New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-13
NO INCREASED POWER FOR MAYOR LOW,

THE BILL TO GIVE HIM THE RIGHT TO REMOVE
OFFICERS KILLED IN THE ASSEMBLY.
IrRoW TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE !
ALBANY, March l2-Mr Heath, of Brooklyn,
early in the of the Legislature introduced
bill giving Mayor Low the absolute power OF re-
moving the heads of departments. 1t had been
stated that Mayor Low, previous TO appointing
heads of departments required the men be selected
90 promise him that they would resign their places
whenever he should make the request. The bill
met with opposition in the Committee on Cities
from all the Democrats and from several Rcpubh-
cans. Last week il was reported adversely, four
Republicans Messrs Roosevelt, OTIS, Van Allen and
Hendricks, dissenting.
Mr. Heath today attempted to reverse the
decision of the committee. but found that many
Republicans of the Assembly were hostile to the
bill. The ground of opposition was that no Mayor
should be entrusted with such absolute power both
of appointment and removal The Republican
opposition 10 the bill found leader in Dewitt c.
Littlejohn. Although Mr.. Littleiohn has lived for
many years in Oswego he has owned property near
Brooklyn. on Rockaway Beach, and through his
care of it has become acquainted with the affairs of
that city. When MI Roosevelt made the statement
that through its passage of his Aldcrmanic bill the
Republican Legislature had committed itself TO the
policy of giving Mayors more power, Mr.. LittlejOhn
denied the assertion. He declared that he had
voted for Mr.. ROosevelt's bill with extreme re-
luctance. He would not go one step further in the
direction of clothing Mayors of cities with absolute
powers. If the power of confirmation held by the
Senate of the United States swept away the
President would become despot. ,
"Does not the Senate invariably confirm the
Presidents nominations for Cabinet officers =
inquired Mr.. Roosevelt. He then continued: " And
can he not remove such Cabinet officers as he does
not like and appoint Others Mayor Lows heads of
departments are in effect the members OF his Cabinet
he should be given the power 10 appoint and re-
move them al will" Mr.. Roosevelt then argued that
II the power of appointment was given 10 Mayor
Low without the power Of removal the Legislature
would simply tie his hands
Mr. Heath also appealed to the Assembly not 10
accept the adverse report on the bill In Brooklyn
the people were holding Mayor Low to rigid re-
hponsibity for conducting the government 1t was
impossible for Mayor. however careful, not 10
make some mistakes in appointing men 20 Office.
if they should not uphold his policy of government
he ought to have the power of removing them.
Opposition to the bill then made by Mr..
Wcstfall Republican. and by Messrs HaggeTtv.
Earl and Oliver Democrats. McSsTs Taylor and
Hodges. Republican A>~emblylucn of Brooklyn,
appealed to the Assembly to sustain Mr.. Heath.
But Mr.. LittleiOhn again assaied the bill, and
persuaded many Republicans III the interior Of the
State 10 oppose it, When vote was taken upon
Nj Hcaths motion it was defeated by vote of 80
10 50. The bill is therefore dead.