New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-01-12
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

Governor COrnel's annual Message is n
careful, comprehensive and well-dgested re-
view of the affairs of the State Government,
and is closely confined to business matters.
from beginning to end. Save the
paragraph about the assassination of
President Garfield, there is refer
ence to National affairs, and the whole paper
may be searched in vain for anything bearing
upon current politics. The Governor writes like
business agent reporting to his principals,
the people of the State, upon the concerns over
which they have placed him In charge. How
vast and varied are these concerns is impress
svely shown by the length of the Message, COM
bined with the fact that one topic is treated
with more fullness than is necessary to give
the reader a concise summary Of the facts
concerning it, and perhaps brief recon-
mendation for legislative action. Indeed, the
document is a series of paragraphs in which
there is a notable absence Of the customary
yerLage of official communications. If 1t is
long, IT is because NewYoIk is a large State
with a multitude of important interests regu-
lated OF otherwise affected by legislative and
executive action.
The financial showing Of the Message is an
excellent one. and rebounds TO the credit of
Republican administration. The effect of
Governor Corncl's numerous vetOes of extrav-
agant measures last winter is now seem
There is a surplus Of So 1919, G15 in the Treas
ury, although the tax levy for 1881 was nearly
So, 900, 900 less than that of the previous year
The total funded debt is only $9,109,051, and
there is a balance in the Canal Sinking
Fund of $2,422,9S1 If the Legislature
is economical III its appropriations this
winter there seems to be no reason why
a further reduction in the tax rate should not
bc made.
With most of the recommendations in the
Message we can heartily concur. Those in
reference to the amendment of the excise laws.
so as to prevent their open defiance by un-
licensed grog-S hops the need of legislation to
restrain the railroads from making IN
Just determinations between individual
patrons and communities; breaking up
the traffic in lottery tickets; new CrOtOn
adueduct the revision of the tax laws the
maintenance of the Erie Canal and the modif-
cation of the laws which, in their practical
operation, revive the mddlc-agc barbarism of
imprisonment for debt, are specially commend
able and important. Many viii be disposed to
dissent however, from the Governors views
about the cXpedicucy Of making the sessions Of
the Legislature biennial. and will cite
the examples of some Western States
which have tried the experiment without
securing the desired end of less talk
and more work in their law-making bodies.
The device Of an adjournment is often re-
sorted to for the purpose OF cyading the Con-
sttution and securing an annual meeting.
Pennsylvania has succeeded, however by ~
strict constitutional provision, in preventing
her Legislature from meeting ofteucr tLar
once in two years, and Ncw-Yorl could copy
her method. One Of two reforms ought to
be adopted to check the evil OF excessive leg
isla,iou-thero should either be fewer sessions
or shorter ones.
The statement in the Message that the
school attendance has fallen of during the
past year is one that should attract Tire serious
attention OF the people of the State. A general
discussion OF this matter 10y the local press
is perhaps tie best way 10 awaken "a fresh
interest in the schools With the rapid
growth Of the population Of the
State there ought 10 be "a steady in
crease IL school Attendance. That tAIs is
not the case shows "a degree Of public iuihrl-
eucc on a subject Of vital Importance to tDe
welfare Of s0cicty.whch cannot be too speedily
remedied. 1t is gratifying to learn that the
prisons are self-supporuug for the first time