New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-15
AGAINST JER0ME'S PLAN
Citizens Union FaUOrs Local Option
IN Sunday Opening,

Excise was the burning issue at the first meet
ing of the new city committee OF the Citizens
Union last night. After a brief session. at which
r. Fulton Cutting was reelected chairman of
the Union, and nearly all the other officers also
were chosen again. a general discussion of the
subject Of Sunday opening brought express
sion of opinion which showed that the union
vas by no means unanimous in it's support OF
Mr.. Jeromes plan for measure to he intro
duced at Albany this winter. Frank Moss lead
the opposition to this plan. declaring that the
union had steadily protested against any attack
upon the principle of home rule for the city.
and that to be consistent they could not now
support an attempt to legislate for the city. par
ticularly if, Mr. Jerome had been quoted
saying, the appeal made to Albany because
of the BELIEF that a referendum to the city
the Sunday opening proposition would be de-
feated.
Mr.. Moss then proceeded TO argue for the So
called Florida system, which provided for the
referendum to the smallest political unit. that is
the election district If the city should vote for
Sunday opening. each election district would
control its saloons. closing them or leaving them
open. the vote in that district had determined.
If, however, the vote of the city against
Sunday opening, then the question settled
for the whole city
John De Witt Warner urged that the union
should not forget the fact that it had consist
emily attacked the Ranes law hotel during the
campaign, and that it should not reverse its
policy now. but keep up the fight against that
evil. Everett P. Wheeler declared in favor of
the opening of the side door on Sunday the
proper solution of the question. declaring in
favor of Sunday liquor but not open Sunday.
The net result of the discussion was to de-
velop the fact as Mr.. Cutting said atterward
that the sentiment of the Union was in favor
rather of local option than of any other specific
measure
The general talk among the delegates after
the meeting showed that they were inclined to
hesitate before committing the Union to Mr..
Jeromes measure. No formal action was taken,
however, and the committee which had been ap-
pointed temporarily by the executive commit
tee to call the excise conference composed of
representative citizens, was continued General
Green's plan was hardly mentioned. Mr.. Moss
expressed his dissatisfaction with this, on the
ground that it tended to keep the subject for
ever in politics. The question finally laid
on the table or further discussion.
committee appointed to outline the policy
of the Union for the next two years reported
number of lines of activity Among the things
recommended were the following; new ballot
law, doing away with the party columns, adj
vantageous to the Union. because it would
relieve it of the necessity of naming candidates
for the State legislature; constitutional amend
ment, providing for two year term for Assem-
blymen, thus taking them out of the municipal
election; legislation to secure the return to the
four year term for the Mayor.
The officers elected were: Chairman, r. Fulton
Cutting: chairman for Brooklyn, A. s Haight;
for The Bronx, Fielding L. Marshall; for Rich
mond. A. NJ. Harris; for Queens. Foster Croweu
all reelected save Foster Crowell who replaces
John w Weed in Queens. treasurer. l. y. Selig-
mann, and secretary. John J. Murphy. David
Blausten superintendent of the Educational
Alliance. was elected delegate at large
Mr.. Cutting made brief speech saying:
If the condition of the Citizens Union is any
indication of the strength of the nOn-partSan
cause, have every reason to be encouraged.
do not know of the detection of a single men,
Der of the organization, and the city committee
it is to-day made UP Is the strongest body
we have had since 1897. The union has now
fairly demonstrated its sincerity of purpose
and it's permanence a actor in munich
pal politics. l do not regard the last cam
paign as a blow to the nOn-partisan prip-
cple. 1t is evident that causes other than n ~
partsanship decided the ISSUE although the
imminence of the coming national election
against a fusion ticket headed by a Republican.
However we are teachable and propose to learn
something from defeat If in 1905 we are
not equal TO the occasion it will not be because
of unwillingness to grasp some plain facts.
Whatever criticism may be made of Mr.. Lows
administra ton, 1 believe he has rendered the
cause of non-partisan government inestirna BILE
service He has demonstrated its possibilities
and his administration has created a demand
that must IA reckOned with hereafter.