New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-05-08
VETO or THE BROADWAY RASL-
ROAD.
Gov. seymour,- Objections.

Gov. Seymour declines 10 sign tne hhiiFoad OIL,
and states his objections as follows:
EXECUTIVE CsAsBKR ALBANY. Thursday, Msy 7. 1852.
Ia view of the importance of the measure, have
given a full and patient hearing 10 the friends and
opponents Of the act TO authorize the construction Of
q railroad in certain streets and avenues IN New
York. have come to the conclusion that ought not
to approve OF the bill. | hold II to be uncOnstitu
ional as 1t permits the use of such streets and
nues without the consent of the Nav or, Aldermen
and Commonaty of the City of New-York, and
without providing for compeDsations for such use.
In this respect deem it an invasion Of the cor
porate franchises and property OF the people of that
city against the protest OF its local government.
The bill has other OF iectionable aspects. l grants
10 persons therein named valuable and important
privileges which have been earnestly sought for by
different parties al different times and 1t deeply con-
Germs the interest and comfort OF the people OF the
City of New-York. Ii these franchises are 10 be
granted it should be done under the provisions des-
gnated TO the larges, revenue or the cheap
est mode OF conveyance.
1t is notorious that propositions TO secure these
objects were rejected. Public interest and morals
demanded that all such grants to individuals or cor
porstions be carefully guarded against ANY prefer
enee favoritsm IL IL urged with truth that
some parties interested in this bill have strong
claims upon public favor and justice. The owners
Of stages and omnibuses, who for many years have
promoted the growth and prosperity Of the City Of
York, should be protected. The property
they have acquired by long years Of patient labor
ought not to be destroyed without just coInpensa-
ton.
trust and believe this meritorious class will be
amply and literally remunerated should their fran
chises and property be paired by the introduction
If railways. While feel strong interest In their
behalf, this feature Of the bill does not overcome
the grave objections to its approval whole
measure. 1t Is also urged that the City Government
has granted to the Harlem Railroad Company the
right to run Its tracks through the same streets
without giving any protection 10 the owners o. aye
lines; aud that tie grant was made cover,y, aud IN
TO evHde the procs 81 of Courts aud the de-
cisious Of judicial tribunals, and that there am
pie evidences that such grants were obtained by
corrupt appliances.
IL is also feared that further action Of a similar
character may be had by the City Government,
which will give 10 the Harlem Road the privilege
OF laying its tracks in the different streets and ave
nues, IN injurious TO public interests and
pablo morality, and subversive Of the nights aud
franchises of individuals and corporations.
If tins bill becomes law, it is claimed that the
rover Of the City Government TO make such iujuri-
ous and corrupt grants viii be annulled. IL ia my
duty to guard against improviden, unjust, uncOD.
stitutonal action by our state Legislature.
The proposition that any public officer should
sanction an improper measure 20 prevent an abuse
of power by other officials is full Of danger 1t fur
rishes plausible pretext under which corrupt or
Injurious Legislation can be shielded. This very
case il a shocking proof OF the truth Of this
The city authorities, upon the ground that this bill
would probably become law. made the grant to
the Harlem Road, under circumstances shove stated
although they had before refused TO make such
grant; and tie Mayor justifes bis approval Of the
measure on the ground Of anticlDated Legislative
abuse in the enactment Of the bill In question.
am now urged 10 approve this act for the purpose OF
preventing improper action by the City Govern
ment. a9d thus by o vicious reasoning, two public
measures each improper in iteelf, the
sanction of two official bodies because each is appre-
bensve that the other is about 10 consuumate
wrong.
10 the ADOPTION Of bad measures under the color Of
preventing worse by the other how 1t mlsleads the
conscience OF those who entertain IT, how II creates
scramble between public authorities in the dlsri-
button Of valuable franchises, under the pretext Of
the public good; how dernorslizng lite tendency
moon legislative bodies and upon all incumbente OF
public trusts sufficiently obvious. ] must dis.
charge my own duly, and leave TO the other depart
1nents the discharge of theirs under that accounts
| bilty to their constituents
The citizens of New-York have exclusive power Of
electing their local rulers and must abide the result
of their action. bave no control over the City Gov
eminent beyond my power to remove the Mayor for
misconduct. II complaints made against him
they must be presented according 10 the statute,
which gives him an opportunity to reply.
If tbis bill should become a law the state and City
Government would be IN position Of aDtagOnism
ON a local subject. The practice OF legislative inter
ierences with the rights local self government, aud
with the franchises of great commercial
metropolis is full Of mischief 1t has not only
wronged nearly one quarter Of the population Of tie
State but has brought marked evils ioto Legislation.
BY transferring appointments and jurisdiction
/ from the locality 10 the capital measures Of the
greatest concern and Importance being determined
BY those having no knowledge Of or direc. concern
/ in the vast interest they affecting This not
only leads TO numberless schemes for personal ad.
vancenient at the expeDse Of municipal popula-
ton but also constant sense OF Insecurity 10
the enjoyment OF vested and personal nights. IL
tends 10 corruption and TO form an active tody who
surround the Capital and improperly influence ana
shane its legislation. Much of the odium which fie
ouenty attaches to the character OF Representatives
il due TO the fact that they made unconscious in-
,truments OF those skilled in the art Of procuring
preventing the passage Of laws.
The rights of the city aud interests Of the county
demand that this recent policy Of interference with
local rights and legislation, and with the genius
and spirit OF our Government, should be discouraged
and abandoned. The assumption of local and NUM-
cipal jurisdiction and the Capitalization OF power
nave proved destructive TO the purity Of our legsla
lion, and endangered the preservation Of orr rights
and the maintenance Of our political Institutions.
OH" " HORAGIO SEYMOUR.