New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-27
HOME RULE ADVOCATED
J. H. Dougherty Gives His Views
Before Peoples Institute.
CITIES SHOULD DEMAND 1T
R. S. Binkerd Says Unnecessary
Boards and Offices Should
Be Abolished.

j. Hampden Dougherty and Robert S.
Bnkerd, secretary OF the City Club, spoke
before the Peoples Institute. at Cooper
Union. last night. on the subject Of mu-
nicipal home rule. The speakers, In
troduccd by Managing Director Frederic
G. Howe. addressed a small but very
attentive audience
Mr. Dougherty, in part, said;
In view OF the amount OF social unrest
and the nature OF the Progressive plat
form, both the Republican and Demo
cratic parties pledged their legislators TO
favor the passage Of bill providing LOT
the submission TO the people next IAN
of the question of holding constitu-
tional convention at an early date;
Should such be true. one OF the CHIEF
things for consideration VIII be the eN,
tension Of home rule A determined ana
concerted effort should be made this com
ing winter 90 compel the incoming Legs
laturc To carry into effect the home rule
pledges made before election.
Home rule should be demanded ipf inc
cities and villages Of the state By the
grant of adequate powers OF self-govern-
ment. We should seek a constitutional
amendment guaranteeing home rule IN
IN, municipal subdivisions OF this state,
which H. only asking the Legislature 10
carry out the promise or the various
all special legislation In respect 10 cites
We should demand the enactment OF a
general municipal corporations act en-
aiding the voters Of the city 10 adopt any
SimpuHed form of government, commits
sion or other. not Inconsistent with the
constitution ana general laws or the
state. We should also demand the pas
sage of legislation allowing the free
choice OF municipal and local candidates
In municipal and local elections, and mu-
niclpal and local ballots upon which no
party names nor cmblems appear
We should resist to the utmost any
efforts Of the incoming Legislature to
force upon the city such n charter as IL
attempted to last year.
so student OF municipal affairs can
help admitting. II candid, that the gov
eminent Of this city Is behind that OF
foreign cities OF corresponding rank. aud
oC other American cities. our police sys-
tenn is inferior To that Of the great Eu-
TOpoan cities. our streets are deplorably
dirty and are badly paved. There ~
hardly an important highway Ia this me-
trOpolie that Is not to-day impossible.
And the astonishing part OF IT all IL that
the work Of street repair that Is now
going on Will have 10 be done over again
in a few months or years, when the city
will lay new subSurface pipes or con-
struct new sewers our treatment Of pub
Die franchises astonishes the world. The
streets which the city holds in trust for
the people OF tho state have for all
practical purposes been handed over 10
private ownership to do with II as It
viii.
II is within the power OF Theodore
Roosevelt 10 he q leader I'm the work of
TemcdYHg evil conditions, and he could
undertake no nohlcr or more Lecessary
task. II Is within his power 10 accom-
ulish exceptional things In this city. No
man could do more 10 put the city lpun
the basis Of independence Of. legislative
domination.
Mr. Bnkerd told his audience that our
municipal legislation represents session
after session, a series OF specific and irri-
tatng interfcrences with local govern
mcnt. lie said:
Neither the city OF New York nor any
other city i'm this state can control its
boards or offices, create or divide depart
ments Of the administration or reorganize
its systems Of raising or expanding
money. Our cities are bound hand and
foot and If the people Of this city and
others thoroughly understood the situa-
tlOn--thc uudemOcratc denial of the real
rights OF self-gOYerHment, while their
political platform pays lip tribute TO 1t
they would not tolerate IL for another
year.
Mr. Binkcrd then argued for the adop-
ton OF the following proposed measures:
Tristan act broadly extending the
powers OF all municipal governments in
the state.
Sccond-A general act containing sew
cral simple forms of city government,
which any OF the upstate cities could
adopt at their option.
Third-'The amendment of the state con-
gtitution so as TO give TO cities the right
TO frame and amend their city charters.
Fourth-A new chapter 10 the election
law providing a non-partisan machine FOR
conducting city elections.
Only a few questions were asked the
speakers. one man in thu audience asked
Mr. Dougherty II he thought that home
rule meant Tammany rule. Mr.. Dough-
erty said that it depended upon the peo-
pie who should decide the question by
their vote