New-York tribune., 1884-01-16
LEON ALBEIT GOVERNOR.
UNUSUAL CEREMONY IN TRENTON.

lNDSUAL CEREMON1 IN IRENION,
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS WITH ITS CRITICTs'ls AND
RECOMMENDATIONS.
lFRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT or TIE TrIBUH.l
TRENTON, Jan. 15.-Leon Albeit Of Hudson
County made Governor Of New-Jersey today q, The
Trenton Opera House, with something more iau the
usual ceremony Two hundred from Jersey ty and
about many from Newark came down I'm a body about
10 o'clock this morning, and escorted Governor ect
Albeit and Governor Ludlow from the State House 10 the
Opera House. the Seventh Regiment band playing pretty
tunes ahead There military display and the suh in
the streets and the clouds overhead made things rather
dismal The Opera House crowded, but mostly ~
Democratic politicians, the absence Of eminent b.
ing somewhat remarkable. In box sat Mr.. Abbet3
family including his venerable father. The members Of
the Legislature grouped the stage like charity
pupi prize exhibition, and in front were Chief Jus.
tice Beasy President Vail OF the Senate, Governor Lu.
low Govcrnor-eect Albeit and two clergymen
President Vail opened the ceremonies by introducing
the Rev. Dr. Aborcrombie. who invoked Divine blessing
Chief Justice Beasy then Administered the OATH ana
Governor Ludlow presented the Great Seal the state
silver medal apparently, to Governor Albeit, with a
few words Of congratulation. Governor Ab.
bett responded by saying that he hoped
his administration would be az pure and perfect "A
that of Governor Ludlow. The latter then introduced
the Governor the President OF the Senate who in turn
presented him to the members OF the Legislature Cover
nor Albeit then advanced to the 'front.' pulled forth large
roll OF printed pages aud for hour spoke on his nen
tions and wishes regarding his administration He read
the inaugural address forcbly and with considerable
effect
THE QUESTION OF RAILROAD TAXATION.
The inaugural opened with promise faithfully to di4-
charge the duties imposed and plunged Immediately
discussion Of railroad taxation The burdens Of taxa
tion, said the Governor, unequal The sovereign
rights OF the State have been bartered away and ire
pealabe contracts have been created which legislation
wipe out except that OF exercising states night
OF eminent domain. The only method OF obtaining relief
is condemn the railroad tax franchises and pay proper
compensation. This is possible, and the privilege may
also be delegated TO cities The first action shOld he
constitutional amendment forbiddng such contracts
the future Another amendment n atty needed Is
peal Of the clause forbddng amendments otencr than
in five years This clause has been bar action in
the past and should be removed at
LEGISLATION FOR CITIES.
The subject OF egsation for cities considered at
length by Governor Albeit, and he h OF opinion that
remedies for the existing difficulties would be found by
granting power to the cities for the modification Of the
statutes governing them, and says; 81 strongly In
favor of the mant Of the provisions of teanendel
Constitution winch require the Legislature 10 dell With
certain subjects by general laws. know Of i1cOD-
evil those u which the people subjected
under the ol Constitution DO not q Ink that yOu have
they will deal fairly and literally With any law that yOl
may pass that Is not Gle violation Of the Constitution
submit thai such would not only be violation ~
the Constitution, but that 1t would be the nearest a
pgOach 10 local srgOyemCnt that Is possible under our
form or government
THE STATE FINANCES.
TIE Governor said ordinary Of the state Is
insufficient for its expenses He approved direct state
tax and urged increase In the revenue by hrsi,
creasug the valuations OF railroad property second by
taxing railroad franchises; third by taxing corporations
other than railroad and manufacturing compan es:
fourth, by imposing license fees foreign companies;
fth by taxing the Teccip Of certain corporations;
sixth by imposing collateral inheritance tax; seventh,
by Increasing The on III" INCORPORATION acts or
panies. He shows that the total yaua ions OF railroads
which TX ble amount TO only Sjl,yS j2S6 81, aud
claims that the might be considerably increased
Governor Abbott in conclusion advocated the abolish
mcnt Of contract convict labor, The passage o. an act Tor
his better protection OF saving bank deposits the Orrl
consideration OF the agricultural interests and the proper
care Of fishing and mining interests.
Frequent applause interrupted the reading. After tho
benedicti0n, Governor and Ex-Governor driven
~ a baTDuche, drawn by the notorious four BLACK
horses, to tine hotel where lunch served short
reception at the executive chambers followed for the
evening genera reception the public took place at
the place with music by the seventh Regiment band
OF New York There large attendance principally
of Trenton people.
COMMENT on THE ADDRESS.
The inaugural address provOkes much comment. The
condemnation and compensation scheme IL one which has
met the favor OF the railroad companies always and
which others have considered and invariably rejected be-
cause the income from taxation would never be great
enough to more than pay the interest on the sum
needed such plan The other suggestions OF less
importance and contain little that Is The speech
sounded as II II might nave been made by MI Gator but
only the careless IL argument for perfec
ton aud demand that nothing less the unattain-
able should be accepted.