New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-06-12
THE ELEVATOR BILL SIGNED.

GOVERNOR HILL GIVES HIS REAsoNs-Too BUSY TO
DISCOVER THE MERITS OF THE MEASURE
Albany June I1.-Governor Hill has approved the
McEvoy Elevator BILL or Assembly Bill No. SOL en-
titled An act to regulate the fees and charges for
elevatng, trimming, receiving, weighing and dis
charging grain, by means OF floating and stationary
elevators and warehouses in this State" In the
memorandum filed with the bill the Governor gives
his reasons in substance as follows:
The opponents OF the measure object to 1t upon two
grounds First 1t is unconstitutional TO regulate
by what charges be made for the use OF private
elevators second that the charges fixed arc an insult
lcent compensation, and will disarouy affect business
In reference the first ground, IL must be admitted
that there may exist doubt 10 the constitution
allty Of the bill portions thereof But the Supreme
Court OF the United States In the case Of Mum VS..
Illinois "a Otto, 113) to have decided in favor OF
the existence Of this power TO regulate tho charges OF
whether hoy used by corporations or ind
viduas and bound respect such decision and 10
abide thereby irrespective Of personal opinion which
1 might otherwise entertain. cannot be expected TO
disregard the deliberate decision Of the highest court In
the land and although the opponents Of this bill attempt
TO distinction between the Illinois case and the
restrictions imposed under this BILL Tor which there IS
apparently foundation, yet the claim made wouid
appropriately addressed to the courts than
to the Executive. therefore conceive 1t to be my
province to leave the question 10 the courts.
reference the second ground, it may be stated
find great difficulty in reconcIing the conflicting
claims Of the friends and opponents OF the bill 1t Is
side the charges permitted In the
bill are reasonable and sufficiently remuneratve while
1t is claimed that they are meagre as
to virtually destroy business. Among the multitude OF
my engagements and the large number Of bills demanding
my attention, have had sufficient opportunity TO
thoroughly investigate the subject The Legislature in
its wisdom establish certain rate OF COM
pensation, and must assume under the circumstances
that this not done except after due investigation ana
deberauon. The bill may do injustice TO the parties
affected by it, but not prepared TO intelgenty de-
eide that does do have power or opportunity
to take evidence the profits which 1t is claimed eieva
tors are making may be that the clause In the first
of the bill, limiting the charges in certain cases
actual Of trimming and shoyeling 20 the leg
the is Of doubtful expedIency, and imperls
cOnstutiOnality OF the measure, but this is also
contested question the II after fair and
impartial trial OF its merits 1t fails 10 accomplish the
benefcent purposes confidently predicted for IT. and
either fails materially benefit the people in whose be-
half IL is specially urged proves destructive oil elevator
property and interests unwarantaby Injuries or Grip
pies them or it is shown that the charges re-
fair and reasonable profit the capital
invested be earned 1t Is believed that its prompt
repeal modification would surely follow. But until
these facts shall be demonstrated by actual results con-
slider it TO be duty the measure In order that
its merits may be thoroughly tested
Great Indignation expressed yesterday by the
members of the Produce Exchange when the news
reached them that Governor Hill had signed the McEvoy
Elevator bill. President A. L. Orr said that he
would call meeting of the grain merchants, steam
ship and elevator owners and all people interested to
devise some plan of action to meet the losses which
that the bill has become law Mr.. Orr said that when
/ the Exchange committee visited Albany to protest
the statistics and facts placed before him that the
bill was not only gross injustice to the elevator
owners, grain merchants ship owners aud boatmen,
New-YOrk