New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-03
Ha<9 RrLE ~ SPITE or THE MAYOR F.

H4T7. ErLE ~ SPITE or THE MAYOR
, vernor BACKS veto Of the Ahearn hll viii
command the respect ~ all those who are op-
po>cd 10 deal" legislation. The mcasur" was a
bad one which il would have been misfortun"
to have had placed upon tho statute books. for
II was a direct invasion Of the functions ~ m"
school boards. not to promote the efficiency OF
tho schools nor primarily to Increase th" salaries
Of undergrad and deserving publ" servants, hnt
10 intrrnch in the schools and reward siolid In
difference and cripple all efforts Ia improv"
teaching by removing all Incentives 10 good
work From TN" point Of view Of enlightened
educational methods the hIll was indcfonsihlc.
It's political character was equally bad. \
Tammany attempt 10 tanp"r with IN" charter.
II was passed 10y the machine Republicans In IN"
LEGISLATURE against 'he protests Of The local M
,horiries charged by law with The management
Of schools II violated all the traditions ~
sound policy. could only hay, been passed by
collision between party leaders nomnally at
onrniiv and in favorine II Tanmany utterly re-
undated IFS own platform and made itself ride
ulous IN Wow Of irs voclf"rous protests against
legislative interference with New York Cliy ~
fairs In his veto Governor Black cevorly con
sistcncy. and reveals him rs utterly nsinccre in
ar his aus'cr" talk about economy and his ban
connie declarations that he would not approve
bills. no matter how desirable the object sought.
If they lid what local authorities had power 10
Co. Mr. Van Wyck approved the Ahcarn bill.
though II added 10 the expense of the city in
-erfercd with home rule. and attempted 10 do
what not only the school boards but also the
Beard Of Estimate and the Municipal Assembly
which are under Tammany control had
power 10 de- After rcciting the law on the sub
jet The Governor says.
The right 10 Ak the pay ~ teachers Is hy Sec
tiOn 1Ugl conferred b. The first instance upon
the School Bond But the section from which
have quoted gives tn" Board OF Estimate and
Apporflonmcnt and IN" Municipal Assembly. II
I'm accord. The control Of that subject. without
regard - the Board Of Education. There Is.
therefore. no reason Or excuse FOR an Application
20 the legislature Ther" is no community IN
the state which AZ this minute ~ more welded
- the doctrine Of home rul" than the city Of
Ncv-YorH. Having The power to act. the city
should take the responsibility. Tn" authorities
there know the exact condition ~ IN" city's af-
fairs its needs and limitations. and The wishes
Of its people | understand the local govern
ment believes the constitutional debt limit OF
the city has already been exceeded If that Is
true the city itself should decide whether It Will
hazard a further Increase Al all events. such
increase should not be arbitrarily mad" 10y the
state.
The Mayor is fortunate In having party be
hind him winch cares little for consistency or
drccncy No other Kind Of support could sur
vfyc such an exhibition. If reform" admin
isrration should subject itself TO such Il rebuke
IFS own friends would never forgive il. But the
"bovs" do not care how ridiculous or dishonest
they appear 50 long as they get the stuff"