New-York tribune., 1901-03-25
NO POLICE MEASURE.
LEADERS ACQUIESCE IN THE
GOVERNOR'S VIEWS.
DECISION REACHED TO LET THE STU
ALTON STAND FOR THE PRESENT
STATEMENT BY MR.. PLATT.

at Albany at the present session ThlS was Ce-
cided upon at a conference of Republican lead
ers and legislators at the Fifth Avenue Hotel
yesterday afternoon. Governor Oder was not
present but his attitude toward such proposed =
legislation was known to every man in the con-
ference. and he had spokesmen present Senator J
PIatt did not recede from his position that he
believed the passage of a metropolitan police
bill advisable, but. with the distinct knowledge
that the Governor would veto any such bill. he
agreed with the others in the conference that
the effort to force the passage of such bill
would be unwise and probably unsuccessful
After the conference he gave out the following
statement, in which he set forth his position:
The general opinion of those at the conference
that the police conditions existing in New
York ought to have the attention of the legis-
Iature but that it would be useless to pass any
hilI as the Governor has declared that he would
veto il. Some of those present favored a State
police law and others favored metropolitan
district law. but 1t was conceded by all that
nothing should be done at present.
I regret the situation. as believe that some
city and the Republican party, and think that
such will be the general public opinion soon-
But If nothing is TO be done and the present
bad conditions are to be submitted TO. the legis-
lature is not responsible for that. If it turns
out in the next municipal election that the juds-
ment which I have formed upon this subject
has been wrong shall be glad that Tamrnany
has been left in control of the police
1t had been plain for several days that the
Governors contention that legislation should
be enacted would be agreed TO and that there
would be attempt to jam a bill through the
legislature and pass it his veto. The con-
ference between Senator PIatt and Governor
Oden Saturday conclusively determined that
At this conference the Senator made a last re-
ques. to the Governor 70 change his position,
but Mr.. Odell would not recede from the posi-
ton he had taken The Senator and the Gov
ernor parted the best of friends. but still de-
cide6ly at difference over this question 1t may
be said that Mr.. Platt earnest in his
support OF a metropolitan police bill that he
would have gone to the length OF forcing it to
passage. even the Governors veto. had not
some of his oldest and most trusted advisers
convinced him that it imr ractical: and he
also saw the Inadvisa biIfty Of such course.
The conference OF yesterday afternoon was
called for o'clock. An hour before the confer
ence met Governor OdeH who was staying at
the Union League Club. started for Albany.
He did not call on Senator Platt yesterday
morning. but he chatted with several prouninent
Republicans who called to see him at the Union
League Club
THOSE AT THE CONFERENCE
At the Fifth Avenue Hotel there was a large
gathering Of Republican leaders Among those
who attended the conference aside from Senator
Platt were Colonel George w. Dunn. chairman
1
Barnes. jr.. chairman OF the State Executive
Committee: Colonel Reuben L. Fox. secretary OF
the State committee: Senator's Ellsworth. Hig-
gins. Malby, Krurn. Stranahan. Elsberg. Brown.
Brackett Raines. Wilcox. Green and Fuller; As
semblyunen Kelsey and Aids. Speaker Nixon.
Lieutenant Governor Woodruff. Frank H Platt.
Robert c. Morris. president Of the Republican
County Committee. and W. H. Ten Eyck. chair
man of the executive committee; National Com
IN
A Hanbury Assemblyman weekes and Louis F.
Payn.
The meeting was informal Senator Platt
asked those present to give their views on the
situation. Several OF the leaders spoke frankly
Speaker Nixon said that it would be impossible
to pass a police bill through the Assembly. ow-
ing TO the Governors stand. He pointed out
| that there was no sentiment in favor of such
| legislation and that the Governors antagonism
| was enough to insure defeat. He was supported
| In this by Mr.. Aids and Mr.. Kelsey. This was
| q great surprise TO Senator PIatt. who asked
Can YOU not pass it. with majority of sixty in
| the Assembly, To this Mr. Nixon said: mo:
il would be impossible"
| II was learned that until the conferences yes
| terday Senator Platt did not have full rean-
! cation of how strong the sentiment was against
| doing anything. Senators Elsberg and Els
worth counseued the dropping of the whole
|
spoke openly for a State police bill. Others
either suggested abandoning the project or else
| kept quiet. Finally. motion of Senator
| Ellsworth il was decided TO abandon for the
| present any idea of passing State police bill
| and to adjourn subject to the call of Senator
| Platt when in his Judgment he believed there
was cause for another conference on the sub
| ject. The meeting then broke UP.
| After the meeting all OF those who took part
| in the conference told the same story but were
chary in commenting for publication the de-
| cision reached.
| COLONEL DU-NN'S STATEMENT.
| Colonel Dunn was selected to act as spokes-
| man. and he came downstairs and said;
| Now, you put this in your own words.
| but what tell you is just what happened The
| subject of police leglslation was discussed from
| the point Of view of both a metropolitan police
| bill and a State constabulary bill. great
| many took part in the discussion. and
| finally Senator Platt took the position that it
| was inadvisable TO press any further police
legislation at this time. After some debate a.
motion was made to adjourn-nO. I won't put ie
| that way; motion was made by one Of the men
| present.
| Who was it, was asked
Colonel Dunn hesitated. but Colonel Fox said
buntIy 1T was Senator Ellsworth"
Yes" continued Colonel Dunn. lit was Sem
ator Ellsworth who suggested that. owing 20
| the stand taken by the Governor any police
| legislation at this time would be inadvisable
| With this agreement. IL was decided TO adjourn
! subject to a call from Senator Flatt when at
Hat