The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1900-12-29
WEATHER YESTERDAY.
NEW YoRK's NEW CHARTER.

NEW YoRK's NEW CHARTER.
Honolulu is not the only city in the
iand where a new charter is being
considered. New York is considering
amendments to her charter which
make ii practically new one. When
Greater New York was incorporated
into one city commission consisting
OF thirty members was appointed to
frame a charter The commission be-
Heved IL had done it's work well, and so
did the citizens generally, though
some features of the charter were Sc
verely criticized. Experience has
shown that the charter was not ade-
auate To the needs of the great city.
Chief among it's faults were that it
did not invest the city authorities with
power rightfully belonging to them
bat left much in the hands of the
State Legislature This has resulted
iu a partial annulment OF home rule
for the city.
Last winter a second charter CON-
mission was appointed by Governor
Roosevelt. ana after nearly one years
work II he's completed its labor and
made its report. The new charter
recommended. and which IL is gener-
ally believed will be adopted, gives
Increased power to the mayor, to the
city council and TO the heads Of de-
partments. making them responsible
for the conduct OF affairs. The Sun IN
briefly recounting the work Of the
commission says:
THE term of the mayor is left at
four years and he remains ineligible
for reelection as under the present
charter but there is given TO him the
absolute power of removing the ap-
pointive heads of departments, who
will have no, definite term, at any
time and without trial. instead II
within six months after assuming Of
fee. This change manifestly is
made for the purpose Of fixing
responsibility for standardization
upon the executive head of the
city. who under the existing char
ter can plead immunity on the ground
that he has no power TO remove an in
competent head OF department
The council is abolished and the
local legislature is to consist Of but
ON house, the Board OF Aldermen.
wiki I23 members. and with enlarged
functions. embracing all the legisla-
t'-e powers now exercised by various
illustrative departments. such rs
departments of health. police.
ks, fire. dock and buildings. The
esident OF the Board of Aldermen
viii be elected by the city at large.
ami the presidents of the various Dor.
oughs will also have seats in the
| ard. This amendment is advocat I'd
u practical experience. for il is GER
Il n that two legislative bodies for
tn, city are more obstructive than
useful.
The only marked change made in
reference 10 borough government is
giving to each borough the control
over its purely local Improvements.
The departments of highways and
sewers are abolished and their func-
tons are transferred to the respective
borough presidents. The local inn
provements boards Of the boroughs
are made more important. and here
after the resolution of such a board
IL approved by the borough president
and by the board Of estimate and ap-
portionment, viii be enough to war
rant the beginning of local improve
ment A bureau Of buildings is TO be
established in the once of each Dor.
ough president. in line with the same
general view of granting borough au.
tonomy in strictly borough matters.
On the other hand the great admin.
istrstive departments are further CEN
tralized. There is TO be aside from
the ex ofiicio members of the Board Of
Health. but one health commissioner,
and he may be physician.
The fourheaded bipartisan police
board is wiped out and there win be
but one police commissioner. who viii.
receive a salary of $4,000 per annum.
and who. like other department heads.
can be removed arbitrarily BY the
mayor at any moment. This change
has long been demanded. generally.
by citizens irrespective Of party.
The control of the elections is given
to bipartisan board OF four mem.
bers, two to be selected from each CT
the two great political parties.
The constitution of the board OF es-
innate and apportionment Is altered
for the corporation counsel and the
Rssssaspt q the department Of taxes