New-York tribune., 1908-06-02
FOR CITY AUTONOMY
MR. HTGHES At KINGSTON.
Thinks Sim pier Charters Are Needed
Celebration Closes.

Kingston N Y. June AFTER day devoted TO
outdoor features including military and civic
parade started upon signal from President
Roosevelt in Washington, parade Of automobiles.
"a sham battle and an address by Governor Hughes.
the city OF Kingston Tonight closed the celebra-
ton OF the 2soth anniversary OF its founding as
settlement with a fireworks display at Kingston
Point Park.
With the exception Of slight shower that oc-
CURED while the parade being reviewed ny
Governor Hughes, weather conditions were fauit-
less and visitor has left Kingston without
rlezsant memories. The stand from whlch SoN-
ernor Hughes reviewed the parade was canopied.
but the thousands of sghtseers who packed
Kingston Academy campus and surrounding
streets protected themselves under the trees or
under raised umbrellas. The shower lasted only
three minutes.
Governor Hughes who a favorite here, was
received with enthusiasm and his remarks CON
cernng home rule were particularly aPpauoeo-
Just before he began speaking the IcEeIhoI
salute was given by the guns OF the I'd Battery
The Rev Hough Houston, presiding elder of the
Kingston district OF the Methodist Episcopal
Church. made the prayer at the meeting ana sam
uel d. CoykendaT presided. The benedicuon was
hy the Rev. Charles Mercer Hall, son-in-la" OF
ex-Judge Alton Is. Parker.
Governor Hughes first spoke at length el the
history of Kingston and OF Ulster County, begin
ming with the little community of Esopus' INCL
sientaily pointing out that Kingston has the hohor
Of having been the seat Of the government OF I'e
State Of New York when 1rst CONSTITUTED <>''St
the provincial convention had been coInpeiied 10
retire before the enemy il finally was established
t Kingston in March, III, and here, on April l.
1777 the first state constitution was adopted.
No, until the close of the speech did the Gov
ernor depart from the line OF local history Then
he said:
This occasion brings again TO our attention i me
Importance of local administration. am n lii I'M
pressed with The diversities that exist IN me neci
arien5 of local government throughout the state
and the constant legislative tinkerlng that seems 20
with the wishes of the citizens Of the various con-
nunities AnyIhlng like nil a ibe Constant iegs-
iative interference TO meet naturally recurring eN-
legislation breeds legislation. Restrictions upon upon
local administration are mace 3y 40 tstrcfton re is
absent ii is thought necessary to provide IL H..
in he direction Of simplicity charters, providing
framework Of government VIII d Sl., % "P ~
Fundamental rights. The mnutiae of administra-
fion should he governed by bylaws or oTcinances
enacted directly by the community through ITS rep
resentatyes without interference by the LesisfA-
of the steps which would be necessary 10 accom-
ms time Bn1 the success of Democratic govern
in meeting the increased demands OF our ir
Broadening and strengthening its base 1t must
of his responsibility for the welfare Of the COM
Inunity in which lie lives and upon tne qulchehils
Every city should be a school sratesmanship.
hsre e s4o95q 9e 10 [qg' iB n1i 5ie es TRere should
be found the sacrifices of patriotism IN times ol
iI5 10 I1oJtad fi'a+ sensa of the dignity and
worth Of citizenship which will bring 70 naught
forms Of government to suit their petty despotsms
and who seek control Tor purposes OF tribute the
& 9 oI oT o 6noea nIiSd poxer is more and more
10 be found in our cities. And there also. IN an
matters viii n directly concern the lives Of the
citizens. may be found the needed purifying force
ity we cannot have security unless we have re-
spect where the administration is bent by caprice
or The powers of government are ,corruptead ta 10
the mast and learn the lessons OF our history may
-. "a 10, We ,,nreserye5ly devote ourselves
in'qIS I ana ] ma r IiberIH estabshed bT laws con-
served in q spirit Of justice and impaTually ad-
Ininistered.
After the meeting Governor and Mrs Hughes and
other notable guests were entertained at luncheon
in the hall of School No Z. and later attended
the spectacular feature Of the day-the Indian at
tack Esopus stockade. which occurred on the
lowlands below the historic Senate House. the
states first Capitol
Twenty-Five thousand persons lined the ridge
fronting the lowlands ana spread over five acres
of the loWlands itself. The stockade covered with
pa1,er contained men and women dressed in Dutch
costume and the attack by various tribes Of the
order Of Red Men After spectacular attack and
resistance the DUtchmen were killed and the
women carried away captives. The attack was in
miniature a representation OF the attack made on
June = 1865. when then village Of Esopus was
destroyed and its inhabitants either massacred or
made captives-
4 reception tonight at the Kingston Club closed
the formal functions. At Kingston Point Park an
exhibition OF fireworks attracted thousands, includ-
ing many excursion parties from along the Hudson
River who did not attend the day celebration. The
military organizations started for their homes. to-
night and during the night the torpedo and sub
marine hotilia will sail for New York. Governor
and Mrs Hughes Will remain until tomorrow.
Messages of congratulation TO the city re-
ceived from President Roosevelt and Vice President
Fairbanks.