In Relation to Publishing a List of Exempt Property

STATE OF NEW YORK

EXECUTIVE CHAMBER

Albany, May 1, 1907

TO THE ASSEMBLY:

I return herewith, without my approval, Assembly bill No. 1896, entitled

"An act to amend the tax law, in relation to real property exempt by law from taxation, and the publishing of a list of such exempt property."

The act which it is proposed to amend provides, among other things, for the publication of tabulated statements of exempt property in cities in official paper or papers thereof at least once a week for three successive weeks.

The proposed amendment provides for the publication of the tabulated statements of exempt property in each county outside a city or cities at least once a week for three successive weeks in two newspapers published in such county designated by the boards of supervisors to publish the session laws. I do not see how any public benefit would accrue from this publication, which would justify the additional public expense occasioned thereby. The lists of exempt property are readily accessible and public policy does not require their publication in the newspapers.

(Signed)

CHARLES E. HUGHES

I return herewith, without my approval, Senate bill No. 1075, entitled

"An act to amend the forest, fish and game law, in relation to set lines and tip-ups on Big Sandy pond in Oswego county and in Chenango county."

The amendment as drawn, so far as it relates to Chenango county, is plainly inaccurate, and for this reason is opposed by the Forest, Fish and Game Commissioner.

I return herewith, without my approval, Senate bill No. 949, entitled

"An act to authorize the city of Cohoes to borrow money therefor and to construct a bridge over the first branch of the Mohawk river, at Ontario street in said city."

This bill, in my judgment, is in violation of section 18 of article 3 of the Constitution.

(Signed)

CHARLES E. HUGHES

In Relation to Certain Salaries in the Court of General Sessions of the Peace of New York County

STATE OF NEW YORK · EXECUTIVE CHAMBER

Albany, May 13, 1907

TO THE ASSEMBLY:

I herewith return, without my approval, Assembly bill No. 772, entitled

"An act to amend chapter four hundred and ten of the laws of eighteen hundred and eighty-two, entitled 'An act to consolidate into one act and to declare the special and local laws affecting the public interests in the city of New York' in relation to the salaries of the record clerks and court attendants of the court of general session of the peace in and for the county of New York."

The bill proposes to increase the salaries of the record clerks and court attendants of the Court of General Sessions in New York county. This is a matter which should be dealt with by the local authorities.

(Signed)

CHARLES E. HUGHES

In Relation to the Site of the Madison County Buildings

STATE OF NEW YORK - EXECUTIVE CHAMBER

Albany, May 23, 1907

TO THE ASSEMBLY:

I return herewith, without my approval, Assembly bill No. 1296 (Senate Reprint No. 1348), entitled

"An act prohibiting the board of supervisors of the county of Madison from changing the site and location of the Madison county buildings and offices when the site and location of the same shall be designated and approved by a majority of the electors of said county."

This bill provides that whenever hereafter a majority of the electors of Madison county shall vote in favor of the removal of the Madison county buildings and Madison county offices to any site or location, the board of supervisors shall not change the said site or location. In other words, the Legislature by special act fixes the location at the place designated by the electors and the matter is removed from the operation of the general law relating thereto.

This in my judgment is a violation of the intent of section 18 of article 3 of the Constitution, which provides that the Legislature shall not pass a local bill locating a county

seat.

If the Legislature cannot by special law directly locate a county seat, it would seem that it cannot by special law provide that the electors shall locate a county seat and make their location final.

I return herewith, without my approval, Assembly bill No. 2677, entitled

"An act to amend the tenement-house act, in relation to buildings of a certain character."

This bill, despite its more general form, is intended to except a particular building from the operation of the Teneinent-House Act. The case is one of peculiar hardship to the present owners of the building. There seems to be no question, however, that those who were directly concerned with its construction proceeded with full knowledge of the provisions of the Tenement-House Act and deliberately planned to disregard them. There is no justification for this measure unless it is proposed to establish the principle that the Tenement-House Act will not be enforced against innocent purchasers.

(Signed)

CHARLES E. HUGHES

Fixing the Salaries of Members of the Supervising and Teaching Staff of Public Schools of the City of New York

STATE OF NEW YORK - EXECUTIVE CHAMBER

Albany, May 29, 1907

TO THE SENATE:

I return herewith, without my approval, Senate bill No. 1218, entitled

"An act to amend the Greater New York charter, in relation to the fixing of the salaries of members of the supervising and teaching staff of the public schools of the city of New York."

The board of education of the city of New York consists of forty-six members, appointed by the mayor for terms of five years respectively. They are excepted from the general provisions of the charter authorizing the mayor to remove public officers, holding by appointment from him, whenever in his judgment the public interest shall so require, and are removable only upon sustained charges. While styled the