The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-12-13

in population, industry n capita
| has brought about an entirely new sci
| of conditions. The courts are mol
expensive, because the volume of iii
CATION and the magnitude of the in
terests involved grow greater year by
year. The expense OF depressing
crime and protecting life and prop
erty increase in direct ratio
with population and wealth.
and the cost of public education
is enhanced not only by numerical
growth but also by the de
velopment of our civilization. which
constantly sets up higher standards
to be reached.
We have no sympathy with those
who hold up their hands in horror
because the State Is spending a few
thousands more per annum than II
did a quarter of a century ago. On
the contrary, we would be glad to see
a greater liberality Of a judicious kind
In the administration of public affairs.
Mere extravaganza and jobbery in
deed all good citizens should oppose,
but tine economy which makes slow
legal process, which insui1iciently en-
forces the laws and which makes no
provision for public enlightenment is
economy Of the penny wise stamp,
and would in the long run tend to re-
duce the Commonwealth to the plight
In which the impoverished Southern
States remained for years after the
War.
Indeed we think there is no use dis
cussing the question whether the
State expenditures shall be restored
to old time figures. We have no doubt
but every year will show increased
expenses, so long as the present rate
Of growth goes on. 1t is only natural.
With cities increasing at the rate OF
fifty per cent in ten years, with hun
dreds of miles of railway projected or
building, with new capital flooding
into the State, new industries spring
ing up on all sides, is it reasonable to
suppose that the governmental sys-
tenn will alone remain cramped and
narrow?
But if our expenses are to be high,
there is no reason why they should be
provided for in hap-hazard fashion.
There can be no doubt but in its rev.
enue system New Jersey is years be-
hind the age. 1t is without plan or
principle, and it is almost wholly due
to the personal energy of n man, the
present Governor, that the entire bur-
men is not thrown on the private prop
erty of the State to the entire exemp-
ton of its corporate wealth. 1t is
time for this happy go lucky
financiering to come TO an end.
The entire law-making power is
harmonious, and it will have a basis
to work on such as has never before
been available in the report of the
Tax Commission and the records
of the facts, opinions and theories
advanced for its information. 1t will
be the duty of the Legislators to be
fair to all classes. They must steer
clear of the corporate influences
which will be brought to bear on
them on the one hand, while on the
other they must avoid any demagogic
tendency to unjust determinations
against railway and other corporate
capital.
1t is probable Governor Albeit will
take a leading part in the reorganiza-
ton of the State finances, and we are
convinced the Democratic majority in
the Legislature will be wise in follow
ing the general lines of policy which
he will most likely lay down in his
annual message. During his cam
paign for the Governorship, Cover
nor Albeit promised the people two
great reforms. That of the ballot
system was realized under
his leadership in the opening
months of his term. III he can,
with the aid of his party, accomplish
the formation of a new State revenue
system this year, he will have made
for himself a record such as no other
Democrat in the country except
Grover Cleveland can match, for il
will be not the record of a poll
tician but of a faithful and useful ser.
want of the public interests.