The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-08-14
ON SELF-RULEOC CITIES
Another Lively Debate in the
Constitutional Convention.
MuIqueen Offers a Substitute for
the Committee Plan.
Mr.. Francis on the Legislature az
"Higher Common Council"
(By Associated Press.)


ALBANY, Aug. IA colored clergy
man offered prayer in the Constitutional
Convention this morning, and then there
were handed up petitions for woman suf-
frage from the counties Of New York, Es-
sex, Cayuga, Orleans, Erie, Clinton, Mon
roe, Ulster, Washington and Seneca. The
petitioners numbered LIS women and 49s
men. total of LOS. This brings the
total number of petitioners up 10 626,627.
The matter of the enfranchisement Of
women will be settled by the Convention
tonight.
Upon motion of Mr. Lewis, the cities
amendment was again taken up, and
the discussion resumed.
Mr.. Dean read a long argument, in
which he set forth that the article was
against the first principles Of good gov
eminent. He did not believe at all in
the system projected by the Committee
OF compelling the representation of the
minority. He believed that one OF the
leading characteristics of our govern
ment was the rule of the majority only.
Mr.. Mulqueen thought that the amend
ment should be labelled "A bill to pre-
vent home rule for cities.'' He did not
believe that there should be any incor-
poration of cities by special law. He
proposed to limit the term Of service Of
the Mayor rather than extend 1t. The
present bill would extend the term OF
the Mayor Of New York for one year.
He proposed that the Mayors Of cities
then they could be elected SO that their
terms would expire In the odd years.
In classification he would have three
itants and upward. one Of $1,000 and up
ward. and tie third class 70 take In all
others. He found one very serious de-
in the section that allowed the Legisla-
ture to pass general laws for one class
Of cities, and have those laws apply to
one or more cities Of smother class:
law for the smaller class Of cities, which
would also apply to New York.
lie advocated the removal OF police
only, and on charges. He could not see
why the Governor should have TO inter-
iere.
He thought a much simpler bill coy o
evolved. but the distinguished members
of the Commute, Mr.. Johnson, Of Kings,
and Mr.. Becker, of Erie, had tried to
ment He denied that the police off,
GERS and Commissioners of city were
State officers. and he thought the put
commissioners in the hands of the
Governor meant a very bad political
move.
Governor, and II MS politics was differ
ent to the Mayors, he could appoint
commissioners who would pay into his
party's hands and against the Mayors.
criticised minority representation. He
believed that the rule OF this country
was majority rule only. In relation to
the election and the endeavor to get a
fut nd raet a
lieved this matter could be left entirely
TO the Legislature.
He was not in. favor Of Mr., Choates
a three-fifths vote, to decide questions
of city government against the wishes
Of the people. That was not home rule
In closing he hoped that. contrary to
some city amendment. He offered a
substitute In which he struck out the OBJ
jeetionable matters referred to In his
speech.
Mr.. Francis. Of Troy, thought that the
criticism of the proposed amendment
was trivial, because, instead OF looking
at TIE whole amendment, members We're
islature. In the last ten years had be.
come sort Of higher Common Council
Tor cities, the members OF which did not
know the wants Of the city and voted
for anything IL 1t was Endorsed by the
local member or by their party leaders
This amendment took the right OF
tlHkeTlnB AWAY ITOH Tic LIZZIE
lature and gave home rule to cities. II
gave to cities self-protection, and alto
gether, In his opinion, was as good a
substitute for the present section OF the
constitution as could be framed.
A. Mr.. Emmett was against all PROPOSE
lions except those providing for perfect
eiectons, and the diyorcing of the mu
nisipal from State elections.
AIR, bowers, of New York, argued thai
r un proposed amendments gave to citie'
s sOtthi1g that they did not have at pres
s snG He offered amendments forbiddinl
sn amy alterations of a city charter, an!
sappropriation of city funds. or any
erahting of a city franchise on street
III. otherwise, except by the assent o
MT Holcomb disapproved of the schem.
4, minority representation. He said tina
cinrnas Undoubtedly un-American In prin
mpi,, rms was a government by tn
ton,, and that was the essential bot
oIT 70 the government of the people.
nnrn proposition to have State COVER
man.o OF elections was not, In his judg
he .nn good one. He thought 1t woul
bsvash outrage on the honest voter L
him his election officers selected 70
YORK; Mpplause) II the people of Ney
The were good enough TO pay half o
enouuSSes OF the State, they were goo
Gers 70 select their own election Off
not me referendum clause also, wa
min" De considered, for II put pre-
tion" On political schemes and revolu