New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-18
THE L4UTERB4CH POLICE BILL.


If. as reported Governor Black has Indicated
10 the Republican leaders I'm the Legislature his
disapproval in advance Of the Metropolitan 20
lice Commission bill. upon which Mr.. Edward
Lauterbach has been these many days wreakng
his genius for political disturbance he deserves
the thanks Of all good citizens. and the grail
tude especially Of the Republican party In this
State. which he has saved from political blum
der that would certainly have been serious and
might have proved disastrous. The Tribune has
heretofore pointed ont the fatal defect IN MI
Lauterbach's proposed measure, which was that
for the sake Of providing remedy for I'M
toward existing conditions In the municipal gov
eminent temporary in their nature, II deho
erately sacrificed the principle OF home rule, 10
which not only the Republican party is COM
mitted by explicit declaration. but the great ma
jorty of the people are devoted. as shown by
their action repeatedly when the issue has been
raised in popular elections. The only preteXt
for such an enactment justification it has none
was from the partisan point of view that 1t
would put the control of the police Of the Greater
New-York in the hands of the Republican or
ganizaton for election purposes. Mr.. LATTER
bach is an active and energetic partisan, whose
weakness is in mistaking cunning for foresight
The prospect of immediate temporary partisan
advantage blinds him to far-reaching conse-
ouences. Doubtless he means well, but his
trouble Is eagerness and overzeal.
We have not believed at any time since this
scheme was preached that Governor Black, in
whose practical good sense we have great conf
dence Notwithstanding some Of his acts which
have seemed to us to be mistakes would give
his approval TO a bill which deliberately contra
vened a fundamental doctrine and the avowed
policy of his own party. The police situation IN
this town is admitted on all sides to he compli-
Gated and unpromlsing. The need Of a change
of some sort is universally recognized. But II
is not so urgent and pressing that the Legis-
lature should jump at. and the Governor ap-
prove the first crude device Of political par
tisan 10 remedy existing evils by radical leglsa-
ton. the essential feature Of which IS that 1t
promises temporary partisan advantage. How
ever plausible the arguments Mr.. Lauterbach
presented in favor Of his bill. the Governor could
not fail to take into account the fact that In
approving measure which In violation OF the
principle OF home rule took away from the Mayor
and vested in himself the appointment of new
Board OF Police Commissioners. he would be
eNDOSlng nlDlSPlI 10 IHcIlltI fIIlIf>HI ioi Si"3P
ing ambition in enlarging his own powers al the
expense Of the Republican Mayor Of New-Nork
He could not help seeing that 1t would he hazard
Gus to his own political fortunes from purely
personal point Of view, let alone the damaging
effect upon the party. We are not surprised, ac-
cordlngly. 10 learn that Governor Black has set
the seal OF his disapprOval in advance upon this
extremely unwse political makeshift and that
the Lauterbach bill Is accordingly dead.
Moreover, the action taken yesterday by Mayor
Strong in removing Police Commissioner Par
ker from Office subject TO the approval of the
Governor. is one step at least toward solution
of the existing situation which, II carried ont,
will make further legislatOn-or, at any rate
snch legislation as Mr.. Lauterbach proposed
unnecessary The pending bill introduced by
Senator Wray. giving the Mayor the power OF
removal seems to MS preferable as way ont OF
existing difficulties, 10 the course Of procedure
initiated by the Mayor. which involves delay
and may in the end prove ineffective. However
that NAV be- one thing Is certain: that Is that
the passage Of any such bill as the one proposed
by Mr.. Lauterbach would be fraught with dan
ger. If not absolutely fatal, TO the Republican
marty Governor Black has shown excellent
Judgment and sound sense in calling It's pro
moers TO a halt by slgnifying his dsapproval
! i'm advance