New-York tribune., 1901-03-03
STATE POLICE BILL URGED.
GOVERNOR GOES TO WASHINGTON TO
CONSULT SENATOR PLATT-STATE
SENATORS FAVOR IT.

Albany March (speciaD.-Senator Platt's re-
ported statement in Washington on Friday night
that a State Police bill would be passed was read
here to-day naturally with much interest by such
Senator'S and AssembIymen were in the city
most OF them having gone TO Washington to
their homes after the adjournment OF the legis-
lature yesterday.
Governor OdeH departed for Washington late last
night. and therefore the Senator'S and Assembly
men who desired TO learn his opinion about the
prospect OF the passage Of State Police bill had
content themselves with recalling what the Gov
ernor had said that topic the last week. The
fact was remembered that the Governor had said
positively that there would be police legislation
the present week" and that he had also said
that the police system in New-York should
have fair trial. The members of the legis-
lature naturally curious to know whether the
Governor thought that the Single Headed Police
Department act, after trial of a week, clear
ly a worthless statute. The Governor at least
could say, he said Sunday evening last, that
the police centred the responsibility of police
administration. and Mayor Van Wyck. therefore.
was clearly responsible for the appointment of
Police Commissioner Murphy. and there had been
this much gained by the statute
1t was considered rather surprising that if there
had been any change Of programme in relation to
the Police Department OF New-York. there had been
no indication of it the caucus of the Republican
Senators upon Wednesday evening last. AT this
caucus various political measures considered.
but Senator Higgins said upon leaving the
caucus: There not the slightest mention made
of the State police act about police legislation
for New-York or other cities
A large proportion OF the Republican Senators
nevertheless favor the passage of a State police
law, and a canvass of them this subject few
days ago gave this result.
For the bn-Fuller.. Audette, Higgins. Malby,
Mckinney, Green, Wilcox, stewart, Miis-14.
Opposed-Davts, Slater. Cocks-S
McEwan, Elsberg. Russell. Prime. Brown. Good
sell: Willard. Ellsworth. Amber. White-13.
Absent-MarshaN, Humphrey, Hill. Wiley.
Many of the Senator's who are put down rs non
committal" would for a State police bill If
its adoption should be made part OF the Repub-
ican organizations policy. Many OF them ind-
Gated by their talk that they rather favorable
10 the measure Senator Ellsworth who IS
down as ''non-committal. in his speech upon the
New-York Police bill Indicated plainly dlssatis-
faction with that measure. Indeed. II quite
noticeable that several of the Republican Senators
who delivered speeches upon that bill made
cealment of their opinion that IT would work
we'll.
Governor Odel has thus far been the most con-
servative man in Albany. so far as police Iegisa-
ton for NewYor and the other cities OF the State
IS concerned. holding back his party associates in
the legislature from the radical action Of creating
State police force. People therefore are wonder
ing If he has abruptly modified his policy. convinced
by his experience with the New-York police act
that the State assume charge OF the police
force OF all the cities in the State In the Senate
resistance 10 the State Police bill II Il IS made
organization measure" would only in all
probability from Senators Davis and Hill, OF Buff
fao; Senator Armstrong. Of Rochester; Senator
Slater, OF New-York, and Senator Cocks OF Long
Island. II even said that Senator Armstrong of
Rochester. might support II. although years
ago he opposed the passage % such a bill. But
caucus would force Into line" FOR the State Police
bill those named as resisting H. Most intense
resistance TO the measure has been made by rest
dents OF Buffalo.
The State Police bill authorized BY Senator Platt
IS already IN existence. introduced By Senator
Raines- II puts State commissioner OF police In
charge OF the police in every city or the State
The passage OF such would greatly add
10 the duties OF the State administration and In
crease recent tendency. shown by the creation OF
State Excise Department, 20 concentrate az Al
bany many powers formerly exercised by local
thorities. A State excise department, II has been
argued. would hty have companion depart
ment State police bureau Already there has
been considerable talk about the probable head OF
State police department. The man most frequently
named FOR the place Is General Francis V. Greene.
os New-York. the head % Ex-Governor ROosevelt's
Canal Advisory Commission. The argument IS fire.
quently heard that II a man OF General Greene's
type should be placed the head OF n State police
system, within six months the opponents OF that
system would be grstifed by its adoption and all
Undoubtediy there has been great pressure unon
fcs rom 0ae 1b 'ee Ia Wek % by Fep9ocan poll
10 persuade him 10 consent the passage OF q
State police bill, tia argument being made that II
Devery is left In charge OF the Police Department
OF New-YOrk City the Influence OF that department
Will be 50 relentlessly used against the RepubIl-
can party and the Citizens Union that IL VIII be
impossible 10 elect a reform candidate MavOr
OF New-Tork at the approaching November cleo
ton Complaints about the action OF the police in
oppression OF Republicans are declared 10 have
been brought here within few days. since the
new Police act went into effect.
Senator Slater. Senator Elsberg Senator Krum
and other members OF the legislature who were in
the city yesterday said they knew OF no plan To
push State Coustsbulary bill Governor OIeII is
said TO be stea ifast In the belief that any more
police legislation AT this time would ne ad
visable There Is no doubt that certain persons in
the Republican organization trying 70 get up
some agitation in favor Of State Constabularv
bNl, but the belief az Republican headquarters I'm
this city yesterday and among the Republican
leaders generally. that there woud De no police
legislation