The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-10


various railroads. &C. which obligations the State in
the main was forced to assume. From these several
causes the debt was created which the past year has
finally extinguished.
PROPOSAL TO REDUCE THE TAX.
In the effort 10 decrease the burdens OF the people
IL would seem II something could be done in the
direction OF the school tax without seriously impair
ing the efficiency OF the schools. This tax is nearly
three times great il was fifteen years ago.
would recommend that the appropriation for this
purpose be limited to S2,500,UD0 Add to this sum
the income OF the various educational funds and the
total would amount to about S3.OO00O0. There is
balance of S54 0S4 81 in the treasury belonging TO
the common school fund revenue would suggest
that S5OU00 of this sum be appropriated to the cap
ital of the common school fund.
UNITED STATES DEPoMr FUND.
report from this department without some sug-
gestons looking to greater safety for this fund wond
be to see the suggestions acted upon.
can see no reason Why the commissioners should
not be made county officers and the counties held re-
sponsible for the safety of the loans.
The principal of this fund is S4.O4 $40 II. Consid
erably than sevcnyve Per cent OF 1t is loaned
upon mortgages. pursuant to law passed April 4.
1887 and the several laws amendatory thereof. Its
income is devoted to educational purposes and all
losses to it's capital made good its revenue it
would be the part of prudence to throw every pos
sble safeguard about its management
STATE PRISONS AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS
The result OF the change in prison management
can best be shown by comparative statement. The
time il not far distant when the prisons will be self
improvements. 1t is hoped that this snlt will be
reached before the close of the present fiscal year.
Should the hope be realized the transformation will
have been effected long before the most sangune
pected. The crowded condition OF the prisons will
ut early day demand attention. would renew.
with additional emphasis the recommendation con-
tanned my report of last year, that the receipts of
charitable institutions be covered into the
treasury of the State, and that an appropra-
ton sufficiently large be made for their lnain-
tcnance. These institutions all have large miscel-
laneous receipts coming to them from the different
counties and other sources Under the present sys-
TEN these receipts expended by each institution
as it sees t No accounts rendered and vouch-
9 aes to Y a iof tine
vouchers received from the expenditure of these
miscellaneous receipts the institutions il careful
select those which will pass the scrutiny of this Office
Occasional carelessness in this particular gives the
Comptroller slight insight into the character of the
expenditures. notable instance OF which occurred
during the past year. when among the vouchers re.
turned bya State institution the following bill from
a celebrated caterer in New York city was discov-
Dinner served, 125 covers. according to agree
ment .......'...''..'.....solV
Total Observation-Disclosures. 1854
This dinner given by the institution to nledi
Cal society, and the expenditure is entirely indie
feasible.
Another case deserving criticism is brought to light
in one OF the State institutions, which publishes
journal Of Insanity This paper has been published
many years. and from account rendered to this
department at my request learn that since
bills have been paid out OF the funds of the instu
ton to the amount Of S17092 A. Up to 1856 the in
sttuton received from the paper SG70 3d. Since 1885
ceipts the paper but says 81 have understood
and believe that they have been spent in editorial
AND the oe or BOOKS b for tine snf
one ut least of charitable institutions
not only has large miscellaneous receipts. the
vouchers for the expenditure OF which never
come to this department but that it has
receipts the amount of which its own treasurer
not state, and the vouchers to account for which he
never sees. 1t would be difficult to properly stigma
tie such loose management. These instances would
to indicate that much can be done i'll our insti-
M nd u6ent MAJ
| agemcnt.
| My report for 1877 contained the following:-'I
would recommend for your consideration the policy
of aboshing all local boards of trustees and the
| erection OF system by which the different insttu-
os ny
management is not centred in any one. II are to
look tor Improvement it can only be found in cstab.
fishing fixed and definite responsibility in place Of
the present plan. where there is practically no &C.
countability."
| I respectfully renew this recommendation.
Early III your session hope to lay before you the
results Of careful examination of the expenditures
OF the various institutions maintained by the State
TOWN AND COUNTY DEBT AND TAXATION.
There is debt upon the State except the
canal debt which. after deducng the sinking funds.
amounts to but Ss.00S,03l 81. The fnapcial condi-
ton of the State stands out in marked contrast
against the condition OF localities within its borders.
The debt OF the Statcis merely nominal and taxation
for State purposes is too trivial to DO considered in
comparison with the enormous local tebts aud the
oppressive burden Of local taxation The citizens OF
this State taxed in 1877 for State town. county
and school purposes upward Of $5O,000.O0O; add to
this the direct and indirect taxes paid to the
United States government by our citizens which are
calculated to amount to S50O0O,000 and have the
ruinors sum of Sl0O.0OO.0OO annually taken from
| the pockets of the people to support govern
lase and city debts will at this time approx
closely to $250000.000. 1t is preposterous to
hope that community staggering under such S an
schemes of finance looking to relief from further
issues OF irredeemabe paper to be tolerated Too
many OF the evils OF the hour are due to this financial
| heresy to permit increase OF them. The older
nations of the world are suffering more severely
than we. The countries who use the gold stand
| ard the countries who use the double standard
gold and silver-and the countries who the paper
standard all suffering alike. An evil existing in
locality is attributable to local causes but world
wide evils must be the result OF worldwide causes.
| The worldwide evils OF the nations to-day arc debt
and taxation. To other causes can the universal
distress be laid. Capital and labor suffer alike, and
from the cause. The only relief to either must
come from rigid economy in public expenditures.
The from the local assessors in State for
| the year 1877 place the value of real property
subject to taxation at $2373 4Os. 540 and our per
sona property subject to taxation ut 1894 900, no.
The assessment of the real property may approx
mate to its real value but tits plain that the
ment OF personal property is far below the true
il remembered that the valuation of personal prop
erty returned by the assessors $2 100000 less
than in 1865. while the valuation OF real property IL
returned n $1,2l5, 100000 more than in 1865. Bor
rowing from the experience OF our fathers believe
the rate Of taxation would result in bringing more
this class OF property within tho reach OF the
assessors.
CANALS AND TRANSPORTATION.
Expenditures for ordinary repairs and maintenance
of canals, from February to the close of navigation
for the years 1874 1875. 1876; 1877 and 1875.
| Ndrigation Closed. Of Navigation. Expended.
December 8. 1874. 2l5 $1,O0l,Gl5 81
| November 10, 1S75............. 1y7 1,0UJ.Sl4 81
| December !. 1916. ............. oil 901, 43S IL
December Z, 1s77.............. pa S5i,729 Al
| December Z, 1873. ............. 237 44O,sl7 81
These figures tell their own story and demonstrate
that the reform upon the canals has been real and in
! the interest of good government. The Importance
of the retention by our State OF the trade of the
Western and Northwestern States is too manifest Il
need argument. In the constantly increasing develop
ment or the agricultural pursuits OF our country at
in the growth of its manufacturing industries there