New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-13
TWO MAYN OF UOINT IT.

T, IS moi olviors to the unintiated just why
the construction of a bill legisla,ing the Police
commissioners out Of Office and requiring the
Governor to appoint their successors should have
kent so ACCOMPLISHED lawmaker as Mr.. Ed
ward Lauterbach busy day and night since last
Sunday. That 1t may not be the easiest thing in
the world to pass the bill is forcby suggested
by the news from Albany. but it does seem as
if Mr.. Iauterhach ought TO have been able to
comrlete the draft in time to reach the Capitol
before the Legislature adjourned for the week.
That. however is what he just failed TO do. and
we suppose the people will have to wait for next
Tuesdays morning papers to learn precisely IN
wha; manner the Republican organization pro-
noses 70 protect thec Ives and property II IL
be assumed that tho sole desire of the organHa-
ton is as it ought to be. to remedy by simple
and effective means the evils which have re-
suited from tie protracted conflict OF purposes
end passions in the Police Board. the amount or
time and toll which it has cost to embody that
desire in a legislative measure can scarcely be
accounted for The circumstance is all the more
remarkable in view Of the fact that Senator
Wrav. proceeding on Independent lines, has actu
ally produced without apparent fuss or trouble
a bill which pretty nearly everybody outside OF
the organization and good many persons inside
of il heartily approve.
Senator Wray's bill provides that the Mayor
Of New-York may remove at pleasure any officer
appointed by the Mayor except in cases for
which TIE Constitution otherwise provides OF
course the bill Is meant to apply only TO the
present emergency created by the Police Board
scandal and the Senator designs to introduce
an amendment to that effect. That will be a
tudicious change. we think. though there are
strong arguments in support OF the general
proposition that the Mayor ought to have full
power Of removal throughout his term. The
bill commends itself TO almost universal ap-
proval for many reasons II is clear and sim
pie. answers completely to present requirements,
and does nothing more than that. 1t does not
Involve the slightest departure from the policy
Of home rule to which the people are attached
and the party is committed. and which the new
charter Is guaranteed by it's authors and de-
tenders to perpetuate. 1t conceals no scheme
for the control Of the next election in the interest
OF any party. faction or machine. and therefore
arouses no suspicion or anxiety in the minds OF
that multitude Of voters who earnestly desire
good government and are more willing TO sac
rlfce q party than the public
This last CONSIDERATION presents al argument
In favor Of the Wray bill which is not OF the
highest ethical value, but which it would be
foolish to disregard on that account. To put the
ease plainly Republican members Of the Legls
.ature who want to prolong Republican rule and
covct a political future for themselves cannot
afford to cooperate in any scheme for the bene
III OF n few individuals In contempt Of the pop
ular conscience and the popular will, repeatedly
declared with ever-ncreasing emphasis. Sup
port Of the Wray bill involves no such abandon
ment Of reason and danger Of retrlbution II
90 seems to be universally supposed. the bill
which Mr.. LAuterbach took to Albany yesterday