The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-11-08
GRAsPING MORE POWER.
PIatt Insists ON Passing the State
CanstnhnInrX Bill.


NEW YORK, Nov. S.-senator Thomas c.
Platt, announced positively last night that
State Constabulary bill. taking the con-
troll of the police out of the hands of the
local authorities in cities of the first and
secon dclass, would be introduced and
passed as soon as possible after the in
coming Legislature has met.
He declared that the police of Greater
New York had been used to coerce and in
timIdate voters. and that the proposed
measure was needed to take the police out
of politics. Had il not been for the inter
ference of Governor Roosevelt, Senator
Plat said there would have been wholesale
intimidation of voters on Tuesday.
The enactment of the bill will mean the
retirement of Chief of Police pevery That
Republican sentiment is strongly in favor
of the bill was indicated by the assertions
Of Gen. Francis V. Greene and Cornelius
\. Bliss that the situation demands a radi-
cal remedy.
Governor elect Odeu declined to discuss
the plan. but Lieutenant Governor Wood
ruff expressed himself as warmly in favor
OF it The new law viii give State Com
missioner, with headquarters in Albany,
general control OF the police in New York
city, Buffalo. Rochester, Syracuse, Troy and
Albany. OF these Cities all but Rochester
and Albany are under Democratic control.
vita the increased Republican margin in
the Few Senate and Assembly there is little
DOUBT that the measure will be put through.
such bill viii be introduced passed,
and put into operation" said Senator Plat
without meditation when questioned in re-
gard 10 the matter last night. The meas
IRE mas M entire approval and the events
har- =. r,ctr, tod
clearly tire need OF it. That there was not
interference with the election and gReraI
intimidation of the voters by the police
here yesterday was due entirIy TO the
prompt and vigorous action OF the Governor
Of the State. We may not always have d
Governor like Roosevelt. and then no one
can tell what might happen"
Has the bili that will be offered al
ready been put into shape and the sys EN-
TO be adopted indicated?'' was asked.
The bill will be practically the same
as jhe one that was drawn by Judge
Cohen and introduced into the Leg:sla-
ture last year. That bill almost bet ne
! law" said Senator Platt 1T viii pro-
VIDE tor single head for the police force
of me State. There Will be one man in
Albany, who viii control the police and
al The election machinery in every city
Of the State of the first and second class
es That viii include New York. Bu.Ta-
10. Albany, and Rochester. The pur-
poses Of the law will be to take the con-
troll OF politics out of the hands of he
police. Il does not matter whether the
man in control at Albany is a RepubIi-
can CT Democrat, SO long as he is a
good man.
The only argument that has been
urged against a state constabuIary law
: is that it violates the principle OF home
rule. I do net see how it violates thzt
{ r,sf Tr,4A 6o Ill u,
! pushed and become a law
Mr.. E'stt was asked If the bill would
also empower the controlling autkori =
10 sgd uniformed policemen from one
part OF the State 10 another in cases o.
emergency, such as big strikes,
That is a very desirable feature he
said, and the bin viii undoubtedly have
such a provision
The bill establishes 4 State Department
OF Police, with q Commissioner. 10 be ap-
pointed by the Governor, and - hold
Office six years II abolshes the police
departments III cities of the first and Sc =
Ond classes. and vests the control cf pc
| lice property and funds in the State Com
missioner. 1t gives the State Commits
sioner power 10 appoint a chief Of Po-
I lice IN each city It gives the chiefs
power TO make assignments in their "
eTal cities and to suspend members Of
the force pending trial.
1t creates a State police force. to eol-
SiSt Of the members of the present =
paTtments. and provides that chia.> shall
! become deputies; that inspectors con
tinue in Office as State inspectors ard
that other members retain their rela-
tive positions.
The Commissioner will have pow. to
remove city chiefs on charges. after
hearing, and subject TO appeal 70 the
Governor.