New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-07
THE s5OVERNOR'S MESSAGE.
CUSSED

TRANsIT-CONTESTED ELECTIONS
VARIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS.
Albany, Jan Ex-Governor Hills annual message
which is given in full below. was TRANSMITTED !"
the Legislature to-day. II opens with the aSSei-
ton that it is the duty of the LEGISLATURE 10 pr"
vide for an enumeration OF the population y. NV
State The liquor question is discussed anu ',''
Governor outlines the excise legislation tu'' ii'
favors. An argument is made in favor Oh '""-
mission eff the Prohibition amendment at ,iIc hcA
annual election, instead OF at 'p
election The question of reform IN nie'Houo
Of taxation is treated at length, and the
Governor expresses his belief that real anu per
sonal property should be placed upon an equnl
tootino 70, ali nurnoses ~ taxation Rapid transit
in New-York and the improvement OF country
roads are briefly discussed. Other matters treated
are. The interests of labor. contested elcctlohs
tho Worlds Fair the finances, and the tederai
Election bill The message is as follows:
State Of New-York: Executive Chamber,
Albany. Jan. q, 1891.
To the Legislature:
In entering upon the seventh and last year OF my
service as Chief Executive Of the state VIII not ar
feet TO conceal nv qualification at the fact that Tor @
first time during the past seven years the popular
branch Of the Legislature is in political accord WIN he
Executive. A..
congratulate Won and the people of the state tlat
Notwithstanding the existence Of an unfair ana unjust
apportionment the popular voice has at last fouhu eA
preston in the selection OF one house OF the LeS>i"E
nre which is i'm harmony with the sentiments OF ma
jorty Of the people.
While II is tine that one body alone cannot enact
the legislation demanded by the public interests vet II
is believed that tie potent influence of the recent poP
lar verdict is such that the whole Legislature VIII "o"
he inclined 10 respect the popular wishes winch nave
been so emphaticaly manifested and heretofore so long
djsregarded
rb. measures which the people require are we'll nm
derstood Foremost among them is the proposition
for an enumeration Of the inhabitants Of te eta'N "
conformity with the express requirements oil Ue 'ol
sttntton.
IN ENUMERATION DEMANDED.
An enumeration is necessary for the purpose Of has
ing thereon u reapportonment of the Senate and As
semhly districts The Federal census OF $500 DEFECT
i've As IL is generally believed to be. demonstrates
clearly the injustice If the present apporonmo mat
apporiOnmcnt based on an enumeration taken NJ
teen wears ago and since then the population ~ the
State according T. the Federal bureaus count has in
creased more than 100000. Nearly one fourth Of
the inhabitants of the state have been denied just rep
resentaton by the Legislatures persistent refusal 10
authorize a new enumeration. aThc Federal figures
show incomplete they are, that there nave been ~
The last fifteen years radical changes in the relative
number OF inhabitants in various localities Of the state
In the cities Of New York and Brooklyn the Increase "f
popnlation is al least 100000 while most of the other
cities Of the State have grown proportonatcly Vet
$4,000 people III St Lawrence County are represented
in the Assembly by three members, while nearly eigh
teen times as many in NewYork. and ten times as
many in Brooklyn, continue under the present appoT
tonnent 10 be represented by only eight and four times
rs many members respectively. Under fair appor
tionment, based accurate enumeration New orr
vond be entitled n thirty three thirty four members
@. Assembly instead 81 twenty -four. and Kings County
would have seventeen members instead Of twelve In
Tho Sft4p hpIp ne
River would be represented by fourteen Senators in
stead OF eleven II is fragrant wrong longer 10 DENY
fair representation to cities which pay more than
half Of the state taxes
Inequtable. however, the Federal census proves
the present apportonment be. it is believed that an
accurate enumeration would show even more striking
INEQUALITIES Throughout the state there has been
manifested deep-seated mstruSt Of the accuracy Of the
Federal 1t has been demonstrated quite cleary
that in the city Of NcwNork alone nearly 100000 In
tsbitsnts were overlooked There is satisfactory evi
dcnce also Of deficiency in the returns for other parts
OF the state An enumeration under state authority
is demanded not only correct The glazing Inequalities
OF the existing apportonment but the apparent mac
cuyaces Of the Federal census as we'll
There nsed not be another census. but simple emu
nerstlon Of the inhabitants all ta; is desirable and
an that the Constitution absolutely quireS. II seems
10 be now generally conceded. no meter how the mat
fer NAV have been viewed in previous that col
lection of statistics other than simple enumeration
would be n useless waste Of public money and wholly
unnecessary procedure. The people desire and expect
III this time simple enumeration and that * all They
have protested in uumtakable terms against the pc
rtral Injustice involved in the continuance Of the
ent ineoutabe apporonment Of the senate and IS
sernbly districts and they desire 20 see the wrong
speedily rghted in the most inexpensive aud simplest
manner permitted by the Constitution.
In 1855 ] suggested that the euumeratOrs be ap
ponted by the counts clerks Of the respective counties,
expressing the opinion that such course would be
likely 10 secure capable and efficient errmefator-
thau IL they were selected by the Secretary of state o
other state officer a the county clerks could have
personal knowledge Of the qualifications Of most OF Their
app0lntees IN their respective c0unticS: and having
had no reason 10 change my views upon this point
snce then. desire this tine 10 Ieiterate that rec
ommendation. asserting moreover, again, what dis
tnctly stated in that year. that amy bill providing for
an enumeration Of the inhabitants % the St2teand fo
that enumeration only-wi be permitted 70 become a
law. matter by what methods under the snpcr
vision Of what officer the enumeration is T. he taken
The duty Of the legislature j. plain. II should pro
vide for the taking Of enumeration, 10 the end that
q fair and just apportO comment may follow in due time.
That duty cannot be neglected evadcd without a
violation OF the official oatS Of those who perpctrate
the It should be faithfully performed regard
less Of political other Irrelevant considerations
4 decent respect for public opinion. repeatedly
Tested upon this question. the conscientious desire
which may be assumed TO exist the part Of the PEG
PIES representatives 70 faithfully discharge public
duty and the interests Of the growing OF The
state all unite in demanding that the constitutional
obligation be performed.
JUST AND REASONABLE EXCISE LAW
The necessity FOR a revision OF existing Excise law,
has been repeatedly demonstrated. II was in l-57-
over thirty years agO-whcn the present partial
perfect general Excise law now in force was enactcd
nee that date population has enormously increased
bout tup fyie
and with this increasing population. tending
more 20 concentration in large cities and pOpulon-
towns and villsges inevitable and decided changes
have come u che conditions under which the Excise
laws must be administered Numerous innovation,
have been wrought In the customs A. well a the
opinion, Of the people during that long period. Re
strautS and regulations then enforceable not
.oe..ivc o~ Suncieuf MANY restrict jon> and mcLnds