New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-24
GOV. MORTON FOR HOME RULE
HE THINKS THE MAYOR SHOULD DIRECT
POLICE REORGANIZATION.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR sAxToN IS OUTsPoKHN
IN HIS OPPOSITION TO THE PLArT.LExOw
PLAN-oPINIoNs OF OTHER MEMBERS
OF THE LEXOw COMMITTEE

OF THE LEXOw COMMITTEE.
[rRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRrBuNu.l
Albany, Jan. Ex-Governor Mortons annual
message TO the Legislature was filled with points
of difference with Mr. Platt which the latter, a.
a practical politician passed by without token
of resentment; but now Mr.. Morton discloses that
he and not Mr.. Platt is Governor OF the State
in a more important affair. Mr.. Morton favors
granting to Mayor Strong the authority to ap-
point the three Commissioners who are to reor.
ganize the Police Department Of New-York.
Lieutenant Governor Saxton, as former mem
Der Of the Lexow Investigating Committee, takes
the same position namely, that the doctrine OF
home rule commands that Mayor Strong should
take the leading part in the reorganization OF the
police Of the city Of which he is chief magistrate
Mr. Platts motive In having Governor Morton
and the State Senate appoint the Police Reorgan-
zation Commission is undoubtedly to control the
appointment Of the Commissioners With Plat
men as Commissioners, the heads Of good many
Tammany Hall politicians would be saved from
the
Mr.. Morton, however is a resident OF New
York himself and acquainted with the common
sentiment there In favor Of trustingthe Republican
Mayor with this work. Mayor Strong will be re-
sponsible for the character OF the administration
FORE to have the power to reorganze the depart
ment himself As for Lieutenant-Governer Sax
ton. he said to-day:
vestgating Committee as a member OF u ana !
did not notice this bill authorizing the Governor
mission nis to reorsanze the Police Department.
cannot and VIII no, take part IN sgsstSn Snt f0s
free least to express my individual opinion a., az
tan 10 fhaf be
this great authority to commission appointeo
by the and Senate conr ase thas hs .ne
upon Mayor Strong He Is Republican oi MSy1r.
enS se ought st to have s the to
department of the city government. for he will 30
ministration Of every department. That authority
he ought to be asked to share with the Legis-
lature.
titude that the Police Reorganization bill will
be passed in it's present shape. Senator Lexow
said to-day:
dou5, the truth Of the statement that Governor
the Police REORGANIZATION Commission, Until am
my support OF the bill as 1t stands
But Governor Morton will not officially In.
form Senator Lexow OF his position. Mr. Morton
said to The Tribune correspondent to-day:
shall not make any recommendations to the
Legislature upon this subject because think II mas
ia province as | have mine. | do not believe IN
a Governor interfering with a legislature Cow
ernor should not be at once legislator and all
executive
Mr. Morton declined 10 talk for publication as 10
his views regarding the Police Reorganization
bill But the fact be positively stated that
this morning he told a Republican State official
that he thinks Mayor Strong should have the au-
thoritv 10 appont the commission to reorganze
tie police force
Senator Pound a member Of the Lexow Com
rnittee said that II the Governor did not want to
exercise the power vested in him by the bill Il
should not be forced upon him.
Senator Bradley said: Governor Morton is
right Mayor Strong should have this authority"
Senator OConnor said
II sesms 70 me that II we named Rapid Transit
Commissioners for New-York and Worlds Fair
commissioners We and should name this Po-
lice REORGANIZATION Committee.