Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1872-01-12
Gov. Hofman's Message.

The message Of the Governor Of New ioik
derives more than usual interest, this year, irom
the REGULAR circumstances, arising from the Po-
hticsl uphesviDg in thst STATE, under when the
Legislature sssembles. The Altsay Epening
Journal sptly characierizes it az 50 joint annu-
al message, and farewell addrers," AID as 'eom-
bring The scope Of a Governors Message, Le-
cislaiiye Committee Of the whole, and Consii-
tationsl Convention" It is dignifed in tone, as
wss to be expected, and it contains none Of the
predicted endorsement Of the " thumbsueking
democratic policy. or fselers for new coalition
OF sorehesds and copperheads. 1t is in fact silent
on national topos It opens with q clear and
compact statement of the State finances. The
State debt is SO, 49,, 7O2, of which sixteen mil
lions is war debt. Governor Hoffman then takes
Up in succession a great variety Of topics, &C
companying his discussion of each with various
recommendations He recommends prison re
form, subject which we are always glad to see
presented; reform of the abuses in connection
with the detention Of witnesses; the comforting
ofpoKer to grant new trials upon the merits or
upon newly discovered evidence; revision Of
the laws relating to the insane SO az to remedy
the evils growing out Of the existing facility for
dspriying man Of his liberty on the ground Of
lunacy; and such sn amendment Of the laws
~ will permit verdict Of murder in the second
degree. These suggestions must command gene
rsl approval. Much space IS devoted TO the sub
Jet Of the revision of the tax laws, and Cover
nor Hoffman urges tie plan recommended
last year by the Commission Of which
Mr. Wells is Chairman, va to lay the
taxes substantially On resi- estate, and
in lieu Of taxing personal property, to tax the
oocupier. be he owner or tenant. Of every build
ing on valuation Of three times the rental Va
iue Of The premises occupied lie favors an
amendment 20 the Federal Constitution proyid-
ing for tae election Of United States Senators
directly by the people instead Of by legislatures,
suggestion 10; likely TO be adopted very soon.
He defends mis- course in the riots Of last July,
taking the broad ground to which the aroused
popular temper compelled himself and the local
authorities go come at the time-of equal rights
to ALL and no denial OF tie common privilege
on asc.uat Of race or creed. lie submits 70 the
Legislature the question whether any new laws
regulating professions are necessary. II connec-
ton with this sutjsst comes the discussion of
New York matters WIS: he has to ssy on this
topic Of course Of peculiar interest The stu
peni5us frauds which astounIeI the country he
attributes less to the faults Of the \. !. City
Charter tizu to the shameless rascilty Of the
officials under it, Tie. however, recommends
the repesI Of the Charter and the substitution Of
another which he sketches at length.
The Governor haze discovered that the cleo
tons neei purifying aud the, legislation in tho
Empire State has been terribly corrupt He
saws. Tae lavish expenditure Of money in
elections is tie chief cause q the corruption in
our po'itos.'' lie deelarea the crime Of making
false returns Of votes 20 be o. the nature Of
treason, az taking awsy the lawful power Of
the truesoyereign in cur government, the people.
Hehaslitlefaithin the efficiency Of registry laws,
in large cities but suggests that the legislature
deprive o. tie right Of suffrage every one who
shall be convicted Of receiving bride for his
vote or Of b-ibing an Geetor and that any
candidate proved guilty Of bribiug AZ eiector
shall be deprived Of biz ofice, if elected.
The Governor goes at great length into the
f,ults Of the rreseut constitution o. New York,
and after tuggesting the ezpediency Of proyii-
ing for its reyissl By 3 committee Of thirty-tEo
citizens. be saves the commission all the work he
can IS indicating many notifications himself
Among these is an increase of the veto power
Of the governor. This would have more force
if Governor HoGnan had always used more
wisely and effectively the veto power he possess
Cd. lie has done a great deal Of yetoing but
be dii not veto the inamous Erie Classification
Bill Another suggestion Is that power should
be given 70 the Governor to prorogue the legisls-
ture at any tine after IL shall have been in
session for one hundred days.
On the whole the message e temperate, even
chsstenei in its tone and is crelitabe to IT'S
author. We infer from 1t that the Governor Of
New YORK viii hep, rathe- taaa hinder, the
great work Of reform sai purifcstion in that
powerful ssts.