New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-17
ODELL ON HOME RULE.
E.rcise Question Only Com plying
1cith Lac.

Albany Feb. 16-In the cIearest and most
definite discussion he has yet given out on the
subject Of home rule. Governor OdeIl to-day out
lined the results to be accomplished by the con-
ferences OF yesterday. pointed out what ne be-
lieved to be the faults in the Raines law and the
Raines law hotels at present. and frankly ex-
pressed his views on the subject
Il believe" said the Governor. that a great
deal has been accomplished by the conference.
and when the subcommittee reports we shall
know more definitely what the legislature will
do or course, that committee has no legal
status; It is solely able to decide upon Repub-
ncan programme. The policy OF the Republican
party as expressed in the conference was to give
the cities more definite powers in the licensing
and controlling Of places where liquor Is sold
A good many people misunderstood home rule
and excise questions 1t has always been the
custom of the federal government to raise the
larger part OF its revenue from the liquor tFainc'
but the question OF licensing saloons has been
left to the locality.
Now, where the Raines law IS crude Is IN this
respect. that any man may go to the Excise
Commissioner and present an affidavit stating
that he Is a fit person to receive an excise GER
tiacate and the local authorities. who may know
that the man is unit. have no power 10 prevent
him from getting a license. Similarly person
who is properly qualified may obtain consent
from property owners and later sell out TO some
body who will run low dive Instead OF
decent saloon and we have no means Of deny
ing a new license Now II a man is to have
so-cslled Raines law hotel it must be run &C
cording to the regulations Of the Health. Build
ing and Police departments Of the city. The
question then, IS not one Of opening saloons, but
Of compelling those opened 20 comply with the
law. LIQUOR is now sold on Sunday legally, and
this furnishes no new question. but the LOCALITY
should be provided with power to say whether or
not the saloonkeeper shall be decent man and
whether his saloon complies with the ordinances
Of the various departments. This Involves a
question Of the fitness Of the locality or the
ne,ebborhood for saloon. The great complaint
against the Raines law hotels has been that they
harbor vice and the local authorities probably
b,,-s AZ their hands better means for the super
vision Of these places.
ct don't believe local option the subject Of
the omen saloon on Sunday is desired by the peo-
pie; on the other hand, I believe It would be
defeated at the polls Local option as applied
70 county limits was offered to New-York when
the law was originally framed, as was the right
10 omen saloons Sunday. The cities OF the
State now have a great degree OF home rule.
Why, l have been Governor for nearly -FOUR
years. and only two measures have In that
time been passed over the veto Of the Mayor Of
other the act authorizing the depression Of the
AtlantIc-aye. tracks of the Long Island Rail-
road. Under both Democratic and Republican
Mayors there has been no other mandatory lests-
lation and YOU can count upon the fingers OF
your hands all such measures I'm other cities
passed over the vetoes OF their Mayors. What
e the use Of measure like the Foley bill. requir
ing two-thirds vote I'm the legislature 10 pass
q bill over a Mayors vetot
..-rhe SUNDAY opening question has. I'm my
opinion. been solved. There are in NeW-l ork
= Iuo places where liquor can be- legally sold on
SUNDAY. Compare that with the number or
election districts. 1.546. and YOU Will see that
Sunday traffic in liquor Is already sufhclently
extensive But some Of the so-calied home rule
measures contemplate the opening or l'VI
saloons fu the FIVE boroUEhs. Tn the matter OF
how ffr the state is denying to the munici-
palities the right To- deal with questions belonB-
iuE to localities there VIII bee careful tnvestga-
ton dp not that the legislature has power
90 rrnrf any franchises for public utility COM
pauy. In fact many 81 the home rule privileges
that are being demanded are already provided
FOR IN the state constitution and IN the diuereut
state and city charters
Tho discussion Of home rule in the capital was
largely Influenced by a remarkable editorial
printed IN The Albany Evening Journal" VIII
lam Barnes. Jr' =. personal organ. tonight. This
editorial is the most outspokeu statement OF tho
home rule ideas generally attributed 10 the
Governor that has yet appeared.
In the course of a long column and half.
The Journal declares.
First-That the hour IS az hand when the
dominant party OF the State must recognize that
New-York City needs different treatment from
that formerly accorded.
Second-That there exists n feeling Of unrest
ln Neyy-York city Not much due TO what
has been done in Albany because the people
believe they have the i0lienabe right TO
govern themselves. regardless Of the Constitu-
ton Of the state.
The editorial declares:
The Republican party. however. as the party
OF progress and achievement, favors further
development OF homo rule, but II Will not mean
license but rather an intelligent conservative
enlargement OF municipal power
The editorial further declares. IN words OF
unmistakable ring:
The Republican party Will ultimately either
turn over this question to the people OF New
York or the people OF the city Of NewYork will
turn over the Republican party.
This editorial. generally interpreted as full
expression OF the Views OF the Governor, has
created sensation tonight. and is the general