The San Francisco call., 1897-02-17
Objects to Giving Increased
Powers to Trustees
of Towns.
Thinks the People Should Vote
on the Subject of New
Improvements.
In a Second Message the Chief. Ex.
ecutive Says That No Money
Should Be Sent to Nashville.

SACRAMENTO, CAL, Feb. 16.-Two
veto messages from the Governor varied
the monotony of the Senate proceedings
to-day.
One of the bills disapproved by Cover
nor Budd is Senate bill 8, introduced by
Senator Beard and relating TO the powers
OF the trustees OF the cities of Alameda,
Berkeley and others in the same class.
The Governor is of the opinion thai the
powers conferred by the bill are too broad
10 be safely placed in the hands of board
OF trustees. He suggests some amend.
ments, and intimates that in the amended
form the measure would receive his sig
nature. The text of this veto message
follows:
The amendment made by this bill to the
eXlstlng laws governing municl clpalities of the
ciass therein designated, adds TO section the
loL OWING words: ITO purchase, lease or con-
struct water works and electric plants and all
machinery, conductors and appliances neces-
saFy therefor and to supply such city with and
to sell TO the inhabitants thereof, water, light,
heat and power, etc." thus giving to the
boar1 OF Trustees of such city greatly
increased powers. l very seriously doubt the
advSability OF conferring upon Boards of
trustees the power, etc, Ito purchase, ease or
cons truct water works and electric plants, and
all the machinery. conductors and appliances
necessary therefor, unless the proposition 10
so purchase, lease or construct be submitted
TO tine legal voters OF such city at either gem
era! or special election, and their approval of
Such proposition be gwen by such vote.
1t Will be recognized that while this power
is in some cases limited by the constitution
and by other sections of the law, still there
are 40 limitations in the section itself. 1t is
the latest expression OF the legislative will
upon the subject and the other limitations
might be often easily overcome by governing
bodies.
The purpose of the act is undoubtedly most
comme nda Bile one, but the extent OF the cost
should first be ascertsined and the question
submitted 10 the people as to ether they de-
sire to so build, or purchase, or lease, and to
assume the additional lax necessary for said
purposes. limitation on this section by a
provlso that the water works, electric plants
and all mach inerv. conductors and appliances
necessary therefor shall not exceed in price
the sum OF from 0,000 to $l5 900 would un-
ooubtedly relieve the bill OF many of its objec-
tionabe features.
If a further proviso was added that in all
cases where the estimated cost and expense
necessary for the purchase, lease or construc-
ton OF such plants or the erection of such
works exceeded said sums the proposition
should be submitted to the people ior their
votes, the act would be further improved.
without such safeguards it can be easily seen
what temptations will be offered persons or
corporations owning water works, electric
plants or similar property, to influence
trustees or councIlmen to purchase or lease
said works or plants for the City. ct an extrav-
agant cost or upon the conditions which the
taxpayers who will have to psy for them
would not sanction, and might vigorously op-
pose. To give the power conferred by this bin
to boards OF trustees or Councilmen. without
the express sanction of q vote of the people
who will have to meet the cost of the con tenn
plated purchase or lease is dangerous and
would prove unsatisfactory, and In many in
stances oppressive. With the amendment sug-
gested can see no objection TO the bill, and in
such amended form would be pleased to see it
become law.
Motives of economy prom pied Governor
Rn16 tn " rite h "a fa
introduced by Senator Smith. This is an
act approprIating money to pay the ex-
penses OF collecting, preparing, forward
ing, installing and maintaining, taking
down and returning an exhibit OF the
products of the State of California a. the
Tennessee Centennial Exposition TO be
held in Nashville in 1897. This is the
Governors language disapproving the
measure:
l seriously doubt the advisabilty OF ex-
penditures of the character contemplated by
tn Dill. Exhi bitions of a similar nature TO
the Nashville Centennial EXT osition are held
with comparative frequency within the United
States, and while their purpose is laudable
and their maintenance advantageous a Stale
appropriation to maintain an exhibition at
each of them would result in great apgre-
gate expenditure without resulting general
benefit.
have but recently approved of an appro-
priation for the maintenance of an exhibition
a Guatemala, but the cases are not parallel
Guatemala Is a foreign country, new and in
process OF rapid development Her markets
are i'll receptive condition, ready TO be ap-
propriated by the most enterprising foreign
countries. Our country is rich in the products
which her people consume; her markets are
convenient to our shores, and | believe il ad-
visabe that this State should expend q lin
tied sum in the development of a market so
convenient OF access and s. rich in its prom
lse- The Nashville Exposition, upon the con-
irary, Is within the borders of a sister State
already familiar with our products and q pur.
chaser OF our commodities. That the con-
sumption of he products of our soil ard their
sale NAV be promoted by this and similar ex-
hlbltions do not deny; but when we consider
the frequency with which such exhibitions
are held, that they are conducted by our own
peopc, within the confines of our own conn
Try, and that TO appropriate money to exhibit
preparation for all, feel constrained TO with
hold my consent to this bill.
We have heretofore appropriated $500 600
for an exhibition of our various products a nd
resources at Chicago and $40, 900 for an exhi-
bition at New Orleans. These exhibitions
were international, and tho conditions sur
rounding them were such justified the ex-
penditure. They resulted in advertising our
resources within the limits of the United States
to an extent which renders unnecessary the
enactment of Senate bill 1873. The pronosed
exhibition at Nashville lacks the features
which distinguished those at Chicago and
New Orleans.
IN view of the great expenses which apnro-
priations similar to the one contem plated by
this bill might ultimately entail / am con.
vinced that the general wei fare will be best
subserved by leaving to private enterprise the
DEVELOPMENT OF our domestic markets