New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-02-01
RAPID TRANSIT ATTAINED.
THE STEWART BILL SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
HILL.
IN HIS MEMORANDUM HE SAYS THE ENACT
MENT OF THE MEASURE MARKS THE
TRIUMPH OF THE PRINCIPLE
OF HOME RULE.
YRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT THE 1RIBuSE.

ryRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT THE 1RIBUSE.
Albany. Jan. 3l.-Tbe Ncw-York Rapid-Iransit
bill is law. II was signed by Governor Hi
to-day shortly before noon, after he had MADE
careful inspection of il TO learn whether or moi
any interpretations had been made in the engroSScd
copy of the bill lie found none, and at once
signed the measure. With the bill he filed with
the Secretary of State the following memorandum
The enactment of this bill is a cause for con
graduation to the people of New-lork not only
because il seems TO assure to that city the speedy
requirement OF much needed means vi i"Pi,,'
transit. but because il also marks the trump.
of the principle OF home ruie-SO VITAL u '"o
welfare of municipalities. .
For years the people Of newborn nave ap
pealed to the Legislature for such ieSialauoi
as would remove the obstacles TO Tapld udllSlt'
but influences hostile to the recognition OF INV
home rule principe have until now prevented
q favorable response to the appeal Ihcre iaS
been no question of the necessity lot such cElSI'
ton there have been no radical or irreconcli'Die
differences of opinion as TO the nature or uet1is
of the desired relief; there has been pracucaiII
DO controversy over what should cons'i ,o onIr
salient provisions of the desired law tnc oIinS
real contention has been over the appointment
of the Rapid Transit Commissioners. ,.
Ingenious devices have been reSOrteu 10 "hClou?
LEGISLATION might be secured at the sacT-
flee of the principle OF nome, ruic' cI
the measure which was orglnaHy PROPOSE t,
by the majority in the Legislature Il Ae"tl 10
the names of the commissioners were lhserleu .nc
LEGISLATURE thereby uSurplng an e\ccutivc luIo
ton and denying to the city of YORK t!c
right which il should always have, through Ils
properly constituted officers, to choose It's OWL
commissioners for duties of exclusive local con
Germ 1t was subsequently, proposed to give 10 'ic
Governor and Legislature the Joint authority 10
appoint the commissioners. This was an equal
violation of the hOmc-rue principle, and II prop
erly failed Neither the Governor nor the Legs
lature nor both, should he invested WIN lhc
power which our Constitution, in its spirit, has
wisely conferred on local authority. -
These attempts to ignore Il vital polltlcal pih
ciple lost New-Yorl rapid-transit legislation last
year. as they had before This year. fortunately
the changed complexion of the Legs stature, re-
sulting from the overwhelming popular yerdici
last November. has made promptly possible the
much-desired legislation. In the bill now enacted
the principle of home-rulc is definitely sustained
The right Of the Mayor TO appoint the commission
ers, and the Legislatures recognition OF ms
recently appointed commissioners, are distinctly
affirmed. Ever the suggestion of deprving MN
of the power 10 fill vacancies in the commission
first insisted upon, has been abandoned whole
some and sound legislative precedent has been
thoroughly established. after a long and needless
controversy.
This new law may subsequently be found 10
contain provisions of questionable propriety but
whatever corrections deemed necessary by the
commissioners will doubtless receive the ready
consideration Of the Legislature. Inc blll seems
to be drawn with great care and with earnest
regard for the city's interest
DAVID. B. HILL.