New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-06-07
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
OLEOM4RGARINE GOTERNMENT

A BILL TIE GOVERNOR OUGHT TO NETO-CoMMis-
sIONERs TO BE APPOINTED BY UNKNOWN OR
INTERESTED CORPORATIONS.
To ne EditOr ~ me Tribune.
SIR The Railroad Commission bill which the
Legislature has passed does not merit the approval
of the Governor 1t may he that the objections to
it will not IN to him of such character as TO
call for exercise of the veto power If the object
TO make legislation for the regulation OF rail-
roads utterly ridiculous and contemplate, so that
il shOuld not be pos be for many years to come TO
do any sensible or useful thing in that direction,
the enactment OF this measure might well he de-
sired. But II IS not Il measure to which the people
can look for any protection or the reform of any
abuse. IL Is bill OF cheap dem9gogues and hungry
strikers. II will tend TO GcmCraliZc the state Gov
eminent, 10 corrupt the action of parte9 and
to drive the railroads into concentrated political
effort.
In order to WELD any power for good, Railroad
commission must be composed OF men who will
command confidence. disregard party interests and
seek The public good But the pending bl provides
that two of the three Commissioners shall be
selected dstlnctiyely as partsans and agents Of
parsles he state OF party relations in Ncw-TOrk
Is such that Republican Governor can always find
some Democrat who will consent to work for the
Republican, party, and n Democratic Governor can
always find some nominal Republican to serve rs a
tool OF Democrats partisan on either side. there
fore, can organize the Commission as party
machine. The third member is to be virtually APP
pointed by three bodies which have no cOnSttu-
IOuai or legal existence part of the Government
OF this state. The first Of these. the Chamber of
Commerce of he State of New-YOrkr has no cX-
istcnce whatever and this ridiculous bunder i'm the
name of body 10 be entrusted with appointing
power, If there were no other objection to the bill.
might be held adequate reason for declining to sign
it, The second the Board of Trade and Trans
pOrtatOn," represents business whose interests
make it natural for them TO desire the cheapest
possible transportation for their benefit, Tather
than the rights of property invested or the welfare
of the people as whole. In effect. they plain
Tits in the suit OF Shippers rs. Railroads" and the
bill proposes that they shall appoint one of the
Judges their own case. The third, the Anti
Monopoly League" is the pocket organization
through which dealer in oleOmargarine has been
trying to advertise himself TO extOrt special rates
from railroads. and TO initiate himself into political
power Whenever insurance blackmailers are en-
powered to appoint the Insurance Commissioner
there viii be sort of precedent for enrusinC the
choice Of Railroad Commissioner to the greedy
iic;i ; no nave set up In business as profess
sIonal Auti- NlOnopolists
A mode of selection so indecent and unreasonable,
in respect to the interests represented will push
the railroads into politics for their self protection.
In Commissioners chosen for merit fairness and high
character, qualified to act judges between the
people and the corporations the railroads could
place some confidence To the formation of such
board they have made no objection; IN tact they
held that it would materially help them by remOy-
ing prejudices and mIsapprchensons. But q board
composed of two politicians and striker" can
be expected abvbod to % RRand proper PS
amounting to more than $1,000000,O00 at
stake, railroad managers may feel that 1t Is
necessary to nave voice in the selection OF the
Governor and the Senators. If party conventions
! have been Influenced too much already by cor
morale interests as believe, It Il PROBABLE that
This influence will not be lcssened by making the
election of a Governor more important to railroad
! company than the election of its own directors
| Hitherto the railroad managers have had antag-
| onistic interests. In their antagonism the public
! has had a guarantee against injustice. This bill
! must tend to consolidate all their power which
| NAV be used for the control of nominations, or
| afterward for the election of the candidate who
| will most surely protect them against injustice. AS
y balance of power between parties, little Clique
of persons who pay out ESQ, 600, 900 year employ
from so 600 to 100, 900 men, aud by purchases
and contracts influence the business interests of
great many more cannot we'll be desplScd. TO the
organization of a fair and reasonable Commission
the railroads would evidently have given hearty
approval and acquiescence. 1t is hardly possible
that they Will be Indifferent, when 1t is proposed
10 give large power over them to persons who ask
votes on The ground that they are making war on
railroads
The Governor will doubtless consider whether the
restrictions az to the appointment of Commissioners
are constitutional. Bat no harm could be done to
ANYBODY if this bill should be laid for the
sideratiOn of another Legislature AS the appoint
ment of Commissioners has been deferred until next
year. and action be taken under the bill prior
TO another session of the Assembly, its manifest de-
fects may properly be weighed as reasons for refus
ing Executive approval. The organization of a
Railroad Commission after the manner prescribed
In this bill will tend to do great harm. 1t ought TO
be possible i'll this great State, to which the railroad
interest is so important to get Commission that
shall not be the tool of any party or shaped by any
private grievance, ambition or greed. Yours G.
Ner- OyE Nav 20, 1882,