New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-19
WHY HE VETOED BONDBILL
ODELL GIVES REASONS.
BelieUes City Has Fall Liberty
Under Home Rule Act.

Albany May 1S-Governor Odell returned
from Newburg tonight and at once turned his
attention to reports that the fiscal officers Of
New-York City were especially disturbed over
his veto of the Hornidge bill. raising from
S1.OOOOOO to 100000 the limit of special reve-
nue. bonds to be issued by three-fOurth vote
Of the Board OF Estimate and ApportiOnment
He also listened TO reports that serious embar-
rassment would ensue to the city government.
and that he had enforced the curtailment of
street and park opening work. and of playground
extension and vacation and night schools The
Governor said:
IT wonder that people in New-York after all
the talk of home rule and local autonomy. fail to
recognize it when it is actually within their
grasp. 1 signed the Home Rule bill of the Sen
ate Cities Committee. OF the fruits of the
Republican home rule conference. which gives
the Board OF Aldermen of New-York City prac-
ticaly unlimited power TO issue bonds for al
most any conceivable municipal purpose. 1t is
chapter 400 of the Laws of 1904. 1t expressly
covers schoohouses and sites and Fairgrounds.
and all facilities. improvements and equipment
relating thereto. 1t requires only majority
vote of the Board OF Estimate and Apportion-
ment for the issue OF bonds for these purposes
instead OF three-fourths vote. as required by
the Hornidge bill
Now. so far as the special revenue bond limit
IS concerned. Chapter 400 further provides that
I'm addition to the specific purposes hereinbe-
fore set forth. the Board OF Aldermen may also
create loans and authorize the issue of bonds
Tor any other purpose connected with the eXer-
else OF the various powers conferred by this act
upon the City OF New-York any department
or official thereof; provided, however. that no
bonds or other evidences OF Indebtedness shall
be issued for such additional purposes unless
FIRST approved by unanimous vote OF the
Board OF Estimate and Apportonment, entered
upon the minutes of record Of said board"
The omnibus veto included bills regarded as
Of lie al
ready signed. and the Hornidge bill was vetoed
on that ground only. l advised. and II
seems TO me absolutely clear. that Chapter 400
gives TO the New-York City authorities ample
need whatever. quite effectively as the
Hornidge bill could have done.
Assistant Corporation Counsel Guy moreover
wrote me on April 49, asking to be notified OF
might desire information. l wrote him on May
q that would be glad TO see him, as there were
several bills which l could not see my way 10
approve. On the mean while had signed Chap
ter 400. the Home Rule bin. On May he
wrote me that important city litigation would
prevent his coming. and he added: Most of the
important city bills have already been approved
by your excellency. and l feel confident that
without further presentation OF the bills now
before you they will be disposed of by you as
VIII best promote the interests OF the city and
its citizens"
Chapter 400 the city had all the bond issuing
power necessary to meet the purposes of the
Hornidge bill, or for street openings, play
grounds, vacation and night schools. or any
proved solely because 1 believed. as I stiIl be-
leve firmly, its intent fully met in the
home rule law, Chapter 400. signed by me on
April IS