New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-29
UTILITIES BILL VETOED
MAYOR GIVES REASONS
Violates Home Rule and Promotes
Corruption, He Says.

Mayor Mcclellan yesterday afternoon vetoed
the public utilities bill. He holds that it vio-
lates the principle OF self-government for this
city in that it empowers the Governor to ap-
point city commission whose salaries the city
must pay. He also asserts that the power to
regulate rates and fares of public service cor
porations in the hands of partisan commission
will. when the Presidency. the Governorship or
the control of the Legislature at stake. be
used to coerce, support and raise money with
which to corrupt the electorate. His memoran-
dunn says:
Cd dMSSmog2adum S ran to accompany Assembly bill PRINT
ed No 219, Senate No 1888. Int No. 1883. entitled:
s1I An act to establish the public service commits
10 provide for the regulation and control OF certain
i proHG service corporations and making an appro-
a., 1T is unnecessary for to enter into lengthy
this bin on behalf of the City Of New York I have
4aLTeady clearly defined my position in respect TO
W5c pFsSSed 70 the Legislature en- March 26 and in
the local authorities.
To my suee6 stion the Legislature has fit
10 pay no attention and has passed instead. an act
SO utterly destructive of the principle of home rule
- Xs 10 Ieave me, as Mayor of the city OF New
1Qrk, no possible course except 10 disapprove the
see no force in the argument that because the
general purpose OF this act is good, should over
AS l understand tho Law. this measure has been
sent 10 me not for expression Of my opinion as
its basic features but because in several OF it's
ment; In other words. am called upon 10 say
Whether Ti5 or not from the citys point of view the
question there can be but one answer. 1t is not.
II were to decide otherwise and to accept this
bill as 1t stands. it would imply an admission on
ny ny part that the principle Of sef-government for
l regret that l cannot agree with those who have
urged that this measure extends rather than cur
tails the present powers of the local authorities 1t
Is IS true admit. that in the past the Legislature
for larger powers of supervision and control in
respect TO these matters than IT possesses at pres
any reason why the city should consent TO bill
which empowers the Governor to appoint local
commission. and then compel the city TO pay a
large portion of It's expenses
have discussed at greater length the defects OF this
Tribune printed this letter at the time
squareiy upon its violation OF the principle of home
rule there is another objection to which consider
the present time This objection also relates the
form OF the bill, and does not strike at It's In
trnsic merit. but It seems to be too vital and far
reaching 10 be passed over In silence. | refer to
the possible use OF these commissions in the future
The power conferred by this act IS Unprecedented.
and under normal conditions many OF those VINO
are adyocating the easuTe would be among Its
For tho arst time in the history OF our state tate
vested with power heretofore exclusively exercised
by the Legislature OF regulating rates and fares
gas, electric Light and power companies ihe com
9l6 The gross earnings from operation last year
We're approximately 1883 100. the number OF en-
ployes upward Of 10000. and the number OF Sc
curity holders not less than 10000
The commissioners are TO be appointed ny the
Governor and they may be removed by him
or his successors they will become the direct rep
ernor There Is provision that the commissions
shall be bipartisan nonpartis9n. and all mem
may be- will be. And II this bill becomes law
w., shall In the future, see these commissions
composed entirely OF political partisans with great
consequent injury 10 the state and the properties
The bower TO regulate rates and fares may be
used TO destroy. Under given conditlQnS when
tiovernorshlp the legislature is az stake II VII!
ha used 10 Influence coerce and TO secure the money
with which to corrupt the electorate. =,
When confronted with thS yelled threat. OF m
timati0n. OF q reduction I'm rates or tareS, Wnat
railroad gas or electric management VII! dechne
find tho necessary funds or hesitate 10 lhHuehC9
or Coerce their employees in the interest OF tite
party possessing such unlimited power-and IN Hs
interest well?
II the theory OF bpartsansh!p or nonpartsan- n
ship rested upon a sound foundauon. Whht
uOsslble there be for withholding the
principle from such administrative commissions as
are established by this bllls l. ,,,
not prostitute his office by tho selection or men
capable Of such acts. II is no answer that ne VIII
appoint three Democrats on the commission s ios
the overwhe elminEly Democratic lst District anu
that two Democrats will be named on the coInuils
sion FOR the 2d District The Governors tenure OF
office IS short and II will not be long before we
win have a Governor VINO VIII not heSi'"'o ~ ~
' Wber that dav comes the injured security holder.
nor he tricked by the plea that those responsible
for this piece OF blind political legislation Khe" not
Vim the general principles Of this bin I am in
accord hut I will never give my approval 10 n
mpa sure that places in the hands or single po-
litical party such tremendous ana hmitiesS lo"e''