The Washington herald., 1907-01-03
FAVORS A RECOUNT
Hughes Sends Message to
New York Legislature.
ATTACKS LIGHT COMMISSION
Wants New Board Constituted
with Power to Secure the Full
of the Gas and Electric Corpora
tiOns-Other tiOns.

AtDAnNt y ~ Jan. Z.-tTener3l eOU-
sternation was caused in both political
parties and among the legislative repre-
sentatives OF municipal and State coTpO-
ratioHs to-day. when Gov. Hughes. in his
message to the legislature, urged reforms
Of a radical nature to correct the present
corporate abuses.
The message was short and TO the point
Not one politician in Albany had an ink
ling of its contents, and Gov Hughes
gave TO one any opportunity TO make any
little suggestions
Gov. Hughes insisted that the legisIa-
turc make immediate provision for a re-
count Of the votes cast for mayor in New
York in 1893. Concerning a recount Gov.
Hughes says:
Widespread Doubt Exists.
There is no question but that wide
speard doubt IS entertained as 10 the ac-
curacy Of the official canvass. and that
doubt should be dissolved. Our entire
system of government depends upon hon
est elections and "A fair count Il is a
matter OF government concern that the
view should be held largely. even though
enormously, that one who has been
elected 10 office has been deprived Of his
seat through invalid returns.
The matter is not one into which any
consideration with respect to persons or
expediency should be allowed 10 enter.
IT, upon recount, it is found that the
present incumbent Of the office received a
plurality Of the votes. he will be CON
hrmed in his title, and the claims which
were vehemently asserted against it will
be conclusively answered. If, on the other
hand. his opponent was elected, he should
be seated"
Corrupt Practices
Iouching on the subject of corrupt prac-
ices. the message continues:
The laws relating 20 corrupt practices
should be re-enforced by amendment as ex-
peTience reveals defects. There is no bet
ter Way OF putting an end 70 bribery and
corruption than by compelling full pub
Ncity as 10 campaign expenditures. and
this was the intent Of the legislation OF
last year. From the statements filed after
the last election. the public has learned
or the large amounts that are needed for
legitimate uses during a campaign, and
party organizations have secured from
their managers an account Of the manner
IN which the money intrusted to them was
spent The value Of this legislation is
principally found IN the means prov ded
for the scrutiny Of the statements fired
and the provision permitting private indi-
Nduals 20 institute a LEGAL inquiry for
This purpose s. very important advance
toward the desired end. This right of in
F7aHl - nra. q i oh. e. I H..
as effective as possible
7 recommend that the law be amended
by imposing a limitation upon the amount
that may De expended by a candidate 10
procure his election"
Light and Railroads.
Gov. Hughes urges the abolition Of the
present board Of railroad commissioners.
which has general supervision OF all rail-
roads IN the State. The governor insists
that the present scheme Of regulation is
inadequate, and that the plan Of having
the expenses Of the commission borne by
the railroads is indefensible.
He further recommends thar the com
mission OF gas and electricity be abolished
and "a new commission constituted. which
shall nave all the powers possessed By the
present commissions Of railroad and gas
supervision and such additional powers. as
may be needed TO insure proper manage
ment and operation.
1T is my judgment" he says. that
there is no need of two separate commits
si0Es 10 deal with these subjects. There
are now corporations which are subject
20 The jurisdiction Of both commissions.
and in some cases the same questions are
presented for the decision Of both. Sim
liar principles are applicable 20 the de-
cIsicu IN many cases within the jurisdic-
ton Of each and harmony Of administra-
tiou would be promoted by having a sin
gle body. II is plainly in the interest OF
economic administration in order 10 avoid
the unnecessary multiplication OF officers
and clerical force that there should be
but one commission. In the two boards
We have now eight commissioners. A
board Of less than this number would
answer both purposes.
Abolish Present Commissions.
Il, therefore, recommend that the pres-
ent board Of railroad commissioners
and the commission of gas and electricity
be abolished and that new commission
be constituted. with powers Of regulation
and supervision, within constitutions!
limits, Of the corporations now subject to
the existing commissions. The commits
sion should have all the powers possessed
by the present commissions and such ad-
ditional powers as may be needed TO IN
sure proper management and operation.
It's powers should be clearly defined and