New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-06-01
MORE VETOES NEEDED.

COu0lClOQ 70 mo0C tu0 ucmouuo uPon ."
MORE VEToEs NEEDED.
It il probably tho misfortune Of Governor
Cleveland that he cannot SEQ things In the
Same Light a. Tammany Hall. While that or.
Ranizstion was passing high-sounding resolu.
tons on Tuesday night, commencing the Suse-
full" measures passed by tho last Legislature,
tho wires were bringing to this city tho Gov
ernors veto of tho General Street Railroad bill.
That was ono of tho useful" measures which
the Tammany representatives, In common with
other Democrats, earnestly supported In tho
Legislature. But the Governor asserts that the
design of the promoters of the measure wasjA to
further private and corporate schemes" rather
than to furnish the citizens of the State street
railroad fscilites.n He has, therefore, wisely
vetoed the bill, and at the same time furnished
Q significant answer to Tanimany's approval OF
the action Of the Legislature. Now lot Gov
ernor Cleveland occupy tho few remaining
days allowed him for tho consideration OF bills
In vetoing some other measures.
Tho Aqueduct bill is one of those that should
be vetoed. Tho Mayor and committee OF
prominent citizens lave Joined with the news
papers in urging the Governor to reject that
measure. The only persons who appeared
before him In behalf OF the bill as it passed tho
Legislature were interested politicians. Tho
bill lacks many of tho safeguards devised BY
the Mayors Commission, and it practically per-
mits the whole WORK Of building new aqua-
duct to be placed by majority of the Aqueduot
Board in the hands Of the Commissioner OF
Public Works. He would doubtless use that
power for political purposes, which explains
the anxiety Of his party friends to have tho bill
signed. The clause in tho act which authorizes
the Commission to delegate ils powers to pub
lie officer unable to attend 70 tho extensive
duties of his present Office il bad one.
Tho majority Of the Commissioners as named
in the act may DO all right, but that majority
will fuctuate with the changes in city politics
the very thing the Citizens Commission. act
ing with the Mayor, wisely tried to provide
against. If Mayor Edison should be disabled
by accident or sickness from filing out his
official term, 1t might fall to person like the
present head Of the Board Of Aldermen to act
40 an Aqueduct Commissioner, and to name
two other members to succeed the present Con-
troller and Commissioner of Public Works,
whose terms will expire next year. What pro-
lection would the taxpayers OF the city have
theni These and other considerations ought
to lead tho Governor to veto the Aqueduct bill.
The measures to increase the pay of police
men aud flremen should also be vetoed. 1t IL
true that the increaae is left optional with the
Police and Fire Commissioners, but those OFF,
cals have expended every dollar appropriated
to their use heretofore and cannot DO expected
to do otherwise in the future. Tho per capita
cost Of the police Of this city Is $2 GO as com.
pared with 81 90 for Brooklyn. 81 20 for
Philadelphia. So for Boston. and SO cents for
Chicago. The pay OF tho fremen Is in similar
proportion to that of other Cities In other
words, New-York is now paying per capita
from $50 to 400 per cont moro to it, policemen
than ID paid by any other CITY In tho United
States, notwithstanding the fact that In most OF
the other cities IL ey do not have tho cadet and
lower-pay grades of New-York. Tho COM
pensation of the men in tho Police and Fire De-
partments is greater than like amount Of
labor, skill, intelligence and responsibility
would command in private business, while the
appointments are for life, with full pay during
sickness and pension for old age. Governor
Cornell vetoed similar bills to those in regard
to tho Police and Fire Departments now before
Governor Cleveland, aud he will find 1t difficult
to defend different course.
There Is another bill before tho Governor
which requires careful pruning-the Supply
bill. 1t contains large number of objection
able items. Thus 1t appropriates largo sum
for counsel fees of investigating tcOmmittees.
Under 1t, on certificate of Senator Grady,
So, 900 would be paid to tho counsel Of the
committee that failed to investigate the De-
psrtment of Public Works and there 10 q like
scandalous wsste OF public money for other
committees. Why should committee made
up principally of lawyers be allowed TO expend
thousands of dollars for counsel fecsi Tho
Democratic investigating committees, author
lied by the Democratic Legislature of 1882
IL tho Governor approves these items-will have
cost the State about $4,000. The expenses
Of similar committees appointed by the last
Republican Legislature were about one-third
as great. The $4,000 expended By the DOM
ocratic committees has proved reckless waste
Of public money.
The Supply bill contains an item appropria-
ting 1900 in addition to his salary to Thales
8. Bliss, for legal and other expenses incurred
by him in the matter Of the contested election
for the XIIIth Assembly District" Could
Democratic folly and injustice be carried to a
greater length Henry L. Sprague, the right
fully elected member, was not only defrauded
of his seat, which was given to Bliss, but the
taxpayers of the State are to be made 10 pay o
gratuity of $500 to Bliss making In all
So, 900 stolen from the people under form of
law for the benefit of that politician. The Gov.
ernor ought not to hesitate how to deal with
such Supply bill.
DARK HORSE GONE.