New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-11
SAXTON WITH STRONG.
THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR POSITION
TOWARD NEw-YORk CITY LEGISLATION.
IN FAVOR OF HoMB RULE AND REFORM MEAs
UREs-PLATTs EFFORT TO SUPPRESS THE
LExow POLICE REoRGANIzA-


URES-PLATT's EFFORT TO SUPPRESS THE
LExow POLICE REoRGANIzA-
TION BILL
fly TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUNE.1
Albany March 1O-Governor Morton and Lieu.
tenant Governor Saxton remained In Albany to-
day. far away from possible attempt on the
part OF others to embroi them in the quarrel
which Thomas c. Plat IL aboring hard to faster
upon Mayor Strorg OF New-York Mayor Strong.
however, 1t is obvious. is peaceable man and
rot disposed to quarrel with any one. His sole
aim, It is clear. is to give New-York the best
government he capable OF giving 1t; and Mr..
Platts efforts TO obtain patronage and TO en-
barrass the Mayor In Albany. therefore. can only
annoy Mr.. Strong without influencing him.
There is good deal OF talk among the Repub-
lican members OF the Legislature yet about the
visit paid by Leutenant-Governor Saxton to
Mayor Strong on Wednesday last This led
The Tribune correspondent TO say to Mr.. Sax,on
to-day:
Have you anything further TO say about your
interviews with Mayor Strong?"
Nothing but this replied Mr.. Saxton that
have never sought to influence him as 10 any
nAtter Of patronage. Nor have I ever sus-
gested to him any course not entirely consistent
with his dutes a good citizen and high public
official. our talks have been Of the most frank
and friendly character and there are no diffg-
ences between us. My efforts have been merely
in the direction Of learning his wishes and in
tentons to certain matters. in order that. II
possible the pathway might be made smooth for
the progress OF New-York City legislation
What are your views as to legislation affect
ing New-York city," inquired the correspondent.
II am not a membei\o of the Legislature" said
Mr. Saxton. "and perhaps an expression OF my
views may be considered by some in the nature.
Of an impertinence But citizen suppose I
am entitled 10 have opinions in public matters.
There has never been the slightest doubt In my
own mind to the course the Legislature ought
to pursue The good people Of NewYork City
are entitled TO legislation which will meet tho
necessities of the situation. and that without ref
erence to the manner in which the Mayor sees
III 70 exercise his power of appointment. have
always been OF the opinion since the question
was brought to my attention that the Police
Department should he reorganzed under the
Mayors supervision by those who are responsible
TO him and the people OF New-York City. am
also of the opinion that the Police Justices bill
should be pissed in a form which will leave the
power of appointment in the Mayors hands.
II is my belief that the Legislature will be
found 10 entertain the same views on these
points and will in all things relating to our great
metropolis meet the Just ana reasonable eApec-
tations Of the people
II will thus be perceived that Lieutenant-
Governor Saxton takes his stand by the side %
Mayor Strong: that he would give the Mayor
the authority y reorganize the Police Depart
nent and the authority to name new Police
Justices for New-York. II can be said, also.
that Mr. saxton will give his support TO the
other New-York reform bills.
II is now apparent that Mr.. Pfatts followers
have resolved TO suppress the bill introduced
by Senator Lexow providing for the appointment
~ a commission OF three persons 10 reorganze
the Police Department OF New-York and 10
substitute for 1t bill providing that this work
shall be done by a bipartisan Board Of Police.
This change Of plan was suggested by Senator
John Raines. "A devoted follower OF Mr.. Platt. at
the conference held the house Of Governor
Morton on Tuesday night last. Senator Raines's
argument in favor Of this scheme was that II
was unnecessary to appoint a special commission
to do this work. and that It might just as wen
be done by the Board Of Police itself The fact
that this suggestion came from Senator RAJ rs
makes all Republicans here think 1t originally
came from Thomas c. Plett. II so. In what
way will 1t aid Mr.. Patt In the war he is making
upon Mayor Strong Some Republicans think
that Mr. Patt has made a deal with Tammany
Hall 10 protect from removal the corrupt Tam
many Hall captains. sergeants, roundsmen and
patrolmen OF police: and that he thinks he can
best accomplish this design by pretended dead
lock I'm the Board II Police. composed. as II will
be Of two Republicans and two Democrats. Tho
Police Reorganization Commission would not per-
nit of such "A deal" since II will he composed
of three persons. two Of them probably OF one
political party and one OF another political party
In any case Il IL impossible for three persons to
get into n state OF deadlock over the question of
,h., ,,.al N ~ hal
to be incompetent or corrupt. II two OF the
Commissioners are Republicans Of the type OF
William Brookield and other Republican APP
po.ntees Of Mayor Strong the public can have
good reason To expect thorough disinfecton OF
the Police Department and removal OF Its cor
rupt elements II would be highly useful TO Mr..
Platt To have the votes Of the eight Tammany
Hall Senators up his sleeve 10 use In emergen-
cies when the reform Republican sentiment OF
the state finds expression in the State Senate.
MIR Platt therefore. doubtless thinks he can az
ford to change the police reorganization scheme
as To make II much more diihcult 10 remove
the Tammany Hall policemen. The bipartisan
method of dealing with The reorganization or
the police gives Mr.. Platt just the cover he
would desire 10 protect the Tammany Hall police
without being detected.
II James j. Martin. Michael Kerwn and
Charles II. Murray are 10 be continued as Police
Commissioners. and are to be charged win the
duty OF reorganizng the police force or New
York certainly Mr. Patt can congratulate him.
self that he has Matched out scheme which
will be ~ decided benefit 10 his Tammany Hall
oIIiae And even II Mayor Strong should appoint
ar entirely new Board OF Police II is 10 be
feared that the natural antagOnism or two Re-
nublicans and two Democrats acting as Police
commissioners would operate To create dead
locks and thus keep upon the force large pro-
norton of officers who ought To be dismissed at
The earliest possible moment II can also be sus-
u. ted that a Board Of Police. hampered by Its
many police duties and attendance at trials. would
make slow progress In the work Of reorganza-
tion This also would please the Tammany Hall
politicians In consideration OF all these facts q
good many Republican members OF the Legs-
lature think that Senator Lexow's bill should be
retained creating a special commission Of three
persons TO roOrganize the Police Department.
Such a bill, II II became law, would leave the
Board Of Police free 10 perform its usual duties
and not be weighed down by lot OF extra work