New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-08
1EGLSLATIVE RECORDS COMPARED.

In short session Of three months the Re
publicaus in Congress passed several OF the
most important reform measures that have
been enacted in recent years. And this was
ACCOMPLISHED in the face of Democratic OBJ
struction, and in addition to the regular work
of the session. 1t will be interesting to COM
mare this record with that Of the New York
Legislature. The Democrats are in full con-
troll at Albany, and there Is no obstructive
minority to interfere with the rapid flliilment
of any proposed measure Of reform. In less
than hail the time ,nao TIE Legislature has been
in session Congress enacted law which fIlly
met the demand for reform in the Federal CIyll
Service and which effectually prohibits polltl-
cal assessments. II is admitted by all that
there is much greater need for measure 10
reform the civil service OF this city and State
than there was of one 10 reform that of the ma
ton. This city alone pays $10,O00,OO0 year
in salaries, one-third of which, two Mayors ard
one Democratic Governor have serted, could
be saved under q proper reform OF It's civil
service. The Legisature, however, gives no
indication Of an intention to comply with this
demand. bill to meet it WAS drawn up by
the Civil Service Reform Association OF this
city, and has been introduced in the Leglsla-
ture, but the Democratic leaders display Il
stolid Indifference, if not hostility, to 1t.
There is crying need for reform in the con-
duct of primary elections. The demand for it,,
as we'll as that in regard to the civil service, was
fully recognized in the platform of the last Dem
ocratc State Convention. Nothing has been
done in the Legislature, and it ia safe TO say
that nothing will be done to accomplish it, a
~ Al. 1r,.y tvr,
primary elections has been favOrably acted
upon. But that act is wholly Intellectual TO
eradicate the evils from which Ieliei is needed,
The Democratic bosses are afraid to risk, at
honestly conducted primaries, their supremacy
in the party. And the Democratic bosses run
this Legislature.
The adoption of the Free Canal amendments
calls for important legislation in regard TO tho
management of the State waterways. The Leg
slature has done nothing to provide for this
changed condition Of affairs. 1t has occupied a
good deal Of time, however, in advancing q bill
to create useless Canal Commission, with the
only purpose of caring for some needy Demo
Gratis at the expense o. the taxpayers
There is an unequal distribution Of the bur
dens of State ana municipal taxation. From
ten to fifteen thousand persons "swear off .
their personal taxes in this city every year.
Men known TO own many millions Of personal
property pay not dollar in personal taxes,
while the widow and orphan pay on nearly
every dimes worth Of personal property that
may be left to them. Corporations holding
valuable franchises that cost them nothing
escape their jusr share of the tax burdens.
New York City is unfairly called upon to con-
tribute about one-half the whole amount raised
for State purposes. Democratic platforms have
for years demanded a more equitable system OF
taxation in this State but the Democratic Leg
| islatnre has not taken a step toward bringing
| it about.
| There has been no legislation to provide for the
! just reapportionment OF the State for members
of Congress or to meet the demand for an honest
| and economical administration OF the city gov
| eminent, or to guard against tho continuation
| of receiverslip abuses or for many other like
reforms which the Legislature ought to have
accomplished. 1t has devoted two months time
to passing bills to increase Democratic patron
| age and other measures which gave the Gov
| ernor opportunities to exercise his veto power.
| About fifty of its bills have been condemned by
| the Mayors cabinet as injurious to this city.
Large sums of money have been expended use
lessly in Investigations, and provision has been
| made for continuation Of this abuse There
| has been scramble TO meet the demands OF the