New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-04
lie GOTERNONS OPPORTCNITY

HE GOj EHNOAS orr Oh L NII
The opinion Of those who advocated rs well
as Of those who opposed the Ncw-Nork city
bills before the Governor on Wednesday is that
he will veto all of them except the Rapid Tran
sit bill and that its fate is in doubt This OK
ppctation corresponds perfectly 10 the prevailing
estimate of the Governors political character
and mental qualify. 1t has been assumed since
the beginning of the public discussion and lcSis-
lative debate which resulted in the passage OF
these great measures tn promote the common
honor and welfare Of this community that he
would take all necessary pains TO ascertain
what the Democratic bosses wanted and net
accordingly. The bosses have declared AGAINST
the reform bills and therefore the Governor *
expected 10 veto them. They have not cared
70 oppose the Rapid Transit bill, and therefore
he nav sign it. His record amply iuStfeS the
general assumption If it should miraculouSy
prove 10 he erroneous those who are most
familiar with the record and best capable OF
Judging the man will be most astonishcd.
Mr. Bcckman. who drafted the original Cham
Der of Commerce bill. and who though. liz"
many others he regrets the referendum amend
ment nevertheless earnestly desires to see the
bin as passed become law. and advocated it
with his customary thoroughnoSS before the
Governor on Wednesday, is inclined 10 think II
will be signed. But there Is some reason for
anxiety about it. since the Governor Is said 70
have been much impressed with the argument
of Mr. Mason who opposed il at the hearing
WHY be should have been does not appear from
the published reports of Mr.. Mason'S remarks,
which seem To have been chiefly assertions Of
private belief which Mr.. BcckmanS conclusive
citation of preccdcntS ought 10 have under
mined. We are quite ready to admit that lcgS-
lative enactmcnts involving popular vote upon
their provisions are not in harmony with our
system OF representative government. but as 10
their validity there cannot be the slightest quos-
ton. SO long as respect is paid 10 numerous
precedent, judcially sustained. Nor is there
any better ground for diSputing the conSiitu-
tionalitv Of a bill which names Commission
crs 10 carry il into effect That point has been
settled over and over again by the highest au-
thority As to the capacity Of the city to issue
bonds for the purpose and within the limits de-
scribed in the Rapid Transit bill and TO enter
into such n contract AZ II contcmplatcs, we do
not understand that any doubt is seriously en-
tertained by any competent authority. though
some persons may honestly question lHc "uNdH-
taCc Of the scheme.
Practically therefore. the dcSirability OF ON
barking in the projected enterprise is the only
thing left in dispute, and that is committed To
the people for decision next November. Mr..
Mason says that the people care nothing for the
Chamber of Commerce bill per So. If he means
that they care nothing for 1t merely because II
cmanatcd from that organization, he Is right.
But there is Il great deal of evidence To show
that most Of those whose judgment is valuable
believe that II offers the best chance Of RELIEF
from a miserable situation which the com
muniry has ever had or Is likely 20 have for Il
long time 10 come. and that they give proper
weight 10 the opinion Of the sagaciouS and sue
ccssful men who compose the Chamber OF Com
mcrcc II may be regretted on many accounts
that Il question Of such vital importance should
have 10 be submitted 10 popular vote, especially
under such conditions as will exist ~ the next
election: but it Is our firm belief that the ac-
ccptance Of this measure, even with the rcfcrcn-
dunn provision. Is far wiser than further post
pon"mcnt of action. And inaSmuch as The GOV
error has been left practically free 10 choose
between giving and Withholding his approval.
we still hope that he will respond 10 public opin
ion in This case thong. he may be constrained
10 20 against II in every other.