New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-02-03
HOuE EULE AT AlEdNI

Tho legislature passed last week ard Gov
ornor Flower signed a bill amending the charter
of Itica. so as f. provide for holding the charter
election in that city in the fall. The election
is now held in the spring. The measure was
oUposrd b. Senator CoggeShall. who represents
tbc Ttjco district. He endcavored, but without
success, to have the proposition to change the
limo for holding the election submitted I" the
yoto of the people of Utica. In It's comments
upon the passage Of the measure " The 'tIca
lIcIald' saws:
Thcr. are uen-slsalnrd rumor1 - further Tinker
lag a, tucas charter sooa 20 be- und"TiaArn III"
non.pirsan police ana lrr board j. marked ior over
throw. In IT. place, n reported on good aIhpHV'
two partisan board, 10 hr construo'e'-a polio"
commission and a lire commits sion. Zach s. - con
sIst OF three members, tlni III" Democrats ma
have flil control ana In campaign seasons WORK
these potent departments Of the public service purely
| in the service OF the Democratic machine 1h' CON
icmpaied legislation Is Outrageous. but Of Rad vi"
tho destruction Of the non-plr'an polio" bolrl7 oil
NcvYo.I aud Troy and the election Inspectors law 81
| New.Y0rk.
| In his annual message TO the Legislature last
| wear Governor Flower spoke mp for tho maintc-
nance Of the great principle Of home rule.
"EyilS Of municipal government" he wrote,
"aIc not more numerous than proposed rem
cdcs The Legislature has in its own
hands the solution Of the greater part of the
municipal problem. 1t can wisely extend and
enlarge the functions and powers 81 local au-
tborties But above all il can refrain from
unnecessary interference with the affairs Of
municipaitics' Fine words. but the" meant
nothing The Legislature of 1892 went ahead
in uanton defiance of home rule for cities. and
. oh ..fi al Ii.
anti home rule Jobs Governor Flower stood
ready TO ailix his signature. 50 glaIing was
the onii age perpetraed against Buifalo-no' T.
mention other clscS-that the leading Demo
cratic paper Of that city did not hesitate to
denounce the Governor for giving il his APP
proval. Well, the annual message for 1898 IS
| silent touching home rule. It's author RETAINED
from making any more humbug remarks cX-
pressive Of his devotion to the principle, rcaliz-
ing doubtless that anything he might say in
that direction would be refuted BY his
official acts of the year previous Just now
"The Albany Argus" and "Thc Utica OBJ
server are lending their sanction to a bill
providing for home rule for Ireland. They
believe in home rule for iceland. But they
and their fellow Democratic organs are hold
ing up the hands Of Legislature which does
not believe in homo rule for the cities oi
Ncw-YOrk. There's consistency FOR you
Can any good reason be advanced why the
question Of changing the time for holding The
charter election in Utica should not have been
decided by the votes of the citizens Of Utica
The effect Of the bill which has been passed
is Ia extend the term of Office of Utica
Aldermen. Is not such an interference by
the Legislature a distinct impeitinence, ever
il it is not unconstitutional Ii is to b.
remembered, however, in considering these