New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-09-20
} JEROME ON THE ISSUES.
FOR PUBLIC OWNERSHIP.
Takes Some Hearst Thunder, Then
Hits That Leader.

In the course OF a long interview last night. In
which he discussed the political situation, Dis
trict Attorney Jerome took fling or two az Mr..
Hears. and his supporters and appropriated
some Of the Hearst thunder He announced
himself in favor OF municipal ownership OF those
public utilities for which franchises now are
granted 10 public service corporations" He
advocated the election of United States Senators
by popular vote.
Besides this varied field OF enterprise, MI
Jerome advocated putting starch back into the
Civfl Service laws" so that political offices
should not be used as brides" He declared
also that the Corrupt Practices act passed by
the last Legislature should be broadened and
rigidly enforced. The one step which, in his
opinion. would most effectively bust the boss"
would be to adopt the Massachusetts, ballot,
without party columns.
Mr.. Jerome said in part:
believe that every municipality should have
the power to perform for itself all those ser
vices which involve the granting OF public fran
chises such services as are now usually per-
formed by what are called public service cor
PorStions For instanee, risbt 70 nwn and
operate gas, electricity and all car lines, whether
elevated underground or surface, carrying pas
sengers But whether the municipality should
own and operate a particular streetcar line, or
whether Il should own IL and have II operated
by private corporation on short term lease Is
u
ity for itself. according 20 the economic cOndl-
tons then and there existing
BELIEVES IN HOME RULE.
believe in home rule as a Democratic prin-
ciple and II IS one Of the absurd phases OF the
Independence League platform that II Jumbles
up with the Ten Commandments matters which
have absolutely nothing 20 do with state issues
For the state to assume TO determine what New
York CITY shall pay 10 Its firemen, teachers ana
street cleaners Is a gross violation of sound
home rule principle. and entirely contrary 70 the
spirit or Democracy
Mr.. Jerome was asked what he thought about
electing United States Senators. and replied that
he believed they should be elected by popular
vote I'm the states.
What do you think OF the proposition 70 take
from the Attorney General the right to deter
miEe whether a charge Of fraudulent electiop
shall be presented in court? % he was asked
He said
In theory the office of Attorney General Is not
a political one. but I'm this practice IS
divorced from our theory that the Office of At
tOrney General and politics go together. / be-
back 10 sOunder practice. and. in my opinion.
the Attorney General ought really 70 be quasi
judicial officer. In my Judgment all proceedings
looking toward Investigation of title to office
through quo warranto should not depend the
permission of the Attorney General, but should
depend on the permission OF the Appellate d.
vision OF the Supreme Court. Personally / should
not have any great fear of having this power
vested in the hands Of a single Judge. after due
notice had been given 10 both Sides but in order
70 relieve any single Judge from the imputatiOn
OF being Influenced by political consideration Z
think the application should be made 10 the APP
pellate Division, II has TO be in certain cases
where the application Is for a writ Of prohibit
ton 900,