The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-08-24

proposed charter 1he Mayor said tnat
he was surprised" by the editorial and
that it was "very discouraging.'
| In his letter the Mayor gives the history
Of the preparation Of the new charter
as he has given II before and adds: Those
now engaged in exaggeration and dis
tortion gave no assistance He ex-
plained how the Legislatures committee
held hearings in New York last winter,
Incorporated changes then suggested
into the document and now is holding
more hearings. And yet in spite Of all
this publicity and years Of work. he
continues, you and others call the pro
posed charter secret charter"
"How do you justify yourself in MAX
ing such an assertion as this in the face
Of the facts Of publicity which ! have
stated above?" the Mayor asks. What
other means Of publicity and discussion
do you propose? You state in general
terms things with regard tn the charter
which | do not find in il at all. Where
do You find themy
"iou very conveniently say. Into the
details Of the charter We do not need here
to enter beg to differ fr ON you. III
you er ter into the discussion at all etails
are thu very things which we all II SIX Of
| you. I am doing my best to get details
| and he y to correct and perfect the char
ter. | exceedingly regret the false sta to-
inents see made from day to day, but
as mos, of them are 10y people given to
! falsehood and uncharity as a profession.
| | pa, nc attention to them. ! heed what
you say in the Outlook. because many Of
us have rot yet given up the habit OF years
in turning to the outlook for correct and
I tt,Nsr tul snt. h.,t, al IN
not have to begin to turn elsewhere.
Il should like to have you read the pro-
posed charter end point out just what you
object TO. My feeling on reading your
editorial is one Of encouragement. Why
not give me fair show, Why mass every
instead Of helping me? l have stayed
here all summer principally to help in this
charter matter. | want To do what is ex- =
actly right. That ! know. Do yon not
know it also? Have you the least doubt Of
it,"
any charter" but found it in the Legisla-
ture about to pass, when he became
Mayor and had it held up for year for
discussion He says that he has no
political bias or feeling about the gov
eminent Of the city and asks: why
should any honest person have any.
Away with all this petty political higotry.'
he continues II have hated it for a
generation. and hate il to-day worse
than ever ] only want to have things
honest and decent here"
/ The Mayor says that he finds no in
crease in the powers given to the Mayor
/ except that. following the lvins and
Hammond charters. it is proposed to give
the Mayor a suspensive ve.o over the
resolutions of the Board OF Estimate
for the expenditure Of money" He says
he did not ask for this provision. hut
that il is common all over the country"
and that II enables a loose law or resolu-
lion" to be suspended until reconsidered
and repassed Mr. McAneny. he says.
drew that provision. As to the statement
in the editorial that the Mayors power
! over the finances, now checked by an
elected official. are left unchecked by the
I transfer of powers from the Comptr troller' 8
Office to that of the Corporation Counsel"
the Mayor SAYS: No such thing is or
ever was proposed There are suits or
claims for damages for torts or negligence
which the Corporation Counsel has to
deal with and sometimes settle.
The notion that the Civil Service Com
mission ever had any power over the
Mayors anponting power is really sur
prising Who conceived il, No change
in respect of the Mayors appointing
power is being made" He explains tina,
the provision making the city Civil Ser
vice Commission no longer subject 10
home rule "tven now he says, "a
resolution of our city Civil Service Com
mission concerning an appointment in
a department is held up until the head
of the department agrees to appoint
man selected by certain politicians. That
use of the State Civil Service Commission
has grown familiar. have seen enough
of that sort of thing since | became
Mavor."
With regard TO the Board Of Education
the MAYOR saws that the naked fact
- that the Mayor gets no new power
over the Board of Education since he
already appoints and removes members
of the board Both commissions. he
SAID. reported the large board a failure
and he adds, -ail ! have said is to keep
the large board unless the small one is
to he paid. They could not give all their
time and be held to wholesome respon-
sibillty unless paid. Voluntary workers
are not responsible and do as little as
they please.
You say" the Mayor concludes, the
power of removal 10y the Governor of
city officials is done away with Not So
Such power OF removal is not given in
the case Of any other city of the first
class The matter was therefore held
open for public discussion. The COM
mittee has yet to report where It will vest
such power whether in the Governor. or
in the supreme Court or elsewhere The
current statement that the power Of
removal Is 10 be abolished ia a pure in
vention. Can we not have an honest and