New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-10
CHARTER AMENDMENTS.
GOVERNOR TO APPOINT A COMMISSION
TO PREPARE THEM.
DECISION REACHED AT A CONFERENCE BE.
TWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND MEssRs
PLATT AND ODELL OTHER
MATTERS DIsCrrSsED

PLATT AND ODELL OTHER
MATTERS DISCUSSED.
Inc most important result OF the conference
winch Governor Roosevelt had yesterday with
senator Plat and Chairman Odell OF the Repub-
hcan state Committee was n decision to have
general amendments TO the charter OF this city
prepared by commission to be appointed by
the Governor. and not by committees Of the
Legislature. This decision was arrived at after
several hours OF earnest discussion. Senator
flatt has been in favor OF amending the city
charter in several ways with as little loss Of
tne as possible at the coming session OF the
Legislature. His plan was understood to be TO
agree upon amendments and jam them through
as the charter itself was damned through the
Senate and Assembly. His agreement TO the
plan for appointing a commission to recommend
charter changes may be regarded as a concession
to the Governor. who has been in favor Of the
plan for a long time.
Governor Roosevelt went to the Fifth Avenue
Hotel about o'clock yesterday morning to have
breakfast with Senator Patt and Mr. Odell. and
they talked together until nearly noon. Then
the Governor went to have luncheon with Cap
tain F. Norton Goddard and Jacob A. Riis at
the Century Club The Governor and Senator
leaving Mr.. Ode to tell what had happened. Mr.
Odell said that nearly all the time had been
taken up in talking over charter amendments
and the best way to have them prepared The
Governor was in favor OF having the amend
ments prepared by a commission consisting OF
prominent citizens whose ability and standing
are unquestioned and who are not office hold
ers. The Governor advocated such a commits
sion on the ground that amendments to the
charter ought to be prepared by men who would
not be accused OF rartisanship in politics He
was ready 10 admit that such a commission
might want more time than politicians would
require to prepare charter changes, and that
amendments prepared by the commission might
not get before the Legislature at the coming
session
II was agreed that general amendments to
the charter should be prepared by such COM
mission, and that the Governor should have the
appointment of the commission, but it
agreed also that certain amendments re-
garded urgent and important might be
passed by the Legislature at the coming session.
One such proposed amendment will shorten the
term OF the Mayor TO two years. Another will
abolish one branch of the Municipal Assembly.
Another will make changes in the Board OF
Education. The amendments to be passed at
the coming session Of the Legislature probably
will be prepared by the Assembly Committee
Investigating Committee.
There was some discussion Of Assembly COM
mittee chairmanships, but no announcement was
made concerning them. because Speaker Nixon
will not name the chairmen of committees until
after he is reelected Speaker. II is believed to
be certain. however that Assemblyman Otto
Kelsey. Of Livingston County will be the next
chairman Of the Committee on Cities.
There was also some discussion of judicial ap-
pointments 1t was agreed that j. Warren
Houghton. County Judge Of Saratoga County,
will be appointed Justice Of the Supreme Court
to serve out the unexpired term of the late JUS
tice Putnam The Governor has to designate
three or four Justices Of the Supreme Court to
act as an auxiliary Court Of Appeals. and there
are scores Of applicants for the positions
There was talk over the selection of men for
appointment to State Offices which are to be
ment upon any candidate. Mr. Odell said yes
ter'ay that there had been no decision as TO an
appointment Of State Superintendent Of In
surance to succeed Louis F. Payn. whose term
OF office will expire in February. The politicians
have understood that the Governor would like
to put new man in Mr. Payn's place. but that
Mr. Pawn has obtained many pledges or sup
port among the Republican State Senators that
the Governor cannot get the Senate to confirm
the appointment Of any man for the offce except
Mr. Pawn. Senator Plat is said not to be un-
willing TO have Mr.. Payn reappointed 10 ONCE
Mr. Ode would not admit yesterday that he
and Senator Plat had tried to induce the Gov
ernor TO reappoint Mr.. Payn.
Police legislation at the coming session OF Inc
Legislature was not discussed much at the
conference Senator Plat and the Governor
were agreed that there should be no attempt
constabulary bill 80
Governor Roosevelt dined last evening with
Louis Stern at No. 800 Fifth-ave. Among the
other guests at the dinner were Senator Plat,
Mr. Odell Justice Werner OF the Supreme Court.
and ex-Justice Cohen. II had been the intention
OF the Governor to return TO Albany on the
Empire State Express this morning, but he said
Yesterday afternoon that he might remain In
the city until tomorrow morning.