New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-06
AN ANTI-ROOSEVELT LEAGUE
REFORM MEASURES APPARENTLY
BLOCKED AT ALBANY.
CROKER's POWER AND THE APATHY OF
THE MACHINE REPUBLICANS MORE AND
MORE CLEARLY DISPLAYED

THE MACHINE REPUBLICANS MORE AND
MORE CLEARLY DISPLAYED.
Albany March CspeciaD.-It was predicted
when the Greater New-York was created and
the Republican city Of Brooklyn lost It's indl-
vdualty that result Of this policy. Tam
many Hall would have It's power so enormously
increased that it's leaders would control the
Legislature. even II it should contain a Repub-
lican majority That prediction seems to
be verified. Richard Croker. TO all appearances
has the power kill, and probably will kill, the
following Republican measures:
NewYork Police bills.
Civil Service Reform bill
Primary Reform amendments.
Rapid Transit bill
Governor Rcosevet's administration Is thus
hampered In respect to legislation which may
/ be labelled political" by the leaders OF Tam
many Hall. No one at first sight would call the
Rapid Transit bill a political measure. but the
/ chieftains Of Tammany Hail would never permit
It TO pass unless the control of the construction
Of the great underground road contemplated
should be conceded to them Nor can the Pri-
mary Reform bin be classed as a partisan meas
! ure but the leaders Of the Wigwam VIII not
permit 1t to pass if it in the least endangers
their control Of the machinery Of the Demo-
cratic party within the territory Of New-York
| City
NOT TO THE MACHINES LIKING.
There is considerable suspicion here that the
| souls of Iemuel F.. Quigg ana Frederick s
| Gibbs will not be torn with anguish II the New
! York Police bills do not pass. Both Mr. Gibbs
and Mr. Quigs urged again and again upon
| Governor Black the policy Of passing Dill
! authorizing the Governor TO appoint four Ponce
! Commissioners in New-York, hoping. 1t may
readily be Inferred. that they would have the
naming Of the Republican Commissioners. Only
/ last week men who accompanied Mr. Qulsg
here from New-York a committee Of the
New-York Republican County Committee sug-
! sested this method OF dealing with the Police
| DEPARTMENT Governor Roosevelt, like Gov
ernor Black declined to accept this suggestion
and made It absolutely plain that the only phl
he would sign would be one authorizing Ma9o'
Van Wyck to appoint single Police Con''ii'S-
sioner. Since this decision Of the Governor De-
came known few of the representatives, Of the
Republican organization f New-fork CITY nave
shown much interest in the Police DIS
Civil Service reform Is not attractive 10 cer-
tain Republicans nor is primary reform Inc
Republican machine is not showing any inter-
est in the bills relating TO these subjects ana
II IS no wonder they make no progress
What surprises a good many persons Is the
Indifference shown to the Rapid Transit bill by
nearly all the members from New-York CITY,
GOOD ADMINISTRATIVE WORK.
Governor Roosevelt probably considers 1t
fortunate that early in the session of the Logs
latrro he obtained the confirmation Of various
nominees for important state Offices. Legisia-
tion of a reform character may be denied, owing
% Tammanv Halls interference with the small
Republican majority in the senate. but no hand
can be stretched forth 10 prevent the Repub-
ucan administrative officers from giving the
State good government Under the JOINT rule
Of state Engineer Bond and Colonel John y
Partridge. the new superintendent OF Puphc
U-orl,e evory milo of the canals is being put on
a reform basis Man after man is being as
missed from the force Of canal employees be-
cause il has been discovered that he IS not
needed or is incompetent Lately some thieves
have been detected and ousted large re-
duction in the number Of employees has thus p''h
nale and thousands Of dollars are being saved
monthly. The extravaganza and waste or Gov
ernor Blacks canal administration is at an
end
Superintendent Partridge and State Engineer
Rond have exerted themselves to their utmost
70 cut down the claims Of the canal contractors
against the state and reduce the amount of
work TO be done on the uncomplcted contracts.
The canal contracts II completed, would take
81 300 600 out Of the state treasury cir. Bona
and Mr. Partridge. by persistent negotiation and
a firm stand against outrat eousiy large clalms
for damages. have seemingly reduced by tWo-
thirds the amount Of money which the canal
contractors are likely to take out OF the treas
urv As 2 consequence Of their action, the
State tax rate will not ascend 10 that mountain
height which it threatened to reach
II ~ Bender the new Superintendent Of Pub
Io co reductions in the
number Of employees in mis- department. and the
wall Of the dismissed ones Is heard all about
the Capitol Some of the Republican, Senator's
and Assemblymen who have been extremely In
dustrious in the past in securing snug places
with little work and big salary for their ad-
herents are greatly distressed over these dis
mssals. and take a gloomy view or the present
State Administration. 1t may we'll be suspected |
that some OF the recent "demoralization' at
Republican caucuses and stories Of kicking
are among the results Of the economy practsed |
by State Engineer Bond. Superintendent Par |
fridge and superintendent Bender
Nor does this seem the final word as to the |
policy of the administrative officers appointed |
by Governor Roosevelt Another officer. State |
Architect Helms, has yet to be heard from in re-
gard 10 reduction Of expenses. Mr.. Helms |
will have charge Of State buildings on which |
hundreds of thousands Of dollars yearly X |
pended. Mr.. Helms undoubtedly can largely re
drce the state expenditures for now buildings |
by resolute opposition 20 wastcf ness.
ECONOMY TO BE ENFORCr D.
Governor Roosevelt holds the whip hand over
the Legislature in regard to appropriations.
There are scores Of appropriation bills. and
many OF them will be passed but he has the
last word. He can veto any item in an appro-
pration act 1t is expected. the Gov
ernor Is trusting a good deal to the advice Of
Senator Higgins chairn9n Of the Senate FL
nance Committee. who IS an economical man
and thoroughly acquainted with the actual
needs of every State institution, that tremend-
Gus cuts Will be made in the annual apprOpra-
tion bin for the support Of the state Govern
ment the Supply bill containing appropriations