New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-07

wNOrkers are not IN the habit Of looking
TO Senator Raines the fountain OF wisdom
concerning thci- affairs. He has given his
name 20 a liquor tax law which contains many
unpopular features and is the chief irritating
cause Of the present movement for n city gov
eminent practically independent Of the State.
Nevertheless. though senator Raines may be re-
gardod as n rrejudic1d enemy by the ardent
advocates OF "horse rule" he is entitled to at
tention when ne says: Il would respectfully sug-
''sest that the Ncw-HOrk City authorities en-
force their own ordinances before they attack
1.-THE State government snd the legislature for
refusing them everything they demand. q"
That may be mere taunt but it is iaunt
whose sting is IN its truth.
A stranger visiting New-York Just now would
form tie opinion that il it could only make its
own laws, lie here would be one glad sweet
song All the blackman and lawbreaking. he
would conclude. were due 10 the necessity rest
ing upon the people 10 eFade or revolt against
unsuitable laws imposed upon them by an ex-
ternal authority ignorant and careless Of their
real needs. 1t may be, indeed, that many OF
the police regulations made fer the State at
large are III adapted to conditions prevailing
here. But II New-York showed any disposition
to abide by laws really beneficial 10 IT, and to
enforce the ordinances OF it's own making there
would be more reason TO consider its demands
fer home rule" When Il shows itself essen
tally lnwless respecting matters already fully
under IT'S control. Il robs Of all weight its pro-
tests that State laws are bad and ought not
10 be obeyed The natural presumption is that
the complaints are due merely TO a habit OF dis
obedience and q restlessness under all law, no
matter how wise.
Nsw-York does not obey city ordinances any
better than Il obeys State law. II any admin
iEtrztion tries seriously 20 enforce local regu-
lstions which run counter TO any common bad
habit. there is the same sort OF cutlery as IS
made against the liquor laws. Magistrates. ap-
pointed by the city authorities, openly rebuke
policemen for making arrests for violation OF
some of these ordinances and turn loose pris-
oners. thus encouraged TO violate them again
What building law. theatre ordinance or health
regulation is ever thoroughly enforced in this
city with public appreciation? One Of the prin-
cipal causes OF the unpopularity OF the Low ad.
ulinistzauon was SIS assumption that the people
OF New-fork were naturally law abiding and
would support IL IN a thorough enforcement,of
the laws ana ordinances. The trouble was not
merely with the excise law The public did not
Ike the prosecution Of gamblers. Nor was its
objection that # wanted cosmopolitan" city
free from puritanism. 1t was only less ouposea
20 enforcement OF the building code and the
tenement house law and the home rule orai-
nsDces against splitting, backyard carpet beat
Ing. wnter waste and the rest Mayor Low
was told that he was petty" and that New
Workers. did not like to be subjected to minute
espionage such as Parislans and Berliners en-
dure What warrant is there for supposing that
. the city would yield any more gracefully 10 a
home made liquor law than to any other of its
own ortinanresf Those who cid not Ike Il
would continue To defy It, and administration