New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-23
RAPID TRANSIT BILL SIGNED.
GOVERNOR FLOWER DOES NOT THINK
1T CAN DO SERIOUS HARM"

HE THINKS HE SEES WHEREIN 1T Is CONTRARY
TO TIE SPIRIT OF THE CONSTITUTION. But is
CONTENT TO LET THE RESPONSIBILITY
REST WITH THE PEOPLE OF NETWORK
tBr TELEGRAPH TRIBuSEl
Albany. May Ex-Governor Flower has signed
the Chamber OF Commerce Rapid Transit bill,
one OF the great reform measures passed by the
Republican Legislature. The Democratic Legis-
latures OF 1892 and 1S93 governed by Tammany
Hail. which was receiving large contributions
from the Manhattan Elevated Railway. refused
to pass such an act
Governor Flower, while approving the meas
ure. apparently does so with reluctance, for he
has attached long memorandum to the bill
filled with indirect criticisms Of It, He even
says: There is serious doubt whether this bill
will not further postpone rather than hasten the
boon Of rapid transit for NewYork City He
then goes to state constitutional objections
to BILL and point out various other bemishes
which it possesses and ntimates his doubts OF
the Rapid Transit Commissioners ability to
comply with all the conditions preliminary to the
submission Of the question Of municipal owner
ship of the rapid transit road before October l.
Referring TO the provision for the renewal OF
the lease to the constructing and operating cor
think Just and proper the Governor says
1t would seem wiser to have placed some mita-
ton upon the power OF the new Rapid Transit
Commissioners TO contract for such unlimited re-
the Rapid Transit Commissioners TO give to the
constructing and operating corporation perpetua
lease OF the entire rapid transit system. upon
rental which might possibly be only Az per cent or
the cost OF construction. such corporation being
Obliged to invest OF it's own capital only money
enough TO equip and operate the road Whte IL ~
not probable and is practically Impossible. that the
Commissioners should perpetuate such an outrage
vet IL is not wise to confer such unlimited powers
upon any of the ofncials
The first constitutional objection. that the
measure is a piece Of special legislation. seems
not TO have appealed strongly TO Governor
Flower. At least. he dismisses 1t as not proven
after citing several decisions Of the courts
Upon the question Of the constltuionality Of
the clause providing for the appointment OF the
commissioners. he says:
Although believe such action by the Legislature
be contrary the spirit and intent OF the Cpnsu
tuition yet 1t seems to be within the letter OF the
6S Sns thu ccart Of Of Appeals APP G,%O's Has ''
Regarding The loan OF the city's credit in aid
Of L private corporation. his conclusion Is as
follows:
The road In such is to be constructed Tor
therefor by the city the road is be owned by the
city and. although the method adopted ma I' ,p
constitution vet II seems TO be clearly within the
letter and general spirit OF this constitutional pro
vision
other minor objections have been raised 20 the
bill which ~ IS not necessary to further DISCUSS
IL already sufficiently appears that the problem OF
rapid transit for New-York Guy Is not easy OF
practical solution. | consider this bill sincere at
Tempt TO solve the problem But other equally SIN
cere attempts have preceded IL and have failed
IL may be that this measure VIII postpone the
final solution Of the problem until II also IN its
turn can be repealed. and new attempt made ny
further legislation but. II such be the unfortunate
result the experience OF one more attempt ana
failure will furnish guidance for II new hct "hich
shall avoid the possible blunders OF this. But 10
not think the hill can DO serious harm. and the
nu,l re,ponsiblty for it's efficiency for good or
evil rests. where IL ought 10 rest. with the people
OF the city 81 Ney-Nork