New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-15
FOR HOME RULE
Cities of State United in Demand
on Constitutional Convention.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Last week at meeting of the con-
ference of mayors of the State of New York,
at which ! was present, there was unani-
mously adopted for submission to the Con-
atitutional Convention a suggested home rule
amendment. II is tentative and in a form
which no doubt is susceptible of improve
ment as are all suggestions of this char
acter, and will be improved in the process
of its discussion. This proposed amendment,
however, furnishes a basis for discussion and
seeks to provide the conditions under which
the cities of the state may take into their
own hands the government of their affairs.
except where controlled by general state
laws, and put an end forever to the per-
petual shifting of responsibility for unsat-
isfactory municipal conditions between city
governments and the Legislature at Albany.
For a generation the press Of New York
and the people of New York, so far as they
have given the matter concern, have clamored
for home rule. Until the last year or two
this demand for home rule on the part of
New York City was set up in opposition to
government by so-caled country legislators.
There was, therefore, on this issue antsg-
onism between New York City and the rest
of the state. This has changed Fifty-three
cities of the state of which New York City is
one are now demanding home rule.
This year is the year of paramount oppor-
tunitv to obtain home rule. If revised con-
stitution is adopted without a home rule pro-
vision it will undoubtedly mean that years
will pass before a home rule amendment is
obtained. The demand for home rule is not
based merely on the old plea that New
York to be we'll governed must escape
from arbitrary legislative interference The
principal reason for home rule is that no
American city can be well governed which
does not govern itself, and city cannot
govern itself without the power which home
rule implies.
There is a good deal of confused thinking
on the meaning Of home rule. It does not
mean dividing sovereign jurisdiction between
the cities and the state II means merely
that the people Of city are given authority
70 govern their city intelligently and effec-
lively.
rule:
/ A broad grant of powers to the city to
do those things which are regarded as neces-
sarv for the welfare of civic community.
2 The restraint of the Legislature from
passing special laws interfering in or regu-
iatine the affairs of a specific city and the
restriction of Legislative control Of mu-
nicipalities to such general control as may be
exercised through statutes applicable to the
entire state.
3. Authority in a city to frame its own
charter. so as to obtain a plan of govern
ment which is compatible with local condi-
tions and needs.
There is nothing revolutionary in this pro,
rramme. 1t is demanded by the regenerated
character of city government in the United
states. The cities of twelve states have al
ready achieved home rule in greater or less
decree Is there any reason why it should
he denied TO the cities Of New York state!
HENRY BRUERE, Chamberlain.
New York, June 7, 1913.