Page images
PDF
EPUB

COMMUNICATION RELATIVE TO THE NOMINATION OF WILLIAM CHURCH OSBORN

STATE OF NEW YORK

Executive Chamber

Albany, April 21, 1899

TO THE SENATE:

In compliance with a resolution of the Senate, adopted April 17, 1899, I have the honor to transmit herewith. copies of communications on file in this office relating to William Church Osborn whom I have heretofore nominated as a State Commissioner in Lunacy.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT

Enclosures: Letters from Joseph H. Choate, Homer Folks, Dr. P. M. Wise, Mrs. Gertrude S. Rice, James Byrne. Also a letter from the State Charities Aid Association signed by the following managers: Gertrude S. Rice, Vice President, Charles S. Fairchild, Charles H. Marshall, C. Schurz, C. Elizabeth Oothout, Helen C. Butler, John A. McKim, George G. Wheelock, George F. Canfield, Charles F. Chandler.* Also telegrams from Miss Louisa Lee Schuyler.

MESSAGE RELATIVE TO RAPID TRANSIT IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK

STATE OF NEW YORK

TO THE LEGISLATURE:

Executive Chamber

Albany, April 21, 1899

There is now before your body a measure looking toward the securing of rapid transit for the city of New

Enclosed in this letter was an endorsement of Mr. Osborn, which I have unfortunately lost.

York. I deem it of very great importance that a scheme providing for rapid transit in the city should be passed at the earliest practicable moment. But it is even more important that this scheme should be one which will work for the ultimate benefit of the city. It does not seem to me wise that a franchise of this nature should be given in perpetuity. It would of course be best to have it owned by the municipality; although I would point out to the advocates of municipal ownership that it is doubly incumbent upon them to take the most efficient means of rebuking municipal corruption and of insisting upon a high standard of continuous fidelity to duty among municipal employees. Only if the government of the municipality is honest will it be possible ever to justify fully the workings of municipal ownership.

While, however, giving full weight to these considerations, it yet seems unquestionable that if this measure can be undertaken by the municipality, it should be so undertaken. But if the measure must be undertaken by a private company, then the bill should be so framed as to throw open the competition to all responsible bidders, and the franchise should not in my opinion be given for more than fifty years, then to be revalued by arbitrators or by the Supreme Court; the franchise to be thereafter continued for terms of twenty-five years, unless the city desires to take the road at the valuation agreed on.

We are most fortunate in having as commissioners under the present rapid transit act, men of the highest character and standing, in whose judgment the city has the utmost confidence. I believe that it is safe to give these commissioners a very large liberty in dealing with the rapid transit plan. Nevertheless in my judgment certain

broad lines should be laid down within which they are to work. What the value of this franchise may be fifty years hence, no one can tell; and while, in view of the formidable difficulties of the undertaking, full provision should be made for ample reward to the private capitalists who go into the scheme, if it is deemed advisable to have it undertaken by private capital, yet the franchise should not be given in perpetuity, and provision should be made to remunerate the city if the franchise turns out to possess exceptional value.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT

CERTIFICATION OF THE NECESSITY OF THE PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL No. 1483 - MAKING APPROPRIATION FOR SUPPORT OF

GOVERNMENT

STATE OF NEW YORK

TO THE LEGISLATURE:

Executive Chamber

It appearing to my satisfaction that the public interest requires it;

THEREFORE In accordance with the provisions of section fifteen of article three of the Constitution and by virtue of the authority thereby conferred upon me, I do hereby certify to the necessity of the immediate passage of Senate bill number 1483 which is a reprint of Assembly bill number 1745 entitled "An Act making appro

priations for certain expenses of government and supplying deficiencies in former appropriations".

GIVEN under my hand and the Privy Seal of the

State at the Capitol in the city of Albany this [LS] twenty-fifth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety

nine.

By the Governor:

THEODORE ROOSEVELT

WM. J. YOUNGS

Secretary to the Governor

CERTIFICATION OF THE NECESSITY OF THE

PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL No. 1489 - THE
RAPID TRANSIT BILL

STATE OF NEW YORK

TO THE LEGISLATURE:

Executive Chamber

It appearing to my satisfaction that the public interest. requires it;

THEREFORE In accordance with the provisions of section fifteen of article three of the Constitution and by virtue of the authority thereby conferred upon me, I do hereby certify to the necessity of the immediate passage of Senate bill number 1489 (Introductory number 585) entitled "An Act to amend chapter four of the laws of eighteen hundred and ninety-one, entitled 'An Act to pro

vide for rapid transit railways in cities of over one million inhabitants,' and the acts amendatory thereof ".

GIVEN under my hand and the Privy Seal of the

State at the Capitol in the city of Albany this [LS] twenty-fifth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninetynine.

By the Governor:

WM. J. YOUNGS

THEODORE ROOSEVELT

Secretary to the Governor

VETO OF ASSEMBLY BILL No. 1225, RELATING TO COMMISSIONER OF JURORS FOR ALBANY COUNTY

STATE OF NEW YORK

Executive Chamber

Albany, April 25, 1899

TO THE ASSEMBLY:

I herewith return without approval Assembly bill printed No. 1223 introduced by Mr. McEwan, entitled "An Act to amend chapter 557 of the laws of 1894, entitled 'An Act to provide for a commissioner of jurors in counties containing cities of from ninety to ninety-six thousand inhabitants', in relation to the commissioner of jurors of Albany County ".

This is a bill, unfortunately not of an unusual type. It is a piece of special legislation very thinly disguised as general legislation. It amends a general act which applied

« PreviousContinue »