Year: 1874




The charter under which our city govern
ment is now conducted was framed under cir
cumstances that have left their impress, for
good or evil, on its provisions The legisla-
tive majority and the Governor were republic
can at the time of its enactment The Mayor,
although acting temporarily with the repub-
ican party, was of the democratic faith, and
took pride in advertising his adherence to the
principles Of that organization. The munich
pal patronage was to be distributed among
the victors in the election of 1872. and the
momentous question with the republican
leaders was how to render secure their legiti-
mate share Of the city offices. They desired
especially to keep Comptroller Green at the
head Of the city finances for objects of their
own which will now react and compel his
removal by democratic administration. The
factional strife among the republicans defeated
every proposition contemplating mixed
authority in the appointments. and compelled
them to vest the power in the Mayor. So the
Legislature, by bargain, kept in Office the
President of the Police Board, the Comptroller,
the Commissioner of Public Works and the
Corporation Counsel, and gave the rest Of
the appointments to the Mayor. subject
to the confirmation of the Board of Alder
men, the President of which was republican.
But, it having been suggested that as soon as
the Legislature had adjourned the Mayor
might turn out the retained officials, pro-
vision was inserted in the charter requiring
the approval of the Governor, expressed in
writing, before q removal could be made. This
very provision will now enable Mayor Wick
ham to get rid Of Comptroller Green.


The clause Of the charter relating to re-
movals reads as follows:-''The heads Of all
departments, including those retained as
above, and all other persons whose appoint
ment is in this section provided for, may be
removed by the Mayor, for cause, and after
opportunity to be heard, subject, however,
before such removal shall take effect, to the
approval of the Governor expressed in writ
ing. The Mayor shall, in all cases, COM
municate to the Governor in writing his rea-
sons for such removal Whenever removal
is SO effected the Mayor SHALL upon the de-
mand Of the officer removed, make, in
writing, q public statement of the
reason therefor" It is held that this
clause cites the hands Of the Mayor"
Such was its effect while the Mayor and the
Governor were Of different political faith, but
it will not be SO when the Mayor and the
Governor are in political accord If Mr..
Wickham removes Comptroller Green, as
he is expected to do, democratic "home
rule" will compel the democratic Governor
to indorse his action. A removal ''for
cause bears very wide Interpretation.
If the Mayor considers that the Finance De-
partment IS incompetently and extravagantly
managed, that is sufficient cause for o
change in its head II he is Of opinion that
the Public Works Department is not conducted
in the public interests, that is good cause
for the removal Of the Commissioner. If he
believes that the Police Department and the
Street Cleaning Bureau are mere political siop
shops, that unfaithfulness in subordinates is
condoned by a temporary breaking up Of ex-
isting "rings" and the transfer Of corrupt
officers to new scenes of enterprise, that Is an
excellent ''cause'' for the thorough re-
organization of the commission. Mayor
Wickham cannot, therefore, shirk responsible
ity by pleading that the charter ''ties his
hands, His first official act should be the
reform of our financial policy by the removal
of Comptroller Green.