Year: 1873

MAYOR HAVEMEYERS COMMENTS UPON ihE


CHARTER AMENDMENTS.


A TRIBUNE reporter called upon Mayor have
meyer yesterday to obtain his views relative to the
proposed amendments the Charter recently submitted
TO the Legislature by the Republican General Committee
The Mayor said that he favor Of the majority OF
the amendments proposed by the Committee OF Seventy


lie felt some deicacy In discussing the question OF con-
ferring upon the Mayor the power Of appointing all
heads of Departments; but he believed
that the reasoning OF tho Committee OF
Seventy was good. The Mayor should have the power
appoint those who would carry out his views ana
IDEAS and public opinion would have the effect Of check
ing bad Mayor In any case. If the public were net
satisfied with the Mayor and his appointments, 1t could
dspace end of two years by choosing another
man. For the he would have the terms or
the various Commissions longer than that OF the
Mayor They should not hold over, Ia now the case,
and as proposed in the charterIof the Republicans


He was decidedly OF the opinion that clean sweep OF
Departments should be made by any charter
passed by the present Legislature. he could see no
reason why some should be retained merely
because they Republicans. He was opposed to
partisanshp. He was accused OF weakness for Tam
many Hall because he old Democrat, and his
recent appointment of Richard Croker City Marshal
had been cited as q proof OF this He denied that his
past affiliations had in any influenced his appoint
ments and claimed that they would not in the future.
As he understood it, he elected by the best men Of
both parties and he would endeayor to make his admin
istraton strictly non-partisan The appointment Of
Richard Croker made at the solicitation OF exSherf
Kelly had always borne the reputation OF an honest
Some Of the newspapers accused Mr. Croker OF
would recommend such one Tor appointment 70 any
Office but IL any person would come forward ana PROVE
that Mr.. Croker unfit person TO hold 0ffce ne
would revoke the appointment. He wished 1t clearly
understood that in making appointments he would select
good men both parties. The law sanctions tho ap-
p0intment 35 City Marshas. Mayor Hall had given
written authority TO 4s persons to act in IN this capacity
had word all these men to come to the Mayors
office and show their authority and he would then make
his selections.


THE BOARD APPoRrIosMENr.


With reference to the Board of Apportionment and its
power to fix the be raised by the Tax Levy he
thought that the Mayor and the Board OF Aldermen
would constitute the best Board OF Apportlonment BE
was in favor OF placing power so far possible In the
hands OF direct representatives Of the people Next
TO this plan he favored that OF the Committee OF Sew
enty in requiring that the Tax Levy should be criticised
by the Board OF Aldermen and the public II they
should not have the power compel a revision
duction Of the estimates. Publicity would have good
effect The Board OF ApportoDnent was DOW composed
OF the Mayor, the Controller, the President OF
tho Department of Parks, and the Commissioner OF
Public Works. Heifdfd not considert good policy 10
have any heads Departments in the Board OF Appor
tionnent Ii was natural that each head OF Depart
should think that his own ofhce would suffer ny
reduction OF the estimates. Hence ne adv0cated tnat
the Mayor and Aldermen should constitute the Board of
AppOrtonment. One Of the clauses IN the tepnhlican
Charter provides that the COntrOer Sla not quesuOn
the amount OF salary paid employees in the various
Bureaus the service rendered He thought that TINS
was wrong He believed that the Controller should
have power Of revision and correction in this parcu
lar; for otherwise the head OF Bureau might pay q
man $40 900 per annum for more important labor than
the opening and closing OF door.


One other matter might bel made the subject OF great
abuse In the draft of the charters he had noticed


provision enabling tho Controller to call before him
and question orally any contractor relative TO contracts
for public work. This all wrong All communica-
tions OF any kind should in writing for there could
then be dispute as to the terms or the construction OF
se fairly and aerward deny all that they agreed to do


He again reiterated his determination to have his ad
ministration a strictly non-partisan one He would
appoint neither extreme Democrats Republicans
sch but would guided in his choice by the character
and fitness OF the applicants