New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-27
WINS ATTACKS GAYN02
Says His Action on Cooper Union
invitation Was That of "Sneak."
MANENY URGES DELAY
Prendergast and Hodge Address
Mass Meeting Which Asks Dix
to Defeat Proposed Charter.

Cooper Union was crowded 70 the doors
last night by men and women who came
in response TO a call issued by a number Of
representative citizens TO protest against
the passage Of the proposed new charter.
The committee had hoped to make this
meeting a debate between men whom light
have felt inclined to defend the proposed
new document and those who had promised
to speak against it, but all efforts to Sc
cure the presence of an advocate Of the
new charter failed.
Mayor Gaynor was invited TO attend by
letter, and the manner in which he treat
ed this invitation was described by William
NJ WINS as mot the act Of a gentleman,
but the act Of a sneak The Mayors state
ment. reported in some evening papers yes
terday, that the committee had announced
that ne would speak at the meeting, Mr.
Wins characterized as "a lie and not an
evasion"
There were four speakers who took up
the charter question during the evening
and with the exception Of Borough Presi-
dent McAneny, each of them had some
thing to say about Mayor Gaynor that was
not complimentary TO him, but was re-
ceived with much applause by the audience
J. AspinwaI Hodge the chairman OF the
meeting. started of with few well aimed
shots. Controller Prendergast gave his
opinion of the Mayors connection with the
proposed charter in his frank and forceful
manner. and Mr. WINS wound up the fray.
The amendments" to the proposed new
charter were analysed, and the speakers
showed the audience how various provi-
sious never mentioned before had been put
into the amendments in the hope that they
would pass unnoticed in the short space Of
time left for examination before the docu-
ment would come up for passage by the
Legislature.
The Message to Governor Dix.
At the close Of the meeting Charles H.
Strong. president Of the city club, offered
a resolution directing that the chairman
Immediately send the following message to
Governor Dix, Senator Cullen, Assembly
man Foley and Mayor Gaynor.
A mass meeting Of the citizens Of the
CITY OF New York, which packed Cooper
Union TO the doors tonight, and was made
up OF men Of all parties, adopted resolu-
ton demanding that the proposed charter
for the city Of New York now pending in
tho Legislature shall be defeated.
The resolution was adopted unanimously.
j. Aspinwal Hodge said that the vital
toint Of the issue was whether the people
of New York should permit the passage or
a new charter aimed 10 abrogate the power
of the men in the Board OF Estimate. who
had been elected by a ma ioritv Of votes.
and centre dangerous and absolute power
in the Mayor. who had received only a plu-
rality Of votes.
1--WE all know how modest this has made
him" Mr. Hodge SAID amid laughter and
applause.
The danger Of a precedent in rushing tie
proposed charter through the Legislature
with an evident purpose TO Illustrate the
intortiOn Of the electors 10 secure certain
results from this city administration by
taking away the powers Of some Of its
members and giving new and larger powers
10 the Mavor ana the creating Of "a new
budget commission Has another point dis
cussed by Mr. Hodse.
lie said nothing could prevent new
! Legislature from attempting 10 juggle with
the charter again In this same fashion. and
| that only the embodiment Of the charter
/ IN the constitution Of the state. O. consti-
| tu'loual provision that The civ shall make
is own charter. could remove this danger
| Borough President McAncny asked that
| the consideration of the amended char
! Ter hv the Legislature be deferred long
| enough 10 give everybody time 10 learn
J how far the amendments had affected the