The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1895-05-08
BOARD TO Be
BIPARTISAN.
Mayor Strong Returns The
Police Bill With Bis
Approval
Objections ARE UNHEEOEO.
He Says the Political Party in
Minority Should Have
Representation.
CHECK TO ELECTION FRAUDS.
Enlargement Of Chiefs Powers Of
Great value-Civil Ser.
vice Objections.

Mayor Strong has approved OF the
Lexow Bi-Partisan Police bill.
The measure vas sent 10 Albany last
night, accompanied by the following
letter:
NEW YORK. May Z. 1895.
''To the Senate Of the State OF New
York. Albany. N. Y.
Gentlemen: As Mayor Of the city
Of New York. I return to you In
closed herewith the certified copy
Of the bill known as Senate Bill
No. 9sa Introductory. No. i5s. en-
titled An act to amend chapter four
hundred and ten Of the laws Of eighteen
hundred and eighty-two. entitled AN
act to consolidate into one act and to
declare the special and local laws affect
ing public interests In the City OF Now
York." and the acts amendatory thereof.
relating to the appointment OF Police
Commissioners and to the Police De-
partment.' which has heretofore been
sent TO me. and to which l have ap
pended two 90 certificates. pursuant 10
the provisions OF chapter . of the laws
Of 1886
''The said bill Is accepted by the city
Of New York for the following. among
other, reasons. notwithstanding the seri-
Gus objections which have been urged
against II:
Minority should He Represented.
Il. There IL unquestionably an almost
universal and sincere belief among the
people Of the State. outside OF this city.
~ well a. on the part OF a large num-
Der OF our own citizens. that the politi-
cal party usually In the minority here
ought to have representation In the
Police Board, because that Board has
20 great powers OF control over elections.
and the fair exercise Of that power Is
necessary TO prevent the votes Of the
people In all parts Of the State for Presi-
dent and Governor from being nuiifed
sby fraud or intimidation here.
This IL not a question OF merely mu-
nicipal administration. but Of State pol
icy. and ] am bound to respect the
wiShes Of the people OF the whole State
regarding It. I have already constituted
the Police Board In this way without the
compulsion of any law. and l am not
prepared to say that the people Of the
State are not entitled to make the same
course compulsory upon me and upon
my successors. ! should ne sorry to see
the people of this city arrayed In an
tagonism to the rest OF the State upon
q matter of common interest.
PERSONALLY l think II OF comparative
" little consequence 10 our municipal
administration whether Police Commits
sioners are OF one party or another. pro-
vided they are good men Mt for the place.
Each OF them will naturally belong to
some party. and II the rest Of the State
consider that It is important to have
them belong to different parties 1t seems
20 me we can comply with that wish
without any real injury to our municipal
government.
More Power for Byrnes.
49, The provisions OF this bill enlarE-
ing the powers OF the Chief Of Police
and making him really the executive
head Of the force. believe to be Of
great and practical value Such provi-
sions are long step towards the con-
troll Of the Department by a single head
and The concentration of responsibility.
which the people OF the city wish. and
which. but for the control Of the Depart
ment over elections. would be accorded
without question. This step Is made
not only in the right direction. but in the
right way. would overlook many mnl |
objections rather than lose this improve
ment of the lew
%. The Civil-Service provisions OF
the bill are Objectionable. ] hope the
Legislature will change them and re.tor,
this Department to the ordinary opera
ton OF the general system; but. as tn.
Board provided for Is subject to tn.
State Civil-Service Commission. and a,
the Police Board Is now so constituted
that the interests Of the civil servic,
will be certainly safe in their hands.
have. after great hesitation, concludeC
that this objection ought not to over
come the reasons for accepting the bill
Urged to Reject II.
'It has been strongly urged upon M
to reject this bill. because 1t is not wha
the people of New York have demande,
do not SO understand the duty imposed
upon me by the Constitution. II tn.
representatives OF the people refuse Il
pass laws which the people dema nd
their constituents must settle with then
for that at the polls.
MY duty ! believe 10 be TO cons!de
whether the bills transmitted to me ar.
improvements. not upon bills which
might have been passed. but upon ex
listing laws. This bill. upon the whole
] consider al Improvement upon tn
existing law. and | therefore return tn
copy transmitted 10 me with the statu
tory certificate of acceptance. Yer
respectfully.
(SigneD WILLIAM l.. STRONG,
Mayor OF City Of New York"
President Roosevelt. OF tine Polio
Board. said to-day that the Mayor
approval OF the Bipartisan Police bi
would not have any effect on the &C
lions OF the Police Board.