New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-11
THE GOVERNOR AND HOME RULl

THE GOVERNOR AND HOME RULE.
Governor odell is entirely justified in his claim
to the title of home ruler. No Governor in
this State has ever more consistently respected
local sentiment in passing on legislation OF a
local character. No other has done so much TO
rebuke and stop the practice OF passing what
were in effect local measures put in the form
of general laws to avoid the constitutional hml-
tations on special acts. in his speech at the
State Fair the Governor dwell with reasonable
pride upon the reforms IN State taxation. anu
showed that the cities of New-York and Buffalo.
instead of being burdened with an undue snare
of taxation by the indirect imposts. as has been
asserted pay less 10 the State than they would
have been obliged TO pay if the laws had not
been changed and the State had continued 10
derive the bulk Of its revenue from the geneTai
property tax. The general assessment of New
York City amounts to 81 per cent of that Of the
whole State while only So per cent of the en-
tire receipts from indirect taxation comes from
the CITY, New-York City gains by the change
s.. 1888. O45 OF. Moreover. from its indirect con-
trfburions it gets back 1902 126 A for schools
more than its whole direct tax bill; and re
suit Of previous Republican legislation the ctys
own revenues from the sale of Iqu0r have been
increased BY more than S3000,000, and to the
local assessment roll has been added Sl45,-
100000 of franchise valuations. increasing the
city's margin of Indebtedness more than Sl4.-
100000 II this is financial oppression OF the
city Of New-York for the benefit OF "hayseeds
what would liberality be?
The Governor did not dwell in detail on his
record concerning local legislation. after point
ing out that the general laws were fair to New
York but contented himself with calling atten-
ton to the large powers possessed by the city
under a charter made by its own leading citl-
zens. and to the safeguards established against
arbitrary interference with local affairs. He
might have gone on TO point out how in specific
instances he had enforced obedience not only 10
the letter but to the spirit of home rule. Since
Mayer Low came into office so far as we recall;
the Governor has not allowed a single local
| measure to become q law which was not &C.
| cepted by the local authorities. and even when
! the city was ruled bv Tammany he signed in
| spite of Mayor Van Wyck's objections only bills
which had the support of respectable elements
here and were believed to be for the good OF
VIGOROUSLY misgoverned city Even then he
| wthstood party pressure TO take power from
the corrupt local rulers and centraliZe il, and he
refused TO exercise his legal authority TO remove
! Mayor Van Wyck's Police Commissioner. The
| West-st franchise and the Park-ave tunnel bills.
! which did not require submission TO the local
authorities. were vetoed By him because they
affected the city only and public sentiment was
. unfavorable TO them. When look back 10
the administrations Of Governors Hill and
Flower and see how local schemes were put
through regardless OF local protest the hollow
ness Of Democratic talk about home rule IS
manifest.
There is, indeed one kind of home rule which
certain persons want and which Governor Odell
steadfastly refuses TO yield to them That is.
the liberty 10 set their city their borough or
their block above the State in matters which
concern the whole State The Governor at
Syracuse drew the line sharply and properly
when he said: Home rule. however. does not
mean license; it does not mean rights that are
peculiar to any locality at the expense OF
Others but that every community snail be
treated with the same fairness and consider
''ation" This State is a unit. and York
CITY is lust as much bound TO obey the general
laws as anv rural hamlet. NewYOrk is not 4
collection Of Independent dennocracies, each with
an inherent right TO do as It pleases, adapt the
criminal code to its own fancy and pay no heed
IN rbe interests of others II is a single COM
rnonUeal+b with the source Of all power the
whole people and the local privileges Of its sub
divisions are matters of delegation. Therefore
when the State passes general laws. prescrlbes
a general policy considered henenclal 10 inc
whole neopIe. there is no reserved right of home
rule which justifes local complaint Nuilnca-
1jon and secession are as intoIerable in the State
as in the nation and the laWIess elements Ihat
think they should have license because OF local
complacency toward lawlessness should De
taught the true meaning Of home rule