New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-21

CHAMPIONING THE SALOONKEEPER
Any OF these sins would he conspicuous and
fagran' in time of less National excitement. but
one sin OF commission calls for immediate popular
condemnation. Under the gulse of promoting pub
lic welfare. the Republican Legislature revolution
lied the method Of dealing with the liquor traffic.
and established bureau with man at It's head
10 control and manage that traffic. 1t took an In
creased and In many instances unreasonable
from the saloonkeeper. and instead of apply
ing that sum to defraying the expenses of local
government II distributed II throughout the state.
Instead OF leaving discretionary power in granting
licenses to the local authorities. II made the busi-
ness free to any with money enough to buy a
license. and still left IN the hands Of the one man
at the head Of the bureau ample means OF haras-
sing and annoying the holder OF license until he
should consent TO do his political Will The inde-
pendent public press opposed this measure. Stu
dents OF municipal reform and advocates OF morali-
~ opposed It's passage. The leaders OF Civil Service
reform denounced IT as an invention for the sole
purpose of securing political spols. officials pro-
tested against 1t not only the ground Of Its
financial Injustice TO their cities. but because II
violated the most vital principle Of home rule. and
took away from the proper authorities the most
important OF police regulations. But the bill was
made law by the will OF a political boss. am
persuaded that a Democratic Governor, with the
people behind him. could force a repeal or an I'm
The tendency OF modern thought has been toward
larger powers for local self-government The estab-
shment Of this centralized bureau. with its countless
political agents reaching into every corner Of the
State, Is a backward step and menaces the very
safety OF our State Before the bill had reached the
Governor for his signature there was introduced an
other measure which provided for the appointment by
the Governor Of a commission OF six persons to prac-
tcally control and manage the internal affairs OF
cities. Action this radical measure was deferred
until the next session OF the Legislature. The ten
dency of the people Is toward granting self-govern-
ment in localities. The tendency Of the Republican
party is toward building up a centralized form OF
government. All legislation is reciprocal in Its effect
Let the Empire State encourage and adopt this
centralized form and 1t will accustom other States
look with complacency upon Its existence until the
vicious principle will penetrate the general Govern
ment If this centralized form operated by the
people directly IL might be approved. If It were con-
roed by patriotic political party. II might be ac-
cepted If 1t were in the hands of a wise party fac
ton 1t might be tolerated.
But when this great governmental machinery Is
in the hollow Of the hand OF one man. when he
and not the people is the beneficiary of It's opera
ton. popular government is menaced, and his de-
feat as a public enemy becomes the duty Of all
good men. This is the issue In the State this fall.
No step toward municipal or other reform can be
undertaken until this question IS settled. The
people have destroyed all vestiges OF political
boss In the Democratic party and l believe they
will annihilate bosssm In the Republican party
1t is not important that l or any particular in
dividual should be elected Governor 1t Is I'M
portant that the power of one man should not be
perpetuated by two years more OF Republican ex-
ecutive control Yours
JOHN BOYD THACHER