New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-20
BLACK AND THE CHARTER.
A NOTABLE DELEGATION OF NEW
WORKERS ASKS HIM TO VETO 1T.
REPLIES MADE BY GENERAL TRACY. EX-JUpGE
DILLON. EX-MAYoR GILRoy AND WILL
IAN c. DEwITT-LETTER FROM
ANDREW H. GREEN.

ANDREW H. GREEN.
iBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuSE.l
Albany April 19.-Governor Black held high
court in the Executive Chamber to-day on the
Greater NewYork charter. and listened to argu-
ments from some of the most eminent lawyers
in New-York The opponents Of the charter
made up a delegation of about one hundred per-
sons representing the Chamber of Commerce.
the Real Estate Exchange. the Board o. Trade
and Transportation. the Union League Club, the
Bar Associa tion the City Improvement Society
and the City Club
Charles Stewart Smith. the organizer Of this
movement. and John F. Parsons presented the
principal arguments against the charter. Among
the other men present Joseph Larocque,
Lewis L. Delaheld. Horace E. Deming and Will
lam B. Hornblower. for the Bar Association: J.
Noble Hayes. Dorman r. Eaton and James w.
Pryor. for the City Club; A. r. Hepburn. for the
Clearing House Association: Alfred f. Marlng.
Richard Deeves and John Doyle. for the Real
Estate Exchange; Colonel William Z. Rogers, in
behalf Of the Union League Club; JaSnes T.
Woodward. A s. Frisse John p. Townsend.
8. Nicholson Kane. John NJ. Bowers. c. Waldo
Smith, Jefferson NJ. Levy A. A. Levy, DIR. Thomas
E. satterthwate. John Connolly, John f. Doyle.
John G.. Agar. Benjamin F. Romano s de Wall
tearss Moses Ottnger. Morris X. Jesup,
lie Grand B. Cannon Charles d. Hubbell.
f. Eery Anderson. Austin G. Fox. Will
lam JAY II. B. Turner. Isaac y. Segman.
J. J. Sinclair. Salem II. Wales Isaac T. Smith.
Frank r. Lawrence, G. G. Williams. b. b. Free
man, John Wilmarth. w. w. Sherman b. w.
Bishop. c. A. Bris.ed T. II. Retts. George w.
Young W. Bayard Cutting James s. Auerbach.
Edward Mitchell. W. A Short A. l.. White Mr..
Garland. vice president First National Bank; F.
r. Houghton. G. Haven Putnam. james NJ.
Plumb E. II. Perkins John ID Crmmns. Bray
ton Ives r. w Glider. J. w. Goddard. w. j.
schienelin. H. ]. Fairchild and H. L. Thornell.
Silas B. butcher General Benjamin F. Tracy
Judge Moore ex-Judge Dillon. ex-Mayor Gilroy
Mayor Gleason and William c. Dewitt. of the
Commission which prepared the charter. were
present at the hearing.
The arguments presented by the opposition
were practically the same as those presented
at the legislative hearings and the hearing be-
fore Mayor Strong
The hearing was opened at II 40 o'clock by
John E. Parsons. In his opening remarks he
said that he and his friends did not appear to
md fault with the Greater New-York Commits
sion or with the Legislature for the action 1t
had taken on the measure, but to point out seri-
Gus defects in the charter. He said that the
main argument in favor Of the charter was that
'Yts advantages outweigh its disadvantages
This was the argument of the Greater New
York Commission. 1t was fallacious to assume
that charter which was to govern munich
rality Of 100000 people should be accepted
as long as 4 Sa6 any evident disadvantages IN
It, The d.sapproval Of the Governor would give
tho necessary delay for a revision Of the charter.
There was absolutely necessity to rush the
charter through. The report Of the Commission
acknowledged the weakness Of the charter when
A. suggested amendments TO the Constitution
which would be necessary to remove any doubt
as to the constitutonality to the charter If
The people refused TO accept these amendments
at the polls the government of the greater city
would be thrown into absolute chaos.
Mr. Parsons said that James c. Carter was
unable to be present, and Mr. Pryor read let
ter from Mr. Carter. in which he declared the
charter TO be piece of misohievous legisla-
tion.
Charles Stewart Smith followed with vigor-
nus anpeal for the Governor to veto the char
Ter in order that the people affected by con-
sodation might have time TO study the charter
and offer amendments TO perfect H. MI Smlth
read a letter from exMayor Abram ;. Hewitt
IN which Mr. Hewitt entered vigorous protest
against the signing Of the charter. on the ground
,ho, q nroner amount Of time had not been
given for the consideration of the question he
contended that the charter violated the prlhclpie
of home rule.
Morris X Jesup said he was of the opinion
chat the charter proposed would work absolute
financial ruin not only to New-Iork CITY, Out
elso N every square inch Of territory to be con-
sordated and IT would be many years before the
ci,v would regain its financial and commercial!
supremacy
Horace E Deming was next introduced as rep
rasent;np the Bar Association of New-York. lie
ssid that there was no body Of public opinion IN
New-York which favored the charter ana tilal
when the question Of consolidation was put 10 'he
people only 81 per cent OF the people III the 'eli
tory affected voted in favor OF H. -.
General Tracy asked f II was not d iact tiiat
the vote lust mentioned was the largest ever
given on a public question in that territory even
on the adoption Of the new CONSTITUTION. MI
Deuing said he could not answer the question:
"Vell l can" replied General Tracy. II Is d
fact" ...,so,,oa ~, tho
weakness of the charter was the lnuouuCtVVli AZ
the Legislature Of twenty or thlrty pi' ~
amend il a week after { had been pasFtu' , -,
"Pont out ono PROVISION OF the cnai ,ep S" -
General Tracy, "whlch hefos diie"''"
make II operate. . d, ~, I,or,
"AU Of them may operate rephed MI. De IN.
,re "out how will they operate? LOOK az IN.
provision creating the Municipal Assen'piy' mo
to6v Is not given power TO regulate the f'yif oI
Li,es or the piiing of snow in eny parucuiaf
r,lace in the city without special legislative e"-
acfmcnt Is that a good provision! $500
In his opinion the provisions 81 the chirtel ie-
lating 70 the Fire department the folice De
rsrtment and almost every "ther department
created were equally def,ctlfe. ,
Lewis L. Delafeld spoke next he sara ula' lne
n,ury provisions creating the cry ueldIt inrit
1ere conploneratio1s of the existing statues re-
Met IL thCt