The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-07-28

City solicitor James II. Torrey. Wh)
was chairman of the COMMITTEES Of the
recent municipal conventions OF the
cities of the third class in the state
organized for the purpose CT securing
needed legislation, was seen at his office
yesterday and made the following
statement to Tribune reporter in con-
nection with the report that the bill
had been vetoed by the governors.
Il am simply astonished to learn for
the first time through the public press
that the bill amending the charters of
the cities of the third class was yes
terday vetoed by the governor. without
any intimation having reached me that
it was in any respect Objectionable.
Immediately upon the adjournment Of
the Legislature / wrote to the COVER
nor the following letter:
July 6, 1897
Hon. Daniel II. Hastings, Harrisburg, Pa.
My dear sir: l am informed by Sena-
tor Vaughn that File of the Senate No.
1884, Flo fclio No. 2277, entitled an act to
revise and amend an act providing for
the Incorporation and government of cities
of the third class, approved May %, 1889,
enlarging modifying and defining the pow
ers of cities of the third class, has fin-
ally passed the legislature, and is in
your hands for executive action. The bill
was the result of the conference of the
representatives of all third class cities
of the state, who assembled in Williams
port last fall. Myself, w. ID. Crocker.
esq, city soicitor of Williamsport. ara
A. A. Cochrane, esq, city solicitor of
Chester, Were appointed a committee to
take charge OF the bill before the legts-
lature.
/ know of no opposition to it from any
source. Its purpose has been to correct
some defects and supply some COMMISSIONS
in general third class city legislation.
Should there be any question arising in
your mind with reference to the bill,
which makes it desirable that a fuller
explanation should be made, l shall take
pleasure in coming myself and notify my
associates upon the committee to appear
before you at any time which may suit
your convenience. Unless such appoint
ment is made l shall assume that the
bill will receive your approval in due
course of time.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
James II. Torrcy.
GOVERNORS REPLY.
To this letter 1 received q prompt
reply as follows:
July s, 1897.
James II. Torrey, esq, City Solicitors S
Office, Scranton, Pa.
Dear sir: Your letter of the 9th inst.
to the governor received. Senate Bill No.
1& has been noted and filed of record for
consideration in connection with said BILL
and should the governor Ind any diff
ficulty in disposing of same, you will be
informed of a hearing if 1t is granted,
which is always the case when there IS
any opposition to Il bill.
Very truly yours,
Henry +. Bietler,
Private secretary.
81 Immediately communicated the
action l had taken" said Mr.. Torrey,
''to the other members of the commit
tee, who gave it their approval. The
following facts appear clearly in the
foregoing correspondence: First, the
bill was passed by the practically unan-
imous wish of all the cities of the third
class after most deliberate considera-
tion in conventions and committees,
they being the municipalities in the
state affected by it; second, no oppo-
sition was developed to the bill during
its passage through the Legislature;
third, the governor was promptly ad-
vised Of the above facts and of the
names Of the committee who had the
bill in charge; fourth, from the last
clauses of The above quoted letters to
and from the governor the committee
were justified in assuming that in the
absence of any notification OF objec-
tions to the bill and full opportunity
to be heard in support of it, it would
receive executive approval.
I'm view Of these facts, and in cor
sideration of the immense demands
upon the governors time and attention
by reason of the very large number
of bills awaiting his action at the ad-
journmcnt of the legislature, the COM
| mittee refrained from troubling him
with any personal interviews in re-
! gard to the matter. Such portions OF
| the memorandum accompanying the
veto, as are quoted in the public press
| give no intimation of the real ground
| for its disapproval; and so far as | an
| concerned have not the remotest idea
what considerations may have inhu.
enced him in his action.
THE COMMITTEES POSITION.
''The foregoing statement seems nee,
essary to relieve the committee of any
| suspicion of neglect of the duty witt
which it was charged. 1 can only ex,
| press my regret that the cities of thu
| third class are thus deprived without
a hearing of the benefits which seen
to them would be derived from thu
| amendments of their charter provl
sions. Their labors will not be entrel,
lost if the bill which has been the sub
| ject of so much thought and considera
| tiCn shall meet better success at tht
| next session of the LEGISLATURE"