New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-04
FULL TEXT OF TIE MESSAGE.
STATE OF NEW-YORK:
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,


EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, 1000
To the Legislature: g
The opening Of the one hundred and eleventh
session of the Legislature of New-YOrk since the
establishment of our Constitution, finds our Com
monwcath in the enjoyment of q large share OF
public prosperity, suggestive of the benefits of
continued good. government, and ahordng re-
newed evidence of the pcrmanence and inestlmable
value of our free institutions.
have determined TO make this annual message
the briefest record. This conclusion is reached
not because there is not abundance to present,
but because fully realize that he who gives his
suggestions with concseness and brevity conlcrs
no small gift upon active men in this busy age
He secures, in addition, an attention which is
ordinarily refused prolix State papers. Having
spoken in ,ther years at considerable length Ill
like messages. upon many OF the questions with
which l shall deal in this, l shall content myself
in the main with condensed recital of some of
the reforms and changes already accomplished,
and rcitcrate mary of the suggestions previously
advocated
may be permitted to observe that many I'M
portanU recommendations heretofore made by me
having already received the favorable action of
the Legislature, my task at this time Is materially
lghtencd: -, ,
special legislation can be avoided. general act
for the Incorporation Of trust companies has been
enacted, thereby dispensing with the necessity
o.
The powers of the local authorities of villages
and towns in the matter OF local improvements
creased, thus relieving the Legislature from nu-
merOus applications to confer such powers III
special cases.
Appeals ia capital cases have been authorized
to be taken from the Court of Oyer and Ierminer
direct to the Court of Appeals, by which the adj
ADMINISTRATION of criminal law III tins class OF cases
will be greatly facilitated.
Preferences in assignments of insolvent debtors
have been regulated and restricted insuring here
after "a more equitable distribution of the debtors
estate among the creditors, being measure OF
considerable Importance to the mercantile COM
munity.
A State Board of Mediation and Arbitration has
been created for the amicable adjustment of labor
disputes arising between employers and employees
which board is now in fairly successful OPERATION
and reasonably meeting the expectations OF tne
people ,,...,,s. ..o,,a;n .ho cotnraor ho,f
holiday have been established by law, affording
opportunity for much-needed recreation and en-
joyment to large classes of people, especially
during the summer months
Private bankers not already engaged in banking
business have been prohibited from making use
of any artificial or corporate name or other To n
by which legislation innocent people VIII mere,
after be protected from imposition and much fraud
An act has been adopted providing for the
preservation of the forests belonging to the State,
regulating the control and management thereof ana
creating a Forest Commission for such purposes.
Substantial progress has been made In establish,
ing a complete system for the prevention r, OF
sale of canned goods has been regulated to
limited extent; the use Of certain improper SUB
stances in The manufacture OF confectionery s mas
stitute for hops or pure extract OF h0ps IN the
manufacture Of ale or beer and acts have been
passed to prevent the adulteratlon or vinegar ana
wines.
The employment of children in various laborious
industries has been regulated and benehciaiiy
The Mechanics Lien Law has been revised and
improved
RENEWAL OF PREVIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS.
In the discharge of my obligation to communi-
cate to the Legislature information respecting the
condition of the State and to recommend such
matters as may Judge cxpcdient, 1 respectfully
commend to your consideration the followinS
First--An act regulating the employment of
prison labor
After the abolition Of the contract system, it
was held that under existing laws, the only system
of prison labor that legally available for
operation was the public account system; Inc
Superintendent OF State Prisons has therefore no
discretion in the matter III the absence OF aIirm-
ative legislation. That system as has been re,
peatedly urged, should be regulated, modified ana
restricted. as TO prci emit rs lar dS !" sslpe nI-
tast competition and interference with OUTSIDE
labor The Legislature has heretofore neglected
10 determine this question by necessary ana APP
unnecessary to reterate them. The report OF the
propriate legislation My views apon this subject
have been frequently expressed that IT seems nn
necessary reiterate them The report OF the Prls-
Oh Labor Commission, authorized IN 1866, ana pre-
scnted to the last Legislature ana unacteu upon
by that body, deliberately discusses the whole
problem of prison labor, and its conclusions ana
recommendations should be carefully considered.
Second-A measure vldinS Tor spring munich
pal elections in the City of Ncw-iork
The details which, in my judgment such q
measure should contain, have zen outlined III
previous messages, and need not be repeated ut
this time.
Third-An act providing for special counsel
TO the Legislature, -,
Nv views in relation to this matter are so well
understood that further explanation OF them may
we'll be omitted. 80 -, co.
Fou,tb-A revision of the tax laws of the State.
whereby real and personal property shall be placed
nnon a, equal footing for all purposes of taxation,
and personal property be compelled to bear its just
proporjon Of the public burdens ~
This recommendation Is now MADE ior the thlrd
time but il has not thus far resulted IN securing
apy legislation whatever. Public sentiment has,
however. been awakened upon the subject, and
the party in control of the Legislature at us Sate
Convention in September last declared i.seiI as
follows We are in favor OF such further changes
in the tax laws as s1all "a alzc the burden, am
ompel personal property 10 bear its share" ~
Is TO be hoped that this solemn pledge to the peopc
may in COED faith be falnllcd.
fifth-The creation Of q commission 10 revise
the charter OF the City of New-fork.
The arguments in favor OF this step were pss-