The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-11

". We have also recommended pro.
visions changing the present cumber-
some, uncertain and costly system of
providing sinking funds for the retire
ment OF bonds issued by the State. by
recurring all bonds OF the State TO be
issued IN serials not extending beyond
the estimated Me Of the work or i'm
provement for which the debt IL con-
tracted. payable in equal annual INSTALL
ments and therefore requiring no sink
ing funds.
V. We nave proposed as large a
measure OF home rule for the cities OF
the State as is consistent with the
recognition and retention OF the Sow
ereignty OF the state. We provide that
every city shall have the exclusive power
to manage, regulate and control Its own
property. affairs and municipal govern
ment. Such power shall include, among
others. the right TO organic and man
age the departments OF the city govern
meut, and to regulate the compensation
and method Of removal OF all city officers
and employees, thus enabling them 10
obtain what is just and fair, both for
themselves and the taxpayers, without
the necessity IN tie first instance OF
application to the state Legislature. As
a last resort, or as a matter OF State
policy, the Legislature retains power TO
redress just grievances by the enact
ment Of laws applicable TO all the cities
OF the state without classification or dis
tinction. We max IL the duty Of the
Legislature by general laws TO provide
for the organization OF new cities In such
manner AS 10 secure 10 them the exercise
OF powers thus granted, We provide a
method for the adoption by existing
cities of new charters for the exercise
81 ...aN II. 800. -
submitted 10 the Legislature and become
effective II not d~isapproved by II. Among
the powers so granted Is that OF adopt
Ing amendments 10 charters but amend
ments which change the framework OF
the city government, or modify ~restric-
tions as to- Issuing bonds or contracting
debts, must be submitted TO the Legisla-
ture. and shall take effect as law sixty
days after such submission, unless in
the meantime the Legislature shall dis
approve the same by joint resolution.
We prohibit the Legislature from pass
ing any law relating TO the property,
AFFAIRS or municipal government OF a
city, except such as Is applicable TO all
the cities OF the State without classic
alton or distinction. and we empower
the Legislature TO delegate to the cities.
for exercise within their respective local
Jurisdictions, such OF It's powers of legis-
lation as to matters of State concern as
II may from time to time Geem expedient.
We also require the Legislature to pro-
vide for the method and limitations
under which debts may be contracted
by the cities, counties. towns, villages
ana other civil divisions of the State, to
the end that such debts shall be payable
IN annual instruments, the last OF wichh
shall all due and he paid within hfty
NelfA AffRr Gnnh hAhtS shall hA,. -
contracted, and in no event for a period
longer thar the probable life of the work
or object for which II Is to be contracted.
Changes I'm Counties.
VI. We authorize the Legislature by
general law TO establish different
forms OF government for any county
not wholly included within a city, to be-
come effective only when approved by
the electors OF the county, and to confer
upon any elective or appointive county
ofhcer or officers any OF the powers n
duties now exercised by the towns In
any county, or by any officer OF a
town, relating to highways, public safety
and the care of the poor. We nave pro-
Nided that no local or special law re-
hating To a county or counties, except
those wholly included within a city,
shall be enacted, except upon reuuest
by resolution OF the governing body OF
the county or COUNTIES TO be affected
We have also authorized the Legislature
by general laws to confer upon the
boards of supervisors or other governing
bodies of the several counties OF the
State such further powers OF local leg
~islation and administration as the Leg
islature may from time to time deem
e%xpedient.
VII, We have sought to remove the
basis for complaints OF delays and UNI
due expense in the administration of
justice, by amendments dealing with
% rules OF procedure, and t2) the or,
ganization and jurisdiction OF courts
and Judges, As to the first. we requir,
the Legislature to enact at its next SEES.
sion a short and simple civil practice
act which II may not alter or amend,
unless at the request of the Judges EN-.