cause much surprise.
but Il is sure 10 be disapproved as emphatically
as IL is applanded Everybody win concede
that this autocratic power would be advanta-
geously employed by an excellent Mayor. and
there is much force in the contention that the