New-York tribune., 1901-04-01

nv opinion It ought to be clearly understood that
speak for any other member OF the late comInls-
Some Of the changes proposed in the legislature
tion relating druggists IS omitted. because the
law. SO .hat provision was wholly unnecessary And
which are, on the whole, improvements.
CHANGE AS TO THE ALDERMEN.
The change in regard to the composition Of the
practical consequence. 1t was made upon the
message to The legislature urged that it was
measure Of economy. as he thought that certain
The legislature has cut the number Of that body
down by forty so there will 6e saving OF $io0p n
II appears that the legislature IS likely
provision in regard TO the Board OF Aldermen is
perhaps objectionable from theoretical point Of
view. because II gives unequal representation 10
Richmond with less Than fft;etb of the BOSNIA
ton. has three members Of the Board OF Aldermen
peslGes the borough president sitting IN the board
AS have said however. I do not think this will
De obJectlonaole IN practlce and perhaps there IS
well ought to be considered.
tionable change is the reduction OF the Mayors
term of Office from four years to two. Two differ
study "a mis- po,nt and both agreed Unon fxine
the Mayors term of Office four years This was
a subject which almost more than any other
mission, and first majority Of the members
Of the opinion that the term should be re-
duced 10 two years. That was my own view al the
outset.
CHANGED VIEWS ABOUT MAYORS TERM.
As result Of our discussion we came the
conclusion that the views of the commission Of
for myself, I have come to regard this particular
Charter. Other members of the commission have
gone through precisely the same change OF senti-
have told within few DAYS that they had come
10 agree with in thinking this feature essential
FnI he oh n he rrfl RI
nothing bur evil 70 the city Of New-York- I be
ssisrsctor %ri tf nant ~ If 5t more ell IiGG 20 get
more difficult 10 elect him when he is found. and
usefunes If Elected nam m csn haTdv ieaTS tSe
duties Of Mayor Of New-Yorl under two years.
accomplish nothing in that limited time. He car
pco!ects the results ot which VIII not be seen az
hrst. and popular opinion at the end of two years
Government our experience Is generally that after
two years Of the Presidents cerm the elections go
Rut whatsyer vi. may be the. arguments for short
Tt;1-s ] ne .EoF tfIIn o. once taeTe san De
from four years 70 two. The Controller is purely
plicsted kind. ana under two Years hs can hardly
bee become good ottciai ,ci d. rot kncw by whom
its f4vSr have never heard il sugges;ed before.
the city's interests.
OPPOSES DOCK BOARD AMENDMENT
,-A;5 another change also in my judgment dsas-
affecting only one sphere Of activity Of the city is
hever in single headed Departments where they-
ar e~scut.e IN thelr cnarac.er Where they In
the head of the department should be board and
Department are only in a very minor degree con-
eSernoed vita the admin.stratlon It's important
ment OF the water front and the leasing Of this
water water tTont 70 tenants for very long term Of
gous TO those OF the RAPID Transi, Commission.
have an individual at the head OF such work as
or the East River Bridge Commission or the Aque-
ouct Commission. and yet their work presents close
been said that the present Dock Department is
badly administered Whether that is 50 or not it
IS muca more danger Of bad adInnistration in
case Of tat sort by an individual than there is by
With respect to the school chapter believe that
never approved Of that law. But in view Of con
d!tions actually existing perhaps its retention upon
pursue. The matter is one which involves many
d.fiiGllt fiiGl conscientious and is one as 70 which,
uoUs. In all other material respects the legislative
1 have said that the changes proposed by the
1eisiaye eommitteSS m m in the report OF the com
Aldermen Who are 70 be paid Salaries This IS so
in some minor respects, as for Instance man
datory provision which the committees have in
Of the Department Of Correction having an office
10 perform. There other mandatory pro-
visions which the committees have restored 10 the
earding branch ofices Of different debartments to
be established in the different boroughs, but these
Offices ought to ha settled the City Hall and not
At the capital
EXTRAVAGANT AND INDEFENSIBLE.
The most extravagant and utterly ndefensihe
piece Of legislation proposed is What is known
three platoon Police Department provision. l do
not know how many millions year these pro-
visions Will add: II ADOPTED to the expenses OF The
city government There is no possible excuse for
them from the point OF view Of efficiency or justice
hremen far better paid than any other men
who do anything ike the of work. and
for every vacancy in either OF the departments. l
postiye that there is no Injustice 10 the men u1
proposed bin if il contained the provisions referred
see the whole work Of the Charter Revision Com
mission 90 for nothing 'han 10 have such legisla-
There is one other change that may refer to.
although il has not apparently been adopted by the
Senate Committee and that is the suggestion made
,T,secrSr sbo1ii5 he ao1ointed bv me Msyor This
IS absolutely wrong in my Judgment and il is con-
ought NOT 20 be called upon to appoint ANYBODY
removal OF their own subordnates and be held
responsible for the results That Is the only way
in which you can administer any great business
Any other course lneVltaDIg 4edus 10 DIVISION OF
ytat js eo7si5ered an emergenoy LsSsistioD made
Al { particular 10 meet The eXigencies
ot the moment is very apt 20 be a mistake.
on THE WHOLE AN IMPROVEMENT
Il the provisions have referred relating TO
the TWO platoon and three battalion system in the
the bill. then th!nk II ought 10 be resarded as on
the whole. an Improvement over existing conditions.
recommendations ot the commission Of much OF
taelr value IS The change IN the Mayors term of