New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-10
MIR. CHOATE'S SUGGESTION.
REDUCING THE POWER OF THE MAYOR
IN SPECIAL LEGISLATION.
THE COMMITTEE INCLINED TO FAVOR TIL
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES +. jerks OPPOSES THE
MAJORITY REPORT ON THE CITY AR

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. f. jerks OPPOSES THE
MAJORITY REPORT ON THE CITY AR
TICI.E AND OFFERS SUBSTITUTE
Albany Aug 9-Chairnan c. B. Mclaughlin
from the Committee on County, Town and Village
Government reported TO the Constitutional ConVen-
ton this morning that II had given AL the amend
men,s referred to It careful consideration ana
that II had reached the conclusion that no amei'u-
ments should be made to the present constitution
as proposed by the amendments submitted 10 "'e
committee.
President Choate said that this was the pest re-
mort that had vet been submitted TO the convention
The Convention then went into Committee oil the
Whole on the CITY Article The discussion Oh yes
terday was continued Mr.. Dean withdrew th9 SUP
stitute which he offered yesterday. saying mat ne
recognized the futity Of attempting TO secure LIS
adoption. though he was s'lli Coh'ihceu ''"' ~ wac
q practicable plan
A,met F. jerks Incorporation Counsel OF BROOK
lyn then criticised the article. Section proViu1d
for proportional representation which was haa anu
an ism" and should not be put into the ConsHtu-
ton Section q which provided for the separation
Of general and local elections. was good IN prlh-
c,nle but bad In execution Section g. when classi-
fed cities and defined the powers or the cl'ies anu
OF the Legislature under general laws MT 'ehAs
said was unwise Ilc quoted from Judge fh'Ph' oi
the Court of AppeAls. that cities cannot DE moor
porated under general laws He argued that the
Governor should have the power to remove 'he
chief of police but the power of appointment shouid
remain where 1t now is. The State Election Board
as organized under the article. was cehtra'%i'oi
pure and simple. Then came the eXtra"ruiha'! Se'
tion which provided that the Legislature ihis"'
consolidate contiguous cities. and which would give
1, power 10 consolidate Brooklyn and New-AorK'
This was against the essence of home rule.
MR.. JENKs's SCHEME FOR HOME RULE
Mr. jerks then outlined pan by way OF sus-
ges,on for home rule. HI would have the cities
divided into three classes-those above 2ooo" II.
population, those between 5000 ana Z'V""' anu
those under 10000. In New-iork City II might I've
found necessary TO have upper council elected py
the city at large. but experience had SHOWN 'ha'
such representation likely TO be inferior IN
quality. The Common Council should have all the
powers now possessed by the Legislature II abuse
was made of these powers then the city shoula DC
ruled by commissioners appointed by the HoVerhor'
and home rue should be denied them the power
OF the Legislature should be restricted 70 that no
city could be exempted from such general laws Tor
city government as should be passed CHARTERS
should be adopted by the peop.e OF the Cities ana IL
the people could carry them out the city shou'd
be RACED and its ruins sowed with salt.
Mr. Johnson asked If minority representation was
no, essential to representative common cou i
and If Mr.. Jenkss scheme would not prevent retreat
If ii should be a failure ..,.,, .,o, r,,ori,v
representation necessary The London CounSl.
e.ec,ed without it, and was contrary AIRY t the the
Question. he had confidence that the people of the
cities would be able to govern themselves, anu, sw
any event. the Constitution coud De aheueu a. any
INF Mt Root complimented Mr.. jerks on his speech;
and said that he could not agree with his theory OF
CITY government. Mr. jerks had in mind the free
s eli D6 Of ne 10 tbe sa AGES Of PS The Giles Of
this State could not erect wal around ~ NE
State the centres Of f and 'Afy haa 1he hag
in the affairs Of the State Ihe SIGh mgb, "S Be
delegated to them without mpaT!ns me h sr,r
pmaSe mistake in drawing the line but the principle
upon which It had acted was right
PRESIDENT CHOATE'S AMENDMENT.
President Choate said that. in order do away
with the complication of the double veto OF laws FOR
cities by the Governor and the Mayor. he would
propose an addition to Section T. His amendment
nroyides that special laws may be passed by the
Legislature by a majority vote with the consent
of the Mayor. and by two-thirds vote without
his consent. This would preserve to the Legs
ature it's control all the affairs OF cities. when
the people would never consent to give up ., Mr.
Choate was in principle what the committee de-
Mr.. Hotchkiss offered a substitute for the whole
article, composed partly Of the proposition Oh lne
Committee of Twenty-one Of the Good Government
Clubs and partly Of the proposition OF the Cities
Committee with some changes.
The substitute provides for the Incorporation VI
cities under general laws; for proportional repre-
sentation: for the removal OF the hedd OF tle
a the matters named by the Cities Committee BY
the cities themselves with the addition OF Pub bn,
he would hereafter offer section provding ior
the separation of local and general elections WIN
a nroner definition of city officers. The suDsti-
fuie makes a general provision for non-partisan
boards . , -. 49,. C.,os Cor,
mttee argued that the substitute Offered by MT Mr..
Hotchkiss was widely different from the propo-
siton Of the Committee of Twenty one, upon when
~ was based. 1t late now for the minority
10 make propositions which should nave peeh hiaoe
Mr. Becker OF Buffalo. said the nut OF the whole
question was shall the Governor have power 70
remoye the chief Of police. and shall board OF
State election inspectors be appointed? Ihese were
sidered as such Mr. Becker in answer 10 mr.
IenLs and Mr. Hotchkiss said II the inltlatlVe
osrnws was TO come from the local authorities. no
good law could be expected. because Iammahy
Hall would never draft one. ,- H.. .o
After making the article special order TOT TO-
narrow the convention adjourned until .. IN.