New-York tribune., 1901-03-08
OnELL AND STATE POLICE.
80 APPARENT CHANGE IN GOVERNORS
ATTITUDE-BILL WILL BE PASSED
IF HE CONSENTS.

Albany. March CSpeciaD.-The presence of
cx-Tu5pa William y Cohen in Albany to-day
gave rise TO the suspicion for time that ne had
come here 10 give advice to Governor Odell re-
esrdng the constitutionality Of the State Police
hin The Judge visited Governor Odell, ana
then there was renewed talk about police BILL
h,t presently Judge Cohen said he knew Of no
new bill. and Governor Odell stated that the
Judge and himself had not said anything about
police measure. Judge Cohen later in the
day said that several months he framed
four or five State police acts, and these docu-
ments were all in existence but he was not at
work now upon any such measure.
The cOnstitutionality of a State police act, II
is said is troubling the persons who favor the
massage of a bill of that kind, and the rumor
went around to-day that the bill OF Senator
Raines in some respects, was believed to be
unconstitutional. The difficulty in the way OF
making a Stale police bill constitutional. it is
reported. rests in the fact that State police
should be supported with State funds and not
with local funds But would Chenango County
like 10 pay for the support Of a police depart
Inent in New York City?
II is argued that il would be unconstitutional
tc compel New-York City, Rochester, Albany
and other cities TO pay for the maintenance OF
their police departments and yet have no con-
trol of the appointment of the policemen even
over the number 10 be employed. Then there is
The big question Of the transfer to the State
of the property OF the police departments. worth
many millions of dollars. Has the State the
right take this property without compen-
Fating the citiese These questions We're fire.
Guently asked to-day by prominent Republicans
opposition 10 a State police hill appeared to-
day among Republicans living in this city. in
Rochester and in Buffalo Two Of these cities
haze Republican administrations. Despite this
opposition, however. il is apparent that if Gov
State police bill one will he passed Immediately.
4 majority If the Republican Senators and AS
seTnbNmen favor the measure.
. Confirmation. which. of course. was not need
ID, obtained here to-day in relation TO
SenatOr Platt's statement in Washington yes
feFdav that Governor Odell in the original draft
nf mis- annual message to the legislature favored
the passage OF a State police bill. but after
ward changed this expression Of his views, and
FrT0te what ne did regarding police legislation
Tafer also the Governor gave his consent to
The passage Of the single headed police bill for
New-York City. 1t is argued that if Governor
odell once favored the passage Of a State police
hin he may do again If convinced that
constitutional enactment has been drawn
4 good many Republican Senators and AS
Tssmblymen expressed the belief to-day that Gov
crnoT O6ell would give his consent to the pas
sage of State police bin before the legislature
adjourned, and said that in their opinion the
Governor would sign such bill but for his
belief that the single headed police act merited
trial and that in another month the
cemerits OF Deverys control of the Police De-
rartment of New-York would be more obvious