The Farmington times. [volume] (Farmington, Mo.) 1874-1902, 1899-06-29
GOVERNOR APPROVED
The ST. Louis Street Railway Con-
solidation Bill
Ths KrscasiVs Of aI,soafi Gives fiis nea-
sons for siKalaE she Measure says
"a IsNol Trust sF Monopoly
The Gavernar's noasaus.

Gov. stephen has approved revised
lrnHtc bin No s. which authorizes the
consolidation of strrct railroads BE.
low thc governor gives his reasons for
tine approval;
June 10. 1899.
To the Secretary Of State:
Sir Il have the honor tu forward Ia
you herewith, with my approval In.
dorscd thereon. srnutc revised bin No.
p entitled AN act Ia revise and amend
chapter l5j Of the Re, i-cd statutes ot
Missouri, lSsp. and the amcndatury
acis. ihrntn. rntitlrd street RAii.
ruuds
This billwas presented to mc uu May
20. IsGo. within ten days before the
iinnl adjournment uf the fuNtrih
Vri rrnl assembly. and IL therefore for
waidrd iu you iu compliance with srr-
tion a. Of article Y Of the constitution
OF Missouri, 1875.
That section nf the constitution does
nat make 1t obligatory upon nae tu give
any reason for my action ~ approving
90 bill, or in the ease when : di-approtc
one but h docs not forbid my doing
s". ond I therefore take ihis "ppor.
tunity 20 express. the reasons which inn
pClicd my action.
This h,ll passed the senate hoy vote
o. 80 ayes 10 noes, there hrinr nb.
rtIirr-, aud 10 passed the house by q
Noi, Of 1i ayes 10 81 noes there being
10 ahsrutrcs, and with one exception
Hll the mcmbrrs from 81. Louis voted
fnr the measure. The cuncrnsus Of
upuiuu uf so large . proportion uf all
the members Of both branches Of the
general assembly in favor of the bin.
while not Of controlling power over
me, b. entitled 10 great consideration
guf tu proper respect, a~ 1t must br
constituents Unless. Therefore. the
hin or some of It's essential elements,
conflicts with the organic law or CON
tu'uurs O. principle ur established
policy Of the dominant party In our
state Co whose partiality I am iudrbt-
rI for the power to net I'm this matter,
and whose interests. under the luw, 10
is my plcasaut duty tn foster and
guard. should hesitate long before
Withholding my approval or setting up
ms opinion against the Judgment ~
muny able aud brilliant members Of
th, general assembly who voted 20
make this bin law.
The policy ~ the democratic party
has ever been to grant home rule" To
every locality ms far as II can bc done
consistent with proper regard for
the sovereignty Of the state, and with
the states obligation under the con.
stitution OF the United States. This
r. eNemplifed by section 20 of article
XII of the constitution which prohib-
lss thee aEns-al assembly from grant
ing the right 20 construct or oprmtr
n street railway within any city, town,
village or ON any public highway
without first acquiring the consent Of
the local authorities having control ~
the street or highway. Prior to the
adoption Of this provision the general
assembly was importuued a. every scs-
sion for grants Of such franchises, and
some ~ those granted did not prOur
eriy guard the public wclfnrc; so much
~ that the localities have ever since
been embarrassed in dealing with com
IruuirS hniding ihcsv state chutr,-.
Thif bin contains a prohibition against
rate street railrnnd on any street
without the consent Of the property
owners owning majority of the front
feet Of the property fronting on the
street where the street railroad IL to
ruL. This h. an invaluable safeguard
60 the property owners, and under the
conditions nuw existing in nearly all
larg, cities rs necessary tn preserve
the privacy and quiet On residence
streets. aud sccurr safety to travel in
private vehicles 10 the public.
Under our constitution all corporn-
tiOns mus, he organized under general
laws. and the general assembly Is
charged with the duty of providing
general laws adequate to cover all
kinds OF corporations. Heretofore We
have had no distinctive statute APP
plicubic TO street railroads, and they
have been organized under the g,ecral
strtu,e relating TO steam railroads,
which II manifestly not designed 10
cC,ci street railroad companies, or else
urder the statute relating to business
and manufacturing companies, which
IL not suitable to street railroad com
punies. This bill supplies this here
toiore uncovered field and makes spc.
cIal and suitable provision for the or
Ranization Of street railroad com.
paBics.
This bill authorizes street railroad
90 purchase, lease or acquire aud to
hold and operate any other street rail,
road. II is this grant Of power that
the opposition to the bill has been
directed. aud Il Is claimed that II ere
a,es or makes possible trust or mo.
ncpoiy. II the objection was well
taken II would bc my duty and my e=
pccial pleasure and pride TO veto the
bill, for the bllghting consequence
that are incident to and follow upon
the formation and maintenance OF all
pools and monopolies beggar dcscrip
ton, and wither the growth of man
hood and sap the foundations upon
which free government rests. 70 suci
unholy combinations is directly al.
tribu,ed the srumbling, decay and de
strueiion of all republican govern
men,s tina, have ever been attempted
in the history of the world, prior e
the organization of our government
amt II has been solely owing 20 tn,