New-York tribune., 1886-05-13
GAS BILLS APPROVED By THE GOVERNOR
TuE THOMAS AND REILLY MEASURES siGNED-VE-
TONG THE MURPHY COMMISSION.


1HE THOMAS AND REILLY MEASURES siGNED-VE-
TONG THE MURPHY COMMISSION.
ALBANY, Nav PA message accompanied
the Governors veto OF the Act in Relation To Gas Com
panes in the City of NewYor" The Governor says in
part "Tne Senate bill entitled An Act in Relation to
Gas Companies in the City Of NewYorS is herewith re-
turned without my approval Ihave this day approved
Of the Thomas Bin (sO called, which provides for a
general law for the Incorporation and mana cement OF
gas ,ompanes IN New YORK City. This bill will enable
new companies to freely organize. and removes many
unnecessary restrictions and hniraDces which hereto
fore prevented competition in the manufacture OF gas
1t will ea9ciuily destroy whatever monopoly mas exist
In the past ana cannot hoip proving
beneficial to the people.
81 also this day approved the Reilly BIZ ;
(socaIod), which fixes the price Of gas TO be
hereafter charged in the CITY OF New York
at the sum OF 81 % per 1000 cubic feet
This price all companies now or hereafter
organized The effect of this bil will be to bring i'm me-
date relief to the gas CONSUMERS OF New-iorA city,
bringing down price from 81 70 to 81 25 1000
cubic This is ali the reduction that has been In
sisted upon by any one at the present time
81 regret that unable to approve at present the
measure known the Murphy Commission bill. II pro-
vdes among other things for Gas Com mission consist
Ing OF persons. regulate and cDntro the affairs
OF the gas companies in the city OF NewYork. 1t has
asserted tn bill intended to be similar to
the act creating the state Boarl OF Railroad Commits
siouers ant confer greater powers II tas be so
1t has sgDaly failed The bill gives the commissioners
extraordinary powers AMI is unprecedented In Its char
acer. Ii the ssioners with judicial func-
tons power destroy property amounting to many
millions of dollars, II cOnfers powers in reference 10
gas companies which the Legislature never deemed 1t
wise to give to tn, Railroad Commissioners over the
railroad, OF the rne rush of important bills upon
me during the closing days OF the session is great that
have time point but few of the objections which
e approval OF The bill lupOssiDle.
The propriey OF esta aOshing Gas Commission with
limited powers carefully guarded AMI without the pre-
rogave OF exercising judicial functions the right
bonds In The hands OF concrdedly innocent holders, VIII
disputed But TINS bill much further than
that evidently has not received from The Le2ls
ldture that careful consideration which mp rtant
ana radical measure deserves. 1t assumes to
the cOmlnis sion power to discriminate be-
tween companies to the prices winch
each may charge for (See Section l2)
should be uniform. There should be no opportunity Or
favoritism unjust di crlminatOns II 1t Is de
srable tabl sh Gas Connisrion some similar
the Railroad Commission, the measure shoulI
not he limited the City Of New-Iork but
should be applicable TO the whole state
There il another objection to the present bill II pro-
yld that the ,iOners shall he appointed b. the
Mayor Controller and the Cnef Justce OF the Court
of Conmon Pleas lni, Il clearly improper. Local
As the chief of the city he Is the proper
exercise of such power. am strenuousy
UI pOseu cOnerrng appolntyo or administrative
powers upon judicial ofi ers."