New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-18
HUGHES APPROVES PLAN
Commcnds CHi2ens League IN Letter
to X. F. Cutting.
fBy Telegraph to The Tribune ]


Albany. March lin reply 10 a letter from h
Fulton Cutting, OF New York setting forth the
working plans for the Citizens League composed
of representative men of upstate cities 10 "atch
legislative affairs. Governor Hughes has eNpreSseu
his hearty approval of the scheme. The Governor
declares that the spreading of accurate ana nun
reports concerning legislation, which is the object
of the league cannot fail to be Of the greatest
benefit His letter is follows:
Mr. r: Fulton Cutting,
Ny Dear Sir: have received your letter stating
me provisional plan for the organization OF GU
1ens League of this state for the purpose OF glvins
attention to the subject of legislation The function
Of the league state to be follows:
1T must serve no political party and it must De
absolutely independent. 1t must initiate no iegisla
.ioh OF its own 1t must not work for or aStlhSf
entirely to securing the utmost publicity the pur
poses of bills. hidden obvious in the hope that
AN aroused public opinion will come into play IN
l am in hearty sympathy with this plan l and
can render to the people of the state In order 10
SOUND p9nic opinion IL is OF me IsIsation
should be placed before tile people in fair ana
impartial manner There should be the fullest pup
Lefty. 50 that every attempt by improper means to
influence legislative action may he exposed ana
defeated and every just measure may he clearly
unaeIS5ooG and receive the support TO when II Is
The wisdom Of the leagues abstainiug from pro
posing or opposing particular measures is obvious
ested examination of public questions and impair
nal work of the league in securing accurate infor-
70 every movement TO increase the efficiency Of
CHARIEs f. HUGHES
Following is the letter from Mr.. Cutting which
called forth the response from Governor Hughes
His EXceiIeqev the Governor of New York. State
F5Tuay - 1907 2c6res s,s Hsa rom 4 various
cities Of the state adopted provisional plans for the
giving attention to the subject 81 itsislaton You
OF recent legislation and have made. as Governor.
slch Nceilent recommendations for new legtsla-
ton that ! venture To call 10 yoNr attention the
reasons Tor the proposed Citizens League in the
Hote mat inc league secures the cooperation OF
citizens OF the state IT may he Of service to
N ' an m broad sound LEGISLATION and opposed
20 III considered or unnecessary action. That there
the fact that for "a great many years the number
Of annual session laws has averaged moro than
As an ei4yaape Of the great amouqt Of unneces
- y leelSitti'l. ih' CITY or New YORK may ne
taken. The commission that drafted the present
The charter has been constructed upon the prn-
cirle that il is eXpedient give 70 the city an the
power necessary TO conduct its own affairs
Tn, city is believed to be equipped with power
recognized range Of ordinary municipal activity.
nei. as an example ~ The way in which these
laws of 1906 may be taken. 2.69S bills intro
he New York civ charter and ga others We're
So, cal or local bills affecting the city.
found il important 10 give careful attention for
nuinipeI OF ysaIs To TINS great mass Of proposed
absence Of any official publication accessible 10
the public giving the details ~ bills Of the action
Of the Legislature and Of The votes Of the mem
bers. the union has for some years maintained
representative az Albany 10 present the views ~
the union. TO gather Data 10 city legislation ana
members OF the legislature and To aid in securing
the utmost publicity as TO such matters. IT has
now Taade The suggestion OF a league 20 accom-
pllsh these purposes for the whole state and those
who at present Interested in It's organization
have adopted tile following statement as a guide So
its activity.
1t must serve political party. and II must be
absolutely independent. II must initiate no lcgie-
lation % its own. II must work for or against
the passage Of any measure II must couhne itself
entirely 10 securing the utmost publicity 70 the
purposes Of bills. hidden or obvious In the homo
that aroused public opinion VIII come into play
I'm influencing the Legislature"
Very truly yours.
r FULTON CUTTING.