The sun., 1898-06-18
BLACKS ELECTION BILL.
THE GOVERNOR EXPLAINS HIS PBIN
OF n BI-PIRTIslN ROARD.


support. Thua AsHurinE the MIL OF Wore
ThRB Majority In tho ASssIbFT-ReaSouH
for Net Having = Police 1nvWvtiEatiSn.
ALBANY, June 17.-New York city is to have
q bipartisan Board OF Elections, with authority
to appoint additional election officers with
police powers to serve at each polling place.
This will be provided for by law to be passed
at the coming extraordinary session OF tho
Legislature. Ono of tho members OF the board
will undoubtedly be tho retired Chief Of Police,
John McCullaRh.
Any legislation TO secure an honest election
In New York city next fall and to prevent Tam
many Hall from cheating its political opponents
out Of thousands Of votes which may be recon-
mended by Gov. Black to the Legislature will
receive eighty affirmative votes In tho Assom
bly,, or four more than arc necessary to pass
such a measure. This WAS made certain whom
Assent yman John A. Weekes, Jr, and Francis
f. Laimbeer tho two Independent Republican
Assemblymen from New York city, came to
Albany to-day and informed Gov. Black that
they would support his efforts in that direction.
They camo at the Governors invitation and
werc accompanied by Frank Moss. President of
tho Police Board during tho latter part OF
Mayor Strengs administration. They accom-
panied tho Governor to luncheon at tho Fort
Orange Club. where for more than two hours
they discussed overy phase OF tho Now
York city situation developed by Mayor Van
wyck's removal OF the two Republican
Police Commissioners. Mr.. Weekss, as we'll
as Mr. Laimbeer, emphatic in expressing
the opinion that il was not enough TO take the
appointment OF the election officers away from
Tammany's three-legRed Police Board and bo-
stow tho power of selection upon bipartisan
Board OF Elections. They contendod that Tam
many depended upon the police force and not
the election officers for the greatest aid in colon.
izing voters. including false registration and
generally intimidatina voters at the polls. They
declared that it was necessary to pass a law re-
claiming the Police Department from Tsmmany
Hail. as its power to coerce the voters was un.
bounded and would be fully utilized.
Mr.. Weekes said that the bills to be passed
providing for an additional approximation for
war expenses and for means by which Now York
soldiers Mt the front could vote at the coming
days Of the special session. sugg osted that tho
Legislature should then take q recess for three
% to nvesFste er the thSSSY SoW York Police Department.
and report upon its pre- sent administration. Mr,
| cluded within a couple Of weeks with tho aid OF
ycotiEatinE, Committee. The result, he pre-;
estonish the people of New York and lead to
demand that the present thrse.legGed Police
Mr. Moss iolnod the two Assem- mblymen In i'm
| pressing on the Governor the necessity OF deal
Ing with the present administration OF tho po-
| lice Department. He declared that the police
force was being rapidly Tammanyized, and that
preference In promotions and appoin tmcnts on
| the force was given to officers who were be-
/ Bmirched by the LeXow committee.
Mr.. Weeks is not believer in bipartisan
principles as practiced by Tammany Hall. Ono
! OF his suggestions that the Legislature pass
law providing for tho election by tho people
next fall OF three-headed Police Commission
for New York city. the Governor to be en-
| act in the meantime, to be composed OF Dem.
ocrat, Republican and an independent Mr..
iaimbeer said he was not opposed to single
Gov. Black, after listening to the views Of his
Should be-
the the Tss nsx he had S1.n % tsT%
thought tS@ that O hS epnbcan % policy of
allowing no tinkerng with 1T until 1t has had q
that Mayor Van Wyck and his thrce-lesged Po
lice BOARD were in a hole that had no bottom.
and he was Of the opinion they should not bo
aided with legislation affecting them oneway or
the other.
Tho people will deal with them when the
opportunity presents itge , and they never for
In bis opinion @ the best way to meet the OK
listing difficulty was to pass a law providing for
bipartisan goaId Of Eli Eleeations. to be ap-
stitutional requrements would permit
-, Something must and will be dEne to check
board Boar 10 Of Elections By Mayor Van WycE. that
|
tion must be treated as it s-a State matter
| and the Governor must act.
| Gov. Black was OF the opinion that to prevent
the police from interfering With an honest cleo
tion next fall 1t would not be necessary to
tn 4f police Se Of Of police 5hs
| vision lodged with Tammany'B three
legged Police Board. Ho thought it would bs
Elections to appoint additional election officers
to to sorve on days OF registry and At the polls
equal to those of the members Of the
present police force and there will be
their efforts to enforce the law. They
will he equally divided between the Republican
and Democratic parties. and will have full au-
| tratiOh. and will bc charged specially with tho
duty Of 1nearthinE any any sGafmeS S I0r the colo
When the Goyornor had outlined his plan Mr..
Lnimbeer and Mr.. Moss agreed with Mr.. Weeks
and they assured the Governor that he would
have their cooperation in his efforts to pass the
After the conference Mr. Weeks said he had
changed his mind about the feasibility Of n
It would takO up too much time For
oHanse ers will bo
tion OF the Police Depart mont, nor will
any legislation be proposed changing the pres,
city. AS he feels now the Governor thinks a
bipartisan Board OF Elections of moro than
four members would be too cumbersome.
The members of the Board Of Elections are to
be appointed upon the nomin alton Of the recoR
| nzed committees of the tWoparties. Whether
the Mayor or Governor shall make the appoint
monts depends on constitutional question. II
is desired that the Representatives OF each
political party in tho board shall appoint ths
Ipecia election officers representing that party
II these officers arc city officers, It may he
found that tho Constitution would require the!I
| appointment to be made by majority of the
board: but II they are State officers they could
be appointed as the Legislature might direct
SO the case stands thus: II 3, majority of th'
Governor will appoint the members of thC
board; but il IL Is found that less than a
| ma jority can appoint them. that duty will bI
given TO the Mayor instead OF to the Governor.
GOV. Black is spending much time with hit
| legal adviser studying the constitutional ques
tions involved. and when they are settled to hil
satisfaction he will issue his call fer the specia
session OF the Legislature.