The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-07
MAKE A NEW STATE
Nicholas Murray Butler's Solution
of New York Problems.
Low SUCCESSFUL, HE SAYS
But Problems of Greater New York
Are Peculiar-Need of Sep
e,a- arate State.

Nicholas Murray Butler of New York
city, president OF Columbia university,
says that considering the difficult condi-
tions confronting him Seth Low, mayor
of New York city, is making good progress
toward giving Greater New York clean
and practical administration. He says
that the ideal solution of the problem of
good city government for New York is
to create the state of Manhattan, compris-
ing that corner of the empire state which
contains the nations metropolis. This
would do away with many OF the con-
flicting conditions growing out of differ
ences in population and needs of govern
ment which now make the government of
the city such a difficult problem. He says
that New York's mayor, although in Office
but six months, has made much progress
toward better government. He also says
that President Roosevelt's administration
is giving general satisfaction.
President Butler is at the West. He
addresses the general session of the N.
g. A. tomorrow evening. He expects to
remain in Minneapolis most Of the week.
He says: '
''The entire country outside Of New
York city undoubtedly realizes that Mayor
Seth Low has difficult task on his hands
in giving Greater New York practical
and satisfactory administration; but no
one can realize really how difficult it is
unless they live in New York city and
are thoroughly acquainted with its po-
litical conditions.
THE population Of New York state is
pretty evenly divided between Greater
New York and the country. The 1egisla-
ture has failed to recognize that the cor
ner of the state containing such Dig
population of a cosmopolitan character
cannot be legislated for and governed ex-
actly like the rest of the state. In other
words, the majority in the legislature has
made an unsuccessful attempt to legislate
for cosmopolitan New York from small
town standards.
"Out Of what might be called imprac-
tical legislation has grown system OF
political blackmail which in itself and in
the city. One Of the reasons Mayor Low
was elected was the desire to do away
with this blackmail and all of it's at
tendant results, one of which was the ex-
treme violation of the liquor law by sa-
loon men. In correcting this evil and
governing New York city according to the
desires of its varied population Mayor
Low has to contend with not only imprac-
tical legislation but the civil service law
| which, while certainly a good principle in
ITSELF has been so manipulated as to
seriously interfere with the mayors ef-
forts in giving Greater New York clean
list of officials. He is endeavoring to
secure a modification Of the law through
permission from the state board to make
certain exemptions from the civil service
list. In many directions Mayor Low has
made good progress. He has placed bet
ter men and corrected evils in many places
not prominent enough to be Immediately
noticed by the public, but all making to-
ward a better public service. ~.-
considering the difference In the popu-
lation of Greater New York and the rest
Of the state, it is plain that the ideal
solution of the problem of governing the
| city would be to admit that corner OF the
| state as the state of Manhattan. There
| would then be great, homogeneous peo-
ple,' able to- legislate for their own pc
culiar needs of government.1,r-B But the
politicab,histery Of New: York city makes
Islargea property interests oppose this. They
regard the legislature as now apportionec
| the protecting barrier between them anc
the aggressiveness of the city politician
| So Mayor Low and future mayors mus
meet the delicate compromise proposition
| in city government in the most practica
way their wits, aided by what help they
can get from legislation, can devise. Al
| injustice almost criminal was done whe1
| the mayors term was reduced from foul
| to two years. Mayor Low should have
been given a four-year term to work ou
| his problems Of reform.
"President Roosevelt's administration II
| giving general satisfaction in the east
His policy on all questions is regarded fail
to all interests and tending toward the
| highest standards of government