New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-13
CRITICISES THE MAYOR.
GOvemor in Vetoing Remsen Bill
Raps City Legislators.
rsr TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1BUNEI


Albany May 12.-Governor Odeu to-day killed
the Remsen East River Gas bill. generally re-
sarded as one Of the worst measures that passed
the recent legislature, and, in vetoIng It, issued
q long and vigorous statement critcising the ac
fion of Mayor Mcclellan IN approving the bill,
confirming the general impression that the meas
ure gave away a perpetual franchise, and Incl
dentaly severely criticising the attitude OF New
York members Of the legislature in endeavoring
To violate the home rule principle, which the
Governor asserts Is hagrantly violated in the
Remsen bill
OF the Mayors action Governor Odell says:
Giving all due weight to the honesty Of pur-
pose which actuated the Mayor in his approval
If this measure, and with no desire in any way
TO impugn his motives, l am OF the opinion that
in approving this bill he has disregarded every
principle OF home rule. ana mas gwen greater 5eI
weight and consideration to the appeals OF those
who are interested in securing the rights be-
slowed by this bill than TO the almost universally
expressed public opinion. which must have been
known TO him as it Is TO me.
It is my opinion that If honest effort is
made to secure more husinesslike and equable
adjustment Of the questions involved in this pro-
posed act as between the municipality Of New
York and the company which seeks these rights.
then bill that will be fair to both interests
can be prepared and such authority vested in
the city under it that will render easy more
satisfactory settlement than can possibly be
complfshed under this proposed act It is better
ire which is so questionable, even though the
delay may temporarily prevent the removal to
Astoria Of plants which are now menace, per
haps, to the health and property Of the citizens
of NeW-York-
The bill itself he denounces as a gross viola
tion of the constitutional and statutory restric-
lions, which have been heretofore passed upon
10y the people and enacted by the legislature for
the protection Of the streets and the vested
rights Of the citizens Of the municipalities of the
State"
or the part of the Legislature in the matter
hnd especially OF some of the New York City
representatives. the Governor says:
have observed that during the last session
of the legislature there has been. perhaps TO a
greater degree than during the three preceding
years Of my ncumbency Of the Office Of Gov
ernor, greater disregard upon the part of some
of the representatives OF the city OF New-York
Tor the principles Of home rule. While the leeis-
laiure is personally responsible. yet the facts
Ehow that nearly all those measures which seek
10 bestow valuable rights or TO evade the con
stltuuonal and statutory provisions for municipal
home rule have had their sponsors the repre-
1eatatives Of the city itself
AGAINST FURTHER INTERFERENCE.
There should be no further attempts upon the
~ OF the Legislature Of this State to interfere
with the local management of these matters in
any municipality within borders. II there
is not sufficient power lodged in The local legis-
lative bodies of the city Of New-York to prop
eriy meet The question raised by this proposed
ret then the legislature should grant such au-
bliempteo IN matters so purely Of local concern.
The Governor summarizes the history Of the
legislation which this bill was ostensibly in
tended 10 perfect, and says:
While I an inclined to think that perhaps
1or The time being or. rather, by the present
owners, II IS not intended 70 take the extra
territorial privileges. which are apparently
= IaAIed by this bill yet when We realize the
lact mat this law VIII stand until repealed if
enacted; that the rights conferred are in per-
!S1uly, placing this corporation in a position
IIal would be impregnable, then the suggestion
coihes 10 my mind whether we would not in our
gIort TO clear Up the title OF this franchise in
Long Island City place a cloud upon the title
=. ~ the people IA all the boroughs Of the mu-
.-cipaHty which would render Ineffective and
Imperative the provisions OF their charter for
0oIIspensation and limited franchises
a l Were satisfied that the effect Of the pro-
1Se9 49,, law would be TO continue only the rights
ST. ba-Cl had been granted heretofore, then /
tuOuIa not hesitate to give this bill my approval,
Dseause | recognize. whether the original act
ls as IN the direction OF sound governmental
49,; aCy or not that 1t did vest certain rights
~nleh no subsequent Legislature, except for the
Sl,sssst abuse OF its powers or failures 10 per-
Ie-s IN Its functions as n corporation, should in
E.nefe with repeal.
,iIre mere u such grave danger that the courts
+Is Isn't interpret this proposed bill so as TO In
< oue the whole five boroughs of the city that l
41si mat I'm the interest Of the public more
sptcihe description should be given to the
.Ateht and scope of the proposed law. And
e ..ere IS nc excuse for feignng ignorance on this
!aN4Iit because almost identically the same bill
~aS passed by the legislature of 1903. and failed
=. 80 receive the approval OF Mayor Low for prac-
NesIIy the reasons which have assigned
BILL COULD BE EASILY AMENDED.
y, therefore no greater rights were sought, IT
.%ou9 nave been comparatively easy matter
Ut Ut nose having the bill in charge TO have so
headed il rs to overcome the objections to
which have alluded.
me Governor sFeaks of the "widospread and
universal distrust" of the measure. adding that
pubic condemnation. evidenced by the press
ana thousands of letters which have received,
mas peen aroused. are also reasons why
'nouid give TO the protests of the people. not
my OF the city Of New-York. but OF the State
mat Consideration which is due them" The
Governor adds
Liee Inc dissipation by municipalities of privileges
VII nlSH should have been source of income as
"en as protection TO them" directly led to the