New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-07
A GOOD RECORD TO EXTEND.

Governor Black Is making an envlable record
as stranger Of jobs. His first notable appear
ance in that capacity was when he informed
Mr. Lauterbach that the police reorganization
scheme which was joyfully concocted at one OF
the sessions Of the Republican Sunday school in
this city and wrought ont during five arduous
days and nights by Mr.. Lauterbach himself, was
contrary 10 proprety and policy, and, in short
wouldn't do al all 4 single rebuke did not con-
vince the authors and hnisher Of the bill that
the Governor could not be persuaded 10 accept
t. but second interview in the Executive Cham
Der. with Mr. Lauterbach and several other DIS
tinguished persons in attendance, left no doubt
In anybody's mind that the corpse being ready,
there was no advantage in delaying the funeral
The CONSERVATION which this meritOriOus act
produced in various quarters had not subsidized
when it became known that Speaker OGrady's
ABRUPT suppression Of the free transportation
bill was inspired 10y Governor Black, who had
no difficulty in recognizing that measure as
disreputable and in all probability an uncOnsti-
tutlonal device TO evade the Constitution Yes
terlay. for the third but we hope not the last
time. the Governor showed his sound sense and
his firm temper by causing the Job for increas-
ing the number Of Railroad Commissioners from
three TO five TO withdraw into the background,
whence it is not expected to emerge.
There is no question that Governor Black has
earned the public gratitude by his action on
these three bills. nor any doubt that he enjoys
the consciousness Of having done his duty and
the general commentator which he has re-
ceived His recent experience must therefore
incline him 10 maintain his vigilant watch over
legislation and to continue exercising his power
1,,l g,1 he ho odir II m
which would follow the passage Of bills affront
ing and depressing the people. There are several
such bills before the Legislature now and they
seem to be strongly supported. One Of them is
the mOnstrOus COncourse and Boulevard JOB.
which would cost this city 100000, according
to the lowest estimate, and probably twice that
amount 1t is fostered only by the certainty
that It would give fat salaries FOR an indefinite
term Of years to the special commissioners APP
pointed TO execute It, and the expectation that
it would richly reward political activity II is
wholly without present justification from any
point Of view, Is utterly inconsistent with the
provisions Of the charter 70 which its sponsors
are committed, and has Just been additionally
dlscredited In a striking manner by the refusal
Of General Burnett, named in the bill as
OF the commissioners 10 serve in that capacity.
Another Job Of similar character and perhaps OF
equal magnitude is the Bronx Valley Sewer
project, and there are others'-how many it
IS impossible AT this stage IN the proceedings 10
say.
In view Of the course which he has already
taken with reference TO favored schemes Of per-
sonal and political plumber il must be assumed
that Governor Black Is now regarding these
surviving bills with watchful and anxious care.
We do not believe that they will ever receive
his signature, but they ought not 70 make fur
Their progress. or even be left in sight. They are
doing constant harm by the conviction which
they produce throughout the State, that unwise
and unworthy purposes are sure Of strong sup
port al the Capitol Moreover they are in the
way Of measures which need to be passed. The
Governor Is Ia a position 10 end their existence
without delay, 10 his own credit and the salts
faction Of the public. He could not do better
than follow his own shining example.