New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-16
REPORT OF THE MAJORITY.
MANY SUGGESTIONS MADE-THE ABDIcA-
TON OF THE MAYOR.

MANY SUGGESTIONS MADE-THE ABDIcA-
TON OF THE MAYOR.
The following is summary of the majority
report Of the committee. After quoting the reso-
luton Of the Legislature appointing the special
committee, and also the resolution which per-
rntted it to continue its sessions after the Legs-
lature had adjourned, the report says
RESPONSIBLE TO A DICTATOR.
great part of the testimony was naturally ~ ny
grave evils were disclosed. For such were ad-
sought at the ballot box and not at The hands Of
the Legsatqre The one clear ana 65tet he Ss
in this great city the perfect instance of cen
had explained by the highest authority the dicta-
himself, the theory and system of government,
and by the highest officials the practice thereof
We see that government no longer responsible to
trsI power power-not the man who sits in the Mayors
chair, but the man who stands behind it. We see
directing officials, controlling Boards, ,ecturing
Assembly. We see Incompetence and arrogance in
high place. We see an enormous and ever tncreas-
aries We see the powers of government presti-
tlSo 20 pFotsct cInlhais 20 aeInorai1ze the police
ernmental functions into channels for private gain
uy has been directly robbed bu that g ea opeo
t1niues have been given by manipulation Of public
othees TO enable favored individuals work for
their own personal benefit.
ence taken before it the Committee Deems sn Should SE
De aslsq EN- upon at once; and therefore has pre-
pared bllls covering such points and recommends
their passage, and upon certain matters we recon-
Commission 0'i'- 'ef f'eV'Si0h
TO SHORTEN THE MAYORS TERM.
The committee discusses the Mayor as follows.
Under the scheme of the charter # was intended
staI th t government OF the city of New-York
Mayor He was given Term OF fo,r vestea IN tne
Win such term and with such powers the Charter
t9qIna,nnlsslon deemed IL advisable to make him in
eigiDie tqr reelection He was given for the first
n.ovai Of ALI officials appointed by the Mayor and
absolute power OF appointment without confirrna-
He made member Of the great bo 9isr Of 9o fbc
e elyF Pd,d Bosrd Of Estimate and Apporonment
ing Fund COMMISSIONS that he might keep in
functions Of the city As s the Se 'es
puts II The Mayor shall be the chief executive
The present Mayor has not conceived his duties
He teseG that he has Steadily mainfaines fbe
policy Of refusing to consult with his Commissioners
tended the meetings of the great Board of Public
!pIVseInens ne mas asserted that his view Of
after having appointed commissioners they were re-
he would neither confer nor advise in advance but
Mend STaien hsf EAR to sGng upon their com
cerned. IL is fair inference, from all the evidence
exercises merely registering function of the deter
nnination Of the leaders OF the party which elected
fore the real ruler Of the city, is private indi-
Efdual holding no office. amenabe to no law bound
by oath, and yet exercising almost absolute con
troll most of the departments of the city gov
eranment when ne chooses to exercise it. For this
latter evil, for it is evil fraught with many eY
consequences TO the good government of the city
there is legislative remedy. II a Mayor SO
chooses TO abdicate his powers the responsibility is
none the less his, but the only way TO change the
condition If the majority Of the people dissatis-
ned with such system and scheme Of government
We strongly of the opinion that the Mayors
term is long and advise that it should short
ened to two years. but iaasmuch the term of the
present Mayor cannot now be affected and a the
terms Of many other officials were made by the
charter coincident with his in order that there
might be an harmonious, responsible government we
suggest no present legislation, but refer this mat
ter to the proposed Charter Revision Committee
with the recommendation that the Mayors term
be limited 10 two years; and that not only the