New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-20
mitchell PLEADS
FOR HOME RULE
Ogden L. Mills Would
Give Governor Voice in
Legislative Debates.
SENATOR ROOT FOR
DIRECT SUGGESTION
Subjects for Constitutional Con-
vention Discussed at Political
Science Meeting.

Senator Elihu Root, Mayor Mitchell,
DR.. Frank ]. Goodnow. of Johns Hop
kins University; Senator-eleet Ogden
I, Mills. DR.. Frederick c. Howe and
other distinguished students OF point.
cal science. spoke on the revision OF
The state constitution at the first day 5
session Of the Academy Of Polltieai
Science, whose annual meeting started
The proceedings began in the after
noon in Earl Hall. Columbia University
and ended at the Hotel Astor' where
Senator Root presided at discussion
that followed the yearly dinner OF the
With the fact in mind that the con
stitutional convention is but a htue
more than four months away, senator
Root. before introducing any OF tne
sneakers, reminded his hearers that an.
stract discussion Of the problems mat
will confront the delegates TO the Con
situtional Convention ought TO give
way to concrete suggestions. Ooncrete
suggestions were the oraer o. '"e
night. -,,;,. .b, =
when the present State Constitution
was framed twenty years ago, the poii..
teal party then in power had sought
70 control the constitutional convention,
"a the present party in power hau' a., d
he observed that in both cases the
graspinc party had met with reverses
at the polls p.4
"4hst Il doesn't pay 70 be too acute,
sdroit and cunning in American poll
tics The best way 70 do Is 10 60 on
IN the simple. honest, direct way 20
help work ont the problems OF inc
American people
Senator Root said there was need
FOR revision Of the Constitution
The machinery of government, ne
said. was not properly ADJUSTED 10
conditions now existing. -, =.
"The path Of liberty and justice IS
n hard and narrow one" said senator
Root. "But we must follow that PAIN
II we will achieve lasting, results,
SeIf-oovernment. which Is the paste
49, ~ our free republic. is hard,
and REQUIRES true patriotism: We
D,nst stand bv and maintain all our
nrinciples agains- patent nostrums.
Cheer Hon, Rule Plea.
Navor Mitchell pleaded for home rule
for cities. He said that TO the citles
sbould be left the regulation Of local
affairs. without legislative lh'eIIeI
ence. He said that it would be a great
deal better not to hamstring our cities
and their officials, and TO give them
wider latitude, with a check on them
in the recall. l.
One of the suggestions offered by
the MAYOR met with hearty applause
n was that the new constitution con-
tain a provision permitting cities to
own. operate. build and acquire public
utilities. and that it be left TO the
cities to determine what constitutes
public utilities.
DIR. Howe suggested a commission
form Of government for the state, a
single legislative body, not larger nu-
meTicelly than the states Congress,
ional representation, and the short
ballot. A,hor,
shaw. editor Of "The Review Of Re
views" presided. The first subject dis
cussed. participation of the Executive
in Legislation" was handled by Pro-
lessor T.. NJ. Salt, OF Columbia Univer,,
sitv; Senator-elect Ogden L. Mills and
Professor Edgar Dawson.
Professor Salt said he was IN favor