New-York tribune., 1900-12-02

people whose privilege il is TO elect an excel
: lent Mayor, would be likely. in the first place.
TO do so if his office were thus exalted. and, In
the second place. 10 make him realize his
accountability IL they were enabled 10 point
the finger of condemnation directly at his indi-
vidual self. 1t has TO be admitted. moreover.
thar recent events have strengthened the posi-
tion of those who this subject are sure TO
agree with the Commission and may in
measure hare inspired its action. To be per
fectly frank. we will add that we are not con-
+ WINGED of it's wisdom. but we are not averse 10
J the experiment which has Deen advocated so
long by disinterested students of our municipal
problems.
Another chief feature of the revision which
has been expected by the community whose
opinions IL will divide is the provision for a
single Commissioner of Police Formerly itwas
essential 10 honest elections that the Police
Board should be equally constituted from the
two parties Under the new Constitution
single headed Board compels the creation of
separate bipartisan Bureau of Elections. and
that is suitably provided for. After long con-
sideration we are prepared 10 accept that ar
rangement one which ii is expedient TO try.
1t is scarcely possible TO suppose that munich
pal conditions could have been worse during
the last three years II a single Commissioner
they had been no better the forces COM
batting vice and crime would have had clearer
mark at which TO strike and might have struck
sooner.
There has been a respectable demand. more
strongly made i'm other horoughs than in this.
that the local subdivisions of the city should
be enabled 10 exercise g eater weight in the
government. Whether the Commission has sat
isfactorily met this demand remains TO be seen.
Certainly the Importance of the boroughs has
in some ways been much increased. Their |
presidents are made members of the Board of |
Estimate and AppOrtionment, whose powers, |
already large. have been signally extended. and |
they are 10 be important factors in the initia |
ton as well as the authorization Of local i'm |
prOvements The Board of Public Improve |
nents, with its extravagant machinery, of which |
much expected. has not justified its crea- |
ton and is abolished This is obviously in the |
line of economy and there is no reason TO think |
that any public interest will suffer. Efficiency |
if not economy. is likewise predicted of the re- |
constitution of the educational establishment |
but this is a complicated subject on which |
definite opinion should not be expressed with |
out careful consideration. An essential reduc- |
ton Of the Ramapo companys excessive powers |
and the bestowal the city by constitutional |
amendment and otherwise of authority TO securs |
and maintain an ample water supply arc |
strongly urged
In the legislative department Of the city gov |
ernment the dual Assembly is TO be replaced by |
an enlarged Board of Aldermen, whose president |
is 10 be a member of the Board Of Estimate and |
AppOrtionment, and. with the Mayor and Con |
uOer. TO east nine of its sixteen votes The !
Aldermen are to have some new functions to /
be relieved of sc ne trivial and time wasting |
duties and privileges. TO cease TO be an Obstruc-
tive element, especially in respect TO appropria- |
uOns and to become agency of publicity |
through their authority TO demand the presence |
of any head of a department at their meetings |
and, on due notice. an answer from him 10 |
any question relating 10 his office. Such. at |
least is the scheme, and it does not look un-
promising; but in the light of experience il |
would be rash 10 expect great things from a |
municipal legislature. II remains 10 be said |
after this necessarily hurried survey that the
Commission seems TO have had a clear view
and firm grasp of the subject with which it |
was appointed 10 deal and has made q singu-
larry ineligible report