New-York tribune., 1900-05-14

4, was written. and explains some things
which have puzzled those not acquainted
with the fns and outs of politics.
Whatever is done by legislature is placed by
DubIic opinion to the credit of the party which
has the majority of the members in both houses
IL is however. less usual TO praise than 10 hnd
fault with a party for the legislation which II
has enacted it being easier 70 criticise than to
praise. provided the critic is not called upon 10
suggest something more practical and better
than the measures with which he finds fault
This wear the Republican party must be credited
with much good work in Albany. and II Is well
to hear in mind that the tax rate this year is
lower than it has been. with one exception, ror
a generation. That this is due to careful econ
omv on the part OF the Legislature can hardly be
denied.
The citizens of New-York are, of course. prf-
marily interested in legislation affecting their
cwn municipality. and among the bills relating
to the city of New York there are several meas
ures Of far reaching effect for the enactment OF
which the party now in power in Albany is solely
responsible.
It became evident during 1898. the first year OF
the working Of the New-YorlI City Charter. that
that instrument was not perfect as IT was
generally supposed 1t would be, and by the end
of 1899 il had grown to be u conviction among
large number of people that some intelligent
mendation was made by the Legislative Investi-
CATION Committee commonly known as the Ma
yet Committee that a commission be appointed
To revise the charter. The Governor made a like
recommendation in his message. and bill was
introduced for the appointment of commission
by the Governor for this purpose This bill was
bitterly opposed in the Legislature by the MEM
bers representing the Democratic party. but TO
those who heard the debates it was clearly evil
dent that there was sOundness in the objec-
,ions to the appointment of a commission by the
Governor and that the opposition was based on
narrow and selfish motives.
The Commission which Governor Roosevelt
has since appointed is so emfnently fit for the
performance Of it's duties that the citizens or
New-York may look forward with confidence to
an intelligent report 10 the Legislature of 1901,
and they may be equally confident that no rad
ical or impractical change Will he suggested and
that no fads will be injected into the charter
The fact should not be overlooked that by the
act under which the Commission was appointed
the Commissioners to make q report to the
Governor by the first day of December. 1900.
This was insisted upon by the Legislature. In
order that not only the public but the members
of the Legislature Of 1901 should have an op-
portunity of going over the Commissions recon-
rrendations before the next session OF the Leg1s-
Iature This plan does away with the objection
its report to the Legislature is passed upon by
that body without any due consideration. it be-
ing tmpossfble in the rush Of business for any
hut a few members 70 form idea even OF the
contents of q report of the magnitude which
citv charter or a revision of a charter is sure TO
attain
The peopIe of New-York should also be salts
fed at least partially. with the action of the
Legislature on the Ramapo question To
Iacric1 1lfr
it seemed that the bill. which finally passed
and has become a law. was but a small step
in the direction of solving the difficult question
Into this question, politics was. unfortunately,
injected, but behind 1T there was not only the
sentiment of the people at large. but also the
personal influence of the Governor.
RAMAPO AND WATER SUPPLY.
The so-called Ramapo question must, OF
course in the end be decided on the line that the
city shall own it's entire water supply. and that
a contract with private company shall be
made only in case Of an emergency, and where
the city is not able. by reason OF a peculiar
locality to extend its works Immediately. as in
certain parts of the city Staten Island and
Long Island. The Governor and all others who
were in favor of the passage OF the so-called
Ramapo bills sound in their contention
that no private company should be allowed TO
have the right 70 make a contract with the
city for indefinite period and for such sum
might be agreed upon The bill which be-
came a law makes it difficult for the city TO
make a contract with water company, by re-
quiring in addition TO the authorization hereto
fore necessary. the separate approval of the
Mayor and the Controller. and it also provides
that the making OF contract may be reviewed
by the courts on the application OF a taxpayer.
This of course. is not permanent solution OF
the difficulty. but it temporarily protects the
city and the Charter Revision Commission
will undoubtedly take up this question. and re-
draft the provisions of the charter relating TO
water contracts. so as to do away with the un-
certainty and danger which now exist.
A State board similar 10 that existing In
Massachusetts will ultimately have TO be
ated by the Legislature. in conjunction with
board for the supervision of the disposal of the
sewage. This latter has already been pro-
posed by a bill introduced by Assemblyman
Henry. of this city. The question of the pre-
VentiOn of the pollution of streams by sewage
and the questions TO where cities shall go
for their water supply. and TO what extent the
districts to which they go shall be deprived OF
water, of great magnitude. and be
own its own water supply and 10 be free OF
large contracts with private companies is no
longer a debatable question. and the first step
toward remedying the present condition OF the
law has been taken by Republican Legis-
lature
SCHOOL TEACHERS AND THEIR PAY.
The School Teachers Salary bill has called
forth much unjust adverse comment The criti-
cisms which nave been made are partially
just. partially inaccurate. and a whole, quite
unreasonable What is accomplished by that
act is nothing more than rational and liberal
adjustment of the salaries of the teachers. and
the measure is a great Improvement the
Ahearn bill Of 1899. The bill was prepared af-
ter Intelligent and careful consideration. and