New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-02-08
4 RIGHTEOUS VETO.

Governor Flower has earned the gratitude
of every good citizen of this State by his veto
of the iniouitous McCar,y bill. TIE TRIBUNE
would be false TO all it's honorable traditions
and wantonly Indifferent to the interests OF
wholesome government aRd public morality II
it were to neglect to commend his action mere
" because he is Democratic Executive. 1t
is always the duty of a public journal to set
aside partisan considerations and to support
a political opponent in high Office whenever he
recognizes the obligations of his trust as the
servant of the people. This is what Governor
Flower has done in vetoing legislation designed
for the relief of the Brooklyn officials impll-
Gated in the Columbian celebration scandal
and indicted by the Grand Jury. He has not
been influenced by the reckless haste and
unanimiy with which his party associates have
railroadcd through the Legislature an enabling
act for qrashng cim;na! indictments and civil
proceedings against prominent group OF poll
ticans He has taken an independent stand
and vindcated his right to be ranked among
the honest. courageous and right-minded Gov
ernors of this Commonwealth
LAWYER Gaynor himself could not have writ
ten more logical or convincing veto message.
The Governors objection to the measure on
constitutional grounds involves technically
over which the lawyers of the Legislature may
bubble successfully. since the two subjects
embraced in it, while relating TO the acts OF
county and city officials, are virtually one and
the same matter-a Joint celebration authorized
by two bodies. That objection. even it well
founded could be removed by the introduction
and passage Of two bills in place of the vetoed
measure. But Governor Flower wisely re-
Trains from charging upon this legal technl-
cal,ty. and concentrates his argument upon the
impropriety of wholesale conformation by the
Legislature of fragrant violations of law. lie
cites the resolution of the Common Council
PASSED March 81. 1892. and directing the Cor
poraton Counsel to submit 10 the Legislature
bill authorizing the transfer OF $4,000 TO
the contingent fund for celebration use. as di-
rect evidence that the officials were aware that
they could not legally expend the money. The
law was not enacted, but the municipal officials
condemned by their own resolution. expended
the money Governor Flower Justly concludes
that the Legislature ought not to sanction
municipal acts committed not in ignorance but
with positive knowledge of their Illegally.
Moreover, the Governor demonstrates that
these ats involved fragrant violation OF the
city charter. Expenditures aggregatng $50. 600
were incurred without public advertisements
bidding and contract and the bills were not
itemized when audited and paid. He shows
that the charter is explicit i'll requiring adj
vertisement and contract with the lowest
bidder for every expenditure exceeding $3.50 I;
and also in providing that no claim shall be
audited unless made out in items. lie declares
that fundamental safeguards for economical
and honest administration were broken down,
and that such practices ought not TO be en-
couraged by the Legislature The acts OF the
county officials he condemns for similar rea-
sons, and protests on public grounds against
legislation tending to parayze the work OF the
Grand Jury and to obstruct the course OF civil
proceedings for damages.
This is what every good citizen will regard
as an impregnable veto. Politicians may snecr
at it as an act of political revenge on the part
of the Governor directed against the foul
mouthed Brooklyn gang who sought to pre-
vent his nomination by passionate defamation
in a Democratic convention. When political
vengeance takes the form either OF cOnscen-
tious discharge of public duty or Of righteous
indignation over corrupt and scandalOus ad-
ministIation, it is nothing less than robust
civic virtue. Governor Flower is absolutely
right when he declares that the enactment of
this measure will encourage municipal officers
everywhere in maladminstration, and that to
fix On these Brooklyn officials the civil and
criminal liability of their illegal acts will be
TO inculcatc wholesome lesson. The people
of this State will sustain that veto. We call
upon every Republican member of the Lcgis-
ature to support it. If the Democratic ma
iority seek to override it they should have no
assistance from the opposition.
no STREET CARS IN FIFTH-1TE