New-York tribune., 1886-01-06
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

lature 10 marbed Dy many Oh tDe characteiisIi0s
that were found in the first one. 1t contains
number of excellent suggestions, and some OF
doubtful utility. 1t smacks of the partisan. 1t
makes one or two Obtrusive bids Toe the votes
of class IL abOunds in admirable sentiments
which would be more impressive If the Gov
ernor's practice did not contradict his preach
ing.
Mr.. Hill begins with few sensible remarks
concerning the tendency of legislation as it is
and as it ought to be, but without renewing his
recommendation of last year looking to the
appointment Of q counsel to the Legislature
whose duty it should be to prepare bills.
Passing to the vital subject of the States
finances, he makes the gratifying statement that
Gasjde from a remnant of the canal debt, a
few Indian annuities and the obligation in
scurred last year on the purchase OF the State
Reservation at Niagara, the State has no
apublic debtn Over against this statement
is set the fact to which THE TRIBUNE lately
called attenton-the gradual increase OF the
expenses of government. To relieve the
taxpayers in part the Governor, saying ditto to
Controller Chaplin, fnvors the termination Of
what is known as the School Fund and the trans
fer of the proceeds arising from the sale of its
securities to the general fund, to be applied in
the reduction of taxation. The proposition
involves an amendment to the Constitution.
Such an amt ndmept WAS introduced at the last
session of the Legislature. but failed to pass.
What the Governor has to say on civil Service
reform is worthy for the most part, OF a gen
uine reformer. Coming from the lips of the
man who appointed Mr.. Sterling Port Warden,
it has a ludicrous sound. and will be greeted
with audible smiles.
The paragraph devoted to taxation is one OF
the best features of the message. The
necessity which exists for a thorough revision
of the tax laws, to the end that the public
burdens may be more justly distributed, Is
forcibly presented. In sharp contrast Is the
treatment of the subjects OF census taking and
apportionment. This part of the message is
dscreditabie. The Legislature at its last
session passed census bill calling for the
necessary outlay of money. 3Sucn an outlay
of the public money" the Governor asserts "was
"indefensble The people did not demand it
snor did they approve OF it. Subsequent
@events have justified the action of the Exec
"utive."
BY asubsequent evepts," Mr.. Hill presumably
refers to his own election. A Governor who
appreciated the dignity 0f his position woull
not have gone on in this stump-speech style.
The State Prison problem is discussed, but no
additional yht is thrown upon it; there is
eulogy on labor" and contention for relig-
iors liberty which would seem to have been
prepared with an eye to a Hill boom In
1883.
The portion of the message which will create
the most discussion is that which recommends
the abolition of certain public offices. The
Governor would abolish the Board of Regents
of the University, the State Board OF Chari-
ties, the State Board of Health, and the bureaus
and commissions for work of an engineering
character outside of the State Engineers de-
partment. This proposition looks to transfer
ring the powers and duties of the Board of
Regents to the Superintendent of Public In
struction the powers and duties OF the surveys
TO the State Engineers department and the es-
tablishment of single-headed departments OF
Charities and Health. These suggestions are
not new, and some of them are of doubtful wig
dom. The Board of Regents is a favorite sub
iact of attack, but it has done and is doing
large amount of most excellent work. In the
Constitutional Convention of / 367 memorial
was presented urging the importance of reduc-
ing the educational system of the State to
unity. AT intervals since that time the discus
sion of the subject mas been renewed, but with
out the friends Of education coming to any
agreement. In 1874 resolution was intro
duced in the Legislature which provided that
all the public education in the State shOuld be
placed in charge of the.Regents, either by Civ
ing to them the appointment of the Superin-
atendent of Public Instruction or in such other
manner as to the Committee on Public Educa
ton shall appear most expedent." The re-
suit was an exhaustive discussion. but no action
was taken. The Governors recommendation
will have the effect OF throwing the matter
again into the arena of debate
That something should be done about the
surveys is generally admitted. Some of those
whose experience in public affairs is the great
est and whose judgment is the soundest be-
lieye that the Office of Chief Engineer has out
lived its usefulness now that We have Super
intendent of Public Works. IL is evident that
some sort of consolidation or absorption is
called for. And, whatever may be thought of
single-heade commissions as an abstract
proposition, certain it is We think, that the
Boards of Charities and Health have strongly .
entrenched themselves in the public confidence
by good and faithful service.