The New York Herald Newspaper, January 8, 1873, Page 8

THE RADICAL CHARTER| A “Straight Republican” Programme for the City Government. SWEEPING CHANGES. The Office-Holder’s Doomsday— The 15th February. A Lucky Quartet—Green, Van Nort, Delafield Smith and Olmsted To Be Specially Retained. The Board of Assistant Al- dermen Wiped Out. Reduction of the Boards from Five to Three Members. The Mayor Made Subject to Re- moval by the Governor. IN¢&More Fees and Dimin- ished Salaries. Economy the Leading Preten- sion of the Scheme. REVIVAL OF THE CROTON AQUEDUCT BOARD Special Counsel for the De- partments Abolished. Police and Health Surveillance Over Every Inhabitant. Taxes and Assessments Into a New Department. All Supervision of Buildings To Be Placed Under the Fire Commission. EIGHT POLICE SURGEONS ONLY. The Commissioners of Accounts. AN OFFICIAL “CITY RECORD.” A New Regulation About Advertising. ———_—_— Appointments by the Mayor To Be Confirmed by the Aldermen. The Mayor to Have Power to Call Out the Military. FREE AOQOESS TO PUBLIO RECORDS, Copies of Everything Procurable at Five Cents Per Hundred Words, THE COMMITTEE OF SEVENTY SNUBBED ‘The following is the republican city charter which ‘will probably be presented to the Legislature at Albany to-day, and the address to the public, which “printed edition,” to be shortly issued for the use and examination of citi- accompanies it in the ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC. a Tho Republican Central Committee of the city of New York carly in November appointed a committee to pre- ‘Pare such drafts of laws relating to the city as it seemed demrable should be presented to the Legislature. The #8 composed of Hugh Gardner, ayke, James W. Farr, Thomas Murphy, John J. Town- send, Abraham Lent, William Laimbeer and George Bliss, Jr. After devoting a good deal of time to the mat- ter we pertected a draft of amendments to the city char, ter which seemed to us proper. benefit of suggestions from all quarters we consulted successively with many prominent republicans and with the republican members of the Senate and Assembly from the city. We also had an informal conference with Jackson 8. Schultz, Dorman B. amon, who were a sub-committe: Legislation appointed by the Committee of Seventy. ‘These gentlemen were anxious to ascertain as far as pos. Gible the views of our committee and to induce us to adopt various provisions, while at the same time they ‘were explicit in their statement that they had no author- Aty to bind the Committee of Seventy and did not Antend to commit even themselves. ranged that the sub-committee were to prepare ade tailed statement of the points which seemed important to them and were to meet our committee and discuss them. It is understood that, in pursuance of t! rangement, they prepared and privately printed a pam- phiet containing twenty-six separate principles or pro- visions which they desired should be secured in any charter. On submitting it, however, to the full Commit tee of Seventy the whole matter was laid upon the table, @o that we were left without any authoritative exposi. tion of the present views of that committee. We are, id to believe that this action was not taken 80 much because any of the general principles laid down pamphlet were disapproved, as because, the special efforts on o1 democratic members of the Committee of Seventy ‘were induced to attend the meetii and to override their Committee on were making an alliance with the republican he Comuittee on Legislation theretore resigned, et, been unable hile, therefore, Anxious w have the ton and Edward Salo- of the Committee om It was therefore ar- two persons, in unusual numbers gislation on the plea eventy have, as to say what they desire. without any authoritative representation of Seventy, we have adopted, é views contained in the pamphiet we are the views of the Committe: in a great measure y. ropositions fifteen are embraced in d two more are substantially not adopted two are intended to pro- bt for levying taxes from that pro- look . to government therein. e polniment of cannot constitutionally be tan system ; two look t of minority or proportiona Vide a different One gives the Goy- ‘under @ met the introduction of some form mentation, while one or two others relate the only points of the sub-cominitiee tie upon ba we di ommittee of Sever minority representa Hoe 4 men instead of to th Vide for a Spring ele jon, that we confine tw municipal officers y authority over it upon. Bt at once remove from ads ¢ been appointed sinee the retorm ty or proportional Wow sous oF ut of department Movement gained the aK fe have ‘iiot recommended FeDIO_ELLALVN oF CuMUlapVE vo ‘NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1873—TRIPLE SHEET. ore, op 8 prin its friends, se we were unant- mously sari lt an, aes which had Deen sugested as to ite the matter shonld be lett for the consideration of the Constitutional Commission now in existence. 9 Spring election hasin ‘ymany advan in practice: it is tound t, besides being expensive, it docs not draw out a full vote, nor does it us officers than tion. With reference to riments we ba’ system which Havre nominations to be contitmed bythe Aldermen, in analogy to the constitution of the United States. The Aldermen, being elected on Abe, We CaN sce No reason WI ‘oice in the selection of heads ot depai to the tax levy. we prefer to keen it wholl Albany. The Comptroller, Commissioner of President of the rtment of Parks, and the Corpora- tion Counsel have ail been appointed under the influence of the reform sentiment, have in public opinion done well, pe we 2 have, not doomed it rignt to gzemore jared a é have 01 everything relatin: 2 ba ao to pe fry: ‘and Judicial officers, as not prop: er! longing to a city charter. ehave deemed it it advisable to re-enact those Dro. visions of the present charter, which secimed fo us good, but have proceeded py, way of gmendiment, carsk ny framing our changes, however, 80 Teasonable doubt ofthe ‘meaning of the whole instru. ment. A ublicans, we have not pretended to be in- aifterentto ine wishes or interests of that party.” At the same time we have rejected all mere partisan device ‘and bayve Introduced inany of the provisions contain in the charter proposed by the Committee of Seventy last year. We do not expect to satisfy every ons or to escape critictsm ; for municipal government is mubject upon which every one deems that he has a right to have an opinion and to differ from his neighbor. We ask, however, any one who is disposed to judge our -work harshly, to examine for himself, and see if in fact he does not approve a much Ia\ rtion of it than he disapproves. '¢ also ask those who are disposed to op- pose our work to remember that any amendments to the charter of the city are to come from a lature, in which the party we, in a sense, represent is In # large inajority. We ulso ask that itbe remembered that the pbvious course for the hangefs-on of the Ring to pursue in order to prevent any retorm is, while keeping in the themselves, to stir up good citizens, to object fo.any proposed measure, on the ground that it js detec: tive in this or that respect, or does not carry out some theoretic ideas, We also ask them to remember that even the representatives of reform may have among them scl- fish persons, who are usually the most busy, and that to such a Winter at Albany, with @ full treas ry to draw upon and offices tor themselves to be secured, hag its at- tractions, if they can claim tobe acting as the peculiar Tepresentatives of reform. he prominent features of the amendments proposed by us are the abolition of the Board of Assistant Ald men, assigning the duties ot Supervisors to the Aldermen without extra compensation ; cutting off all clerks and subordinates of the Supervisors; making the heads of all the departments, other than the Finance, Pub'ic Works havea and Law and Docks, consist of only three persons, in- stead of five, as is the case now, thus reducing the aygre- depariment from thirty-seven gate number, of heads fo thirty, and saving in the salaries of the heads of de- partments alone not less than $174,00, or, including the By the abolition of the Assistant Al- id reducing the expenses of the Aldermen, Su- d Mayor a further saving of not less than 158,00) is effec All officers. including the Chamber- lain, age required to pay over ail fees and interest to the treasury, which will give to the city at least ),000 more. The Aldermen and the heads of department are to go out of office in classes and not at the same time. The whole business of advertising 1s regulated by the establishment of the City Record, whereby we believe hundreds of thou- sands of dollars ‘will be sayed, Abundant provision. is made for securing the publicity of all acts of every. de- partment of the ci ty government. The preparation of the x levy is confided to city officers who: wil}, trom the na ture of their offices, be likely to be careful in authorizing expenses. All matters of ‘finance are confided to the Finance Department, by which all payments are to be made and where all Youchers are to be'filed. The heads of departments are, within tl appropriations, given control of the salaric: duties of their sub- ordinates. The syste allowing every depart- ment a separate counsel and attorney. is abolished. The Building Department and Fire Marshal's Bureat are transferred to the Fire Department, where, from the nature of their duties, they belong. A list of all officers 4s required to be published once a year, and changes are to be published as soon as made. A step 1s taken in the direction of civil servic reform by requiring, whenever 4 subordinate is removed, thata statement be filed of the cause of removal. Various other changes are indi- cated by the notes to the several sections. The amendments are submitted for discussion. They will be presented to the Legisiature at its opening, and as soon as the commitiees are appointed they will be asked to take up and act upon them, in the meantime suggestions and criticisms are invited. y order of the committee. 3H GARDNER, Chairman. if Gxonce Buiss, Jr., Secretary. THE CHARTER AMENDMENTS. 7 ee In order that the connection and effect of the proposed amendments may be fully understood an abstract is given in their proper order, within brackets, of the pur” port of the sections left unchanged, while In the cases of the sections amended the amendments are pointed out by notes or “by small capitals. Where, however, an amendment is merely verbal this is not done. AN Act to amend chapter one hvudred and thirty-seveu of the Laws of eighteen hundred and seventy, entitled “An Act to reorganize the local government of the city of New York,” and. the several amendments thereot, and Pad provide for the government of the city I of New York. The People of the State of New York, represented in Sen and Asoeanbly do enact as follows:— Lee rapt 4 [Section 1 is unchanged. Itis the general declaration of the corparate name and powers oi the city. Section 1.—Section 2 of the act entitled “An act to re- organize the local government of the city of New York, passed April 5, 1870, is hereby amended so as to read follows :— THE ASSISTANT ALDERMEN WIPED OUT. Swe. 2.-—The legislative powers of the sald corporation shall be vested ina Board of Aldermen. The Board of Assistant Aldermen is hereby abolished, and the Board of Aldermen shall solely possess the powers and perform all the duties by law conterred or {mposed upon the Board of Aldermen, the Board of Assistant Aldermen, the Common Couneli, or any one or more of them.” [The amendment to this section consists in the abolition of the Board of Assistant Aldermen. Apart from the tact hat this change effects an annual saving in expense of 108,000, we believe that recent experience shows that the Board of Assistant Aldermen exercises ‘mo beneficial check upon ‘the action of the Aldermen. We have endeavored to secure, in other ways, proper deliberation in legislation by the Board of Aldermen.| and Sare in form not amended, but are Hanually superseded by the amendments to sections Section 6 of said act is hereby amended so as allows :— ‘The Board of Aldermen now in office shall hold util the expiration of the term for w h. the were elected on the first Monday of January, which will be in the year 1875. There shall be fitteen Aldermen elected at the general State election, which will occur in the year 1874, five of whom shall be elected to serve one year, five for two years and five tor three years. All shall be voted for upon ‘one ballot, but the respective terms of. the Ere voted for suall be designated thereon. They shall take office on the first Monday of January next suc- ceeding their election, at noon. Annually thereafter, at the general State election there shall be ‘elected five’ Al- dermen, who shall take office on the first Monday of Jan- nary next succeeding their election and hold office for three years." {The change consists in extending the terms of tho Aldermen, after those now in office, from two to three years, and { providing for their election by classes. | Sxc. 3.—Section 7 of said act is hereby amended so as to read asfollows:— “Sec. 7.—In case & Vacancy shall occur in the Board of Aldermen it shall be filled by the nomination by the Mayor and the confirmation by the Board of Aldermen *Propey person, ho shall serve until the next general election succeeding the occurrence of a vacancy. Atsuch election an Alderman shail be elected to serve term.” for the remainder of the unexpired term. (The eh: e here is in disper ang with a special election to fill vas ies, which is regarded as expensive and use- jess. | ea S8isunchanged. It defines what constitutesa quorum. Swe. 4—Section 9 of of said act is hereby amended so ag to vead as follows :— “mec. 9—The Board of Aldermen (1) shall choose a President from its own members BY A VIVA Vor voTR, AND WHEN ONCE CHOSEN HE CAN UK REMOVED, BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF 18 TERM AE ALDERMAN, ONLY BY A VOTE OF TWO-THIRDS OF ALL THE MEMBERS ELECTED OR AP- Porntep, (2,) Appoint a clerk and other officers, Determine the rules of its own proceedings. the judge of the returns of election, and the right of election, and the qualifications ofits members; suaséct, HOWRVER, TO THE DECISION OF ANY COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION. Keep a journal of its proceedings, 6) 8 doors. 7.) Have the authority to compel the attendance of ab bers, and to punish its members for disorde aud to expel an, member with the concurrence: Inidw of the me bers elected or appointed. ber shall sit or act as a magistrate in any judicial procceaing.” (The change here consists in the addition of the words all capitals, Also in omitting @ Clause allowing secret sessions of the Board and in depriving the Alder- men of judicial powers. As the subsequent amendments give the President large powers itis thought that he majority. in should not be ovable by a mere rity. [Sections 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 are unchatged, except asafiected by the amendment to section 16. Section 10 deprives an expelled Alderman of his powers; ll gives the Board power to fix its meetings; 12, 13, 14 and 15 re- Jates to the mode of passing ordinances. | PASSAGE OVER A VETO, Sxc. 5.—Section 16 of said act is hereby amended so as to, ‘as follows :— ‘Src. 16.—The Board shall, after ten days, ap within virtkes pays after such ordinance or resolution shall have been so returned, proceed to reconsider and vote upon the same, and it the same shail, within such time, be again passed by the yotes of at least. two-thirds of all the members elected and effect. Bur THE 0) VAIL TO RNCKIVE WITHIN cH ON AFFIRMATIVE VOTRS IT SHALL BX DERMED FINALL In all cases the vote shall be taken by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons young for or against its passage, on such reconsideration, shall be entered in the journal of the Board. IN CASK AN oRDI- NANCE OR RESOLUTION SIIALL EMUHACE MORE THAN ONE DIS- TINCT SUBJKOT, THE MAYOR MAY APPROVE THE PROVISIONS RE- LATING TO. ONE poluted thereto, it shall take n e801 oT | APPROVE SHALL BE RECONSIDERED BY THY BOAKD, AND SALE ONLY BECOME FFECTIVE IF AGAIN PASSED AS ANOVE PRO- vipep.”? {The change is, besides the insertion of the words in small capitals, in requiring two thirds instead of three: fourths to pass a resolution over the Mayor's veto. The changes are taken substantially from the charter pro- posed by the Committee of Seventy last year. etfons 17 and 18 are unchanged. The tormer ts, how- © uperseded by the abolition of the Assistant Alder- men. Section 13 préeseribes the number of votes necessary to pass ordinances; requiring a majority for ord legislation; three-fourths ditire of m : rtainments, and “a wi » 6 ection 19 of said act is 1s to read as follows:— “See. 19.—The Clerk of the Board of Aldermen shall, by virtue of Mee, be Clerk of the Common Council AND Li PERFORM ALL THE ® CLERKS OF SAID ereby amended so TO THAT PAID RMB Tt shall be his it wil reasonable times, ¢ proceedings of xaid nim 48 CLERK OF THE Boar u ity to keep open for inspection, the recerds ani minates of joards. He shall keep the seal of the city, and his sig- nature shall be necessary to all leases, grants and other documents, as under existing laws The Clerk shall ay point and remove at pleasure lg. 4 Clerks in his de- partment and fix their salaries, The Derury Cieuxs AND OTHER OFFICKERS OF THK Board oF SHALL BE OFFICERS OF THE BOARD OF SU! ALDERMEN 180K, WHICH YRDINATES, AND KRKS AND OFFICERS SHALL RECEIVE KO ADDITION. ATION FOR DUTE THe SUPERVI- Me AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF SALAKIES PAID TO THE CLERKS AND OFFICERS OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN, IN CLUDING THY SALARY OF THR OLERK, SHALL NOT RXCKRD TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS IN ANY ONE YRAR."’ [The changes consist in the addiijon of the words in small capitals. The effect is to abolish a usciess double seb ot ofieigiv and to save about ong hundred thousand | Taxes amd. Asse the jiture of 1871, and D over that bei nareover expend! 950,000 “crty RECORD.” 8xc. 7.—Section Dot said act is hereby amended so as ‘Ree B.clemacaiate after ment of each The Clerk ta prepares bre toe gute ae cal and formal ‘Fetal ot all ms and ordinances introduced or he |. and of dations of commmitenes and of all final proceedings, as well as ful its or ers. po gry appointed to supervise the publication Pere OI, cutomplaling tes alicantiogee copetictes 01 or or teasing ry of the eity, or the making of le sing any property any spec ite improvement, or the appro} tion or ex- penditure of public moneys. or authorizing the in- curring of any expense, or ‘Or =assessil shall be Il be approved by thi days Fr such abstract Mall Bava been so publisl but if an abstract of any resolution or ordinance have been once published after its introduction, it shall not thereafter be necessary to publish the ame again, but only to refer to the page of the tormer publication, and to state the amendments, if any, made thereto, In all cases the yeas and nays upon the final passage of any regolution or ordinance shall poptshes: " ¢ amendment consists in limit she extent of the ve} ing and securing more definitely the requiste Publicity before legislation becomes final. Sac. &.—Section 21 of said act is hereby amended by riking therefrom the words following :— “13. In regard to the relation between all the officers and employes of the corporation in respect to each other, the corporation and the people.” - And by striking therefrom the words following :— “27. And tor carrying into effect and enforcing any of the powers, privileges aud rights at any time granted to and bestowed upon or possessed by the said corpora- 1. [The section amended defines the matters as to which the Aldermen may pass ordinances, The clauses re- ferred to are strack out because they are so indefinite that it is Impossible to tell thelr precise extent.) xc. 9.—The tourth subdivision of section 21 of sald act is hereby amended so as to read as follows :— “4. To prevent and remove encroachments upon and obstructions to the streets, highway; roads and pub- lic places, AND THEY SHALL HAVE NO POWRE TO AUTHORIZE TUE PLACING OR CONTINUING OF ANY ENCROACHMENT OR OB- STRUCTION UPON ANY STRERT OR SIDEWALK, EXCEPT TUR TEMPORARY OCCUPATION OF 4 PORTION THERKOF DURING THK ERECTION OR REPAIR OF A BUILDING ON THE LOT OF- POSITE THE AMR,” {The change is in adding the words in smail capitals ‘to one ofthe subdivisions of @ section detailing the powers of the Aldermen. } {rections 22, 23 and 24 are unchanged. Section 22 relates to the power to borrow money and contract debts, Section 23 makes the payor the executive offic er. Sec- tion 24 provides for the election of Mayer once in two years at the November election. } THE MAYOR'S SUBSTITUTE. Sxc. 10.—Section 25 of said act is hereby amended so as to read as follows:— “Sec. 256.—Whenever the Mayor shall be under suspen- ston, or there shall be a vacancy in the office ot Mayor, or whenever by reason of sickness or absence from the city he shall bé prevented from attending to the duties of his office, the President of the Board of Aldermen shall act as Mayor during such suspension, disability or absence. In. case of @ yacancy he shall so act for the term for whith such officer was chosen, and no clec- tion shall be held to fill such vacancy. It shall not be lawful for the President of the Board of Aldermen, when acting as Mayor, in consequence of the sickness or absenoe from the city of the person elected to exercise any power of appointment to or removal irom office, unless such sickness or absence of the Mayor shail have vontinued five days, nor to sign, approve or disapprove any ordinance or resolution, unless such sick- ness or absence shall have continued the same period. In CASK OF A VACANCY IN THE OFFI or MAYOR, THE ALDK! A TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN 70 PRESIDE. OV ‘RESIDENT OF THE BOA POWERS OF THE . The change here is giving the acting Mayor the same bower over appointments, and removals as the elected favor, while by the existing charter that power is vested in the Comptroller. In case of a vacancy the President of the Board of Aldermen is also to act as Mayor for the re- mainder of the term, instead of until the next general election. The provision in small capitals is new.) [Section 26 relates to the election of a Mayor to fill a vacancy. Though in form unchanged, it 1s,{n effect, su- perseded by the preceding amendment.] (Section 27 is uncha It relates to the Mayor's of eal actis hereby amended so as @ Mayor may appoint such clerks and sub- sies as he may require to aid him in the discharge of his official duties, AND SHALL RENDER 70 THR BoAKD OF ALDERMEN EVERY THREK MONTHS AN ACCOUNT OF THE EX- PENSES AND RECEIPTS OF 18 OFFICE, AND THERKIN SHALL STATE IN DETAIL THY AMOUNTS PAID AND AGREED TO BE PAID BY HIM FOR SALARIES TO SUCH CLERKS AND SUBORDINATES ECTIVELY. AND THE GENERAL. NATURE OF THEIR DUTIES. ‘THe AGGREGATE EXPENSHS INCURRED BY HIM FOR SUCH PUR- POSES SHALL NOT EXCRED, IN ANY ONK YEAR, THE SUM OF TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.” The change is shown by the small capitals. The amount gent by the Mayor in 1872 was $2000, ‘and in 1971 40,000. An ainendment adopted in 1871, making the Mayor a member ex oilicio of the Police and Heaith Boards, is re- pealed. : i APPOINTMENTS AND CONFIRMATIONS. Sxor12.—Section 29 of said act Is hereby amended 80 as to read as follows :— “Sec, 2%.—The Mayor shall nominate and by and with the consent of the Aldermen shall appoint all the heads of department, whether for full term or to fill vacancies. Wh®never the Mayor shall nominate any person to the Board of Aldermen the latter shall act upon the nomina- tion, by voting to confirm or reject the same, at the same meeting at which such nomination is made or at the meeting next succeeding. Ifa nomination is not finally te uoon at the meeting at which it is re- ed, and if a meeting is not to be regularly within one week thereatter, the President call a special meeting on two days’ public d_the nomination shatl be then acted pon.’ If aquorum does not attend he shall, on like notice, call other meetings until a quorum shall auend and the nomination be acted upon, If the Aldermen shall reject any person nominated by the Mayor he shall promptly nominate another person. in the place of the one sowejected, and continue so to nominate wntil, in twenty days have elapsed since ita’ o¢- in the case of the expiration of aterm expired. shalt have been made which shall have met the ap of the Aldermen the Mayor and President of the be agreed upon between tl such office, and’ the person so appomted shail hold the office in the same anner as i he had been nominated by the Mayor and confirmed by the Board of Aldermen. In like manner | nominate and,. with the consent of the ‘men, appoint, or’ in case of failure to con- firm, the Mayor and the President of the Board of Alder- men shall appoint the members of any board or commis: sion authorized to superintend the erection or repair of any building belonging to or to be paid tor by the city, whether named in any law or appointed by any local authority, and may appoint the members of any other local board and any other officers not now elected by the people whose appointment 1s not herein otherwise pro- vided for. Every head of department and person in this section named shall, except as herein otherwise provided, hold office tor the term of three Fears, and wntila person appointed place. “The terms of office of all eads of departinent and persons other than those first appointed shall commence on the first day of Feb- ruary. But the heads of department first appolited alter the passage of this a = t shall, exceptas herein otherwise expressly provided, be appointed for one, two and three years, respectively; and all the pre hereof shall apply to the nomination and confirmation ot the persons to be first appointed, except that, if within twenty days alter the pussage of this act, the Mayor shall not nomi- nate and the Aldermen confirm any such head of department, the — Ma: and President of the Board of ‘Aldermen ‘shall meet and appoint the same. The persons first appointed shall take office on the expiration of the terms of office of the present a dents, as hereinafter provided, and hold their. offices tli the first day of February, in the year in which itisherein # aluil expire. In case shali hold his office i , the person appointe for the unexpired term. REMOVALS. “The Mayor may be removed from office by the Governor in the same maniter as sheriffs, and aiter charges have been received by the Governor he may, pending the in- Vestigation. suspend the Mayor tor a d not exceed- ing thirty days. ~The heads of departme sons herein provided to be nominated by the Mayor and confirmed by the Board ef Aldermen or appointed by the Mayor and President of the Board of Aldermen, m: be removed by the Mayor with the concurrence ot two-thirds of all the members elected and appointed to the Board of Aldermen. Such rem shall made upon written charges, which im: reterred by the Mayor or by a majority of the Board of Aldermen, and which shall show an intentional violation or neglect of duty on the part ot the officer sought to be removed, or @ physical or mental incapacity to perform his duties! Such officer shall have an opportunity to meet such charges, but trot and after the preferring of the same he may be suspended from oflice by the Mayor for the period of twenty days, unless the same shail, before the expir tion thereof, Have been finally acted upon. He shall, however, be removed only in case the Mayor and two- thirds of the Aldermen shall find, and shall by resolution declare, that there is sufficient evide n intentional violation or negiect of duty, or of ph ical or mental in- capacity to periorm the duties of the office.” (The changes here are very impor now stands, wives the Mayor the appo: of department, and makes him removable only by im: peachment. By tie amendment we return to the old system of nominacion by the Mayor and confirmation by the Aldermen; but we seek to avoid, as tar as p ble, difticulties which have heretofore occurred by a cap: tous refusal to confirm, We make no provision for an alternative in case the Mayor and President of the Alder- men disagree, because we belleve that the force of publie opinion will Be such that there can be no long-contin disagreement on their part. If this beli founded, further legislation will be needed. vide that the heads of department shall no’ office at once. We make the Mayor remo: Governor in the same manner ay Sheriff case prior to 1870, and give a power of temp. sion. The existing Charter allows heads of department to be removed only by impeachment in the courts. The Proposed amendiment gives the power to the Mayor and Aldermen, and defines the grounds of removal.} THE DEPARTMENTS, Sve, 13.—Section W of said act is hereby amended 40 as to read us follows :— ‘Ske. 30.—There shall be the following other depart- ments im said cit: Finance Department, Law Department, Police Depurtn Department o lic Works, Department of Public Charities amd Correction, Fire Department, Health Departinent Department of Public Parks, Department of Dockn, Department of Taxes Croton Water Depart [The changes consistin omitting the Department of Buildings, which, by the amendment to section 82, Is made a bureau In the Fire Depar Water Departn Croton tis restored, and the nlssion of nents is made a separate department, instead of 4 bureau in the Finance Department. The Department of Public Instruction, which was added by an amendment in 1871, is omitted ‘and lett to be treated in a separate act.) TRIMBSTRIAL REPORTS, Section thirty-one of suid act is hereby sto read as follows :— id department shall, oxce iw timer such orAee times asthe Mayor may di- im in such form and under sich rules as operations and action same and cach of them, WHICH REPORTS SHALL BE WED IN THe City Record, The said departments lways, when required by the Mayor, furnish to he way demand Within such Section 32 of said act is hereby amended s0 as vad as follow: 2.—The heads of all departments, exceptas other- wise herein specifically provided, shall have power to @ppoint and remove all chieis of bureaus (except the Chamberlain), as algo all clerks, officers, employes. and subordinates in their respective departinents, without reterence to the tenure of office of any existing ap: pointec, IN CASK OF REMOVAL A STATEMENT SHOWING Tie REASON THERROF SHALL RE FILED IN THK DEFARTMENT.. The number and duties of all officers, clerks, employes and subordinates in every department, except as otherwire herein specifically provided, with their res, ive sala ries, whether now Uxed by special Jaw or otherwise. clerk, einployi Poll head 0 aut at on e and p! and in one (The change here is intended te relie preceding amend: RC. shall be ci moved as herein provid Mayor and possess all the rights and powers of remainder of han ten days of the term remain un- If, at such periods respectively, no nomination roval joard of Aldermen shall meet together, at time and place to ein, and shall then, or at an adjourned meeting, elect and appoint some person to fill ceive the sum of $30, counted for and paid over by him to the city treasur: en berlai sary, whose salaries, his office, shall be pald wholly by him, the bank or trust company to the mate intervals, and thereafter shall be treated as prin- cipal.” Mmendmentconsists in the substantial adoption of the col roposed by the Committee of penalties for a D departn Attorney, sulyect to the control of the Corporation Coun- sel” shall be such asthe heads of the respective departments however, ive de- ‘purposes. No existing provision of iting sthorit ‘any officer, crk, auaplove of suvordingte, other than thoxe of ih re or Department, construed reventing the peremen! tony “ieosing ouch Dower, ‘duty or ie BUREAUS ESTABLISHED CHANGE THE DUTIES OF ANY BUREAU duty of the head of the Finance Department, to bring to- all officers arid bureaus authorized to receive money for taxes, assessments, arrears or water rates in Re manner that the payment of the same can be made the heads of de- hich seem to partments from the effects of vai make ceriain of their subordinates wh of their control. The first clause in smi tals is in- rted as some limit to the power of removal, while the last one is intended to permit administrative reforms. ] PAYMENT OF BILLS. Bec. 16.—Section 38 of said act is hereby amended by adding thereto the following :— “All payments by or on behalf of the Corporation shall ough the proper disbursing oftiver of the De- partment of Finance, on vouchers to be filed in said. de- artnient. by means of Warrants drawn on the Chamber- lain by the Comptroller aud countersigned by the Mayor. The Comptrolier may require any person present. count “or claim against iam and when s0 sworn account or claim, to answer orally as to any facts relative to the justness of such account or claim. ay iven the Comptroller to settle and adjust such claims shal not be construed to give to such settlement and adj te the mount of any walary established by or under the authority of any officer or department author- ized to establish the same, nor to question the due per. formance of his duties by such officer. ‘The Comptroller all not reduce the rate of inter secssinents below the amount fixe ‘st upon any taxes or by Jaw.”" (The chai is intended, while it defines the power of the Comptroller, to bring all details o1 permeate into the Financial Department, and to end to the system of a paying over grows auma to the heady of other departments by them. (Section 3418 iG torm * yod, but is affected by tho neene, Oe jates to the same subject.) mee 2 een, 35 of said actis hereby amended so as jOWs :— The chief officer of the Finance Department e Comptroller of the city of New York, shall hold his oltice fan two years, unless sooner re- led.” > (The change in this section in effect affirms an amend- ment made in 1871, by which the otlice ceased to be elec: tive. } It further limits the term to two years instead of four. Section 86{sin form unchanged. It provides for the filling of vacancies in the office of Comptroller, but. it is superseded by the ge eral proxsion as to vacancies in the amendment to section 29.) xc. 18.—Section 37 of said act is hereby amended by adding at the end thercot the followin; “8, A bureau for the collection of reveuue derived from the sale and use of water, the chiet officer of which shall be called Water Register. z “9. A bureau for the collection of assessments, the chief officer of which shall be called Collector of Assessment! and his assistants Deputy Collectors of Assessments. Al moneys heretofore authorized to be collect inance Department.” yy the De- pieiment ot Docks shall be received and collected by the { ‘The change consists in transterring to the Finance De- partment two bureaus which are now under the Commis- sioner of Public Works and Department of Docks, but which are exclusively concerned with the collection of money, and theretoré should belong to the Finance De- partment.) THE CHAMBERLAIN, 8xc. 19.—Section chiriy-sight of said act is hereby amended so as to read as lollow: “Ss he Ch ash office for two years, unless sooner removed, as hereil poet He shall, within ten days atter receiving 1 pee his appointment and confirn enters w 1s of departinents, an jon, m hs office, give a bond to the city in the st Such bond falchtuly, execute the duties of his office. leemed to extend to the faithful execution of the shall be duties of the office until a new appointment shall be made and confirmed, and the person so. applied enters BOR ¥ X= the pertormance of his duties. Said Chamberlain shal! hibit to the Common Council, at its execution of his office, an exact statement of the balance in the treasury to the credit of the , city, ith @ summary of the receipts and pay: ments of the treasury during the preceding yest, and since the last preceding report required by jaw, if more than a year shall have elapsed since such report. He shall receive all moneys which shall, from time to time, be paid into the treacury of the city. He shall deposit all moneys which shall come into his hands on account of the city, on the or on the business day next and trust companis deposit banks by the CI ane not exceeding two million dollars shall any time in any one bank or trust company. The moneys #9 deposited shali be placed to, the account of the Chamberlai book, in which shall in ahd moneys drawn from the banks and trust com: antes In which the deposits shall Le made. ‘The sald anks and trust coinpanies shall, respectively, transmit to the Comptroller weekly staiements of the moneys which shall be received and paid by them on account of the city treasury. ‘The Chamberlain shall pay all war- rants drawn on the treasury by the Comptroller and countersigned by the Mayor, and no money shall be paid out of the treastiry except on the warrant of the Comp- troller so countersigned. No such warrant shall be signed by the Comptrolier or countersigned by the Mayor, except upon vouchers for the expenditure of the amount named therein, examined and allowed by the Auditor, approved by the Comptroller and filed partment of Finance, nor except such shall be authorized ‘by law or ordl- and shall refer to the, law or ordi he shall kee) a bank mance, nance’ under which it is drawn, The Chamberiain shall not draw any moneys from said banks or trust com- panies, unless by checks tain and counte bscribed by hin as Chamber- reigned the Comptroller; and no ount 0 treasury except upon such nm The Ch: checks, mberiain shall exhibit his bank book to the Comptroller un the first Tuesday of every month, and oftener when required. The accounts of the ' city treasury shall be clorel on the last day of November, and shall be examined in the morith of December, in sald ommis- siongrs shall examine the accounts and vouchers of all moneys received into aud paid out of the city. treasury day of November ation, and shall certity Common year, by the Commissioner of Accounts, Such during the next preced: the and report to 6 y Council, in the following month of the amount of moneys received into the ury during such year, the amount of. mot wid out during the same period wn on the treasury. by of moneys received by t office at the tne of such examination, if he entered upon the execution of his duties since the’ last preceding ro- port the baiance in the treasury on the last day of No. veml moneys borrowed for or on the credit of the cit; such year, and the amount of bonds of the city issu during such year, with the purposes tor which and. the authority under ‘which such bonds were issued. Such Commissioners shall also compare the warrants drawn by the Comptroller on the treasury during ending on the “last day of November such examination, ances under which the same ve been drawn, and shall in certify and report whether the Comptroller had power to draw such warrants, and if any shall be found which in their opinion he had no power to draw they shail specify the same in their report, with their reasons for such opiuion. | The sald Chamberlain and Mayor shall, y wri or trust eompanies in which rear ending on the last such ¢@ or und janua: omptroller, the berlaim who § Fey A durin all moneys of the Mayor, lermen and Commonalty of said Chee and county of New York shall be deposited, and oy it fin notice in ge the a ted company shail be di ignated unless its officers shall agr to pay into the city treasury interest on the daily ances at the rate of not less‘than four per cent pe in shall keep books ‘om ources and ig the sources of the saine, a 80 sho ing the amounts paid from time to time on account of the several appropriations; and no warrant shail be paid on account of any appropriation after the amount author- ized to be raised for that specific purpose shall have been said Chamberlain shall, once in each Week, Feport in writing to the Mayor afd to tho Comp: expended. The troller all moneys received by him, the amounts of a warrants paid by him since amount remaining to the credit of the city a New York respectively. The said Cham cout lain shi u of salary, and ofall interest, fees, commissions and emoluments shall be ac- y appoint and remove at pleasure a Deputy Chat mand such clerks and assistants as may be ne and shail in no be a'public charge. The coinmissions provided by d received by him for receiving and paying over of the Sinking Fund. All interest shall be added by rincipal on deposit at prehensive section Seventy last vear, by which the duties of the Chamber: lain were carefully defined. Itnot only limits the sum to be deposited in any single bunk, but It compels the Payment into the treasury of all interest and commis- sion: eceived by him, thus putting an end to an enor- use. to the mode of drawing money, and ts + se aa except as affected by the preceding sec- in. THE LAW DEPARTMENT, ‘Sxe. 20.—Section 40 of said act is hereby amended #0 as i as We to rei “Ske. #.—The Law Department id conduct of all the law business ot the Corporation id its departments, and of all law business in which the er duct of the legal proceedings necessary in’ widening opening or altering streets, and the preparation of all leases, deeds aud other leg department. No officer or dept the Law Department to furnish to every department and officer such advice and legal assistance as counsel or at- be required ; and tor n torney, in or out of Court, as ma; that purpose he may assign an att to any depart- ment that he shall deem to need the sate, and may ap- polnt the attorney for the collection of persoual taxes.” (The change consists in giving the Corporation Counsel charge ot all nents.) m forty-one of said act is hereby as to read as follows :— “snc. 41.—The ohief officer of the Law Department shall be called Counsei to the Corporation. He shall hold his ons for twe ‘Ars, Unless sooner removed as herein pro- vided."" (th consists in limiting the term to two years, inste: Sec 22.—section forty-two of said act is hereby amended so as to read as follows :— “See, 42,—There shall be a bureau in this department, the chict fice of wnich shall be called the Corporation and a bureau, the chief officer of which shall ublic Administrator, SUCH CHIE OFFICERS be called THRY SHALL PAY HONS RECKIVED BY All actions to recover violation of any law or ordinance shall ¢ brought in the name of the Mayor, Aldermen and Com- manalty New York, and not in that of any © conducted by, the Corporation r the city of t, and shall (The change here proposed cuts off the inducement to vexatious suits afforded by the right of the officer to re- tain the costs for his own tise sections, it restores the Corporation Atior In ‘connect n with other trol of the head of (he Law Departinent, trom whom it was taken by legislation procured by Thomas C. Fields, for his own beneit. The latter clause settles a question as to which recent legislation had raised a doubt.) Src, 23.—Section 43 of said act is hereby amended so as to read as follows :— “See. 43.—The Department of Police shall consist ota Board of Police composed of three Commissioners, and & Board shall be the heud of said Department, 01 Said loners, except those fxgt appointed, shali hold justmment the binding effect of a Judgment or decree, nor to authorize the Comptroller 1A mberlain shall be app aan inthe tll hold his and before he m1 of U0, With not less than four sufficient sureties to be approved by the Mayor, conditioned that he will first meeting in the month suceeeding that in which he enters upon the be on deposit at ni entered his ‘accounts of deposit by either of the said banks or trust of the 3 by virtue of warrants Fr preceding such examination, the amount of ‘ith the several laws and ordi- N notice to the Comptroller, designate the banks mks or trust but uo such bank or trust is last report, and the of re. annually and no more for all his services as Chamberlain of said ye and as County Trea- surer of the county of New York, in lic nterest, fees, commissions and emoluments, and all such together with all the expenses of tate taxes shall be paid by him to the Commission - all have the charge y of New York shall be interested ; the charge and con- nent s! il have or em- ploy any attorney or counsel; but it shall be the duty of the law business of the city and in cutting Xpense now incurred for law officers to the y to the cone office for three years; unless sooner removed, as herein [The amendment reduces the number of C re Sada ete, eetotomaat J ‘THE POLICE. epithe 44 of said act is hereby amended ro as ne. 4—The appointed by sald me force shall be and shall Lye of @ su captains geants ; patroknen aud door men of police, and as many clerks and employ¢s of the police as the Board of Police may trom time to time datermine, and the funds appropriated allow, except that. the number of patrol: men shall not be increased in any one year more than fifty beyond the number authorized the previous year, furgcons of patie: “ney aah dctail fromthe trees te ns ¢. They shall detai 4 be OSE the direetion of the Mayor, not exceeding six n.” (The amendment consists in limiting the number of po- lice surgeons to cignt, in allowing @ limited annual increase of patrolmen to keep ep with the growth of the city, and in diminishing the number of patrolmen placed at the Mayor's disposal from twenty to six. Sxc, 25.—Section 45 ot said act 18 hereby amended so as to read ag follows :— “Sic. 45.—Members of the police force shall be remov- able only after written charges shall have been preferred aguinst them, and after the charges have becn examined into, upon such kind of notice to the person chi red, an. in such manner of examination as the rules and regula- tions of the Board ot Police may prescribe. The clerks a employes shall be appointed and removed at plea- Sure by the Board of Pollce.”* {The change makes the Superintendent and Surgeons of Police removable only on charges instead of at plea- sure, as now. | [Sections 4@ and 47 are unchanged. They relate to the government of the police force.} Sxc. 26,—Section 48 of said act is hereby amended 80 as to read as follows :— “Ske, 48.—No person shall ever be appointed to mem- bership in the police force, or continue to hold _member- ship therein, who is not a citizen of the United States, or who has ever been convicted of crime, or who cannot read and weite understandinaly in the nglish language, oF who shall not have resided within the city and’ State o rr, 6 {The amendment defines more carefully the qualifica- tions ot patrolmen.| Sxc. 27.—Section 49 of said act is hereby amended so As to read as follows :— . te MERGENCY,” IN CASK OF Fi: “8xo. 49.—The Board of Police may, upon an eer or apprehension of riot, tumult, mob, Insurrection, pesti- lence or invasion, appoint as’ many special patrolmen without Pay. from amoung the cilizens as it may deem de- sirable. ie Oe may, under similar circumstances, demand the assistance of the military of the first divist or cay brigade, regiment or company thereot . by order im ‘writing served upon. the comtnanding omece of auct division ‘and such commanding officer shall’ obey such The amendment gives the right to call in the military to the Mayor instead of to the Board of Police, as now. [Sections 6) and 51 relate to details of police govern- ment, and are unchanged: Ske; 28—Sectlon 52 of said act 1s hereby repealed. {This section relates to providing station houses, and is superseded by other sections. Sections 63, 54, 66, 56 and 57 are unchanged, They re- ate to details of police government. Ske, 29.—Section 58 of said act is hereby amended person holding office under this depart. ‘all be liable to military or jury duty, and no oMcer or patrolman while actually on “duty shall be liable to arrest on civil process, or to service of subpana from civil courts.” {The amendment confines the exemption from civil arrest to officers and men while on auty, Sxc. 30.—Section 59 of said act is hereby amended by striking from the end thereof the words, “And in committing witnesses to have regard to the rules and regulations of the Board of Police in respect to time of detention.”” The amendment takes away from the police and Jeaves with the Courts the power of fixing the time tor the de- tention of witnesses.) RETIRING POLICE PENSIONS. Sc. $1.—Section 60 of said act is hereby amended by adding at the end thereot the following :— And sald Board may, by resolution adopted by the unanimous vote of a full Hoard, dismiss from office in such Police Department or force any captain, sergeant or urgeon, and place the person so dismissed on the pen- ion roll of the Police Life Insurance fund and allow him an annual retiring pension not exceeding in amount one- halt the annual salary or compensation of such office. And the said Board may, in like manner, dismiss from office in said department or torce any patrolman, and- place the person so dismissed upon the said pension roll and allow him an annual retiring pension of not exceeding Bat no such captain, sergeant, sur: geon or patrolman shall be so dismissed from office and placed on a pension roll except at his own request in Writing, unloss due notice is given him of the intention 80 to dismiss; nor unless it shall be certitled to the Board by two of the police surgeons that he is, in their opinion, permanently, mentally or physically incapacitated from duty as such captain, sergeant, surgeon or patrolman; Ror unless the said Roard shall Concur im such opinion: nor unless the nature and origin of such incapacity shali be stated in, the resolution so dismissing him. Any pa- trolman so dismissed: may be required, under penalty of loss of his pension, to perform duty as attendant in the ERC criminal Courts, or as messenger in any depart- meni {The amendment limits the power to retire members of the police force, by defining the mode and causes. A prsetice has grown up, under the law of 1871, of comply- Ing with the letter, though not the spirit of the law, by retiring on pensions of a few cents a year, policemen, Against whomn no suficfent charges can be sustained. Sections 61 to 76 Inclusive are uncnanged. They relate to details of police duties nn1 powers. ‘A goneral clause in section 59 limits, however, the power given to the po- lice to incur expense which is given by section 75 as it now stands). DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIO WORKS. Ske, 32.—Section 77 of said act is hereby amended so as ‘o read as follows, but the amendment hereof shall not affect or peevans ale continuance of any proceedings already commenced + “Suc. 77.—There shall be a Department of Public Works, the head or chief officer of which shall be called Commis: sioner of Public Works, who shall hold office tor two Years, unless sooner removed as herein provided. When- ever the words ‘Street Commissioner’ shall occur in any existing law, ordinance, resolution, contract or docu- mont, it shall be deemed to mean the aforesaid Commis- sioner of Public Works, ana whenever in any law or in any ordinance of the Corporation the words ‘Street De- rtine nt’ shall occur it shall be deemed and consirued ereafter to mean the Department of Public Works and the Commissioner thereot The Commissioner of Public ay appoint a Deputy Commissioner ot Public orks, who shall, in addition to his other powers, pomsess every bower and'perform all ‘and every duty belonging to the office Commissioner Whenever so en- powered by sald Commissioner by written authority, designating therein the period during which duty may be exercised; and such authority shail be duly filed ‘in ana rema! he Department of Public Works, | He shall possess the like authority in the case of the absence or disability of the Commissioner of Public Works. The said sioner shail continue to possess the powers conferred the seventh section of chapter 872 of the laws of 1872. And it shall be the duty of the Commissioner to remove all obstructions now existins or which may hereafter be placed upon any street or sidewalk or public ground not enclosed in any public park.” (The amendment to this section (which was also amended in 1871) limits the term of office to two instead Qt tour years, and strikes out all relating to the Croton Aqueduct, it is proposed by the amendment to section 97 to restore the old Croton Aquedany Board). Sec. :8—Section Seventy-elght of said act ishereby amended so as to read as follows :— “Sec, 72—The said Departinent shall have cognizance ont or opcnit i lati ding, flaggt . opening, ring, regulating, grading, flagging, curbing guttering nd Lighting streets, roads, places a avenues. 2. Of the repairing and construction of public roads. 3. Of the care of ae buildings. 4. Of the filling of sunken lots. 5. OF public sewers and drainage. 6. Of street vaults, 7. Of paving, repairing and repaving strects and keep- ing the same clear of obstructions, . OF diggin and constructing wells. 9. Of the ny ing and repairing of all Press pope. {The amendment consists here also in striking out mat- ters relating to the Croton water. The powers of the de- partment are also defined more clearly than now.} Sk —Section 79 of act, as amended by section M4 of chapter 574 of the Laws of 1871, iy hereby amended by striking therefrom the following :— “2. A bureau for the collection of revenue derived from the sale and use of water, the chief officer of which shall be called ‘Water Register.’ “3, A bureau, having the care of all structures and roperty connected with the supply and distribution of ‘roton water, the chief officer of which shall be called ‘Chief Engi: of the Croton Aqueduct,’ with power to appoint and remove at pleasure, and detail a staff of as- sistant engineers, He and they inust be civil engineers of atleast ten years’ experience. The Commissioner may delegate to this bureau any power and duty now con- ferred by law or ordinance on the Chief Engineer of the Croton Aqueduct Board.” And also by striking therefrom the following :—' “8. A Bureau for the Collection of Assessments, the chief officer oi which shall be cal Collector of Assess ments, and his assistants, deputy collectors.” And also by striking thereirom the following :— “10, A bureau, the chief oMcer of which shail be called the Superintendent of Railroads and Ferries, and to whom all complaints for violation ot corporation ordin- ances Ba pe to railroads and ferries shall be made, and whose duty it shall be to see that proper proceedings are taken to prevent the recurrence of such violations, and to recover penalties incurred thereby.” The change isin striking out the Croton Aqueduct, which is transierred to @ separate board, and also the collection of water rates and assessments, transferred b; Section 18 to the Finance Department, and in the aboli- ie i the office of Superintendent of Railroads and ‘erries, These changes reduce the power of the Commissioner of Public Works, while they confine his duties to this city. The very large powers concentrated in this department under the Tweed dynasty are too great to be permanently confided to any one individual, though we are confident they have been honestly exercised by the present occu- Pant of this office.} PUBLIC CRARITIRG AND CORRECTION, Sxc. 35.—Section 80 of said act is hereby amended so a8 to read as follows “sxe, 30.—The Department of Public Charities and Cor- rection shall hereafter be composed ‘of and have for its head a board of three persons, which board shall possess all the powers and discharge all the duties now conferred upon such department by Wey Jaws and by the visions of chapter 510 of the laws of 1860 hi parts of acts amendatory thercot, except as the sam modified or repealed by the provisions of this act, Commissioners, except’ those first appointed, shail hold office for three years, unless sooner removed, as herein rovided. There shall be under said Commissioners a jureau of Charities and a Bureau of Correction. The Bureau of Charities shall have charge of all matters re- lating to persons not criminals. The Buregu of Correc- bos shall have charge of all matters relat nals.” (The change is in reducing the number of Commisston- ers from five to three, and fixing theirterms at three Years instead of five. An attempt is also made to indi- cate a separation between those who are simply unfortu- nate and those who are criminal.) e are The to crimi- THY FIRE DEPARTMES Src. 36.—Section 51 of said act is hereby amended so as to read as follow: 8, S1.—The Fire Department shall have for its head a board, to consist of three persons, to be Known as Fire Commissioners of the City of New’ York, who, except those first appointed, shall hold their offices for three Years unless sooner removed, as herein provided.” ¢ amendment reduces the number of Commissioners to three, and their terms from five years to Sieetion 82 of said act is hereby amended so as follows :— ee. all be in this department four bureau The chief officer of one bureau shall be called the C Engineer. The chief officer of another bureau sha be called Inspector of Fire Apparatus. The chief officer of Gnother, bureau shall be called the Fire Marstal The chief officer of another bureau shall be called the Su- perintendent of Buildings. The Fire Marshal shall pos- sess all the powers and perform all the duties now pos- sexsed and performed by the Fire Marshal appointed pursuant to chapter 683 of the laws of 1870, and chi or ine Inws ot Isl, and. the tar reof. endent of, Buildings, together such axslstante ag they may deem necessary. shall here: atver be appointed by the Fire Commissioners, who shall oswess all the powors with reference thereto conteried by“said act upon the. Board. of Police, The Superin- fendent of Buildings shall, under the direction of the Fire Commissioners, exercise the powers and perform the duties now contérred and imposed. by law upon. the Department of Buildings and the Superintendent of Blithe change transfers the Fire Marshal from the Police to the Fire Department, and makes the Unsafe Building Departpent (so-called) « bureau in the Fire Departwent fener which, thoata Wags Cr it is be- roduce increased efficiency a1 ag 0 odgech gine Meda iclonig nes “Orthe Fite Maral ‘ana his Assistants, OF the Super or yeh si relates to the general pow- Cae Of said act ishereby amended 60 a8 Ei Ei ir and femoradin'en, Meet Renee en preferred charges shalt have been ‘exatnimed (tenis stele kind of notice to the berson in such manner. of ination as. the regulations of the Commissioners m: a 5 3, 68, Ol and. Of or tt hereb; amended rehy aes | apicable fo of in such, e are he De! ment and its subordinat same manner as if the ame ‘@ therein named. aay tne collected from may be disposed manner as the ¥iftne chal eons its in Making the fire: and their e change consi men rs removable only up. Charen eee ure, asnow. It applies to them the sections rr z. eek relate to removals of the police and. quali-- ications. (Sections 86 to 89 are unchanged. They relate to de- of the porate of the Fire Department.) ‘THK HEALTH DEPAKTMENT. Bxc. 40.—Section 90 of said act is hereby amended s0 as: ‘oSto Wacthe Health Department shall consist of the Board of Police, the Health Officer of i Portand twooflcers to be called Commisloners of a \, on, f whom shall be yb v sie but he a eal one practising fysioten’in suid city Tor : art receding his appointment. . The eapetatlone c ‘Healt , Who is not a physician, shall be: the Fresident of the Board, These several officers shall together constitute a Board, which shall be the head of 5 Health Renartnent: Suey. hebatl Heid ae Be wo years, un o . The change makes the President of the Board of Police, instead of the whole Board, a member of the fom five to two, so that the total num! four instead of tem. It limits their term to two instead of ve years. ‘Sie, it---Section ninety-one of said act is hereby amended so as to read as follows:— “Ske, 91.—There shall be three bureaus in this depart- ment. ‘The chiet officer of one bureau shall be called the Sanitary Inspector; he shall, at the time of his appoint- ment, have been for at least five years a practising phy, sician In the city of New. York, and he shail be the chiet executive officer of sald departinent. There shall be an- other bureau, which shall be called the Bureau of Street Cleaning, the chief oficer of which shall be called the City Inspector, ‘The chief officer of the third bureau shall be called the Register of Records, and in said bi ughall be recorded without fees every birth, marri and death, and all, inguisitions of Coroners which occur: or be taken within the city of New York; but in cases of inquests where the jury shall find that death was cause by negligence or malicious injury, only @ copy of the record need be filed in said bureau. Tue Recister OF Rxcorps, IN ADDITION TO OTHER DUTIES, SHALL, WITH THE CONCURRENCE OF TUB BOARD OF POLICE, CAUSE TO DE KEPT IN EACH POLICE PRECINCT A FULL AND COMPLETE RECORD OF THE NAME, AGE AND PLACE OF RESIDENCE OF ZACH INHABITANT OF THE PRECINCT, AND SUCH OTHER FACTS 48 THE Board or HEALTH MAY FROM TIM TO TIME DIRECT, AND SHALL CAUSE A OOPY TO BE KEPT 1X 118 OFFICK, Hx SHALL CAUSE SAID RECORDS TO BE RE- VISED AND CORRECTED BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF SKPTEMBER IN RACH YEAR, AND SHALL TAKE ALL PROPER AND NECESSARY MEANS TO OBTAIN AND SECURE, THROUGH TRE PATROLMEN OF ‘THE PRECINCTS AND THE RESIDENTS THEMSELVES, EARLY AND FULL INFORMATION OF ALL CHANGES OF RESIDENCE AND RE~ MOVALS, 80 AS TO KEEP SAID RECORDS AS PULL, COMPLETE: AND ACCURATE AS® POSSIBLE, AND THE aane OF Pouce SHALU GIVE THY, NECESSARY DIRECTIONS TH. e Cit; Inspector shall, under the vision of the Board of Ith, ha of stree! ap ab i 2 ‘he ag Deer the rem avenues and pul jaces of the city, an oval of offal and dead ‘animals, He shall supervise and en- force the performance of the conditions of any existing contract for such cleaning or removal, and shall perform such additional cleaning as. in the opinion of the Board of Health, is necessary to keep said streets, avenues and public plac lean. He shalf possess all the id Fights {imposed upon or reserved to the City Tnspector 1a any law, ordinance or contraet now in force, go fal the same relates to street cleaning. The Board of Health shall possess, with reference to such cleaning, all the Bowers conferred upon the Board of Police by chapter of the Laws of 1872. Board may, by rules, prescribe the manner in which the Coroners shall pertorm their duties, and a wil- ful neglect to comply with such rules shall be a cause of removal by the Governor. Said Board may, with the consent of the Board of Police, impose any portion of the duties of subordinates in said department upon subordi- nates in the Police Department.” The change abolishes the present Permit Bureau, which was a job, It increases the duties of the Register of Records by the passage in small capitals. It also puts the street cleaning under this department instead of the Police, and gives power to regulate the Coroners. MKC. tion 92 of said act is hereby. amended by adding at the end thereof the words following :— WANG the offender shall also be liable to pay a penalty of $50, to be recovered in a civil action in the name of the Mayor, Aldermen an¢ Commonalty of the city of New ‘ork. (This amendment is made to settle a doubtful question as to whether persons violating the health o1 tay be proceeded against both c: inally and civil! and In whose name the civil actio1 uld Le brought. (Section 931s unchanged. It relates to the powers of the Board of Health.) THE PUBLIC PARKS. ti Sac. 4 era eed 94 of said act is hereby amended so as. fo read as follows :— “Sac. 4.—The Department of Public Parks shall con- trol and fe all public parks and panic: places which are the realty of the city ot New York, except the buila- ings in the City Hall Park.” ‘he amendment gives this Board control of all parks, Lees a5 those above Canal street only, as originally rovided. Piste. 44.—Section ninety-five of said act is hereby amended so as to read as follows :— “Sxc, 9.—This department shall be under the one of & board to consist of three members, who, except those first appointed, shall hold their offices for ‘years, un- Jess sooner removed as herein provided.” (The amendment consists in reducing the number of mpanines oe five 4 three. and their terms from five ars to three years. *“Bection 98 istinchanged. ft relates to the powers of the Departtment of Parks.) THE CROTON AQUEDUCT BOARD. Sec. 45.—Section minety-seven of said act is hereby amended so as to read as follows :— “sec. 97.—The Croton aioe ‘t Board shall consist of three members, who shail be at the head of that depart- ment, and who, except those first appointed, shall hold their offices for three years, unless sooner removed as herein provided, The said department shall have the care of all structures and property connected with the ly and distribution of Croton water, and shall possess all the powers with reference to the same, and tothe fixing of water rates that are now possessed by the Cor misstoner ot Public Works. When in their opinion shall be nece:sary to lay or repair any pipes, or remove any pavement, oF open the ground in any street, avenue, ark or public place in said city, they shall request the Commissioner of Public Works to do the same, and he shall promptly do the work in the same manner as other work in hisdepartment is done, and he shall turnish or rocure by contract the tools, pipes and materials there- for. (Section 97 now relates to the bap taker of Buildings. That department is abolished and its daties transferred epartment by the proposed amendment to ¢ amendment here proposed restores the old Croton Board, but avoids the confusion batagerds A e isting trom having two separate departments each a thorized to turn up the streets.) TAXES AND ASSESSMENTS. Sx. 46,—Section 93 of said act is hereby amended so ag to read as follows :-— “Sxc. 98.—The Board of Commissioners of Taxes and Assessments shall consist of three members, who possess all the powers and perform all the duties now Possessed and performed by the Commissioners of Taxes and Assessments, Tley may regulate and abolish the subordinate offices and bureaus as shall seem most ad- Yantageous to the public service. They shall, except those first appointed, hold their oMfces for three years, unless sooner removed as herein provided.” {Section 98 now relates to the Departm nt of Bald ines. to be abolished. The Board of Pax As already stated, that is propose mendment here proposed makes the e3 sgexsments & separate department, whose ‘head is. appointed by the Mayor and Aldermen instead of a bureau sppeinted by ‘the Comptroller, reduces the number of Commissioners from five to three.) [Section 99 relates to the Department of Docks, Tt is in form unchanged ; bat section as amei |, reduces the term of office from five to three years, This section was: largely amended in 1871. The amendments then made are left 1 area They relate to the powers of the de- riment pejpection 100% in form unchanged. Tt was amended tn 1871 so as to change itsentire character by providing for the present system of public instruction. These provi- sions are left unchanged here, it being deemed desirable to return to the old gystem of disconnecting education from the charter, and, therefore, to make any needed amendments by a separate act,] (Section 101 origina ti: eee limited appropriations. Tt was amended in 187! so as to insert the provisions as to A quoram, which were prior to that time in section 100. The same amendment also created a Board of ortion- ment, and included some ot! provisions. “the sece tion is in form lett unchanged, but subsequent amend- ments proposed by us affect it.) Sxc. 47. Section 102 of said act is hereby repealed, {Section 102 referred to the. passage of ordinances by the Common Couneil for the government of the depart- = menta, and has become unnecessary.) [Section 103 is unchanged. It relates to the giving of se- curity by officers.) Sc. 48. Section 104 of sald act is hereby amended by basso at the end thereof the words foll — “But the opening of bids shall not be pgnied if the Comptroller shall after due b hek fail to attend. In case any Work shall be abandoned by any contractor it shall be readvertised and Felet by the head of the appropriate department in the manner in this section os jed. (ection 104 relates to contracts for work and supplies, and is unchanged except in not allowin, ithe absence of the Comptroller to prevent the 4 ol A subse- however, affects It by confining advertis- flag to ‘tho Culp Record hind reqpiciny fines to. be, pected 8 A rovision oF one of the tax levies ex- work from necessity of bei: ntract Is repealed.) to detatls of finance, and is un- ga 106 relates to the commissioning of officers, and is unchanged. ] Sxc. 49.—Section 107 of said actis herety repealed. [Seetion 107 gives the power of appointment to the Comptroller in case ot the death of the Mayor. By the amendment to section 26 that power is proposed to be given to the acting Mayor.) [Section 108 relates to taking the oatb by officers, and ig f= unehanged. Section 109 is unchanged. It provides penalties fe violation of duty.) . ¥ bool Alaa FERS ANOLISHED. Src. 50.—Section 110 of said act is hereby amended s0 as: t das follow: 'Sxc, 110.—No officer of the city government or receive to his own use any fees, perquisit i have or com- ~missions, or any percentage, but every such officer shall be pald By a fixed salary; and all (ees, percentages and commissions received by any such officer shall bo the property of the city. And every officer who shail receive any fees, perquisites, commissions or percentages shall, before he shall.be entitled to receive any salary. ae ow under oath a deiatled return to t Comptroller, showing le amount of all such fees, coms ol perquisites received by ‘him mgtnce.’ the last pre- ceding report, the person from whom received, and the reason for its payment, and shi roduce the receipt of the Chamberlain showing th nt to him, by said officer, of the aggregate amow jereof. ceived for licenses or permits shall be paid over without deduction by the officers or department recelving them ‘0 the Chaniberlain.”” This amendment for the first time effectually cuts off the retention of fees by any city officer.) Bec. f1.—Section Lil of gald act ls hereby amended so. is follows The sataries of all officers paid from the Cit; Treasury, whose offices are not embraced in any depa: ment, shall be fixed by the Board of Apportionment. Such ‘Board may, by a majority vote, reduce any such salaries, but shall not Increase the shlary of any office the compensation of which now exceeds three thousand jollars.” (The present section Ill gives power to the Common over salaries, so far as they are not now fix Counet by the Legislature. er is “given by preceding mendments to the he; of departments to fix. tho salaries of their subordinates, so long as they keep within the sum appropriated, the section in its present form ts superseded. The amendment is intended to cover the cases of officers who are held not to be embraced technically within any “department.” {Section 112 is unchanged, It relates to giving se curity.)