New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-23
DETAILS OF THE BILLS PASSAGE.
LONG DEBATE ENDING IN NlCloNh r'"
REPUBLICAN FORCES.

49,. % The New FORK City police bllA
three in number today occupied 'he a''e"'"u u
the House which convened an hour carrier '"1''
,,s,aI IN order 10 give the minority ample time IN
49, - ofsr amendments and debate the bills
a,erau, Pursuant to notice given yesterday MT
Aids the majority leader. moved cali oi 'i'
House The absentees were found TO numper 'en'
including several OF the minority members wn'
were scheduled 10 speak against the oi"s' |
sinzla-headed commission bill was hrst taken up
7, took an hour to find the delinquent members
This delay caused the Speaker 70 reprimand those
absentees who had kept some $40 members "a'uhs
their pleasure. r,,,,
. Pursuant 10 notice Mr. Mazet then called up BIZ
No s45. providing for snsle-headed Fohce , Co'l,
mission for the city of Now-York 10 De appointed
by the Mayor and TO hold Office six years at
salary OF 800 His motion 70 suspend the rules
prevailed by vote OF 50 ayes 10 % noes
Mr. Palmer leader OF the minority onered an
amendment that the power OF removal OF said ro-
lice missioner charges shall remain WITH the
Mayor instead Of vesting IT with the Governor.
Mr. Phillips of New-York also offered an amend
rnent 20 the BILL to strike out the clause which
gives to the state Superinrendents OF Elections At
all times supervisory power over 'he police force
Al this tuncture Mr. Collins, who was delayed
a. the oponing of the session. recognized by
the Chair ana offered his amendment TO the biI.
His amendment provided that the Commissioner.
when placed on trial shall be represented by coun-
sci at the hearings. and that tho Governors de-
cision in the matter shall he subject review by
the Supreme Court by certiorari proceedings.
THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE
Mr. Palmer. of Schoharie. the Democratic leader.
said regarding the bill for Commissioners OF Elec-
ton that even Ellhu Root. who drew II. not
sure OF its constitutionality. and Republicans,
even after that statement forcing II through.
This act takes from the Mayor the appointing
power or OF these four officers and delegates TO
a political party the selection Of those officers. for
which there is warrant in the Constitution OF
this State"
on the bills In general and what is known as the
Force bill. he said The Republican party. for
some unknown reason has created the Greater
New York city with - enormous interests and
patronage They subsequently discovered that mo
territory contained within the borders OF the great
city was normally Democratic by large majority.
and that there was no possibility NJ the Republican
party securing control OF that patronage by means
NJ the local election They therefore determined
10 secure by iniirecton that which II seemed TO ne
imnossihe 70 secure hy direction. and proceeded to
devise ways and means 10 secure the immediate
patronage which is Incidental TO great city. Tho
first step in that direction the passage OF the
Force bill This bill created the Metropolitan Dis
trct for the purpose Of securing by general
State law that which was impossible 70 he secured
bv n special local law The Force bill WAS passed
ostensibv FOR the suppression OF alleged violations
OF the election franchise la" IN the city of New
York 5ut back Of that ostensible purpose was the
scheme 70 RUE from Albany that which II was inn
nossibe 10 rule from the city OF NewYork.
MIR MAZET's SPEECH.
Mr. Mazet spoke in advocacy Of the bill He
said IN part: The theory under which the present
Commission exists is beautiful but II has not
worked well in practice 80 far the Republican
end OF II is concerned The Republican Commits
sioners are appointed by the Mayor OF the city
The Mayor can appoint any Republicans he
chooses All they have 10 do is 10 satisfy him
hat they have been In the habit Of voting the Re
publican ticket The party. however. Is responsible
for their acts while IL exercise no control over
them The present Commissioners were appointed
without the concurrence OF the party. We want
the Democratic Mayor 10 appoint a Commissioning
and have the responsibility put where It belongs"
Mr. Phillips asked Did Mayor Strong consult
the Democratic organization when he appointed
Democrats the Police BOard?'
Il don't know" said Mr.. Mazet
Mr. Green read the provisions OF the charter
which SAYS that no than two meambers OF
isn't that the only legal phraseolOgy2" ne asked
"If II said Republicans and TWO Democrats
wouldn't Il be unconstitutional Mr.. Mazet as
sentcd.
reason that there two Republican poice
Commits ssioners I'm the city OF New-York whom the
Republican party does not control. They are both
under control OF the Democratic Mayor OF the city
the character OF either Of those u IL natural
however, that they should act so as TO hold their
places. II they should stand ont, he would remove
them In an instant
There is proof Of the subservieney Of thAss two