Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-01-14
Governor Flower,s Inaugural.

The inaugural address of Governor
Flower of New York is well written
state paper, dealing temporarily, con.
slderately and conciscly with matters
germane to the occasion, some of them
in the nature of things of moro than
local interest. Among these we may
class the new governors comments on
the need of legislative and congressional
reapportionment,t the importance of main
tanning and improving the ballot reform
act, the self-government of municipali-
ties, the operation of the compulsory
school law, the doubtful wisdom of ex
tending state aid to university extension
and the workings of the electrical
execution innovation. We quote else
where from Gov. Flowers deliverance on
the urgency of such redstrictinp
of the state as shall remedy the injustice
under which the voters have suffered
since 1879 and which has enabled the
minority TO make the laws and choose
the United States senators for the ma.
Iority. The governor shows that the
same inequality has obtained among the
congressional districts, which, on the
oasls OF the census returns, should con.
tain as near as may be 10000 inhabi-
tants each, but which, under the exist
ing apportionment, vary in population
all the way from $4,000 to 255 900.
This inequality has been a growing one
since 1879 and the governor properly
says that 'if no reapportionmcnt is
made this year the present districts will
be grotesque in their demarcations from
the true ratio long before 1895"
The message finds cause forcongratu.
lation in the fact that the recent
decisions Of the court of appeals
have sustained the integrity of the
secret ballot and strengthened the effec-
tiveness of the statute, "The import
ance Of these decisions in this respect,n
he says, "cannot be overrated for had
they been less forceful the whole ellj-
cheney of the new law as a means 10
prevent corruption and fraud would
have been threatened" But they have
further served to point out that the law
needs strengthening, and the legislature
should be prompt to act in this direc-
ton. ANY measure properly drawn
and not i'll conflict with the constitu
ton" he adds, (which will so bulwark
the present law and make intimidation
and bribery impossible will receive nv
hearty approval"
AS TO the government Of muncipalj.
ties, the governor favors less legislation
and more home rule. The inhabitants
of large cities should be capable of
attending 10 their own affairs, and he
believes in giving them the opportunity
to do this. The legislature should be
content with supplying the framework
Of municipal government, wisely
guarded against possible abuses, and
within that framework the properly con-
siituted local authorities should have
sole charge Of local administration. q
The states interference may occa-
sionally he wholesome, but it is more
likely e be pernicious.'
The electrical execution law, Saw liz
message, has been shown to be effective
in producing speedy and painless death.
anl less revolving in its operation than
the Oh method Of hanging. That fea.
ture Of the lew, however, which pro
hihiis the publication Of the details of
executions, thc governor regards Is Of
doubtful constitutionality and question
able propricty, dead letter in practice.
and not sustained by public sentiment,
and he recommends its repeal. He fur
ther recommends the establishment Of n
complete electric plant, thoroughly
equipped and under the charge Of a
competent and trustworthy electrician.
connected with one of the largest and
most accessible prisons, in which all
future executions under the law may
be properly conducted.
Upon the public school system, Stats
tics show that there has been during the
past AZ years steady falling of in attend