New-York tribune., 1885-08-15
THE VIEWS OF SENATOR ARKEa
CIVIL SERVICE. THE CANALS, TAxATIu

CIVIL SEhNlCEs IhE CANALc, iAAAIW
DEMOCRATIC TRAvEsrY-THE STATE AND nX
wArERwAYs-A NEW BASIS FOR AssEssnxxR
[FRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT or THE fRfBgn1
CANAJoHARIE, N. Y, Aug. 13.-Scnator II
Arkell, of this district, though new man n - i
tics. during bis two years term in the State 6sao
acquired large influence In the party by m q i
course as a legislator. He devoted himself parue.
arly to questions of taxation and canal legisaua
confining his activity in politics proper to esf,u
endeayors TO promote the election Of AIr. EWv Il
to the United States Senate. He was found II i
afternoon on the steps Of his residence and a.
pressed himself freely on general political gus
Ons:
"Who is most likely to head the Repnbllx l
| ticket I" he was asked
1T Is TOO early to say yet" Mr.. Arkel replH
| We have an abundance of good material. Wbe
| ever is named by the people as their man. b
man, spell his name as you will. We must suboae |
nate our preference (which 1t no sin to haysIt
| the solidarity and success of the party.
"About Civil ServIce-both the great parties =
| posturing for public attention. Both clam -
role of reformers. The Republicans honestly
their record shows. the Democrats hypocritss4
| Aquila Jones' the Indianapolis postmaster ~
representative Democrat. 1t was natural he sheo4
curse Civil Service, while Obliged reluctantly ,
give seeming assent to the law. His converno
was like the Mahdis method Of persuadins
Christian to Islamism: Change your faith .
lose your head Effective but not earnest, -
leaving q strong stimulus to desertion.
"The Democratic trouble about Civil Seryicek
that to do the business of the Government osAa|
ability than that of political heeler Is requiS&
La tie postal service, for instance the mail cAnns
,t.~ 10 Ia i'm
sbillty for the ponderous party which draws in|
majorites from the worst element in the Tss@|
cities to pay its debts change its character or nj
purpose in q moment. You might as well exysa|
the leopard to change its spots. No, sir, Ciu
Service and municipal reform are aliens ID W
Democratic household, and looked upon as iileglR
mate intruders to be treated in public aud om"|
its friends with mock courtesy, and kicked a. sooa
as their backs are turned Yet we cannot but adj
mire the adroitness of the political monkeys whs
sit with unscorched paws and suggest to Their Aus|
wump feline recruits to pull the chestnuts out of
the fire.
"What are your views about the canalsr
"The question Of maintaining the canals
will soon be one of broad. as well y
vital, interest. Within the coming decsh
the canals will, under legislative pressure, b
likely to be abandoned by the SsatA
Forty-three counties out Of the fty-sx are outsds
of any possible freight help from these waterwayx
Their taxpayers are not liberal enough TO dons~
their earnings for the benefit of the great WeA
In fact, II put to vote to-day whether or not th
canal should be abandoned, believe in forty-thrs
counties 1t would receive an affirmative vo'A
Furthermore. a large area OF valuable land oonsn
by the State is occupied by squatters who useb
ofafxr WA r
public Justice these occupants should pay 0 laae
rent. Even as nominal sum, tins rental woun
give the State helping revenue of not less thsa
1900. 900. The Federal Government should main
tam and if needed, im prove the canals. Nearlys .
quarter of the canals of the State in this sens
torlal district The canals are free for the trana'
of tho products of the West and Northwest II
iustice believe those who are benefited should
pay. Therefore proposed the concurrent resoiu'
tion that passed the Senate to submit to the peops
a constitutional amendment by which tn'
Legislature snould be empowered to con-
tract with the Federal Government for fne
maintenance and Improvement of the canal saa
vet retain the title and control in the hands OF the
State This resolution failod in the Assembly iot
reasons not now prudent To mention: 1 look upo'
the restriction of elevator cnarges ana me maines
ance of canals US essential 10 Tie welfare ol ~
railroad crocodiles close over the local aud termna
felght interests of the State, che foolish victims
will howl too late over their own ieedessness no
Organized, persistent, forosghted business po'l.yy
of great corporations will be ikely 20 win against
the tabby, uncertain and poorly directed ioIce W
unoonpentra cd public opinion.
10 change the subject and come to anotper NAV
ter that seeHs u me OF Importance. our wnole ~
tenn of taxation is crude and UNEQUAL Reai es.s.o o
is so varIodsy valued BY different assessors tDat ~
uniformity OF justice Is attained is ny has;s
that the fsisest way to wou be ON the pass
OF the rental vaiue Take q farm or stofe, ~ -
house for instance that does of would 'o"s us
Tor $500 annually; multiply it 10y "a
times its rent for assessment On vacant lots. ut ss
the interest on the cost, aud multiply the In'cit
by zen as value. On productive personai prol"sw ~
earning revenue, levy a definite and iimltei @ ssn
Of say One-lalf Of per cont, and make az no
itles, mort gagcs, notes toher than those nen ~
bauks vcid and non-coiiectaoe,l unless gvo, =.
TO tho assessor and carrying ms ~ N me
alton. THIS would after the hrst year ~ ~ fhs
land tax half aud allow the diminutlon VI rnis
personal tax to one Quar- Of ono per cent ,t of
method would av0ii ehe driving OF capitai vsi alty
the state, ior investnent prevent oy tne pa,s ol
Its hiding. and be better than lowering tuo
interest, which Is SO easily eluded oy uis.",,oogr
is lt true you would not accept reno sssnos
Personally II IS pleasant that the cons'..Srsc .Sorsc
have eudea vored to serve are wiihns 70 t.iIv
me by The olpnmen nt of o renoniiuation. ~, s,d
apprec ate It, yet snail be Obliged postseyt - do
empla .icaliy to deciine. mud that Iuhy have
Justice to representative position " snouc c,,si
corpietu and Undivided attention. nsvo - ~.
erahia hualnasa iufAroSta fOT the proooot " Sv