The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-05-09
RIPPER BILLS ACTED ON
Gov Pennypacker Signs One and
Vetoes Two Others.
GOES INTO EFFECT IN APRIL, 1907

Governor Says II Would Be Better
For the Administration Of PhiladeI-
phia II the Power Of the Mayor Is
Lessened.
Harrisburg. Pa. May 6.-Goyernor
Pcnnypackcr signed one Of the bills
known as Philadelphia Ripper ana
vetoed the two companion bills. The
bin signed provides for the election by
city councils instead of appointment
by the mayor Of the directors OF public
works and public safety. The bills We
toad provided for the election Of mo
directors OF public supplies and public
health and charities. The bill signed
goes into effect the first Monday OF
April. 1901. when the next mayor takes
Office
The Governor comments on his action
I'm a long opinion. in which he discusses
his action ON the three bills. He says
that there can be- no element Of uncon-
su,u,ionality in these bills as in the
former Ripper bills. o. the elements
are entirely antitheical inasmuch as
mo- one is ripped ont Of office, and, since
the bin does not become effective be-
fore the first Monday i'm April. 1907. II
gives an opportunity to the people
through their representatives. in tho
legislature 20 repeal the law.
By citing historical examples OF the
governments of CharIemagne and Abra-
ham Lincoln. the BourboE5 and the
revolution in France. the Stuarts and
Cromwell in England. he claims that
experience shows the concentration OF
power To be- more dangerous than It's
dissemination. and as such to be avoid
ed In this country. the governor says
that both views obtain, though for the
last 40 wears the tendency has been Tor
the concentration OF power in national
affairs and the division Of responsible
itv i'm state and municipal affairs.
lie says that the most thoughtful
observers and those most familiar con-
cede that Il would be better for the ad-
mlnistration of public affairs in Phil
adelphia If the power which is given by
existing laws 10 the mayor could be IN
certain directions. at least lessened.
By his control OF from 1000 to ll.OOo
Offices. the mayor has ample opportun-
ity to exercise his power corruptly the
governor thinks. as well as 10 use his
power for political effect and for the
reason that Philadelphia has such a
large delegation in the legislature. this
condition is Of interest 10 the entire
commonwealth He refers to num-
Der Of Philadelphia mayors who at
tempted political power through their
offices. and suggests this as a reason
for apprehension
The governor says that it is admitted
that the present is not the most salts
factory form of city government in
Philadelphia but claims that he has
been urged 10 veto the present bills.
In justifying his action. the governor
saws that the veto power Of his ONCE
was intended to be used only in the
event that bill passed the legislature
with less than a two-third vote. But
since the present bill was passed by
the legislature by considerably more
than a two-thirds majority in which
the Philadelphia delegation was al
most unanimously represented, TO veto
the bin would be an exercise of power
not intended by the constitution
Thus. with these views. the governor
feels al a disadvantage. and had there
been four bills. one for each depart
ment. instead OF the present arrange
ment. action would not be so difficult.
Nevertheless" the governor concludes.
"a modification of the proposed plan
It is possible to make by approving the
bill which changes the method OF Sc
Letting the directors of the department
OF public works and public safety and
disappearing the two bills which
change the method of selecting the di-
rectors of the departments of public
health and charities and supplies.