Year: 1871

THE STATE AID RAILROAD BILL RETURNED


DIsAPPROyED.


ALBANY, June 13.-Gov. Hoffman sent to the
Secretary OF state to-day Aid Railroad bill not
approve ed and filed 1t with the following memorandum OF
his objections:


EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, ALBANY, June 10, 1871.


An act aid and expedite the construction OF un-
finished railroads in this State, which intended to
connect the chain OF Western and Northern lakes ana
rivers with tide water TO develop the resources OF un
improved portions OF the State.


ntmated early In the session TO the friends OF th5
BILL in to inquiry, my viows. Nevertheless,
have at their request delayed action upon It until this
forward arguments in support OF IT, and heard at
tenvely all they have to say The purpose OF the b
year and onehaf lS72-and to divide Ihe proceeds OF
companS d and rhe Adrondaeh Railroad
pany, to enable them TO complete their respective rOad


very strong pressure OF opinion favorable to the b
from many quarters has been brought to bear upon me
by those directly interested in and TO be affected by
those railroads and by tho proposed state donation; tho
roads to those who live along the respective routes and
those who, through their town and municipal author
ties have bonded themselves heavily TO AID IN the CON
strlction OF either road. 1 cannot however, allow my
sympathies to control my official judgment. do not
believe the people OF the state are willing TO be taxed
in aid these two any other railroad corpo
ratons do believe right that they should be so
taxed. There Is no unapproprated money III he otte
Treasury out of which contributors be made to rail
road or other private corporations Whatever money is
given must be taken out OF the pockets OF the
people by direct tax, levied especially for that purpose
Ii is not purpose connected directly with Government
IL is private purpose, the profits arising from the IN
vestment of the money IL going TO the st0ckh0h-
ers; although, incidentally. benefit may result 10 the as
trcts through which the roads and TO tho State at
large. A..


The State Government has no moral right to tax the
whole people in and Of these roads ut all events not
without their eXprGss consent. Not town along thc
line other roads tax itself for similar
purpose without the cOnset OF majority or those repre-
senfing majority of the taxable property In the town
Yet this bill proposes to tax the whole state without
even submitting the question TO vote or the people


TIE Constitution SectOn g. Article y iorDld5 the loan
ing or giving credit the State In any manner In AID
OF any Individual association corporation Tue state
cannot even create debt and with the money borrowed
promote any single work public character, without
The consent of a majority OF the people expressed
through the ballo-bOX. IL ought not To, ana IN my


Judgment IL cannot without violating the splilt Oi tne
CONSTITUTIONS tine people IN aid OF any farOad OF
other other private not Without
like consent know there many VINO nave always
been principle to the granting or state ala 10
railroad other corporations who feel that perhaps an
eyceptOn should be made In favor OF the two roads
for whose benefit this bill has been passed; that
result Of securing the early completion OF the Midland
road and the opening of the Adirondack region. ana
that the expenditure OF s2000OO will be soon repaid III
the addition insured O the general prosperity ana
wealth Of the state. We must not however, shut our
ewes To the inevitable consequence OF yielding the l
cple y making an exception In this instance. 10 would
Justify and encourage iu tho future applications irOn
every quarter for similar aid Every road hereafter 10
he built would expect TO receive it, and the demand on
the State Treasury would be almost without limit
cannot therefore, sign this bill, which imposes tax OF
STATE without their consent being nrSt asked or anu