New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-16
HOME RULE CONFERENCE
STATE LEADERS MEET.
Committee to Investigate Subject
and Report Later.
fry TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNAL


Albany Feb. 15.-Governor Odell, Colonel
George w. Dunn. chairman Of the Republican
State Committee. and prominent members OF
the Republican State organization. together with
the leading Republican legislators Of both
houses. in three hours conference late this
afternoon discussed the proposition TO give a
greater measure OF home rule 70 the cities OF
this State. and adopted resolution authorizing
Colonel Dunn to appoint committee 20 inves-
tigate the subject and report recommendations,
II any TO a future conference. The resolution
introduced by Senator Elsberg and unanimously
adopted Is as follows:
Resolved That a COMMITTEES be appointed by
the chairman OF this conference Colonel DUNN
TO investigate the question OF how far, under
the charters or other laws governing the affairs
Of the municipalities Of this State, such munich
palities are deprived Of home rule, and that
such committee report its conclusions. with rec
concentrations. II any. 10 an adjourned meeting
o. this conference.
This resolution fairly dIsclOses the extent to
which definite action resulted from the confer
ence. What happened was briefly this:
As soon as the conference had assembled the
Governor requested Assembyman Newcomb, Of
the XXIIId Assembly District OF Manhattan, TO
outline the idea Of the New-York members
home rule and Mr.. Newcomb replied with
vigorous appeal In behalf OF home rule. dwelling
on the merits OF & referendum plan. He was
by Senator Raines. who was asked for his views
by Colonel Dunn. The argument between the
Senator and Assemblyman really the only
serious controversy that took place.
Following the remarks OF MT. Newcornb.
Charles II. Murray chairman Of the New-York
County Committee. William Halpin. Assembly
men Finch. Adams and the other New-York
members spoke In favor OF home rule. did
Senator Elsberg. After there full and free
discussion OF the whole question by nearly all
present the members opposing presented their
views. No formal action and no agreement
any outlined programme was reached other than
that indicated by the resolution quoted above.
The upstate opposition to excise home rule
legislation apparently presented an unbroken
front
a New-York member OF the conferences said
afterward: There were surprises: those who
were expected to oppose did oppose; there were
no conversions"
An influential UP State opponent Of home rule
said: Il came here to see that nothing was done
and nothing will be done"
On the other hand Governor Odell declared
after the meeting that he was entirely satisfied
with the action He said:
You see. the resolution was passed unanimous
| ly. That shows the sentiment. There was some
| detailed discussion but nothing definite. II Is
| true that there was some talk about q discus
! sion OF other matters but excise proved such
| fertile subject that spent the whole time on
| this. Yes, as the resolution indicates, the COM
/ mittee will meet again. Colonel Dunn will APP
/ point the committeeman and they will OF course
| set the date.
Colonel Dunn said last night that he would
announce this committee within a few days.
1t Is learned that the selection OF Colonel Dunn
| as chairman OF the conference was In accordance
with the suggestion Of Governor Odell, and II is
| further understood that the resolution adopted.
which was presented by Senator Elsberg, was
| prepared by the Governor himself
Those present were Governor Odeu Colonel
Dunn. William Barnes. j.. chairman OF the Re
/ publican State Executive Committee: Charles
/ H Murray Chairman of the New York County
COMMITTEES; w. II. Halpn, chairman of the New
YORK County Executive Committee: Ex-Governor
Frank 5. Black OF Troy: ex-Lieutenant Govern
| or Timothy /. Woodruff. Jacob Bremen chair
man Of the Kings County Executive COMMITTEES:
Lieutenant Governor Higgins. Speaker Nixon
| OF the Assembly. Senators Aids Rafnes NIaIby
ElSbeTS. White. Marshall and Davis. and As
seTnblymen Rogers, Burnett, Merritt, VAIN
wright Bostwick. Finch Agnew, Remsen, New
comb and Fish; State Committeeman w q
Warren, OF Buffalo; w l. Ward ~ wasf
chester; Louis f. Payn. OF Columbia: / v
Baker OF Washington; W. W. Worden Of sara
toga; Frank $. Witherbee. of Essex; Thomas
Wheeler, OF oneida; j. T. Mott, OF Oswego;
Francis Hendricks. Of Onondaga; George W.
Aldridgs, OF Monroe; ]. SIoat Fassett of Che
mung; John Grim. jr. OF Buffalo; John E Smith
and Michael J. Dady, OF BROOKLYN
OF those Invited the only absentees were Sem
ator Bra- kett, who is detained in Saratoga by
a convention. and Senator II. w Hill and As
semblyman r. l. Cox OF Buffalo who were
sale 70 hA delayed by trains