New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-14
THE SUPPLEMENTAL POLICE BILL

Commissioner Roosevelt in his letter to Lieu
tenant Governor SaXton has completely demon
stratcd the necessity Of killing Mr. Ainsworths
hill to make the Chief Of Police an autocrat and
reduce the Police Board to a cipher. There Is
fortunately no reason 10 believe that the bill can
heroine 4 law for Governor Morton's signature
l. essential 10 Its enactment. But il ought To he
nut out of the way Of bills which need to pass.
without hesitation or delay. in the interest OF
dcccrcy and as belatcd evidence Of good faith
ON the part Of Il Legislature which has many sins
to answer for and only brief time in which to
bring forth fruits meet for repentance. Ihe
supplemental Police bll has Mr.. Ainsworh's
name in accordance with custom. because he
Introduced 1t in the Assembly. Until lately.
moreover. he has Lad high opinion Of It's merits,
we believe. and been quite willing to be idcnii-
fled with its progress. But he has been much
IMPRESSED bv the destructive criticisms Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt and his colleagues. and he now
SAYS that he shall not attempt TO have it passed
over Mayor Str,ng's veto. This Is a credi'aoe
retreat from an untenablc position. ami W" com
mend Mr. Ainsworih's example TO me iml'a'l"h
Of all Republicans in the Legislature VINO nh!
have been deceived and are open to argument
II is not necessary 10 assume that Tins Dill mas
been hitherto generally known 10 conceal Il SIN
lister purpose. hut advocacy ~ II hereafter Will
certainly confirm the prevalent suspicion mat
PLAT il Noting To control the administration ~
thc Police Department by reducing the Commits
sionors whom he cannot control 10 impotcncy.
That Is precisely the sort of revenge when ne
would like TO take for the removal OF herw'n
and Murray. Whether or not he thinks II wise,
in view of all the circumstances, fo undertake
such a job with the aid ~ Tammany c"hi'i-
crates events will soon show. In the mean Time
IL NAV not be Improbable 10 consider Tor mo-
mcnt the singular lack ~ disccrnmcnt when
reputable lawmakers often disclos" WIN r'Sp'''
70 bills which they support. Mr.. Ainswor'h II "A
man of much experience In public affairs. ana II"
has always been rediicd with the possession ~
s,lpcrior intelligence lie would have considered
himself very badly used II. even In friendly
way he had been declared incompetent I" "sii-
morc thc real character Of n very simple though
very important measure II municipal govern
mont And yet that Is substantially HE judg-
m.nt which he has just passed upon himself
Here ia n bin bearing his name with whose pro-
visions hc has presumably made himself familiar
and which he strongly desired To pass. Bu' now
he frankly and rrcdirably acknowledges that he
+. astonsh.d 10 discover how bad bill II H. ana
promises 10 make no further effort for lis enact
mcni ON his owh showina. therefore, u" h'h
never reflected what Us inevitable consequences
would be-. and In fact knew no'hlns worm hn""
Ing about a matter concerning which h" WIS
ready 10 direct the course ~ legislation
This * not IN unusual experience. bii II Ought
io be- Perhaps ~ many obstacles are l'ni III ID"
way If good government 10y Legislators who mean
70 do their duty but neglect 10 ascertain what
their duty X ~ by those who deliberately d"
wrong We do not expect 10 ma any members
If the former class among III" advocates 81 III"
SUPPLEMENTAL Police bill hereafter TIL" latter
class will doubtless rally 10 liz support, " ih'y
are ordered 10 do So. and In that ease III" record
OF votes will be- peculiarly Instructive.