New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-07
COVEp\OP HTII'S MESSAGE,

As usual Governor HIPS annual message Is
far from being a dignitied State paper, but Is
largely a partisan harangue The Constitution
nrovdes that the Governor shall communicate
by message to the Legislature at every session.
But this message. which is printed on another
page, cannot properly be called message 10
the Legislature. II would be much nearer the
truth to characterize it as a Stump-specch TO
the Democratic majority of the Assembly. 1t
begins with congratulations over the return or
the Democrats to power in that body. 1t ends
with roaring invcctive against the bill now
pending in the United States Senate placing
additional and much-nceded safeguards around
the ballot-box. The Governor is an old Offend
err in this particular. Nearly all his messages
read as though they might have been prepared
for delivery before a Democratic ratification
meeting Consequently, reputable citizens,
whatever their politics, who have an intelligent
conception Of what properly constitutes an
annual message to tho Legislature-that is, to
the representatives, not OF Democratic con
sttuenceS nor of Republican constituencies bat
of all the people of the Stac-nust regard these
productions of Governor Hill with shame and
confusion Of face.
The chief subjects which the Governor treats
of are enumeration of the inhabitants, excise.
the Prohibition Amendment, taxation. rapid
transit and legislation growing out OF strikes.
OF course. in discussing enumeration he has the
presence Of mind not 10 mention the fact that
the Republican Legislature OF 1885, IN obedi'
ence to an express mandate of the Constitution
passed an Enumeration bill corresponding 10
the one which Samuel j. I'ildcn signed. and
that he vetoed it because he feared ii gave too
much patronage TO the then Republican Sec
retary Of State. In view OF that most slgnl-
can't record all that the Governor has 10 say in
reference to the injustice which has been done
to certain counties owing to the pOStponement
of the reappOitonmcnt of legislative districts
is an indictment of his own official course. lie
pretty clearly intimatcS that he is az arrogant
and stubborn on this question now as he was
in 1885. and will sign no bill essentially differ
ent from the one which he endcayOlcd msuc-
cesSfully to eXtOrt from the Legislature SIX
wears ago. Very good he will find that the
Republican Senate of 1891 is as determined to
maintain the Republican position as was The
Legislature of 1sS5. The Governors remarks
on Excise and Prohibition are worthy OF him.
! They are conceived in tho interest OF the
saloons although they are inclusive OF some
beautiful moral pattudcS. Realizing that II
an attempt is made TO change the date fixed by
the last Legislature for taking vote on Pro-
| hibition, the result may be a deadlock which
will prevent the vote being taken nj all, he
naturally recommends that the date be changed.
! The paragraph devoted to taxation is per
| haps the most important thing in the message
! What the Governor says on this subject is
worthy the special attention Of the Legislature
The proposition 10 which he commits himself
TO place personal property on the same footlhG
as real estate for the purpose OF taxation has
not commended itself TO students OF the tax
alton problem; but it is generally conceded
/ that something ought to be done, and done
promptly to make it easier for real estate. The
graduated probate and succession tax which
the Governor recommends is certain 20 find
many advocates. There is nothing new or
striking in what the message has 10 offer IN
regard to rapid transit. The Governor on this
head makes strong plea for home rule"
but the arrant hypocrisy of the plea looms up
when one remembers that the man who makes
| it has just conSpircd with other machine Demo
| Gratis 10 deny home rule 10 the voters of the
XXNIIlth District, in which his own home Is
situated. David b. Hill ought to be the last
man in the world 10 eulOgize home rule since
20 praise it is to condemn himself. The refer
ence to the strike of last summer and the
recommendations growing ont Of the reference
are fairly conservative, considering that the
Governor generally is most impassiOned when
he gets fired at the thought of the labor"
vote. lie thinks that corporations and their
employees ought to be required by law to ar
bitrate their differences. and he would dis
countenance tho employment of private de-
! tectives.
Whatever disagreement there may be touch
| ing the rest Of the message all citizens will
read with satisfaction its report upon the CON
dition OF the States finances. They are in
| thoroughly healthy condition. This great Com
mOnwealth--an empire in itSelf-is practically
ont of debt. Il may be addcd-the Governor
ncglects 10 do sO-that this result is largely duo
to the wise and economical management of the
states finances by the Republicans who, as
rup are in the majority in the legislature