New-York tribune., 1891-05-01
WORK OFTHE LEGISLATURE
IMPORTANT MEASURES ENACTED IN THE
SEssION JUST ENDED.


MEASURE FOR PROTECTION OF THE PAU
PER INSANE, AND BILLS MAKING
LARGE APPROPRIATIONS FOR
THF BENEFIT OF THE
FARMERS.
rRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THB rsiBUSE.l
Albany, April 3o.-whilc the Legislature which
adjourned to-day has not passed many laws-and ioi
this the taxpayer may feel thankful-it has passed
some of high Importance 1t also approved OF one
amendment TO the Constitution which will undoubtedly
be debated a good deal in the future.
Unquestionaby the leading measure OF the session
is the New-York Rapd-rrsnsit act 1t was passed
early in the session, after comparatively little debate
owing TO The fact that its chief features had been
considered thoroughly in previous Legislatures Broad
m nded members OF the Legislature, looking into the
future and seeing the swift growth Of New-lork as
soon as rapid transit roads are built, congratulate
themselves highly that the act was passed. No
men more interested In the measure than those
from the rural portions OF the State, because every
dollar added TO the taxation values Of New-iork de-
eases the taxes OF the owner Of property In the in
terror Of the state. Beyond all this there is great
pride in New York as the metropolis OF America
and desire that she should grow in population and
increase in weaIth--and keep ahead of Chicago.
Re Transit net will conduce to the accomplishment
OF oil these aims.
The amendment to the Constitution adopted was
that which was introduced by Assemblyman Acker and
Senator Llnson, providing for Court OF Appeals OF
fourteen associate members and one chief judge The
design OF this amendment is to create three divisions
Of the Court OF Appeals with the Chief Judge to
preside over each division. The amendment was In
troduced after the rejection Of the plan of the judiciary
Commss sion to limit the appealable cases, and thus
reduce the number OF which might go up to the
Court OF Appeals There was intense opposition TO
any limitation OF the right to fight case through all
the courts of the State and Senator Robertson well
said: "The Court Of Appeals of seven sjudges
could not keep up with Its worR unless
the right Of appeal TO 1t was limited
and, the popular judgment opposing that, we had no
other resource than to Increase the number OF the
judges"
The election laws Of the State were revised pro
foundly; bill becoming law which amends tho
Ballot Reform act of last year in many Important
particulars. This bill was drawn up by Senator
saxton the author of the Ballot Reform law. The
new law requires far larger number OF signatures
for independent nominations. For instance, the new
law requires 5000 signatures whereas last year only
1000 signatures necessary. Moreover the In
dependent candidates can put tner names upon only
ono ballot
Another law drawn up by Senator Saxton which
passed the Assembly last night and will undoubtedly
be approved by Governor Hill, reduces the days Of
registration in rural neighborhoods from three to
two and makes important changes In the constitution
of the Board OF ElcCuOIs, ItuuClnS lnc vi
inspectors TO three.
The State Charities Aid Society won its long fight
TO protect the pauper insane in the county poor
houses by obtaining the passage of law appropratng
1854 OcO for the enlargement OF the State insane
asy lums so that they receive 1000 pauper insane
now In the State asylums. This Is a proper supple
ment to the Care act Of last year. 1t is gratifying
10 know Also that tho Mddletown state InsaneAsylum
failed in its effort to break down the state Care act by
passing an act authorizing it TO receive pay patients
which, In the existing state of the asyums, crowded
now with patients would lead TO the exclusion Of the
pauper insane.
The Legislature wisely appropriated 100000 10 con-
tinue work upon the new Capitol. This appropriation
will enable Capitol Commissioner Perry to finish the
rooms in the western wing In the Capitol, and make
them ready for the occupation OF several state Depart
ments 1t will also give Mr. Perry almost funds enough
TO finish the grand western staircase and to begin the
construction of the grand approaches to the building
| at It's eastern extremity.
The Legislature also appropriated S165,O0o for re-
constructing portions of Auburn Prison and Clinton
Prison which were recently destroyed by fire.
Liberal appropriations and Happroprlauons were
the sum Of 100000 was rcappropriated for the 23d
Regiment armory in Brooklyn.
Thus $4,000 was appropriated for tho. Dairy Com
mcnt Station at Geneva $1,000 for the farmers in
stutes large appropriation was made for the state
fairs at Elmra, Auburn and Rochester.
In the line Of taxation measures IL Is profound
satisfaction to the members Of the Legislature to know
that senator Vedder's bill taxing the direct heirs OF
personal property became law Controller
Wemple estimates that this law will put over
80 100000 into the State Treasury In the
coming year. 1t is in consequence Of the estimate
to the probable income from this law that the state
taxrate lowered this year TO the small figure OF
3-s mills.
Owing to the deadlock produced by tho Democrats
in the senate, large number of excellent measures
failed TO reach the Governor Among them four
teen or fifteen bills Of the Statutory Revision Com
mission aud c. III. Russ general bill authorizing coun-
ties 20 place sherins and county clerks upon salaries
and reduce their fees There also failed to pass owing
Congressional districts OF the State, the bill 70
enumerate the Inhabitants of the State. and the bill
providing for the holding of constitutional conven
ton. 80 ,,, =, a, .
But the best title TO fame of the Legislature Is tha
IL presented the people with the lowest state taxrate
in forty six years.
,4,x ,rr.ic IN THE srrppJy p1JJ, VETOED.