New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-20
THE EXCESSIVE TAX RATE.
LEGISLATORS SEE THAT IT MUST BE Re:
DUCED.
THE SHOWING MADE IN APPROPRIATION BILLS
LAST YEAR-THE POLITICAL UTILITY OF
THE CANAL EXPENDITURES TO
THE AMBITIONS GOV.
.YROM THE REGuLAR coRREsroNpENr or 1HE rRrRrsxi
ERNOR HILL

FROM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRrBUN1J
Albany, Jan. l9.-1t was the State tax rate, in
creased largely by many necessary appropriations
by the Legislature of $50 that, in the opinion of
politicians lost the Republican party the State
last fall Although the Democratic members of
the Legislature voted for these appropriations,
the Republican majority held responsible for
them; and perhaps there was no other cause that
so led voters to reduce the Republican vote in the
Assembly and the Senate as this one One of the
most influential documents issued by the Demo-
cratic State Committee was one which showed tie
amount of the increase of State taxes in each
county, and in every township and school district
of that county. Governor Hill had approved OF
the tax rate, but he tnen turned about and vetoed
large number of appropriation bills, many Of
them TO pay just debts of the State, and, as might
be expected, then posed economical Execu-
tive although his action did not have the effect
of reducing in the least the taxes levied under
the tax rate
The leading Republicans, especially Senator
Sloan. chairman of the Senate Finance Committee,
and Hamilton Fish, jr. the chairman of the As
sembly Committee on Ways and Means, returned
TO Albany this year determined to use all of their
strength in the Legislature to keep down the
States expenses. They aim to pass the appro-
lature adjourns TO secure action from Governor
Hill upon them, and not to leave in his hands, as
was done last year, practically all this class Of
bills. The State tax-rate was needlessly high
owing TO this delay in passing the appropriation
bills last year. If it had been known on March
l6, 1889, the day the Legislature adjourned and
the day on which the State Tax-rate bill was
passed, that Governor Hill would veto appropria-
tions amounting to 81. sos $50, the tax-rate would
have been put much lower The Governor must
have known then that he would veto those appro-
priations. and yet he approved Of the Tax-rae bill
Mr.. Hill undoubtedly thought he could gain
political advantage by having the Stare tax-rate
high, and was indifferent TO any other considera-
tions. Indeed for month and a half before the
adjournment Of the Legislature it was his custom
to request that such appropriation bills as had
reached HIM should be recalled by the Legislature
for trivial amendment His intention obviously
was to prevent the final passage of these bills
TIL late in the session that they would he left
in his hands by the adjournment Of the Legis-
lature Mr.. Hill carried his point. as any un-
scrupuous Executive can if his political oppo-
nents are not keenly watchful Of his movements;
and as already stated. when the Legislature adj
iourned he had in his hands large proportion
of the appropriation bills of the legislature
Yet Senator Sloan and Assemblyman Fish can-
not succeed in their aim 10 reduce the appropria-
tions and thereby the State tax-rate unless they
have the cooperation of their Republican asso-
ciates. They cannot help feeling somewhat dis
mayed by the large number OF appropriation bills
already introduced The largest appropriation,
one of nearly -. 600 900 for the completion OF
,shat that old-fashioned Democrat, Governor
Robinson, called monumental folly" the new
Capitol, was introduced by Senator Chase of Al
bany, n Democrat. But what is most discour-
aging 10 those who would stop the passage Of so
many appropriation bill is that many of these
bills were passed last year and were among those
vetoed by Governor Hill. Mr.. Hill makes a
boast that he is consistent. II so in the matter
Of appropriation bills, how can the Asscmblymen
who have reintroduced these vetoed measures eX-
pcct ~ get them signed And what would 10
profit an ASsemblyman 10 have such bill passed,
raise the State taX-rate, and yet have il vetoed
by Governor Hill? VIII it please the Republican
constituents of the Republican Assemblymen who
introduced these vetoed measures TO raise the
State tax-rate in their several local
ites and yet not gain any advantage
whatever for their localities? Below
is list of the vetoed bills which have again
been introduced and the names of the Assembly,
men who have introduced these acts
Rarton-frlrns Taip. trmory .............. Is 600
Drcknr-Trant 10000
Dsups.y- htestown Normal School. ........... 5000
IohnSop-Jona.a Normal school 80. 100000
Klll-Rovalton vertical wall .................. 1900
-Wendolvile brsalyator. ................ 5000
-Clautaugua IaNe outlet t.............. $1,000
peck-Cortl,ud Aruo y...... ............... 25 OOO
Rhodes- White plains Nofmal school ......... 100 600
stevens alone Observation-Disclosures. - coo
Towne- FrcdoniS Normal school ........... 40 900
...r)4coVV
The sum of S54s. 800 is no small one 10 add
needlessy TO the State tax rate. What is cs-
IL IIillis dis