The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-01-07
HOME RULE FOR THE CITIES.
A GENERAL LAW APPLICABLE ALIKE
TO ALL MUNICIPALITIES

A
TO ALL MUNICIPALITIES.
II VIII Re introduced rs Soon Ms IL 10 IRE.
pared, and VIII Give Power to the REQ.
pic TO Regulate their Local Affairs WIN.
ont Interference From the Legislature.
ALBANY, Jan. a--Gov Flowers recommends
lions In his message delivered to tho Legisla-
ture yesterday will shortly be followed with
bills. The most important OF these bus VIII
DO the Enumeration and Rcapportiohmeht
and the Homo Rule bills, The enumeration
bill was introduced by Senator McCieiland.
It provides for State enumeration next
month. The Home Rule bills will DO intro
duoed as eoon as they arc prepared.
The plan for home rule is In accordance with
the recommendations OF Gov Flower and
Mayor Grant In their messages Tho bills are
NOT To anply to New York city alone. but to all
the cities OF the State. They are in no sense
TO be special legislation. but they are to be so
general that their principles may be embodied
in the Constitution and be made the fixed law
Of the state. To amend the Constitution re-
ouires the Affirmative vote OF two successive
Legislatures and tho Affirmative vote Of the
people ut the next succeeding special or gen.
eral election The decision Of the people In
1886. that convention should be held to re-
wise the State Constitution has not lapsed by
Constitution for State census in 1855
lapscd
The census Is to BIO taken this year. and IL It
IS thought best to make the changes to the
Constitution In that way general Constitu-
tional Convention will be called. How the
changes In the Constitution shall be made has
not yet been determined.
The Home Rule bills nro to BIO general acts
applicable alike to all cities. The cities them
selves will have the power to modify the local
application Of the general law. Tho habit Of
appealing to the Legislature for special New
York and Brooklyn eeslation will be stopped.
Gov. Flower does not believe In citizens com.
ing tn Albany to have their local matters ad
justed. He thinks Il is the business Of the
Legislature to leave local matters to the people
directly affected and to pass only general
laws The Home Rule bills will give
to local authorities all power on local matters.
II the people are not satisfied they can elect
new local authorities Following the plan OF
President Low Of Columbia College and other
students Of municipal government. the respon-
sibility aud power will 60 together Appoint
i've officials will be removable for cause with
out the Governors interference. The cause
will have to DO shown by certificate. and a
public hearing will have to De given. This
trative and executive officials. The officials
e the re to will n S
their decisions viii stand, tho Govsrnors
power heing to punish corruption. mnladmin-
justiflaDie removals. and arbitrary Official ao-
ton gould be made the subject Of charges to
the GcvsrnSSr The people could ,S n1Ne the
Of the Tending officials term Of office. and
the Governor would be expected to act in cases
N hand. With this increase w" in the Dover 81
On Sss tas p ad Of aayors
some officials and the making Of the terms OF
different members Of the same Board cotsr-
Matters, Of local taxation and government
TSuid 70 Icy 70 the |oSallties directly effected;
ssts to no
ber OF State Boards end state officials. This
abolish ali direct state taxes, the necessary
revenue being raised by corporation. fran
b shs ss,s sns s% Il s
:S@ptpsTs ssisIstiSP wouid bs is,t e tic tie
sanitary regulations. license fees. and buildng
laws; II the city Government wanted to
heW
any other municipal improvements, the Logis-
lature you'd not have to be asked Tor peImis-
remain. The most Of the money would have
Of home rule is to give the people thu power ia
1sy as ds.4 Or g. Sst much taX as the majority
United This Is now the practc S' IN s several
The details Of this plnn have not yet been
mapped out. tits big loh. Commission may
be selected t. do It or Il may be lott to Joint
s{on; Whether a. conFtitu,ionai Convention
the principles Of home rule shall he en- 6odied
n the Constitution shall be Left to the C1nyen
fully considered before the Legislature begins
70 act. Gov. Flower may conclude to make it
senator, Hill and Lieut. Gov. Sheehan have
gone to cWashington senator HI! to take his
attend the meeting OF the Democratic National
EemWittse Of which he is the member for
Coy. Flower gave the first o, his weekly re-
S Sa a. The Executive Mans9n this after.
new custom and one most popular among the
Speaker Bash has gone to Elm!ra for a few
days He VIII return before tie close Of the
mtttee Gallon Il. Hit OF Albany Chairman OF
the Judiciary Committee. aud solomon s.
Townsend OF Queens Chairman OF Railroads.
There are three concurrent resolutions pro-
posing three different amendments OF the
Constitution OF the state to be voted for ut thi 3
session of the Legislature. All three Of these
were passed by the last Legislature. and We're
published by the Seci etary of Stute for three
months before the election, in pursuance OF
constitutional requirement.
The first OF these three amendments pro.
vides for the sale and disposition III the salt
springs belonging to the state. and the com
nensating OF all persons having any rights
therein.
The second amendment provides for a new
Court OF Appeals to take the place of tho pros
emit double court. 1t Is to consist OF u Ciie
Judge and fourteen Associate Judges. each t.
hold Office for fourteen years. The present
Judges are TO constitute a portion OF the new
court until their terms shall have expired
me court may sit In two Sessions. or tho Ghie
Judge may order that at least ten members
Snail sit in one division.
Tho most important amendment IL tho third
one one. which entirely changes section 10 Of the
tsS Zen and practically allows the determine
E1nrrsi such hrterminnti2n being conclusive
are allowed, however, to eXprl their own mem
bers Tor m Misconduct The Judiciary Commit
zee OF each body Will undoubtedly report these
amendments about the first OF February. anC
aIter their passage they have to 10 submitted
tot vote OF the pooplo.