New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-23
ONLY PRAISE FROM FLOWER.
THE GOVERNOR TALKS OF THE LEGIS.
LATURE'S WORK.
HE PATS HIMSELF LITTLE ON THE BACK. D.
CLARES HE HASN'T ANY PRESIDENTIAL. .
AMBITIONS AND SAYS THAT ALMOST
EVERYTHING DONE DURING THE
SES:ION WAS JUST
ABOUT RIGHT.

EVERYTHING DONE DURING THE
sEs:IoN WAS JUST
ABOUT RIGHT.
! Albany, May Ex-Governor Flower said to-day tha1
the session OF the last Legislature was remarkably
clean, honest, economical and industrious one. IL
feel greatly relieved said he, at having at last die
posed Of the Az bills left with at tho adjournment
of the Legislature This week shall devote largely
TO the consideration OF 900 applications for par
dons and think shall visit the several state prisons
and talk personally to the men in whose behalf appli-
cations for a pardon have been filed. Then. next
Monday will be in Rochester, where have been in
viied to be present at the Memorial Day exercises.
After that expect to have few days vacation before
going to the Chicago Convention, and shall probably
20 up In the AdirOndacks.'
" How about your aspirations for the Presidencyis
"Oh" the Governor replied quickly. 4" all ask u
be let aono in the performance of my Official duties
My sole desire is to get out OF Office with good
n record and reputation had when came In and
except that propose to let politics alone"
How agreeable do You find the duties Of the Chid
Executive OF the Statel'
"weu, my experience so far has not been much
| in tho routine work Of the Office which, you no
doubt know Is considerable My principal work since
coming Into office has been In the examination and
disposition OF legislative matters. 1t was hard work.
but / like II and pleased with record.
Il was considerably bothered by constant requests
for approval OF bills arbitrarily increasing salaries OF
public officials throughout the state, very often be-
fore such bills were introduced. This approval
always refused. and, OF course, a large number OF
these hills not introduced. am unalterably
opposed to any such Of salaries by the Lea
lature alone, and think that the people In the
localities affected should be the ones to pass upon
such questions they the persons directly aeced
through taxation"
INDUSTRY" OF THE LEGISLATURE
"well, Governor, what are your Impressions OF
the work OF the Legislature during the last session."
Few Legislatures dare say, have passed more bills
OF general interest and benefit than the Legislature
whose record Is completed 1t was the shortest
session in twentyone years since 1871, and not
witlstanding Its brevity 1t has shown its industry
ly enacng more laws than any Legislature nor
number Of years back-the total number OF chapters
this year being rs, nearly twice as many as last
year. and considerably more than for number Ok
years prevous.'
I'm what way do you account for thls'"
"By the industry Of the Legislature and by tho
necessity for additional legislation required by the
great cities OF the state which 1t has been impossible
to secure before owing to lack Of political harmony
between the majority in the Legislature and tho
popular ajorities in those cities"
You have vetoed large amount Of appropriations
have you net, Governor"
Well, yes, have done something In that hne,"
replied the Governor was adding up yesterday the
total amount Of appropriations vetoed. ard have
found it aggregates ~ ,GOl,725. You VIII remember
came out pretty strongly for economy In my annual
message, and have tired to live up to
that principle. OF the appropriations vetoed
the largest single appropriation that Of
$40, 900 for the improvement OF the canals. 1t
seemed me that with million dollars already
appropriated this year for canals large additional
appropriation would work injury than benefit to
the canal interests Nobody appreciates better than
do the necessity of preserving these great highways
OF commerce, but IL cannot be denied that In many
sections OF the state there considerable hostility te
excessive appropriations especially In agrfcut'
ura districts, and in vetong the $4,000 bill only
expressed a fear which good many friends Of the
canals have heretofore expressed that unless the Leg
islature exhibits close regard for economy In its ap-
propristions canal purposes, the anticana sen-
ment will be strong enough TO defeat appropriations
that absolutely needed for their maintenance and
very preservation"
"Do you recoect any other appropriations which
you vetoed? 2"
There appropriation Of 100000 ~
piled the Governor. " 70 establish state printing
bureau: appropriation OF 100000 for premiums
agricultural fairs appropriation OF 100000 To
establish II normal school Jamaica appropfa-
ton OF $4,000 to extend the House OF Refuge at
Hudson apprOpria ions OF various smaller amounts for
miscellaneous purposes. many Of which were. In my
smcnt not proper objects for expenditure OF state
moneys, ana beside these tncre Wcre Ieihs III lh0
supply bill aggreeatng about Si11.OOo. While to
veto SO many appropriations caused considerable CON-
plalnt and dissatisfaction in some quarters OF the
state think that as a whole. they are approved by
The great majority OF people"
THE TAX RATE THIS YEAR.
81 How about the tax rate this Year,
"The Legislature has given the people the lowcst
tax rate since 1856 with the exception OF last year.
The state tax rate this year Will be 0slO0 mills
doIia NJ
part OF this is FOR the benefit OF COM
mon schools, he remainder being divided be-
tween canals and the general purposes or gov
clnment. Had it not been for some unusual appro
patlons required year the rate would have been
lower. The enumeration Of the inhab-
ants cost $2O5 COO, and 1900 900 appropriated for
the states exhibit at the Worlds Fair. In addition
10 these amounts $sOoOO0 appropriated toward
he completion Of the Capitol. While this is a largo
,monnt and am aware that the people begrudge any
urther expenditures for this purpose, believe II TO
the best business policy for the state to complete
he building, and this appropriation Is about onethird
If what will be required for that purpose. Upward
# 81 oOo 900 has been appropriated for the canals.
Iot /, dollar has been appropriated for new armortes
,r for normal schools the legislature having wisely
dop,ed the policy OF completing the buildings now
process OF construction before making appropriations
or new and possibly unnecessary structures
What particular bills Of general interest have b.
ono laws!
"A great many. In the first place. there tho
Enumeration and the subsequent reapportlonment
,f Senate and Assembly distllcts. That a great
achievement and will TO the people Of the state
airer representation in the law making body than thoy
ave enjoyed for generation. The app0rtonment
yas manfcsty fair and even those who. for political
purposes, have thought best to criticc IT find no gem
raj support for their partisan dcnuncations II the
legislature had done nothing else except TO pass this
App0rtlonment bill, II would have than justified
Is existence. The enumeration upon which II was
,iscd honest a could have been takeA
md proved concuslvcly the defective character Of the
'edelal census OF 1s90. Ii showed what most people
cleved when the Federal was announced, that
he population OF the State in excess Of Porter's
gurcs by at least 100000. and that the police census
n Sew-York City, upon the result OF which 1 hae
he Pleasure In Congress OF demanding an additional
representative for New-York absolutely correct