New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-05
THE CONSTABELARY SCHENE.

The latest information of a seemingly cred
lble character concerning the organization OF
the Assembly includes the statement that Mr..
Lewis, of Rochester, is not to be chairman OF
the Committee on Cities. Mr. Lewis was for
time regarded as a sort Of understudy TO Mr..
Fallows in the tentative assignment Of that i'm
portant place, and when the latter was set
aside-or, rather, as Is supposed, set himself
aside for reasons satisfactory to his own mind
reports from the official antechamber promptly
designated Mr.. Lewis as his successor on the
presumptye Speakers slate. Just what Mr..
Lewis's brief tenure means nobody who knows
Is likely to proclaim, but perhaps 1t is not ex-
tremely rash to assume that his opinion of the
State constabulary scheme does not coincide
with Mr. Platt's, and that Mr. Aldridge has
done nothing to convince him that he is in error
1t has been variously announced that the con-
stabulary bill, having been temporarily shunted
to the sidetrack while the process of sounding
public sentiment" concerning it wal going on
would not be heard of again; but the managers
are evidently doing nothing which might hinder
its progress in case a chance 10 switch it back
on the main line should occur 1t is equally
obvious in the mean time that such discussion
as the project has received has only strength
ened the opposition. 1t Is to be observed that
very little is being said In any quarter about the
intrinsic merits of system OF State police for
the excellent reason that there is no intention
Of raising that question in the Legislature. II
the Republican machine can secure in advance
votes enough to pass it, bill similar to the one
which was defeated at the close of the last ses-
sion will be presented. with orders to jam 1t
through. The machine is even more anxious
| than it was a year ago 10 obtain control of the
| police in this city. and doubtless would be will
| ing to affront public opinion in other parts Of
the State, including the important cities of the
second class 10 which the present scheme ap-
plies, in order to accomplish that object. 1t
made no pretence Of Disgusting its contempt for
local sentiment last winter, and professions of
regard for local sentiment now would be moth
| ing but pretence.
The history of the constabulary scheme clear
ly reveals the purpose behind it. When 1t was
proposed early in the last session 1t had no
official backing whatsoever. Scarcely anybody
knew then or could tell now where it came
from. 1t excited little languid interest for a
few days and then completely disappeared from
view. If the police bill. applying with a semi
respectable directness to this city alone. had
found votes enough TO pass It, the so-called
| STATE HOllce Dill WOuu never nave elDerGeu, Dut
when the machines pet measure went down to
dusty death the State Police bill was promptly
brought forward as a substitute which might
be expected to accomplish the main object
while cOnciliating the favor of some opponents
of the original measure as IL did conciliate the
| Governors favor But there was not trace OF
dellberaton in the process which fortnight be
fore the end Of the session attempted TO make
It's support test of party loyalty II was foisted
on an expiring Legislature without regard &c
any consideration but the personal will OF mer
whose original calculations had just been upset
and who were determined to save something
! out OF the wreck.
The bill has no better standing In reason and
morality now than 1t had then. Its promoter;
have nothing to say about the broad principles
on which the policy Of State constabulary sys
TEN might be defended. If they can pledge
enough votes 10 put IT through they mean ia
make it law. That is all they want; but We
are under the impression thai they will get
| considerably less