New-York tribune., 1896-05-16
4 SPOILED GRAB.

Mr. William Barnes, jr., of Albany, Is I'M
happy by threatening the Governor that I'M
less the Police Grab bill was signed the dele
gates from Albany to the St Louis Convention
would vote against Mr.. Morton he obtained
some legislation which he now finds OF no use
10 him il is as likely as not that the Governor
is also unhappy. lie so far surrendered his self
respect as to sign Il bad bill. after squirmng
over IT, under open threats that two votes de-
pended on his action. and that he could hold
those two votes with his signature. Now he
must see that Mr. Barnes and his colleague are
useless purchases. The whole transaction was
10 no purpose on either side, and bids fair TO
leave nothing behind II but the memory of
dlsrcputabe attempt at spolls grabbing which
failed.
The first misfortune which overlook Mr.
Barnes after he had amended the bill tcmpering
il 10 the Governors scnsltiycness, passed II
second time and overcome Mr. Mortons reluc-
iancc was to have Il declared unconstitutional
the other day by Justice Alton Il. Parker, of
the Supreme Court or course there Is chance
for appeal and Mr.. Barnes doubtless hopes TO
get a reversal from the Court Of Appeals. But
meanwhile his hands are tied. An Injunction
lies restraining his Common Council from cxer-
cisng the authority conferred In the act, and
80 the work II machine building in Albany IS
brought TO n standstill. and before 1t can be
resumed again-if 1t turns out that 1t can be
resumed at a-the whole outfit may be so
rustcd that It will not run at all. But Mr.
RnrncS's msfortuncs do not end with the judi
clal stopping Of his efforts 10 control the police
force The chief instrument on which he relied
10 accomplish his purpose under the act has
failed him The law designated Police Captain
Robert Davidson to act rs Chief of Police, and
make appointments on the force in case OF
deadlock among the four Police Commissioners
Such deadlock was expected by Mr. Barnes
and he selected CAPTAIN Davidson TO he his
agent and executioncr. Bur on April II the
captain wrote to Governor Morton, protesting
against the duty devolved upon him. denouncng
the bill as improper and asking the Governor
10 oppose It's passage or veto II If ii came before
him But Mr. Barnes's wishes weighed more
with Mr. Morton than the reasons OF the man
, Mr. Barnes himself picked out as the one man
III To reorganze the force, SO the letter was
ignored and the bill signed. A few days ago
copy Of this letter was offered to Mr.. Barnes's
paper. but publication was refused and now an
other Albany paper prints II. Captain Davidson
says the present fJrce Is efficient, and that 1t
would be IAN act OF cruel injustice to compel
him In reorganizng to pass over and refuse TO
continue on the force capable officers because
they were forty years old. 1hree-fourths Of the
present force would thus be lcglslatcd out Of
office TO mako way for unframed men.
Although the Governor passed over these OBJ
jec,ions. 1t Is difficult 10 what Mr. Barnes
has gained. even If the higher court should final
ly reverse Justice Parker, which there Is no
reason TO anticipate, for his decision Is based
on clear reasoning on the nature Of the dis
qualification for office which the act estab
llshcs Without Captain Davidson the law
cannot be enforced to Mr. Barnes's satisfac
tlon and even If the captain has the law to
carry out he can do 1t in good faith to the city
and in fair spirit That he will do so Is indi-
Gated by his opposition to the schemes OF Mr.
Barnes To have the law. bad as It Is, enforced
in any way but to build up machine Is the
last thing that Mr.. Barnes desires. He might
as well not have had the bill signed. for his
purpose And the Governor might much better
not have signed 1t. for his reputation.