New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-30
NEI us FROM ALBANY.
STREET RAILWAY BILL DISAPPROVED.

ALBANY. May 29.-The Governor filed with
the Secretary osae to-day the General Street Railway
bill unsigned. Attached to the bill memorandum
in which the Governor gave his for with
holding his signature from the bill. In the
course OF his comments the bill the Governor
says:
Ihave no doubt that general law providing for the
construction Of street ads should be enacted but
the provisions Of this bill such, and ny conviction Of
ira designs IA 40 well settled that have
determined to refuse To approve the same. From its
title appears 10 be scheme for the construction of
street railroads in all the ciies towns and villages Of
the State, and yet when any streets are excepted
from the operation Of this act they
ions are made for compensation for the OF
they apply alone 10 that city II s only In the city OF New
by the terms OF this bill be Obliged to pave and keep
permanent repair any portion OF the street between aud
along their tracks aud one o the Limitations OF the time
within which. In certain case railroad TO be com
menced and completed Is confined To railroads to he
sIrncted i'm that cty Undoubtedly the provisions OF the
b! wpich are suspected obscure we're inserted 20
the wants Ot NewYOrk corporations, aud in the
discussion 10 which | have listened this measure mas
been treated though Its operation concerned solely
the city of NcW-Iork. Perhaps noue OF these
thngs render the bill under consideration invalid.
aud yet they furnish substantial objections and give
rise 10 questions OF much Importance to other cities IN
tie Stale.
1t cannot he difficult TO frame a bill which in spirit
well a. in strict construction would be general law.
protecting all localities alike and yoding the evils
to follow iurtlye attempt under the guse Of general
statute TO answer only private and loca purposes The
Constitution the State prohibits the passage by the
Legislature OF any private local bill granting TO any
corpOraton association or individual the right to lay
down railroad tracks" 1t also declares that the Legisa
shall pass general laws required Tor such cases
Ihave overlooked he fact hat the sr and seventh
sections OF this bill speak of railroad companies and
railroads, while the previous sections deal with street
railroads aud companies suppose, however. it VIII be
claimed, II occasion requires that the railroads men
toned in sections aud street railroads, and the
companies spoken Of such may construct and
MAINTAIN street railroads otherwise they have no place
IN law entitled An act T. provide for tue construc
tiOn maintenance and operation OF street railroads in
cities, and vlsges" Moreover, the consent OF
owners ana Local authorities Is required by the Consu-
tuition. referred 10 in both sections. II appears
trey proper in the consideration of this bill the
corporations mentioned i'll these particular sections as
street railroad companies and the roads therein referred
TO street railroads In any event. II It Is proposed 10
act under the Constitution, there shCuld honestly and
airy be accorded to the people the protection whcn
the Constitution nten led. think read the
peculiar provisions OF this bill without beng convinced
that its design is TO further private and corporate
than furnish tue citizens OF the state street
railroad facities spirit aud letter OF the Con
stItution and within the limits therein fixed for the
benent OF the people.