New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-02

.oo greouent elections contributory TO the
-,.rer,ent OF this city? Have the Mayor
- he officials he appoints a fair chahceE
$50 ,bev not irrespective OF party or pohIi-
=, EQUATIONS. afford better service to the pun
- !, thew could remain in power longer ana
-, their duties better? Is not the upheaVa
le ,rsvoraItv campaign once in two years
.,-s-sr.e 20 the work not only Of civic Officers
-. ~ nrivate individuals as well?
-. -, Questions have been raised by the pres
= .,s+ation set on foot by the City Club TO
go the term OF the Mayor. and according
= an extended canvass OF representative elu-
- which has been made by The Tribune they
&c answered IN various ways The bill framed
tv the City Club. which was introduced At
-, and which gives the Mayor, as well as
~ ~ontroller. President Of the Board OF Alder
=, ana the borough presidents, four years
- oesoe meets with both support and CRITICISM
some say that a term OF two years Is
..~or1a because the nearness OF the next
,..to, rfu lessen the temptations OF public
So The marty in power viii be less likely
:, 10 untrue TO its trust when its members
,,7o,V that before long they viii have to face
.bs criticisms Of their opponents in the light OF
.~o,ter csrapafgn with a short term a bad
MAYOR NAV soon be ousted, whereas with
,orr one he rnsy remain in control in defiance
~ rubllc sentiment. And # good Mayor be
s,.-re5 10 a short term he may be reelected
1,,b the APPROVAL Of the people and thus be
sDsbled 10 give a stin better administration,
.berks 10 the experience he has already ac-
CURED.
on the other hand. those who favor a longer
,errl for the Mayor say that in two years ne
does not have Q chance 10 vindicate himself
Even II he is man Of great executive ability
he does not get a sufficient grasp Of the duties
n his Office 10 prove TO the people at the end Of
his term that he has served them we'll II re-
nominated. with only a two-year record behind
hin. he IS not able TO overcome the criticism and
onnosItion Of enemies who. had he served longer.
would have become his supporters. In such a
short period he is not able TO carry out extern
eive mans for public improvement, such as
schoolhouses. rapid transit lines. bridges and
marks. IN two years also the heads Of depart
rnents do not become thoroughly enough ac-
ouainted with their work TO give the most efl-
cieut service. AS soon as they are fairly expert
enced they are likely 10 be thrown out
The interviews printed herewith were OBJ
tanned without the least bias and for the sole
purpose Of determining which way the prepon-
derance OF public sentiment leans. Neverthe-
less. it was found that the majority of citi-
Eeus who were willing TO discuss the subject
favor longer term for The ctys officers, or four
rather than two years. Aiming those whose
opinions are given are ex-mayors ex-oficials
under che last administration. officers and mem
bers Of influential civic associations. such the
City Club. the Chamber Of Commerce, the Citi-
zens Union. the Merchants Association, the
Board Of Trade and Transportation, the Reform
Club etc. and private citizens who have been
identified in one way or another with the franz
+r %
The Charter Revision Commission which favored
the 1our-year term. but whose report was
shortened TO two years by the Legislature Of
1901, also gives an interview, IN which he says
he favors the longer term. Mayor Mcclellan de-
clined 10 discuss the subject. although friends
Who have his confidence say he favors four
years term.