New-York tribune., 1908-05-12
TASKS LEGISLATURE
TO DESTROY BOSSES
GOVERNOR'S MESS4GE TO
SPECI1L SESSION.
Recommendation on Racctrack Gam
bling Postponed Until Franchot's
Successor Takes His Seat.
{ BY Telegraph to The Tribune J

!
| some OF the doctrine he has been spreading
| broadcast in his recent speeches Governor
| Hughes urged the Legislature at the extraordi-
| nary session convened tonight 10 enact meas
| ures shearing away the power by which party
| bosses hamper the expression of the wishes OF
/ their constituents Not only did he recommend
with much earnestness the passage OF direct
| nominations and official primary ballot meas
ures. but included in his programme legislation
/ designed to prevent methods OF the variety
| adopted at the recent Democratic state Conven-
| ton.
! This continuation Of his war against misrsp-
resentative bosses the feature OF his mes
/ sage Somewhat TO the surprise Of the Legfs-
/ lature. he did not recommend at this time ths
enactment of the anti-racetrack gambling bills
He contented himself with promise to recon-
mend this action when the Senator to be elected
in the 47th District takes his seat. which will b,
! in about two weeks.
! The Governors course in this respect may
prove OF great Importance Word was received
here this evening that Senator FoeIker who was
operated on for appendicitis was in a very dan
gerous condition. and that his friends had sravs
doubts OF his recovery. Foelker voted for the
anti-gambling bill II he were to die IL would
be easy for the racing men in the Senate to rush
the bills to a vote before the new Senator could
| be seated. thus beating them again
PLENTY OF WORK ON HAND.
Although this subject cannot be taken up
until the Governor recommends it. the Legisat-
ure will not lack work. In addition to the
direct nominations and official primary ballot
bills. the Governor recommended enactment OF
measures putting the telephone and telegraph
companies under the Jurisdiction OF the Public
Service commissions. the creation OF bu-
reau OF mercantile inspection in the State De-
partTnent Of Labor, legislation making changes
In the appropriation and supply bills and con-
sideration OF measures for the appointment ot
commissions to investigate Wall Street specu-
lation and the condition of the unemployed.
There was a quorum in each House. though
the leaders we're surprised at that fact. Thirty
nine Senators and eighty-ons AssembIyulen an
swered 10 the rollcaIl. but not one voiced great
pleasure at getting back TO legislative duties.
and in many cases open resentment Of the Gov
ernor's "dictatorfa1 attitude" was expressed.
/ There was the greatest sagerness 10 learn Just
what the Governor had recommended and con-
/ siderable surprise when the message was read
! at it's scope
Although there is much wild talk Of ad-
journing after hastily refusing TO enact any Of
these measures. Of passing only those which
do not properly form part OF the Governors
reform programme. the chances are that moth
ing of the sort will be attempted From the
informal talk Of the members. the impression
created throughout the state by the Governors
antf-boss campaign is easily to be seen Fur
ther. IL is evident that. many Of the members
are seeing the danger signal. and would be 1oath
to incur Unnecessary risk Of chastisenlent
from their constituents.
Nothing but conjecture is possible TO the
Governors chance for success az this session
Those Senator's who voted against him the
anti-gambling bills who would talk declared
they hadn't changed their attitude. Seemingly
the Governors message indicates detern1ina-
tion on his part 70 extend to the state ar 1args
the methods he has been applying in the NJ
agara- Orleans district. and urge rhs voters
direct to dethrone the bosses and take up their
own government
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
The Governors message in full follows:
To the Legislature.
because there matters OF serious tnnportsncs
which 7 deem it my duty TO present 20 YOU for
appropriate action I recommend for your con-
sideration this time the following subjects
First-The amendment Of the Public Service COM
missions by making suitable provision for ths
enlargement of the Jurisdiction or the Public Ser
vice commissions. as to bring telephone and
telegraph companies under proper regulations. and
also such other amendments Of the statutes az
may be deemed advisable IN the light OF the ex-
perience the commissions. In order fully
10 accomplish the purpose OF the Public Service
commissions law
The policy the state with regard to the super
vision Of public service corporations should
form and embrace all corporations OF this char
actsr. TeIephons and telegraph companies exsr-
else important public franchises The community
should protected against extortionate rates and
machinery should be provided for an adequate su-
pervision of operations and service Issues OF
curities should be made only under appropriats j
public scrutiny. TO prevent the evils OF unwa--s
rantabla imitation The state should protect it's
citizens from exploitation the part OF thos.
who enjoy public privileges and undertake. public
service. while at the time, BY provision for
thorough investigation and the careful exariins-
tion OF facts by an administrative board suitably
equipped for this purpose. the evils Of I'll considered
and arbitrary action before the facts have been
properly ascerrained- should be avoided. ,Tustic.
private rights. The provision Of adequate means
for the exercis. OF the states suthority 81 -ezs
ton. insure the performance OF r1bIt-
obligations IN a just and impartial manner IL -
the highest importance to the good order 81
community and 10 the welfare Of all ths people
The state cannot afford to be lax the exercise os
Its supervisory powers but they should not be sx-
lens of numerous particular The subjects
of complaint in connection with the operations OF
public service corporations involve so many con.
and demand such patient. expert and
thorough Inquiry that they cannot be dealt with
to advantage through sporadic legislative action
The plan witch adopted last year OF estab-
fishing public service commissions has worked adj
mirably, and indeed. adequate scheme Of
egulation presents the only alternative iegis-
Iatfve action which is manifestly
adapted the just settlement of the great variety
OF grievances which must be dealt with separately
and after investigation and susceptible of q
fair disposition only through a continuous admin
istrative board The plan should be made com