New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-06-19
ISSUES IN THE STATE CANVASS.


The most important State election this year
will be that of New York. On the result of this
contest depends the entire State government
in both its administrative and legislative
branches, including the Superintendent OF PuD-
lie Works. the Superintendent OF Prisons,
Health Officer, Railroad Commissioners, ana
various other officials appointed by the Gov
ernor and confirmed by the Senate. The result
will also largely determine the choice OF a
United States Senator This and the fact that
the Governor to be chosen Will remain III Office
until after the next Presidential election neces-
sarily make the canvass this year one OF nm
usual Importance. Fortunately the Republicans
realize its significance, and show an ANXIOUS
desire TO shape the party action so as best TO
serve the public welfare.
At such a time the opinions OF representative
Republicans will be read with great interest.
Those of Senator Miller, given in yesterdays
tribune, were suggestive and important.
There is a difference of opinion as to the advis-
ability of adopting the New England plan OF
representation i'm State conventions, which Mi.
Miller. warmly advocates, but many Rcpub!i'
cans seem disposed to give the plan fair trial.
If it works as well in New York as it has in
New England, it will unquestionably be OF
great advantage to the party. In Its general
policy, as Mr. Miller remarks, the Republican
party must pursue its progressive course and
under no circumstances adopt the negative tao
tics of its opponents. The efforts OF some OF the
Democratic leaders to exclude National issues
from this years canvass cannot succeed. For
twenty years the Democrats have been appeal
ing to the country for support on the ground
that change would be beneficial. 80 Tar that
change has utterly failed to Justify the sanguine
expectations of those who voted for It, ms
fact will emphasize the Importance oil adher-
al ing to the Republican policy Of protection 10
American industry, maintaining the Natlonai
banking system, and stopping the coinage OF
u the silver dollar" Civil Service reform, owing
TO the frequent violation OF the spirit OF the
law by the present Administration. must neces'
sariy be an issue Of prominence. In the State
Legislature the Democrats were practically
INIT in their efforts to weaken the State laws
on this subject. Some few Republicans assisted
in that work, but they did not represent their
party which instituted this reform aud VIII
see that it is faithfully carried out.
There will be opposition to Mr.. Mlllers pro-
posal to stop work on the new Capitol at
Albany, and devote 81 900 900 annually to the
enlargement of the canal locks. But both
parties ought to agree as to the proprle;y OF
asking the Federal Government to bear two
thirds of the cost of maintaining the Erie Canal.
1t is a National highway, and of vastly more ac-
count to the people of the West than the rivers
and harbors, some of which exist only in name,
on which large sums OF public money are squan-
dered. A recent enlargement OF the lock at
Ceddes has demonstrated that similar i'm
provements on the entire line OF the canal
would greatly increase its capacity. There is
no need, during such financial distress as now
exists, of imposing further taxes on the people
for continuing work on the State Capitol.
Whether or not that money should be devoted
IN canal uses is a subject for careful considera-
tiDn.
The need of some change in the Constitution
to reform the methods of legislation at Albany
is a point of pressing importance. There
should be limit to the time for the introduce
ton of local and private bills, and other neces
sary changes. The methods of levying taxes
are yet unsatisfactory, and municipal reforms
are urgently necessary. Owing to the course of
the Democrats in the Legislature, and of Gov
ernor Cleveland in vetoing the Commission bill
last year, the prison labor question is still un-
settled. That will also be more or less of an
issue. On these and other questions the Re-
publicans must take advanced ground. Hap
PLY, the party is united, and all things point
to the choice of candidates who will in every
way command the respect of the people. III
that is done, success is assured.