The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-08-14
FOR REDUCING
NUMBE R OF
COUNCILMEN
COrish Gives His Views on
Charter ReviSiOn--ThinkS
School Board Zoo Large.

AZ
gether with the heads of the city de-
partments and the Mayor, were re-
quested to make suggestions. All of
the members of the commission, with the
exception of former Mayor William II.
r. Fielder, have submitted their views,
and 1t is understood that Idr. Fielder,
who is now in Europe, approves of the
suggestions of his colleagues.
Following is Alderman Corish's
Views:
G~entlemen-In accordance with the re-
quest of your honorable body, | herewith
submit my views on a form OF govern
ment under which the city of Newark
may, in my Judgment, be, progressively
economically and successfully admins
tered under n revision of its charter.
I would suggest n form of government
that embodies essential features or both
the mayor and board" forms, with the
executive and administrative functlons
vested In the mayor, directly and through
his appointees; the Legislative functions
vested in the Common Council, and super
vision of the financial affairs vested IN a
board of estimate and finance composed OF
elective officials.
The Mayor-rhe mayor should be elected
for n term of four years. He should nave
the right of reelection, at the will of the
voters. He should possess power over the
acts of the Legislative and ADMINISTRATIVE
bodies of the government. He shouiu nave
the appointment, without confirmation. Of
ali heads of departments. He should also
have the appointment, without conf1rlna-
tion, of all boards that are not composed
Of elective members. he should nave the
power to remove. at will all such ap-
pointees. He should be a member, eX-
ohlcio. of the board of estimate and
finance. with a voting right.
Elective Oficers-The comptroller and the
president of the Common Council should
be elected at large by the people, each Tor
a term co-extensive with that of the
Common Council-The Common Council
should be a smaller boerd, with respect
to the number of members, than at pres
ent. In addition to the president, one
member should be elected from each ward
OF the city. The number of wards might
be reduced to ten, or LEFT as at present;
The term of office of each member should
Board of Estimate and Ffnance-The
board of estimate and finance should CON
sist of seven ember -Four of these
members should be elected at large. and
the Mayor. president of the Common Coun-
ell and the Comptroller should be mem
beers ex-oficio. with equal voice and vote
with the other members. The terms of
office of the. elective members should be
the same as that of the Mayor.
Ordinance Power-The ordlnance-making
pcwer of the city government should be
vested solely in the Common Council. to
which body should be restored the powers
In this regard wnich have been. from
time to time. transferred to the Board of
Works. Board of Health and Shade Tree
Commission. Final action on the tax ordi-
Hid tAtcDl dS " 1T tiEnt W lbf VIZ |
to approve or veto, should be In the Com
mon Council. Similarly. final action on all
bending issues, whether of permanent or
temporary loans. should be In the Common
Council
Bond Issues-The city should nave the
right to issue bonds on its W initiative
for any purpose relevant and material to
the public need, subject only to a llmita-
ton based upon Il certain percentage OF
thc.tax ratables. Fifteen per cent. seems
to have been generally adopted as n safe
and discreet limitation In this respect.
F Pasiss # Beard Beard Of E Estl%at a +
Finance should be charged with the duty
against the city, to take action on all
questions involving the raising and dis,
bursting Of the public FUNDS. 1t should
plating the raising of money for public
purposes and should prepare the annual
by the Common Council in which there
is also a duty imposed upon the Board
of Estimate and Finance, should be con-
current and on the recommendation OF
the latter body.
Board of Ed~ueation-The Board of Edu-
cation should be a small board. The pro-
vision of the present school law FOR n
board Of nine members might, In my Judg-
mont. be improved upon by an amend
ment making 1t possible to establish a
board Of Ave members. 1t should at all
events consist of not more than nine mem
bers. Preferably 1t should be an apointive
board, but IL elective. its members should
be chosen by the voters at large aud the
terms of office of each member should
run concurrently with that of the Mayor.
The financial system of the Board of Edu-
cation should be merged absolutely with
the general financial system of the city,
and the scrutiny and check pom Its dis
bursements should be the same as upon
all other departments. The purchase OF
property for the uses of the Board OF Edu-
cation, and for all other departments OF
the city should be n duty OF the Board OF
H.. al I-tpnNnaa 4ntth rpfnYnfnnnnla
tory rights In the departments concerned.
Single Headed OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES head
ed departments should be established
wherever feasible.
Department OF Public Works-The de-
partment OF public works should be headed
by Il commissioner Of public works, with a
chief engineer appointiNe by the mayor or
commissioner as the executive officer Of
the department. This department should
also Include s~ub-departments, ench with a
head officer. OF water, streets aud high
ways. sewers and drainage, lighting. docks,
parks, sidewalks. baths, bridges, public
grounds and shade trees. The ~sub-heads OF
these branches should be under the direct
supervision Of the chief engineer and the
jurisdiction Of the commissioner.
Department Of Liccnses-The department
OF licenses should he IA charge Of a single
commissioner. who should have full au-
thority IN the granting of all licenses. ex-
clse and general. and should also be In
charge Of the department OF weights and
measures.
The following departments should be
placed In charge OF single commissioners
Department OF police. department OF fire,
department Of charities aud correction, de-
partment Of buildings, department of pub
lie health.
The department of charities and corree-
ton should have charge of the city Home,
almshouse and public outings.
The commissioner OF public health
should be the health officer Of the city.
Whenever Il would DE necessary 10 In
woke the ordinance-making power OF the
city for the benefit Of any Of the depart
ment recommendations as to the lcEisla-
ton desired should be filed with the Com
mon Council by the respective heads Of
departments.
Of the city should be appointed by the
mayor for a term concurrent with that of
the mayor. He should have the right. sub
feet to restriction by the board OF estimate
and finance, OF appointing as many assist
ants as the business Of his department may
demand. No appointment In this depart
ment should be subject to civil service
regulation.
There should be nj change. In my Judg-
ment IN the present form OF the Commits
sion Of Assessment and Revision OF Taxes,
commission for the assessment OF bene-
Ats aud damages for Improvements and
the sinking fund commission.
The financial system OF the city as at
present conducted through the departments
OF the Comptroller. City Treasurer and
Auditor should not be disturbed. II Is
good enough. The present system OF col
Letting taxes, except as to the collection
- arrcar Of personal taxes should be un-
changed.
) sries-The fixing of salaries of ofi,