Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-01-06
THE NEW YORK LEGISLATURE
Organizes, Electing all the Democratic
Caucus Nominees Governor Flowers
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Organizes, Electing all the Democratic
Caucus Nominees Governor Flowers
Message.
ALBANY, n. NJ. January 5.-Both
branches of the Legislature assembled
at II o'clock. The Senate after the
usual formaiities, proceeded to the
election of officers, and those selected
by the caucuses were duly elected.
Edwards, the independent, acted with
the Democrats.
No effort at obstruction was made by
the Republicans. The question OF
seating Walker, the Democrat, for the
Twenty-sixth Senatorial district then
came up, and the Senate declared he
was entitled to his seat. He was at
once sworn in. The Assembly was
was quickly organized, the Democratic
officers being elected, after which the
Governors message was read.
Governor Flower in. his first annual
message to the Legislature this after
noon congratulates the people OF the
State upon the fact that for the hrst
time in eight years the Governor is able
to address his suggestions TO Legisla-
ture in political accord with the execu-
tive. He states that the paramount
duty Of the Legislature is to provide for
an enumeration of the inhabitants OF the
State preparatory to reapportionment
of the Senate and Assembly districts.
He also points out the necessity for an
immediate eapportionment of Congress
ional districts. In regard TO finances
the Governor shows that the total debt
of the State not provided for amounts to
only over 81, 900, 900. Upon the subject OF
taxation the Governor says: "If it con-
tinues TO be the policy of the State TO
widen the field of indirect taxation the
time is close at hand when, with rigid
economy in appropriation, all the ex-
penses of the State may be met without
the imposition of any general State tax.
Indirect tax laws, however, should be
based upon broad principles and should
be carefully framed so as not to unnec-
essarily or unwisely hamper individual
or corporate enterprise. Radical legis-
lation in that direction may prove a
public injury rather than public ben
eft.
One method of increasing the in
direct revenues of the State, namely,
that of taxing the bonded Indebtedness
of corporations has been repeatedly
suggested for the consideration OF the
legislature by the comptroller and by
my predecessor, and l submit 1t again
to your attention. 1t is estimated that
a moderate tax of this nature on each
percentum Of interest paid would yield
an annual revenue OF S1,0o0,0O9 to the
treasury.
He advises the Legislature to make
proper provision for constitutional
convention. While discussing the ques-
ton of Education and the State" the
Governor says that since 1851 the per
cent of the entire school population at
tending the public schools has fallen
from IS to little over SIS, and the eK-
pense per capita has increased from
50. 26 to S19.22. He says that these
figures are startling and show retro
grading influences and greatly increas-
ing extravaganza in management. II
possible the waste in the present lavish
expenditure should be discovered and
checked. II the compulsory education
law is not effective, and the evidence is
clear that it is not, it should be
strengthed by wise amendment.