New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-18
WHY THE STATE TAX rs HIGH.
THE INCREASE LARGELY CHARGEABLE TO
THE LEGISLATURE OF 1883.
FACTS AND FIGURES FOR THE TAXPAYER
OVER 400 BILLS IN TIE GOVERNORS HANDS
SUPERINTENDENT ANDREWS STILL
IN OFFICE.
[pY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuRE.I

IN OFFICE
IBT TELEGRAPH TIE TRIBuSEI
Albany, May I7.-GOvemor Hin and the Legislature
Just adjourned arc receiving good deal OF ceusure
because they have increased the State taxes thres
million Of dollars from 5000 ,3O3 50 in 1888 to
slo 55s55O In 1880 Much OF this censure is
deserved the Governor and the Legislature were
indeed extravagant Yet justice to both the offenders
requires that the people should know that the Increase
Of taxation not wholly their fault and that they
did not mako as many needless appropriations as
might at rst Sigt appear from glance at the total
amount OF Increased taxation. The Governor and
tho Legislature have had TO pay bills contracted by
tho Legislature OF 1888 which were showed over
upon tho head of its successor.
Moreover, the Governor and the Legislature were
not IN so favorable position, financially, as was
the Legislature Of 1888 When It began Its session,
In January OF that year, there was In the etate
Treasury surplus OF 100000, all OF
which was available TO pay the apPro-
priaton bills passed by that Legislature,
which IN this respect had $4,000 advantage of It's
OF 1889. Moreover, Il being Presidential
year, tho Republicans In the Legislature lsboed TO
keep the taI-rate low; not even granting much
needed appropriations. The state Prisons especially.
starved the sum OF 81 200 900 usually appro-
prlAted for their maintenance and Industries
beInG cut of. No account was taken
Of this 100000 in fixing tie tax
levy. What with the surplus OF $500 900. ard the
a 200 900 not granedtO the prisons IN tho tax levy
the amount TO be raised by State taxation was reduced
over S2,OOo,o00; but With the State conylcts busy
once MORE as they will DO II the Fassett bill becomes
law the appropriation of 81 200 900 has been been
removed. TheR, appropriations paid last year with
tho surplus Of $500, 900 must be paid this year By
taking money out of tho pockets Of the taxpayers.
It VIII thus be seen that the small rate Of taxation
last year was certain sense, artificial the reduction
being caused by surplus IN tho STATE Treasury. and
10y the attitude Of Governor Hill and tho legislature
toward tho prisons mentioned above. Tho sins OF
Governor Hill and Of the Legislature which has Just
adjourned are. therefore, Of not quito as grave nature
the taxpayer might at first think,
This is not the first occasion upon which the rate
Of taxation has bounded upward In 1882 the Demo-
cratic party elected Grover Cleveland Governor OF
Now-York When he arrived at AIDany at the be-
ginning Of tho year 1885, bo found Democratic Legs-
lature In 1882 under the frugal administration Of
AIonLo B. Cornell the Republican Governor OF the
state state taxes had amounted TO only $500 or
bad finished their work In 1883, they had Increased
the taxes to 80 1874 $685. IL seems TO pc no rto
OF an eopuOmical Legislature to be succfeded by an
c1uavagat one While tho Governor and the Leglslat
urr Of 1850 should not havo % 100000 OF new apprO
praons charged against them ihero can 90 40 aoGot
stats taxation by 81 600 Oo0-S25OOOo OF now canal
appropriations, and $4,000 OF various other appro-
priati1ns This Is a considerable descent from the
mountain OF $5,OOOOOO which the Democratic news
papers arO poiutnR out TO their readers, In happy
iurgetfunrss Of Governor HlIS responsibility.
Governor mrs clerks wero busy to-day arranging
the bills which they have received nom the Leg!slat-
urc. and making LIST OF them The Governor VIII
great Importance. People interested IN these measures
are already cunning TO Albany The qgyernor prefers
receive briefs regarding these bills, but may grant
hearings upon n few OF them.
Tho Board OF Trustees OF Public Buildings held no
ntcndont OF Public Buildings, therefore stu retains
his place.