New-York tribune., 1912-01-30
WOULD ABOLISH COUNTIES
Citizens Union Suggests New
Plans for Government of City.
WANTS COURTS APPOINTED
Thinks State Executive Should
Name Judges and Latter Should
Name Sheriff and Clerks.

Instead Of recommending a separate
county for The Bronx. the Citizens Union
| recommends the abolition of all counties
within the city of New York, I'm a report
made public yesterday. The city commit
tee of the union says that New York is
the only city In the state that includes a
whole county or parts of counties. and that
every other county besides the four in titis
| city has a treasurer. issues county bonds
and elects separate board of supervisors.
A constitutional amendment places the
counties of New York. Kings. Queens and
Richmond practically under control of the
city. County buildings are paid for by the
| city and the rent OF county offices is a
city charge. Aldermen serve as supervisors
The fact is that the county, which is 50
important political subdivision In other
parts Of the state, serves in the city or
New York only TO confuse the distribution
of governmental functions The District
Attorney, Sheriff. Register and County
Clerk are county officers. elected as such,
but their offices are under the financial
control Of the city Board Of Estimate AMI
Apportionment, and both their salaries aud
the expenses of their CfceS are paid by
city officers The abolition OF counties
within the city of New York has. i'm fact,
been accomplished about as completely as
IL can De accomplished without n IuTlntI
amendment to the state constitution.
The point Is made that the constitution
now prevents the Governor from appointing
the Sheriff. Register. District Attorney and
county judge, they. instead. being elected
although this would be in line with short
ballot reform.
The following tentative plan IS submitted :;
Abolish entirely the four metropolitan
counties, and provide that wherever "cour-
ties" are referred to in any state law the
city Of New York shall be deemed TO be
included within the meaning of this term.
Abolish all existing county offices. includ-
ing the City Court of New York County.
Let the Governor appoint new court
for the entire city. with a civil and Grim
il al division. TO exercise all the powers now
exercised by the county courts, the city
Court and the Court Of General Sessions.
Consolidate the ID Judicial District-with
the exception of Nassau and Suffolk coun-
ties-with the lst Judicial District and add
Nassau and Suffolk counties to some other
judicial district. Let there be but one Ap-
pellate Division for the whole city. but
provide If II be found desirable. for the
holding OF special terms Of the Supreme
Court I'm the several boroughs
Let the new Appellate Division appoint
q sheriff, clerk. register of deeds and com
missioner Of jurors for the entire city. with
an assistant and a branch office, II 1t be
found desirable. In each borough.
Let the Governor appoint as many sur
rogates for the entire city as may be
necessary to handle the business Of this
court.
Let these surrogates appoint public ad-
minstrator for the entire city.
Let the Governor appoint a district at
torney for the entire city
There is dn alternative plan. which pro-
vjdes that the Governor appoint borough
courts and district attorneys. and that the
courts appoint borough surrogates, clerks,
sherifs. registers and commissioners Of rec
ord
The committee SAYS that either Of these
plans would meet the desires of The Bronx
for separate courts and officers. The point
is made that either of these schemes would
give New York more home rule, save in
salaries. apply tie short ballot take the
county offices out of partisan politics. and
simplify the general scheme Of city gov
ernment.