New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-06
TIE MAYORS POSITION.

The rand growth Of active opposition 10 Tue
charter is a fact which has 10 be admitted even
nv those who wish that IL could be ignored. II
g. sno,en of as a sudden development, and so,
IN a sense It is; but 1t has followed naturally
pnon a diffusion of knowledge concerning the
terms upon which consolidation is projected ana
{, hos undoubtedly been fostered by the pro
ceedngs of the Legislature. Until short time
ooo nohodv knew or could know what the char
ter contained aside from Few conspicuous
foo,ures sucb as the dual assembly, the BIZ
nor,icon constitution of the Police Board and the
Novor,s limited power of removal. But since
Emo document was sent 10 Albany hot fire of
facts and arguments has been steadily directed
o,oirs, I, nv associations and individuals who
have all the time been gaining clearer CON-
nrabension Of the mischief ii threatens and this
attack all along the line has produced lis iegl'i-
mate effect Perhaps still stronger influences
has been exerted among those who were as
posed to accept the assurances Of the Char'er
Commission by the abundant evidence OF the
A,msiness Of those assurances which the LeSis-
lature has furnished from day TO day. Ihe
Commission declared that 1t had supplied all the
aDpropriate and necessary means OF self-govern-
ment and that hencefOrward there would be III
tie or no outside interference with metropolitan
affairs The Legislature promptly proceeded TO
make this cheerful guarantee worthless by un'
dertaklng TO put all sorts of audacous jobs be-
yond the Jurisdiction Of the government when
the charter creates, thus wildly illustrating the
ease with which the basis of all the Commits
slon's calculations can be upset at any time.
Mayor Strong has been quoted, perhaps mex
actly as saying within day or two that scarce
" ANYBODY seemed 10 be in favor OF The char'
ter. and we have no doubt that he has been
deeply impressed by the extent and weight OF
the opposition as revealed at the hearings in
his office 1t will be readily admitted that the
Mayor Is in a somewhat unusual and embar
RAISING position. He Is earnestly entreated by
the spokesmen OF great organizations with which
he has been identified and whose judgment ht
naturally values, by other civic bodies whose
authority as 10 certain points in the problem be
fore him Is high, by several Of his most respect
ed predecessors and by many citizens whose
sagacity and public spirit are undisputed Il
veto q charter which, n0minally al least, h,
helped TO draft and which, with some re serva
lions. he has recommended TO the Legislature
But In reality, If he should veto the charter, thu
consistency which he would violate would b.
only that superficial consistency which Is "th'
hobgobn OF little minds" He Is in about TIL
same case with most Of his fellow-citzens. Id
could not comprehend its real character withou
a fuller opportunity for examination and refec
ton than the hurried discussions Of the Com
mission afforded He had, as member, bet
ter chance than the rest OF the community, bu
his time was engrossed by the regular duties O
his Office, and 1t Is altogether probable that h
has Just begun to understand the instrument Il
which with some expressed misgivings he pu
bis hand. and to realize its faults.
II this is the position In which he finds him
self, the people for whom he Is about to &C
have a right to demand that he withhold III,
municipal approval. The fact that he is in (
measure personally responsible for the charter
puts him under special obligation to veto II, Il
furthar consideration has caused him to chang,