New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-23

gard the farmers as their natural enemies and the
State legislature as the common battle ground.
The agricultural citizens Of the State banded to-
aether under the name Of the Farmers Alliance
last year and fought vigorously at the last
session Of the General Assembly for legislation
beneficial their interests that the city men be-
came alarmed. Every member Of the alliance was
member of the House the Senate. and, as one
Youthful Mayor put it, each farmer a johnny
the spot
Senate. and their efforts also visibly ap-
parent IN the House. Among other things they
almost passed a bill which would have compelled
the cities 10 pay taxes on the full value of all
theic waterwoTks and other municipal properties
which are situated in country districts. The money
would have gone into the rural township treas
uries.
Connecticut, like Rhode Island has n constitu-
uon which bases legislative representation on ter
rtory, instead OF population. The little town of
Union, with a population Of less than loo has
the same representation as New-IIaven with mora
than 10000 inhabitants. The present system Of
apporuonment was adopted when Connecticut was
almost I'll rural and il has been altered to give
me cities which have since grown I'D adequate
representation The countrymen. accordingly have
more power IN proportion 20 their rurober .+bsn
'ilef city colleagues, and they 90 not mean TO
reiinquish the power one jot or title The MAYORS
succeeded IN bringing about a constitutional con-
Tenfion some time ago. but the farmers were able
70 pass amendments which frightened the citv
men more than ever. II was all the Mayors could
90 10 defeat the work OF the convention which
they were instrumental in coavening.
right The farmers" has become the Navors'
"e'eh"oro' and at the next session Of the General
assembly the city executives are going to follow
me example Of Mayor Bassett of NevyFrftai,,
VINO ives so near Hartford THAI he was a con-
Slsnt visitor 20 the capitol last session.
why said Mayor Bassett In talking with his
brother Mayors ii was al could 90 TO hold nm
fCT Asf~5 ~gv,. IT.
nave made the cities pay taxes on the fnu ,a1ua
- 0he!r property in the country. New-Britain va,
AAo", is building $4,000 waterworks In a desoa+e
country district The land before we bought it was
b'3S''caI'y worthless; but We were willing to paw
lsSes On il when listed first class agro,,lt,,rsI
!and Wen sir II the farmers had -assed mt
D'a. and they all voted for it. we would have Rad
% pay taxes the $4,000 worth of improver,e,t >,
Inc oil passed the House, but died in the Senate
fo' constitutional reform the Mayors are stiu
uoPlfg, and both Democrats and Republicans agree
ID j must BE obtained. They believe that Gov
eFIlor Mclean VIII help them, as he il know, IN
De IN sympathy with their efforts
should Mayor Low OF this city, Mayor knight
q buralo. Mayor Rodenbeck Of Rochester Na1or
murphy Of CohOes and the other Mayors of his
7uaie meet, they would find many themes 20 dis
Us and much Information TO gain from one an
--llef Mayor Low, for instance, wants 10 lear,
az ne can about street lighting. He believes that
Ne"-4ork is Paying far too much TO the COMPANY
~" 44i-illlnates II ~ night. and Commissioner
monroe has advocated municipal lighting plant
mayor Gaus OF Albany would be glad 10 talk
@oolt water, and tell how much Albanians delight
- oElnk The filtered Hudson Wien the more seri-
gus subjects had been properly considered. the
company would then cal on Mayor George NJ
I''Ae Of Poughkeepsie and Vassar College 10 re-
spoEo 70 toast 10 THE Ladies"
Between tie city men and country men Of New
-SF1 State there exists a rivalry. which. though
-eF less intense than that IN Connecticut, never
.-eisss grows bitter az times. The cities Of the
-naiFe State are represented IN the legislature
according 70 population. with districts Of a few
oio"oed blocks equal in power TO whols upstate
e0lnhes Yet the cry is often raised that the
municipalities DO not have home rule. All legisla-
.eu affecting city charters must be signed by
ne Mayors Of these cities, is not done IN Con
-ecucut, and stiii Tammany orators denounce The
siahnical rule n Albany. Should the Assembly
'7N and Senator's from the New-York cities unite
Aey could control al legislation by a safe ma
.Hl'y Accordingly. If the New-YoTl Mayors
''ied ar organization. it is safe to say that they