New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-05
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

Gentlemen Of the Senate and 0fMe House Of Representa-
| hres.
| In accordance with a uniform usage begun in the
| earliest times and sanctioned by law, the
'SupTeme Executive Magistrate" OF the Commonwealth
permitted at this time and place to address to the
bodies of the Legislature such suggestions, views and
recommendations he may be advised TO Co. for their
consideration aud action IL has been usual In doing
present statement of the financial condition OF the
Common wealth aud OF the several public funds appear
ing upon books OF its Treasurer and Receiver Gen.
era As the incoming Executive can have no other and
different knowledge than Is furnished by that officer
upon these topics, content myself by giving yoa
statement furnished by him as folIows:
Total debt December 49, 1882 s325ll6 80
rota tai tnds i@iis BeeeaSsr 81 i9iSS6S "a
OF the gain above there belongs
To sinking Fun nds s2,9270is SO
To Funds. 4ss557 IS
s3425,5s0 81
The gain the Trust Funds is wholly from the Boston and
Albany Railroad exchange
The expenditures upon the Hoosac Tunnel aud the
Troy and Greenfield Railroad, which apparently are
more than equal to two-thrds OF the public debt the
financial condition OF these State concerns, their man
agcment and what bs the OF legislation
aud executive administration IN regard to them, VIII
hereafter made subject OF special message In
passing this topic s permissible to say that after an
Investment costing the State than s2207s6S9 II
In a commercial and trading enterprise which promised
to be OF great advantage the State II now appears
that the railroad and tunnel iind themselves TO DO In
such condition as not TO bs selfmpportng even, but
leaving in the past year small deficit to be provided
for BY taxation for expenses only.
PoLL-TAXEs.
Free and equal suffrage to all who by the qualification
of naturalization and the constitutional Of educa-
ton have the right take part in the government OF
their state and country To this right and immunity OF
czens OF the United states there should be no legal
hindrance and specially the prerequisite OF paying
iaton tax believe in sucn tax as duty OF the
citizen but not qualification to his suffrage. Every
man ought pay his just share OF the burden OF main
tanning the Government But the penalty for pay
mcnt should not be aud loss OF citizen
ship that Is too severe, and In all civilized countries
Ia only attached to tue highest crimes. But above
ALL t should not be imposed when such tax has not Deen
assessed upon him that he pay It, as Is now tho
law OF our State. I therefore recommend change In
the law Of assessment OF the potax winch undouot-
edy within the competency OF the Legislature that tne
pollax should be assessed part of the city or town
tax for their use only would induce the towns to
use diligence in assessing aud their collectors In colect-
ing the poLtax which, going 10 the town, would DC the
contribution OF the potax payer toward the eduoaon
OF his children and far equivalent for MS settle
ment. I would further recommend that TINS TAX
sboud be assessed az now the list day OF
NAV ard n separate warrant for It's collection be
issued to the collector as early as the 5otn
do. ~ Nav and that by the Collector should be re-
oursa 90 make q return Of such warrant by the 18th
d.v of August Such change Of time OF collecting tho
tar would relieve elections and our state from
practice which obtained OF late. Of committees OF
the respective political parties paying the politax ior
voters in order TO have voter registered, who
supposed, will vote with those who pay bis tax No
more vicious practice could possibly exist Some vague
opinions have obtained, thst under our Consutu'
ton State or county must be paid 70 enable ne
CsntinueA On seventh PaSs