Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-05-26
A Model Democratic Governor.

~
Governor Robinson OF New York. the
successor of Governor Tilden, is furnish
inc in some of his recent acts in regard
TO bills passed by the legislature luml-
nous examples of democratic economy,
reform and craftsmanship. For instance
il appears that he found it perfectly con-
s,itutional and consistent with economy
and reform to approve an appropriation
to pay for a bust of Washington. yet
vetoed another appropriation bill on the
ground of its nconstitu,ion9lty, which
called for means TO deiray the expense
of frame for portrait of Lincoln which
has already been painted. Appropria-
,ions to perpetuate the memory OF Wash
ington are all right according to demo-
cratic economy and statesmanship, but
anpropriations in honor OF Lincoln are
not allowable. Democratic Governors
remember that President Lincoln was a
great scourge 10 their party north and
south, hence 1t Is entirely constitutional
and in accordance with the new ideas of
reform and economy in the democratic
partJ to allow no appropriation to honor
and perpeluale his memory.
Again. in the Supply Bill, SO called
passed by the legislature and laid before
Gov. Robinson for his approval, was the
following item: For the promotion OF
agriculture the sum of five thousand dol
lars" Across this item the Governor
drew his pen with this endorsement
Vetoed. l.. Robinson"
The same Supply Bill also contained
the following item: For the support
and maintenance of juvenile delnquents
at the New York Catholic Protectory the
sum of $25,000." And on that item the
Governor writes: approved. L. Robin
SON."
Democratic economy allows no appro-
priations 10 promote farming interests,
but opens the treasury wide when the
Catholics ask appropriations. The farm
ers of New York and all other northern
States generally vote the republican
ticket, and ''that's what's the matter"
when democratic governors veto appro
priations to promote their interests. The
Catholics as body voted for "Tilden
and Reform" and that is the magic which
opens the treasury to them where demo-
cratic statesmen control. Nothing for
agriculture, but s25. 900 for private Sec
tartan institution the constitution evoked
to stop the one, but the other granted in
disregard of the constitution.
The legislature of New York having
passed the omnibus or charter bill, de-
signed to bring about important retrench
ment and reform in the city OF New York,
finds the Governors veto interposed.
Tammany Hall will never consent to any
infringement of the dem ocra,ic preroga-
tive to plumber that much abused city al
the pleasure OF the democratic cheftains,
maugre the fate Of Tweed and few OF
his coadjutors in crime. OF this bill the
Albany Journal says: ''In the first place
it abolishes large number of super
fuous Offices whose only use is to furnish
places for political stipendlaries and to
add to the public burdens. In the second
place, it simplifes the city administration
by consolidating departments which prop
erly belong together and reducing them
to a responsible head. In the third place,
it provides for spring municipal elections.
as in other cities, thus divorcing city af-
fairs from State and National politics and
enabling the people to act solely with
reference to their municipal interests. If
carried into effect, it will save the city
thousands of dollars every year. All the
reform elements of New York of both
parties were united Ia asking for it. Mr..
Allan Campbell. the democratic Commits
sioner OF Public Works, who is conceded
to be one of the best officers New York
has ever had, and who is familiar with
her requirements, advocated its passage"
Gov. Robinson finds constitutional OBJ
jectivns 10 improving affairs in New York
city, as well as against Lincoa as President
and the interests of agriculture, and so he
vetoed the measure. He is certainly
model democratic Governor, of which the
less We have the more fortunate the
country is.
A Washington correspondent of the
Boston Globe says the order for the con-