New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-06
RAINES on HOME RULE.
NO CHANGE EXPECTED.
Deuounces Government Of Ne0c-
York Cftu-DemOcrots Seek Issues.
r.r rHlron.rr 10 1HE TRIBUNE

take him out OF the city. and postpone Euch
conferences for al least that length OF time
With the matter thus left In abeyanoe the dis
,cs,s,on Of he Governor project stin continues
60 be the prominent feature Of the situation
az the Capitol at the present moment As has
been suggested in these dispatches the Gov
ernor,s plsn has not yet been unfolded to the
l.sfslators ans they are stu expressing their
own oplnions on the general topic OF home rule.
In this connection 81 is interesting and sgnih-
cant TO note the comments Of Senator Johh
s2aines. the Nestor OF the Senate. He said with
out hesitation to-day that he did not expect any
important excise legislation. and then declared
that he old not believe the Governor had any
plan
In enlarging on his topic Senator Rsines had
some rather caustic things 70 ray about the
metropolitan shibboleth OF home rule, and made
~ apparent that as far as he IS concerned home
rule win not lack a STURDY and determined op-
ponent He did not profess TO voice the opinion
Of the upstate legislators but he ala, in his re-
marks touch on points that have been already
given expression TO by more than one repre-
tentative OF an upstate community.
With the expressed opposition Of Senator
Rssnes. and the questions and objections OF q
more or less frank character the part OF other
Legislative leaders. there seems to be a general
feeling "a the halle OF the Capitol that nome
rule measure Is destined 10 meet with hard
shedding, Il It is not doomed to defeat But one
thing In certain, II the Governors FRIENDS are
correct. and that is that the whole question viii
he discussed. and that the present feeling OF
Governor Oden "a that the introduction and
massage Of some wise measure would be a
ttatesmanIiI0e policy for the present session.
DOES NOT ENFORCE LOCAL LAWS
Senator Raines when asked for his opinion on
home rule. said to-day;
II think II is quite safe 20 say that there viii
he no changes in the excise law this session.
personally very much doubt II Governor Oden
has any home rule plan. New-Nork City au-
thorlties had better devote themselves 10 pun
fishing those who violate their local ordinances,
rather than 10 shouting home rule buncombe.
The Republican legislative leaders have not
considered any such plan. All we know about
sc 30 far If what We have read in the papers,
that Is aside from the ridiculous and insincere
smeasure introduced by the Democrats, which. OF
course. could never pass.
The Governor has not consulted me any
other Republican legislative leader about II, and
I doubt IL he has such plan. He has. 10 be
sure announced conference. and perhaps his
attentions VIII be revealed there. ] shall listen
sttentiveiy 20 any suggestions he may make.
but zee no prospect Of any radical changes
On The lave affecting cities"
In response to the suggestion that the Cit-
xens Union and other organizations OF New
York City were asking for such home rule legis-
aation. the Senator continued
Il would respectfully suggest that the New
York City authorities enforce their own ordi-
alarces before they attack the State government
and the legislature for refusing them everything
they demand For example. everybody knows
that New-York City theatrical managers have
Tor years ana years absolutely ignored the orci-
nances regulating the construction and protec-
tion against fires and panics. in spite OF this.
81 is only within the last few days that the
city authorities have made single effort TO
compel the enforcement OF the ordinances IN
shese matters.
''Blackman and crookedness in the city de-
partrnents continue undated, and the people OF
the city seem compliment Should these Of
fences be perpetrated under State government,
the popular clamOr for the deoapitation Of State
officials would he Irresistible. ] would re-
specially suggest that the people OF New-York
City should oesist from their assaults upon us
countrymen for the alleged denial OF self-gOv-
ernment until they exhibit a capacity for main
taining a clean and law enforcing government
for themselves"
STATE CAMPAIGN OPENING.
The departure OF the members Of the legis-
nature IN some measure prevented general
discussion OF the field day OF the Democratic
yesterday and their marvellous
embracing OF the home rule policy OF the Cow
ernor but The significant fact that the whole in
cident impressed upon the minds Of observers is
that the State campaign IS already opening.
When Governor Oden told the Representatives
~ the State Bar Association that he desired TO
be relieved Of responsibility in Judicial matters.
George NJ. Palmer. the Democratic leader in the
Assembly. instantly brought in a resolution car
rying out the suggestions Of that speech. Mr..
Palmer then told his friends that he had put the
Governor in a bad position, assuming that the
latter's suggestion was not made in good faith.
political capital this might have fur
rfshed under certain conditions was entirely dis
sipate6 by the fact that the resolution was this
week reported out OF committee favOrably,
clear evidence Of good faith on the part OF the
Republican majority.
The precipitate rush OF the Democrats yester-
Cav 10 get in a home rule bin and their intro
duction OF a measure OF character sweep
Ing as 20 repeal nearly one-third OF all the laws
on the statute books are also likely to result
in putting them IN rather an awkward position
when the carefully prepared home rule measure
now generally expected is introduced. Having
announced their support in advance OF the Gov
e-nors project. and having tumbled heels over
head IN their desire 70 anticipate him, they VIII
hardly appear as acting with either good grace
or good faith ~ they later oppose home rule
sae6su-e.
rAAndANY HUNTING FOR ISSUES
I'VE have got TO get busy ana get campaign
material" was the remark OF q Ta-nnany As
se-nblyrnGn somewhat earlier IN the session. and
these two efforts really comprise the two serious
attempts IN this direction, one OF which has al
ready reacted with unexpected violence.
Similarly the attempt 10 raise an Issue on the