The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-08-27

of the board of Education should be
merged absolutely with the general inau-
cial system of the city and the scrutiny
and check upon Its disbursements should
be the same as upon all other depart
ments."
Mr.. Riker suggests the control by the
Board of Estimate. which he proposes, Of
the expenditures Of the school board and
the appointment by the Mayor of the
school Commissioners. Perhaps the most
significant contribution to this sub
1ect Is that Of the president OF
the Board of Education, who comedies
with the view that a small board would
transact business more satisfactorily and
that the membership be nine and that a
small salary be attached to the position.
lie also recommends the establishment of a
commission for the purchase OF all real
estate found necessary for the city's use
by whatever department.
PROPOSED NEW METHODS OF AD-
MINISTRATION.
While the commissioners and others who
have submitted papers generally concur in
the plan to have most OF the departments
headed by single executives or administrn-
tors, the several plans differ considerably
in detail so that an attempt to reconcile
them or make them clear at a glance would
involve the Transcription Of more Of their
subject matter than II Is purposed TO at
tempt here. -.
IL may be briefly stated, however, that
single heads are suggested for the police,
fire, health and charities or charities and
correction departments, who shall be re-
sponsible to the Mayor and be entrusted
With full authority, subject to the proposed
civil service regulations and other checks
hereinbefore indicated, and there seems 10
be general concurrence IN THIS plan ,so
commissioner, as would also Mr.. Martin.
The City COunse suggests an Excise board
Of three, with no requirement as 10 Rohaleal
gests a board of three. one member TO be
the Alderman at large and the other TWO
members to be appointed by the Mayor, 10
have full charge of all licenses, liquor and
otherwise. MI. Ryan suggests a board of
three members, and Mr.. Bachelor makes a
like suggestion.
censes In charge of a single commissioner
who should have full authority in the mat,
ter of all licenses, excise and general, ana
partment of weights and measures.
Mr., Connolly suggests that the Health
Board consist of the Alderman at large,
VIII shall be its presiding officer. and -four
other members. two Of whom shall be ply,
sicians to be appointed by the Mayor, and
that the commissioner of charities and cor
rectlons. shall be the health officer of the
The City Counsel suggested thai
the Sinking Fund Commission be ap-
appointed by the Mayor, and MT, Con
Mayor, the alderman-at-large. the comp,
troiler and two members to be appointed
by the Mayor. Mr.. Martin eoncurs IN thus
Hardin would leave the Sinking, Fund
Commission as at present constituted,
Mr.. Hardin says: The commissioner
are trustees for bondholders and should
not be subject to change for political OF
personal reasons. 1t is their duty at times
to differ with financial and taxing officers
of the city, and the greater their indie
pendence the better for the financial stand,
ing aud security of the city's obligations.
Mr.. Connolly would hive board TO consist
of three members appointed by the Mayor
to have entire control of the following
matters: Fairgrounds and recreation CEN
tres. band concerts, public bath houses,
the outing camp and the municipal observ-
of such commission to ne a sort of paren-
tai home to which may be taken lost,
strayed away children, helpless old persons
laws and that final disposition of such
cases be made by and through the COM
mission.
MI. Connolly would have a Board of City
Home Managers to consist of the Mayor
and three members appointed by him. Mr..
Bachelor would have a board of FIVE MEM
bers to be appointed by the Mayor for a
term OF hve years, in such a manner that
the term Of one member would expire each
year. Mr.. Corish would have the City
Home under the control Of the Department
of Charities and Correction.
The commissioners seem ngreed that city
Counsel should be appointed by the Mayor
to hold office during the Mayors term,
as at present. also that he should have the
appointment of his subordinates. Mr. Con-
nelly recommends that he be empowered
to appoint as many assistants and at such
| Suidfico ub tht podiu VI tStihiutp Sini
Mr.. Hardin would charge the Board Of
Assessment and Revision of Taxes witt
the collection of taxes ms we'll as thel
ascertainment.
DISTRIBUTION OF AUTHORITY.
The powers to be exercised by the sew
eral departments of the city government
are clearly indicated in the analysis of thu
features of the several plans. Some import
ant recommendations, however, relating Il
the exercise of certain specific authority
have been made so that the subject scent
to REQUIRE a separate heading.
Tn Mayor has devoted some space In
his communication to the Charter Revision
Commission to the matter of the purchase
of lands by the city, and after recitine
the scandals which have arisen from
transactions under the present system OF
lack Of system, he recommend that thu
Board of Assessment and Revision OF
Taxes be constituted a Board OF Con
domination to purchase all real property
He points out that II this suggestion
be adopted ''either the assessments In
general will approach the prices which
prices of land which the city has to buy
will come rather close to the figures de,
MI. Connolly concurs in this recommends
ton. but would further ave the Tax
Board make the assessment for improve
ment benefits; thus doing away with the
Mr., Connolly and Mr.. Martin both sug:
gest that the printing and advertising Of
the city be looked after by, one official
subject to the approval of the Board Of
Estimate. The Mayor suggests that au'
thority be vested In the executive to veto
separate items in resolutions and ordin'
ances making appropriations or appoint
ments. etc.
Mr., Connolly would nave authority vest,
ed in the Board of Aldermen to try al
persons suspended from office by the power
which appointed them, the appointing
power to present charges, a copy of which
shall be served upon the accused; a two
thirds vote of the board being necessary
to sustain the charges.
MI Connolly would have a Board OF
Library Trustees. consisting of the Mayor
and two other members appointed by him,
to have charge not only of the Free Pub
lie TJbrary. but the new Municipal LII
brary' Mr.. Martin would add the
new Municipal Library to the contro
OF the Board of Library Trustees as
al present constituted. Mr.. Hardin Would
not change the constitution of the Library
The CITY Auditor urges that the Aud,
itor's Department be given charge and
control Of the accounting systems of every
other department of the city, with author
itv 10 enforce such methods In book
keening as II prescribes.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS.
The Mayor suggests that mandatory ap-
propriations IL possible and secret SEES
sions be forbidden by the charter. Mr..
Connolly suggests that changes of officials
whose appointment is invested In the
Mayor should be made not later than
three months after the Mayor assumes
Once. He also suggests that at least once
a week the Mayor and the Board of Esti-
mate contemplated In his plans, require
the heads of departments and other Of