New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-09
TOPICS IN ALBANY.
THE CHARTER-REPUBLICAN REORGANIZA.
TION.

lFRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRrBUNEf
ALBANY, April S.-While the Assemblymen wsro
watching with intense interest the conflict over the
Tammany charter for New-York on Thur
day night young man sat placidly
smoking in the clerks room of Of tho
Assembly Chamber. From his broadcloth and
white neckte one might easily have mistaken him
for clergyman; but the black beady eyes that
glanced sharply about, the black hair parted
smartly above the high forehead. the full cheeks
and large lips proclaimed o city politician. John
j. OBrien-tbis was the mans name-had come to
Albany few days previously to learn the position
of the legislation affecting New-York. This was .
natural mission; as president of the Republican
Central Association of New-York he could not help
being interested in the legislation proposed
by a Democratic Legislature concerning tho
departments of Ncw-York, which have in their
employ hundreds of Republicans
During the debate on the charter as stated he
sat unconcerned about its result. He already knew
that the jealousies of the various Democratic fac
tions of New-York would prevent the passage Of
the charter in its present shape Mr. Roosevelt tho
Republican leader. occasionally came out from the
Assembly chamber to consult with him. 1t was
somewhat amusing spectacle to see these two men.
one tue representative of machine" Republican,
ism and the other of its most extreme Independents
element in consultation about the course to take to
defeat Democratic measure. However they were
united upon one point, namely that tho
charter ought to be recommi,ted to the Committee
on Cities for amendment Nevertheless. they Will
differ about the amendments. Mr.. OBrien is in
favor OF the Board of Aldermens retaining the
firmatory power; Mr.. Roosevelt 10 not The latter
would make all the departments single-headed.
with the exception of the Department OF Taxes and
Assessment, and would give the appointment Of
their chiefs to Mayor to be elected at once, dis
placing Mayor Edison. Mr.. OBrien would not be
in favor of such a radical bill. Ii will
thus be seen that as soon as the construction of
charter for New-York is begun. wide differences Of
opinion on the subject are discovered among tho
Republicans, yet the same differences exist among
the Democrats.
ANXIOUS FOR REPUBLICAN AID.
The recommitia al of the Tammany charter will
make these differences among the Democrats more
apparent than they have been before. Speaker
Chaplin and other members of the Tilden Regency
surrounding Governor Cleveland are sincerely
desirous of amending the charter of New-York
80 that it shall conform to that Of
Brooklyn. They would give Mayor Edison or
his successor the powers that now possessed by
Mayor Low. Failing in conferrina these powers on
Mayor Edson they may attempt to pass charter
c0nferiDg them on his successor. If we could
of the Legislature" said prominent Tilden Dem
ocrat yes erday, "we would pass charter giving
Edison the power to appoint the heads of all the de-
partments. have the terms of these heads
of departments expire with his-in fact
| make over toe charter of New-York in
| every respect Till it should be like that
| of Brooklyn. In that case would not adjourn
the Legislature quite quickly as we have planned.
| But presume could not get the united suppors
| of the Republicans fo r such q scheme. Their ma
| chine would be against it ; O'Bren would como
ND from New York aud set all the Stalwart Repub-
hcans in the Legislature against it. And then we
should have about every Democratic member from
New-York against it, for they distrust Edson."
This Democratic politician Is mistaken II
| he thinks that even Independent Republicans
| like Mr. Roosevelt and Mr.. Howe would vote
for such charter if Mr.. Edison is TO have the ap-
| pointing power They distrust Mr. Edison as much
| as the Democrats do. The only possible me thoa or
securing their support IS ey amending the chabssf sb
| have ITS great powers Then the people OF New
York will know what they are about to DO when
| they next vote for Mayor, IN 1854
DISTRICT REORGANIZATION.
While John j. OBrien was here he frequently re-
ferred to the proposed reorganization of the Repub-
can association in New York. He saidto The TRIB-
UyE correspondent: "Any plan of reorganization
that may be suggested by fair-mrnded men will DO
accepted by the leaders of the associations.
| And the reorganization may be made BY
| these men, Some people say to me: Why
don't YOU yourself offer some plan OF
reorganization To that reply that any plan We
might suggest however fair, would be looked upon
with suspicion. The suggestion must come from
A weII-known Republican politician, when told
| of these remarks of Mr.. OBrien SAID: Yes, ne
can afford 20 accept any plan OF thae
/ ra he
| always control city political associations, because
Ussn w % o,s ono
| troll of one two ASSOCIATIONS, pus
they they will gain one if there should be reorganisa-
| ton rney will lose, and deservedly, Frank Kay
,nond's. the XXIIId; and they will gain the Xlth.
George Blsss. Bliss is earnestly ln favor od re'
organization, but the boys LEI, teia nc 'ney VIII cap
| turc his district If one takes place."
THE PRESIDENT DISAPPOINTING HIS FRIENDS.
O'Brien's desire for reorganization now is prob
ably due to the fact that he perceives that very
| tborouqh reorganization of the NewSYork assoca-
tions will surely take place by direction of the Re-
publican State Convention of this year. That seems
already political fact. Moreover he isaware that
1t will he useless TO call upon President Arthur for
aid Apparently the President has resolved not 70
| interfere in State politics All the entreaties OF
| Conkng and Smyth that he should remove Robert
son as Collector OF New-lork had no enecLaithoTgn
President made all his preparations 10 appolns
Mr.. Cooper as Collector: MI CooPss
| place, there were few newspaper articles on the
subject of hostile tone-and the President changed
| his mind. NO." said Republican of National
reputation here yesterday; mo. the President has
determined 10 have an easy time for the remainder
| of his term. He might have removed Robertson
and put in Cooper as Collector, and it would bave
caused only nine days talk. Bat he didn't have
the courage to doIt. He Is Disappointing all his
friends When he leaves Office he will have
no power among them. You remember
that c. E. smith asserted In Tho
Philadelphia Press lately that CoDkhng said that
Arthur's administration 0ut-Hayesed the Hayes
administration. met Conkng day or 90 after
that was printed, in Washington, and asked INN II
ba had made such remark. He replied; ltss
lie. may think so but never said so'"