New-York tribune., 1905-02-07
TO AMEND ELECTION LAW.
Il STATE WATER BOARD.
Important Measures Decided on bg
GoUerROr and DIR. OdeN
WHAT ThE LEeIsLATURE Will Do.

WHAT THE LEGISLATURE WILL DO.
Make radical changes IN the election law, so
as 70 keep down the fraudulent registration and
voting in this city.
Leave the Ranes law it IS, with the excep-
ton OF the amendments suggested by Senator
Raines last year.
State Chairman OdeIl. after n conference with
Governor Higgins at tie Albemarle Hotel, said
last night. at the Republican Club, that there
would be introduced this week bill making
radical changes in the election law, particular
" relating TO this city.
Governor Higgins plainly intimated that there
would be State Water Commission, and that
the RaIneS law would stay about it is
The other proposed measures Of great local
interest are still under discussion, Mr.. OdelI
said, and would be taken up as soon as practi-
cable by the leaders of the legislature at AL
bany
Governor Higgins reached town in the after
noon, coming through from his home at OIean.
State Chairman OdelI was one of his first call
ers The Governor and the State chairman
had not met since the Inauguration, and there
were many things of interest to the State
ganization that they discussed.
delegation of State bankers called on the
Governor and protested against bill intro
duced by Senator Stevens, of Attca, at the in
stance of the State Banking Department. The
bin provides that a State bank shall not lend TO
any single borrower more than 10 per cent of its
capital. This, the bankers told the Governor, was
too drastic. They called his attention TO the
Fifth Avenue Bank with a capital of 100000
and a surplus of nearly s1.5O0,oOO Under the
proposed new law the bank could lend not TO X
ceed $4,000 on "one-line paper" This. it was
asserted. would operate disadvantageously TO the
bank The Governor suggested that the bill
might be modified as to meet the approval of
the bankers and still provide the safeguards
aimed at by Superintendent Kilburn.
When the Governor was asked about Mayor
McClenan's water commission bill he said:
Il am inclined to favor State water COM
mission. The experience of the legislature with
special water bills. think, warrants the pass
age of a State water bill"
will not such a measure greatly delay the
work Of increasing the water supply for this
city 2" he was asked.
If the Mayor find watershed in the
immediate vicinity OF New-York. then it will
be a good idea perhaps. for a local commission
TO go ahead and take it; but If he expects 10
20 outside of this city it seems to that
State water commission is demanded, said the
Governor.
will there be any changes IN the Raines
Iaw?" he was asked.
The leaders OF the legislature are discussing
there would be many changes. Senator Raines
had some amendments up last year. He may
get them through this time. The subject of
forming the Police Department in this city is
being carefully considered and 1 think that the
legislature will be disposed to grant this city
anything in reason in order to remedy acknowl-
edged evils"
What about an investigation Of the lighting
trust?" the Governor was asked.
Senator MaIby and Assemblyman Rogers
have that subject in hand. and they are the ones
to ask about it," said the Governor.
Chairman OdeI after comforting with Presl-
dent Halpin of the County Committee over the
draft of a new election bill that is TO be intro
duced this week, went TO the Republican Club.
When seen last night he said:
1.-THE most important thing this week. and
about the only bill that we have thrashed out.
is one making very radical changes in the Elec-
ton law This bill is the product Of the Repub-
Hcan organization OF this county II has been
approved by the local leaders and I am conf
dent that il will be passed. II Will be general
law. but not all Of It's provisions viii affect the
other cities of the State. It is aimed largely at
rernedyine abuses against the elective franchise
in this city. II Will contain features. which will
make fden tidca ton of voters much more certain,
and II win provide moro time after the last day
of registration for overhauling the rolls and
purging them OF names that do not belong on
them. The registration days may be punched,
so as to have more time after the last day to
strike off the fraudulent names. II VIII make
radical changes in the present law, but no man
entitled to vote viii be deprived of his rights