The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-15
The Embarrassments by which the Re-
publicans Are Confronted.
A PROPHETIC VISION BY An OLD OAAPAlGNlR.
Win There Be New ChatsIl--h s. Which Party Will
T.. Be tho Gslsrl- Probable Legislation

for with power comes responsibility. With repub-
lican Governor aud 4 republican Legislature comes
apparently opportunity for partisan legislation
which in time may work benefit to the local. State
and national organizations; but it is apparently
only. for the path 10 beset with legal hindrances
and official endorsements and constitutional OBJ
stacles to make It hsrd road to travel" First
and foremost there are internal difficulties to be
overcome and family quarrels to be settled. The
difficulties great and the quarrels are bitter; so
bitter in fact to render the position OF the Execu
tive anything but agreeable il he attempts to decide
for himself between tho contestants for place and
influence. For many years chief among the manip-
uators and local legislation has been Colonel
George Bliss who has held the place OF Grand Mogul
in Albany and conducted the machine" in New
York. almost without question for long time.
Whom new charter il to be discussed George Bliss
is called in. When unique provisions to be
inserted George Bliss drafts them. His advice is
generally taken. because he bases it final decs-
ions. and his counsel is always needed because he
is wise enough to subordinate personality and even
partisanship to facts.
WHAT COLONEL GEORGE BLISS sAYs.
The relation sustained by Colonel Bliss to ex-Gov-
ernor Morgan. Governor Cornell. General Arthur.
General Sharpe and other men either side Of the
republican party enables HIM to speak with precision
and to predict with comparative accuracy concern
ing the probable action Of the party as whole.
Recently the district warfares in the republican
camp have brought his name moro prominently be-
fore the public than pleasant to him. and he has
fought shy of the Interviewing fraternity. Yester
day. however, in the calm retreat OF palace car Sec
ton he was good enough to unbosom himself to q
represen tative Of the HERALD, and in response to
request points concerning probable legislation in
Albany next winter he said :-"I very freely admit
that my recent political skirmishes here will have
tendency to circumscribe my influence with the
powers that be. The Biglins and their
cognate branches would be very apt to
oppose any measure of my suggestion
and even any that approved. simply because did
suggest approve them That the republican party
here would be very glad to accomplish some legsla
ton that would benefit the local, State aud national
organization goes without saying but the question
Is What can be constitutionally accomplished. IL
snythingP Now take the Police Board. for instance.
Something ought to be done with it. My idea is first
OF all to divorce police business from all other Cut
away the Street Cleaning Department and also the
| Bureau OF Elections. Why should the police be
cramped by attending to anything but police work
The Police Board should restore the Superintendent
| to his proper plane. He should be something more
! than hgurehead and should be held respon-
| sible for all the details. big and little.
that now occupy the time and attention
| Of the Board. The republican party would
like that. WallinR IL republican and the inspectors
| nearest him also republicans The lower order
| Of ..republican statesmen might oppose it. but It
| would be good thing for the police and well for
the c.ty. The Bureau OF Elections should be trans
| ferred to another Commissioner, who should select
nonpartisan inspectors and csnvassers at least six
| weeks before election. non-partisan. unpaid
Board. standing two and two, would have the conf
| dence of the people, and neither party would have
| IN advantage"
! "By whom should tho new Commissioners be ap-
| pointed?'
| .sThats the difficulty and we encounter 1t at the
very threshold. II the powor Is given to the Mayor
he would be opposed to republicans and Tammany
| men. II to the Mayor with approval Of the Alder
| men his hands tied at once. his nominations
| would not be confirmed. 1t is an unfortunate fact
that all the suggested charter amendments
revolve about persons and personalities. II
it be attempted to create new appointing power
the question up at once, who shall it be and
| can 1t be- done constitutionallyY Ny answer is,
| No. see way OF strengthening the republican
IN other hands. Now. take tho Board OF Public
/ Works. for instance. Nearly all the patronage there
is Is centred there, aud it is in the hands of anti
/ Tammany. OF course the republicans to get
| 1t, but how? Next month Commissioner CampbelIs
time Will expires UU1per WIN % nm TEN hI the
why not transfer portion OF its patronage to
|
| 1t has always been the policy Of the republicans
here to help the under dog in the democratic fight
| In that way the republicans secured all they now
have-the District Attorneys Office. City judge &c.
| When the dogs roll over make = change. just now
| "Why not create new Board of Public Works.
| thenY
.srhat has boon discussed with the suggestion that
| the existing Park Department should be merged in
It, and that, by the way. Is capital idea Tho parks
are now completed; the act creative is ended, the
| the Department of Public Works shouldn't take
care Of streets in well outside the Park. As
matter OF good government that should be DONE"
"Wil that be doneY'
NO CHARTER AMENDMENrs
"well, don't you the embarrassment? Up
| comes the question Of appointment again. It's q
most embarrassing situation. doubt exceedingly
.nnse although the 2 ara eo
ing party advantage. there is no corstitutionAway
.couidn't the Governor appoint9"
III IL were constitutionaliy proper the Governor
would BIO glad to do It, but the Court Of Appeals would
tioia In fact since the decision in the police
in Albany and Schenectady there is no question
vduai members Of tho Court OF Appeals were invol-
UNFAIRLY sounded about u year ago by members OF
both on se ts ISs s
the Court would frown on all plans Of tho commis-
siop genus"
ls"Yes, have no doubt some legislation will be
effected by the influence of the organization that will
Increase the power OF tho Governor local officers
hut that there will be charter don't believe
aud the tho attempt IL given the better
for the party. There is gres. deal of loose talk
about the charter. and very few people know what
charter really 10. great deal is outside of that
much csnvassed instrument which most persons be-
eye be in it. The courts all outside OF it, and
AL matters pertaining to educational interests
outside. That some Important sections may te APP
prosched IN possible. but as party measure fail to
SEQ its utility" 4. aia..N
f..You mentioned street cleaning
Eyes. think street cleaning should DO special
duty under distinct head. Tho necessity of some
thing better than tho present system IL evident
that oil parties, may agree ON PLAN but not as q
party measure"
- AssEssxESrs RELrEr.
lyon have seen the HLnALD's expose OF Brooklyn's
eunbarrassnicntsY' l
Eyes, of course I have, and l wish the HERALD
would shake up New York little too 1t IL very
cloar to all thinking mon that relief must DO
given to thousands of lots bufdenod by assess
ipents and taxes. One thing IN certain. No govern
npent, state or city, has anything whatever TO do
With the pecuniary condition of the ownor OF prop.