New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-05
HIS MIND NOT MADE UP.
THE MAYOR AND THE BIPARTISAN PO-
.asG LICE BILL.

CAREFULLY WEIGHING THE ARGUMENTS FOR
AND AGAINST TIE MEAsURE-CHANCEs OF
ITS BEING PASSED OVER HIS DIRECTION
Afayor Strong has not yet decided what his ac-
ton will be regarding the Bipartisan Police Dill.
Jus, before leaving his office yesterday afternoon
70 attend the ceremonies connected with the
transfer OF the Washington Memorial Arch 10 the
CITY the Mayor said that he intended 70 take all
the time he could to consider the questions IN
vo,vea IN the bill. He has until next Wednesday
TO return il TO Albany
The Mayor said also that ne had not made any
statement indicating what his decision would be-
Az The Tribune correctly stated the case yester-
day the Mayor still mas the matter under consid-
Grafton and Is weighing in his own nina the mer-
its OF the arguments on both sides.
Colonel Strong has said TO friends OF his with
whom he has been discussing the bill. and who
urged him TO approve It on account of its bparti-
San prInciple that he did not his way clear 10
approving with the provision Il contains for Gre
ating board Of one police inspector and four cap
tains TO examine all candidates for appointment
and promotion on the police force instead or piac-
ing this power in the hands Of the CIVIL service
Commission This remark OF the Mayor has peen
construed 10 mean that he had decided 10 d'SaP
prove the measure as whole. lie dld not lh'e"u
70 be go understood. and has held several CONFER
ences with Republicans who have urged MN 10
approve the bill. Until the appointment OF james
J. Martin In 1889 the principle OF biparsanship IN
the Police Board had been recognized by custom
for nearly twenty years in this city It's Vloa''oh
by Tammany Hall. which gave the city fohce
Board composed of three Democrats ana one he-
publican. was condemned not only by the RepuD-
ucan party as a whole. but by fair-minded men,
bers Of other parties.
The.areument In favor Of his approval OF the
bill has been presented 10 the Mayor by Leu
tenant.t;overnor Saxton. ex-Speaker Malby. Sena-
tors Mun and Pound. and by welEknown he-
pubncaiis OF both the city and the interior OF the
State and he been @rg se o oI to the
civil Service changes which 1t provides for The
Mayors assertion yesterday that he was sun
holding the bill under advisement and mao ar
rived at no positive decision regarding II was
looked upon as a strong indication that the re
publican argument for the measure was having
an effect upon the Mayors mind
iieutenant-C;overnor Saxton had half-hour
talk with Colonel Strong yesterday. Afterward
Mr.. Saxfon said: IF Mayor strong returns IN, ,ne
hill with an objection to the Civil Service clauee
] hold that this will act as disapproVai of .he s
entire measure Under the Constitution the bilI
cannot be amended. The Legislature must pass
II over the MAYORS veto just ii stands or else
the whole bill is dead To secure any legislation
on the subject under the circumstances referred
70 1t will be necessary to Introduce ana pass d
The Lieutenant Governor also sad thai snouid
the Mayor fail to approve the bill an atteHpt
would be made TO past II over his veto But;
Mr. Saxton added Mayor Strongs veto wouid
cause some Republican Senators TO vote against
the bill. / am satisfied that the Buffalo sen
ators will not vote TO pass II over the Mayor
head Some Democratic Senators voted Tor inc
bill when it passed but If 1t is to be passed over
the veto Of the Mayor 1t will probably nave 10 ~
done with Republican votes The Lieutenant
Governor was Of the opinion that the Police Re
ORGANIZATION bill and the Greater New-horK
bill would not be passed. ,
Ex-Speaker Malbv also had tax with inc
Mayor yesterday. The ex-Speaker Is an earnest
advocate Of the bipartisan principle IN boatds
governing elections, and is anxious that the
Mayor should approve the bin Mr.. Malby sad
that he was unable to secure from Colonel strong
an indication Of what ne meant to do with the
Mr. Malby dia not hesitate 70 express the be,
lief that IL the Mayor withheld his approval
<.of the bin the Legislature would pass II over
his objections. Many other legislators IN town
expressed the same opinion.