New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-05

Legislature TO frame such laws as will be effective
IN accomplishing the desired object
MUNICIPAL Affairs.
Partial steps were taken by the Legislature last
year TO eoonomze the local governmental of New
York and Brooklyn. These should be followed by
vigorous action in the same direction until the ex-
penses OF those cities still too high by many mil.
lions OF dollars are reduced to n reasonable limit
For many year, the ingenuity OF man has been
employed to create new Offices and increase the
salaries OF others. Duties have been divided. wldh
the salaries have been doubled, titus qnadmpling
the burdens of taxpayers. In many instances prop
rrty has actually been cOnfscated under the Oler-
Gus eXactons OF the tax levy. 1t is my deliberate
OpiniOn that il One-third OF the officials in New.
York and Brooklyn were mustered out, and tho
dntcs properly distributed among those remaining,
the public would he better served than at present.
The adoption of adequate measures TO cor
rect these shameful abuses would secure for the
Legislature the lasting gratitude OF OngsIItcring
people. ,.
Embarrassment frequently occurs III tho conduct
Of the courts by reason of the physical disability Of
iudges striking instance is now presented in the
Superior Court of the CITY of Ncw-YOrk. One Of
the Judges of which Court, having been for two
wears wholly incapacltated is not likely again to
resume official laOOrs. The only present mode of
relief is in removal by the Legislature IN tho
cases OF Judges of the Court OF Appeals and Justices
of the Supreme Court and DY the Senate M the
recommendation OF the Governor. in the cases Of
Judges Of other courts OF record. ms remedy, de-
signed originally for cases of Official or personal
misconduct, would seem unduly severe when ap-
piled to a faithful judge now PROSTATE from over
work as the fact is understood to be III the parie-
ular case referred to-
II would mamfestlv accord more with the
dictates of humanity and be commended To pOpu.
lar approval. special provision made for tXi-
gcncics of this nature. A continuance OF some
reasonable portion Of the salary OF judge thus
removed for physical disability, during the balance
OF the term for which he was elected, would mltl-
gate the severity OF the proceeding 10 Iacate the
Office.
1t is the popular impression that Imprisonment
for debt was abolished in this State many years
ago. Such undoubtedly was the intention when
the laws to this end were enacted; bnt untOrtu.
natelv as many victims can testify the object was
not attained. The county Jail in the City Of New
York is never free of prisoners detained for debt;
and il is not uncommon to ind from nity TO
sevcnty-fye debtors. sO-called. confined therein;
some Of whom have been kept there for years. In
stances OF imprisonment for claims as small as 30
are nOJ in.reQucnt. Cruel hardship Is ,conS,hnily
inflicted in this manner: ana II Is due the uhioriu-
nate subjects of such outrage that the laws Trgat-
lng imprls Yunfent on evil process De thoroughly
re yisel. ana all obnoxious features expunged.
Local AND sPgCIAL LtGIsLATIoN.
One Of the greatest hindIances to good legislation
consists of the fact that the time AMI attention Of
member, are too much occupied with the cOnsidera-
ton OF u multtuGc of insignificant local and pri.
vato bills These are pressed By special interests.
AMI to great extent interfere with measures of
general import and often 10 the prendice OF the
inlb c 9und. 4 specific constitutional amen!h.eut
WAS recently adopted designed 10 arrest the MIS-
ohi.yuus tendeney IN this direction; hut. unloit!'
Hatcy. the clpabliitY Of man 10 overcome oliI NJ
fir- r, II rS this safeguard less valuable Than ~
trainers anticipated. 10 is unbecomng the dignity
of tnr :,tatc To cncunber It's code OF law, VITA
tr.ll rnartmtutS of The character mel u0ncd; and
T.,sra info IN Z Nlal Tltt.
iuy evil n wiii bc, One my duty 10 exercise more
rg.6ly tho authority vested i'll the Executive ID
such regard.
TuE CONNICTICrr BOUNDARY LIN
The loug.Standing controversy in regard 10 tho
boundary line between th, State and Connecticut
his finally been adjusted in ac, orlance with the
tenn, al.scd upon by 'he commissioners appointed
By ne Leg>latar.sc G the two states. The necrs-
SAW. Documents have uecn officially exchanged ~
ti. iN,.utiNts. who have also united in a petition
% Cor-..,- requesting he approval and cOnirnia'
t.uioi such settlement by the United States.
CoNCLr Sion.
The importance Of the duties upon which yoH
have this day entered may De realized in sohIo
ur.,>.r. by Iciccting that the 100000 of popa-
l.,iyn ~ hch the state now contains viii have IN
creased 10 % ,0Go 600 in the next generation Thus
a.. law, winch you enact will in near OF remote
degree aucrt q vas; cons 'tuenty.
Ia" cap. tai AMI enterprise OF New-ioTk poncttaie
every portion OF the ln0li and exert potent ~
nucucc throughout the civilized world. Livery
oth,r state is thu, made tributary to her growth;
and her metropolis is ta>t becoming coa.lcr,ial
centre a. t.c hr-t maimtulr. The past career OF
IL, STATE grand IL II -, VIII lie eci!psri by her
irturr d..vropnIlt. if good government can be
ASSURED. Whatever you may 30 O. h.iltcI the
public burdens VIII - lar TO promote MS great
eud
Tae honor and welfare Of the state are TINS
committed 20 ycur care; lts ttcaSuH pl crt ~
your i,r,piug. You have taken a >olenn cath to
support th. Constitution, and faithfully 10 dis.
charge the duties involved. 70 rhe best OF youE
ability. May you Dc 20 enlightened and directed
iN DIVINE wisdom thar this "a rel obli.a ION,
With all IL implies, will be fully discharged.
ALO>ZD =. CORNELL.