New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-17
PLAYING FOR BIG STAKES.


the LexOW Dill. But IL Hlus' NC
that when that time arrives New-fork ana
Brooklyn will have been for nearly two years
under the rule of Mr. Platt's Commissions. Is
It conceivable that such Commissions VIII go
cut OF such offices so long as an obedient State
Senate can find sufficient objections TO the
charter as reported by the Consolidation Com
mission ito hang it up" and thus delay real
consolidation? These Commissions, moreover
will be Republican Commissions that Is. they
will bear the party's name New-York Is
Democratic city. The Greater New-for VIII
be- too so long as its government can be kept
in Republican hands is it not good politics. MT.
Platt asks. to keep IT there?
This Is his argument now with country mem
ters to secure the adoption of his commission
plan: IT is fair to assume that 1t VIII still DE MS
argument two years hence when the question Vi
their continuance in power comes up TOT discus
sion 1t Is a powerful argument with the average
party politician. and 1t is the average party
politician that is in evidence here
Radical legislation? Well. rather. But 1t Is
in radical acts that Mr. Plat delights II is MS
forte. Let those who doubt ii recall now ne mas
by the aid OF Governor Morton. placed two OF the
most notorious spoi.smen in the State. Willard
Cobb, his Lockport henchman. and the notorious
George p. Lord of Rochester, in charge OF the
State Civil Service Board; how. in the same
manner, he made one Of the most disreputape
politicians in New-York City Jim Stewart,
gas Inspector; how he has prostituted the Game
and Forestry Commission and the new Capitoi
force; how he proposes 10 construct one OF the
most powerful machines in the state by con-
trolling the liquor traffic; how he has utilized
the canals for his purposes. and. Tot least how
he expects to get his clutches on the Albany
police force.
ALBANY AS AN ILLUSTRATION.
The aforementioned scheme is so startling ana
illustrates so wildly what the people OF New
York and Brooklyn may expect at Platts hahus
when Lexow's work Is accomplished that priei
examination Of 1t will not be out OF place. Inc
late Mayor of this city Oren E. Wilson, was
elected on the platform of the Honest Elections
party. For trying 10 live up TO his campaign
pledges he was antagoniZed by the Platt crowo
here, led by young William Barnes. They de-
feated his denomination. but in doing so ae-
feated the Republican party. Under Mayor WI,
son the Police Department was reorganileo anu
placed on excellent footing. No change mas
been made in it since Mayor Thatcher adVeht
10 office. The existing law gives TO the Mayor
the appointment Of the four Police Commission
ers and makes the Mayor. ex-ofiicio. member OF
the Board This IS most SATISFACTORY 10 ,, ,hf
recollections of the police force In former days.
when elections were determined by them ana
ldWiesSneSS had In them It's StauncneSt ueleHueis'
This does not suit Mr. Barnes. He wants 10
have police force Of his own, and with Platt
aid in the Legislature he proposes TO get II.
The bill which he had introduced simultaneously
In both houses last month made even the vet
eran members Of the Legislature gasp IL apoi-
ishes the present Police Board and provides Tor
their successors but deprives the Mayor OF all
power TO appoint them. He is TO have no voice IN
the proceedings Of the Board and while he may
preside at trials cannot vote except IN case OF q
tie The new Commissioners under the Barnes
n veil he
Two Democrats and two Republicans must be
chosen and no recognition is given TO the Honest
Elections party, although ii polled one-ffth or
all the votes cast In the late election here. But
this is only part of the plan. Not only will the
present Commission be abolished and the Mayor
stripped of his power over the new one. Dut the
entire force Of policemen. most of whom were
appointed under Civil Service examination. and
who constitute the best force ever seen In Al
bany, are practically to be legislated out or OF
fee to make room for a gang OF Barnes heelefs
This Is literally true for the measure Is SO drawn
that in the Commissioners fail to agree, the
rover to appoint devoves upon the senior cap
tain a follower OF Barnes and the only member
OF the force not I, be egislated out of office by
this proposed law In brief, the bill discharges
every policeman in Albany and authorizes Barnes
to appoint in their places men to run MS pri-
maries, manage elections work against reform
and do his bidding at all times and under all
circumstances
WEAKNESS OF THE OPPOSITION
1t is hardly necessary to say that the opposi-
ton to the Lexow bill Is determined and vigorous.
1t is also growing. but II is far from being as
formidable hoped for by opponents or
the measure. Representatives OF the Brooklyn
League Of Loyal Citizens President Redfeld
among them display formidable list OF Sen
ators and Assemblymen whom they claim as
sympatkisers. On this list are TO less than seven
teen Senators. But IL must be said that while
all Of these gentlemen are opposed to the Lexow
measure there are not five OF them, outside OF
the Brooklyn Senators, Messrs. Wray and Brush,
VIII "
caucus measure. 1t is exceedingly doubtful II
there would be that number. even should the
measure be pressed for passage Immediately. IL
Plat should call caucus on It, the opposition.
unless strengthened by some demonstration in
has 50 frequently before. AS of these Sem
ators put 1t to-day: How can you expect us
poor, struggling politicians 10 stand out when
men like Elihu Root who can afford to do so, run
TO cover?"
Considering the revolutionary character Of the
BILL the opposition to II is, after ALL exceedingly
mild. The people In Brooklyn have spent good
deal Of money. $1,000 IT is said, and made many
strong speeches. but unless they are aided by
New-York their campaign will end In utter de-
feat The Plat people talk sympa thizingly with
them and predict satisfactory solution Of the
difficulty and doubtless will continue TO do so up
TO the last moment This is Platt's way The
here outlined. is not generally appreciated.
People do not understand the scope Of Patt's
ideas After however. the Lexow bill becomes
q law-assuming that Governor Morton could
be prevailed upon to sign it-and after the dele
gates to the National Convention have been
selected then see how he will bring forward
the commission bills and put them through un-
der whip and spur They all drawn and
ready for introduction. This Is said on the best
authority These "dairles' Mr. Dry Dollar
Sullivan calls them. provide. stated for com
missions to take care of the Police Department,
of both cities. the Public Works Department
the Fire Department and all other impOrtan,
branches Of the existing local governments.
SOME PLEASANT SURPRISES IN STORE
these points may be judged from the fact that
It is commonly understood among the faithful
that the successors Of the present Police Board
will be such old friends as Charley" Murray