New-York tribune., 1878-12-26
ECONOMY IN MASSACRU USETTS.

GOVERNOR RICE's ANSWER TO DEMOCRATIC MIS-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF STATE TAXATION
GENERAL BUTLER NO LONGER DANGEROUS.
Governor Rice, of Massachusetts, was at
the Fifth Avenue Hotel recently. and In conversation
with TRIBUNE reporter be corrected some OF the state
ments made by General Butler Judge Abbott and
others In regard to the cost OF the Republican State
administration In Massachusetts, When asked about
the statement that the State administration cost
per capita than that Of other State in the UniOn he
said:
That Of the misrepresentation made Of in
the campaign and which, with Others General
Butler good many votes. The fact is, that
beginning OF my administration, January l, 1876,
the State tax has been reduced oue-balf. In
1875 the year of my election, the State tax
amounted to $2.000,000, while this year 1t
amounts to only 81 100000 The rate OF taxation In
1875 was 81 10 81 900, while this year IL is only 60
cents 81 OOO Ny administration has saved in what
might be termed State household expenses in three
years. the comparatively large amount OF 81 1884 900.
with perhaps an additional $50 900 before e year
ended. II person has 5000 OF taxable prop
erty and there Is exemption OF SlOOO-whlch would
place q man IN comfortable circumstances nOw-his
State Massachusetts would be less than cent
day, which Is certainly fair showing compared with
other States There are several hundred towns IN the
State each Of which and collects taxes for local
purposes, but the State administration has nothing
erage rate taxation iu all the towns S12 90 81 OOO
bute only cents which taken from ~ So
town purposes. II is the disngenuOus way OF adding
the two together and then casting the responsibility for
all on the State administration that has given rise TO
the report OF the expensive state government. The
Spr fund $40 so hap nancay S s high standing
rs 1t true that the expenditures on new State build
"whether the State is building better than it can
afford or not is matter of opinion The buildings now
auguratiOn and In prosperous times. and In a
manner which was tnen thought to be cominen-
surate with the wealth and position OF the
State. Once started, they had To be con
tinued according TO the original plan notwithsand-
ing the changed condition OF affairs II the Legislature
had the matter 10 do over now, 1t would probably act
differently But there has been no Misrepresentation OF
money, nor any charge OF such misapproprat0n IL Il
a condition OF things for which no party Is TO
blame, and which no party can now remedy
The Railroad Commission Is invaluable, not only TO
Massachusetts but 70 the country generally; also the
Health Commlssion which has calls Tor ITS reports from
State valuable, and we cannot afford to economies
in that res pect."
DO you fear Mr.. Buffers power in the future pOti-
cal movements In the State I"
mo he has and probably always will have consid-
cradle following but not enough TO give MN any con
troll He had greater success IN the last election than he
will be likely 10 ave again but that was owing To the
hard times and distress among workinginen who were
ready 10 try change IN the vague hope that II mlgft
benefit them. Mr. Butler has great personal magnetism
and wonderful energy which gave him power with tha
wOrkingmen. but the vote was Simply that Oh lhe Oh
parties except that the Democrats had III Butler new
leader An impression has gone that the recent eleg
tion OF Mr. Prince In Boston was Butter success; Ou u
is wrong Boston ls Democratic city, aud Mr. Prince Is
a representative Democrat but not "a Butler man. His
majority was much smaller than that gwen inc Demo
cratic ticket IN November, which shows Republican
gains" -
" Is there much Greenback sentiment In the state ~
every little, think. The money question ala not
enter much campaign. and the vote OF Mr.
Butler indication Of the feeling that subject
Business is revying and as far as am informed, mills
are not closing, has been stated by Mr. Butler re-
Gently. believe the opposite TO be the case aud the
success Of resumption, which n fOregOne conclusion
will additional impetus to the revying Industries
OF the State"
''What do you think of Mr. Blaine's speech on the
Southern question:
'It was very timely and necessary. There Will be a
great awakening the North subject, II the con-
troll OF the Government M 10 be obtained by such means
as are now IN the South The cipher revelations
made by THE TRIBUNE we're terrible and great credit is
due this paper for the service IL has done the country
In this respect"