New-York tribune., 1903-01-08

THE GOTERNOR on LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
1t is credltable TO Governor Odel that he has
not been influenced during the last year by
careless or i'll meant complaints of Mayor Lows
administration. but has appreciated its em-
barrassments. recognized its merits and shown
himself anxious to promote its success Inc
chief executives of the State and city nave
been in frequent intercourse and have constant
IL maintained good understanding, and hence
that part of the Governors message which spe-
cificslly relates to the government of this city
NAV fairly be presumed TO express the Mayors
views For that reason it not only deserves the
particular attention of those whom it directly
concerns but should command the early consid-
GRAFTON of the legislature.
In general the Governor says that whereas
the Mayor is held responsible for the good con-
duct of public affairs within his jurisdiction, bis
power TO institute necessary reforms is INSULT
cient and should be increased. Moreover, the
power which he actually possesses over his
principal agents under the charter provisions re-
Iating to appointment and removal is largely
ineffective because of the restrictions to which
those agents are themselves subjected The
Police Department is the most striking example
of these obstacles TO good local government.
1t went through a long course of progressive
decentralization and is now confessedly in de-
plorabIe condition. The new Commissioners
intentions like his predecessors. are excellent,
and he is believed TO possess superior qualiica-
tions for his place, but the laws greatly hamper
him. He cannot get rid, promptly and finally,
of unfit subordinates who want to make his ad-
ministration q failure and therefore he cannot
bring the force into that temper and that state
of discipline which are essential to the efficiency
of such a department If, as the Governor
saws the mayors of all other cities in the State
are enabled to exercise larger powers for their
benefit, there is presumpuyely no sufficient rea-
son for denying to the Mayor Of New-York at
least equal advantages for the performance of
his duties. Similarly, if in second class cities
there is no power of review by the courts, the
acts of the head of department In this city
should not be subject to judicial reversal Moth
ing is more exasperating to good citizens or
more productive of mischievous consequences
than the frequent spectacle of a police officer,
dismissed for notorious misconduct, appearing
with claim TO reinstatement which has been
technically established and to back pay for per-
haps long period OF idleness.
The Governor recommends amendment to
the charter which will cure this evil in the Po-
lice Department, and also in the Fire Depart
ment, which needs the same sort of discipline
and now illustrates the same disabilities. We
have never thought it desirable that the people
of this city should be encouraged, in order that
they might avoid the trouble of working out
their own salvation, TO run to the legislature
all occasions for relief through special meas
ures. But when the charter has been found to
be vain reliance for the redress of wrongs it
is rather a fulflment than a violation of the
home rule policy to amend the charter. The
Governor does not eXaggerate the misfortunes
and disgraces which the corruption of the police
force has engendered, or the difficulty Of max
ing the force what it ought to be while the pres
ent Limitation of authority exists 1t is scarcely
to be supposed that any man living could salts
factorily reorganize and reanimate the degen-
crate police of this city under the system which
Colonel Partridge and General Greene inherited.
AS the Governor rightly says. the fact that the
army has complete and exclusive power over
its own members is what makes the military
service efficient. There is no more generally
| accepted belief than that rigid military dis
cipline is essential TO a good police administra-
tion and yet the authority required to establish
and maintain such discipline is withheld 1t
ought TO be conferred upon the Commissioner,
subject, perhaps TO the Mayors approval of its
exercise. though in any case the Mayor would
practically control the situation through his
power 10 remove an appontee whose conduct
did not please him.