New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-12
QUIGG'S VOICE ON RAMAPO
HIS BELATED UTTERANCE AGAINST
'SCANDALOUs LEGISLATION
HOW THE PLATT-CRoKER COMBINATION
WORKS TO DEFEAT REFORM
MEASURES
EASUREs

Albany, March II CSpeciaD-Republican poI
ticians here much amused over the follow
ing declaration by Lemuel E. Quigg chairman of
the Republican County Committee of New-York
CITY al the dinner given TO Governor Roosevelt
by the Republicans OF the XXVIIth Assembly
District of New-York on Friday night:
= want the chairman Of the State Committee and
governor Roosevelt to understand that New-York
Republicans want commission OF honest wise
me ssaee of me ei'y charter and want we'll
Tb scarGa , contract to secure water rights
thieves Liz '0ii'iOi VI
These are exceedingly brave words but why
has not Mr.. Quigg uttered them before about
the Ramapo Water Company? This is the ques-
ton which the politicians who are laughing over
Mr.. Quigg's words. are asking They are aware
that the Legislature has now been in session
since the first week in January and vet Mr.
Quigg has not seen fit TO say one word about
MS burning thoughts in favor Of protecting the
city from making an extremely disastrous con-
tract with the Ranapo Water Company until in
March
win Mr. Odeil the chairman OF the Republic
can State Committee, he has remained silent
while the Assembly Committee on Cities has
been holding fast the bills against the Ramapo
Water Company. Moreover these politicians
were under the decided impression that Mr.
Qulgg was just as displeased as Silas b
butcher over Governor Roosevelt's direct at
tack in his annual message TO the Legislature
on the Ramapo Water Company, when he said:
| ON one point there must be no step backward
There is a consensus of opinion that New-York
must own its own water supply. Any Iegisla-
ton permitting private ownership should he
annulled"
QUIGG IMPOSES ON NO ONE
For Quigg to now come bursting out with q
declaration in oPs
ing the water supply Of New-York is therefore
ludicrous and can impose on no one He Is
undoubtedly aware that the Legislature is about
TO adjourn, its session snapped off by the men
who are protecting the Ramapo Water Com
pany. It is therefore safe for him to make the
strongest kind Of declaration in favor of some
legislation regarding the water question, and
he is aware OF il.
The adjournment of the Legislature on the
date mentioned, March 81, will leave in Mavor
Van Wycks hands the bills relating to tho
Ramapo Water Company if passed by the Legis-
lature, and Mr.. Quigg is we'll aware that the
chiefs Of Tammany Hall will never permit
Mayor Van Wyck to sign any bill which would
prevent the Ramapo Water Company obtaining
the contract which it desires, especially the one
which provides that the consent of Controller
Coler shall be necessary to the making of any
contract with the Ramapo Water Company
The Assembly Committee on Cities still refuses
TO report that bill It did report one OF Con
roer Coler's bills in regard to the confession OF
Judgments on Friday. but it carefully refrained
from reporting the bill referred To- giving hin,
control over the proposed contract with the
Ramapo Water Company.
oDELL TAKING NO ACTION
Benjamin B. Odell, ir chairman Of the Re-
publican State Committee was here last week
but ne made no effort. it is clear. TO pass any
Dill against the Ramapo Water Company for If
he had, the bills now in possession of the As
sembly Committee on Cities against the Ram
apo Water Company would have been reported
Mr.. Odell speaks for Senator Platt. the head Of
The organization OF the Republican party and
every Republican in the Legislature understands
that fact. Mr.. Odell, therefore must have been
| following Senator Platts directions when he
failed TO give any orders for the release of the
Ramapo bills.
1t is believed here that Senator Platt will
have an alleged bill against the Ramapo Water
Company passed but that the measure will be
so skilfuly wOrded that 1t Will not harm the
RaTnapo Water Company. There are hints that
Assemblyman Morgans bill empowering the
city OF NewYork TO condemn land TO secure
sources of water supply will be made the basis
OF this alleged compromise" measure But it
will be hedged about with limitations that il
will not be of any TO the Merchants Asso-
! citation or any other association OF taxpayers
/ Of New-York when they seek TO prevent the
u
| the Ramapo Water Company.
No power will be given TO Controller CoIer to
prevent the contamination of the job The ALI
ance between Senator Platt and Richard Croker
Will prevent any such legislation, if il is
passed ii viii be put through the Legislature
so late in the session that II will come into the
hands Of Mayor Van Wyck. and he veto IL.
The trick is clear. Senator Platt's neutenants
will hold back Legislation to which Tammany
Hall is hostile till late in the session Of the
Legislature, and then pass the bills on TO Mayor
Van Wyck for VetOes.
CANAL IMPROVEMENT HELD UP.
The Plat organization has killed Governor
RooseveIt's scheme TO have the proposition to
submitted to the people this fall 1t also is
threatening TO kill Assemblyman Hills bill ap-
/ propriating 100000 for a survey for a barge
/ canal. The Governors canal scheme had pc
tered out" 10 this bill Of MI Hill but apparent
! ly the Plat organization is still dissatisfied
with the canal situation, and does not desire
go before the people of the State with even such
an expenditure TO it's credit It may be we'll to
state that State Engineer Bond fayors this bill
/ Of Assemblyman Hill. believing that survey
I for a barge canal should be made.
/ The organization leaders here say Senator
1 Stranahan's Mortgage Tax act is 10 be passed.
and vet This bill is yet printed with its
/ highly important amendments touching most
OF the sections Of the bill II upsets most OF the
taxation laws of the State, and provides a novel
I system for collecting the money Tor the support
OF the State government 1t would seem tnat
by the Legislature, yet il is to be considered IN
the rush Of the last hours of the session hear
! ings certainly should be given this measure
in its new form but it is doubtful if they will be-