The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-26

HIS OBJECTIONS AGAINST CERTAIN NEW YORK
AND BRooALYN BILLS.
.,u.xv lima 0s

ALbASr y. L., June 20, 1911.
Governor Robinson has attached the following
memoranda vshe bills named
THE WOODEN BILL.
Memoranda IN brief oil reasons for disappearing Of
Assembly bill No. 254 emitted IAN act 10 SECURE the
better, public ministration OF tho city OF New
York":Ihe general reasons given tor the veto OF the
so-caled Omnibus" bill apply with equal Iorce to the
listing mass OF New YORK city statutes IL seeks 10
regulate many details OF administration and some Of
Its provisions are on their face unobjeetionabe and
wholesome but tho Objectionable features more than
counterbaance all these. II is one OF series OF bills
by the Legislature profcssecy in the interest Of
economy and reform, but which, alter their introduce
ton into the Legislature, we're changed as 10 make
thun mere cloaks OF mischevous provisions, which
profess TO remedy There is very little doubt but that
in practice IL would lead increased rather than
diminished expenditures on the part OF the city.
There moreover several PROVISIONS
IT which are papaby unconstitutional and
others which are homogeneous and subversive
OF all sound principles OF municipal government 1t is
immensely long, and would constitute large volume
by ITSELF The pressure OF other duties prevents the
specialization detail oil ali the Objectionable features
OF the bill. II would SIMPLY add to the confusion
existing in the laws relating 10 the city, already
great that the judges Of highest acknowledge
their inability construc them ntclligently What
New York city needs above all things at present is
be let alone by the Legislature until that body ready
and complete charter, TO stand as per-
mancnt form oil local government aud ~ be coupled
with thorough revision OF existing laws The evils
Of these frequent changes In the law greater than
the suffering from any minor defects ~ tho existing
laws. l.. ROBINSON
Memoranda bret OF reasons for disappearing
Assembly bill No IT, entitled IAN act In relation
tile government OF the city OF Brooklyn" However
wise the practice OF placing departments under Il SIM
gle head may be regarded II could not well be en-
grated upon a system OF administration enacted
solely with reference 10 Its management by commits
soners OF greater numbers The courts have repeat
eddy decided that such transfer OF powers Is made
by this bill is not within the power OF the Legislature
] am forced TO dlsapprove the bill because 1t
is unconstitutional in every line. It Is
Legislative appointment OF one man to discharge
tha dutt Rnu ylaia ufnh mfr
era comm issons, ana there Is no limitation to the
term during which he shall exercise this sole power
and provision against his holding his office forever
The effect OF the bill Is 10 legisale the presidents Of
the several commissions into Office for lie.
l.. ROBINSON.
rnx INSURANCE DEPARTMENT.
Memoranda in brief Of reasons Tor disappearing Sen
ate bill No. 35S entitled IAN act further to amend
chapter 500 Of the laws OF 1859, entitled act TO
tabilsh insurance department." am unable 10 lind
sufficient merits IN TINS bii 10 couneroalance tho
various objections 10 it, Its enactment urged on the
ground that otherwise examinations of lifo
Insurance companies must stop. This icur
Is groundlcss They can go or as we'll as they have
heretofore II the department has exhausted Its ap
preparation Tor the current year, II is barely three
months until the regular appropriation becomes avail
at the outside be obliged TO walt only that three
months for Their pay, while the average delay could
exceed weeks The idea that this would be
creating debt against tho State contrary The pro-
visions Of the Appropriation BIN oil 1876 any other
statute IS nntenable such construction OF the act
government, nasnuca as almost every department OK
hausts lis Appropriation before the end OF the fiscal
year. The act was unnecessary, because subsequent
10 its passage a deficiency appropriation OF $4,000
inserted in the supply bill, which would have
been made much larger II the department had asked
IL. The most serious objection 10 the BILL however
that II oyerturns the system Of account which has
obtained in the state financial Department. since It's
organization. The present bill provides that
the expense OF examinations shall be pad d.
rccty 10 the superintendent by the companies
examined; entry suggestion oil the amounts
purposes items OF the expenses is 10 be made upon
tho books Of the Financial Deparlment OF the State
ana, although the Comptroller is required TO audit tho
bis, he cannot pay them, and no provision is made
Tor preserving in his Office the slightest minutes OF
Their contents and amounts | can Justification
Tor such sweeping inroad upon tho book keeping of
the State. LUClUS ROBINSON.
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Bill.
Memoranda in brief OF reasons Tor disappearing As
scmbly bill No. s92 entitled IAN act relative pubic
Instruction the city OF New York." There
three fatal objections TINS bill. Tho first that IT
gives tho sole power OF liking the amounts to be raised
Tor school purposes IL the city OF New ork TO the
Board OF Education without any check upon its
either by The Common Council, the Board OF Esti-
mate and Apportionment or any other elected officers
OF the city government TINS sets up an in
dependent power WITHIN the city government, sub.
jccting the people OF the city To taxation by
Two separate ana distinct authorities, oil which
not elective by the people. Another and more serious
objection is that u raises The amount ALLOW ed DO
expended for each scholar from $40 sl4 per annum.
As the pupils number over 200 900 this increases
tho annua, expenditure OF the department by
the OF $o0O,O00 at time wnen every
branch OF business and industry suffers IRON great
depression, and values prices aud labor have all
greatly deprecated. IL is difficult any on
why yearly expenses Of this department should
DO increased forty per cent Again, the u allows the
There is no proprety N sucn an expenditure, the
Corporation Counsel attends, without additional con.
pcnsation to all the legal business oil the Board that
may be required L. ROBINSON.