New-York tribune., 1892-01-06

Mr.. and MIS-. Stuart considered themselves al
moners of the large fortune they accumulated
-----------------------s--
GoYERNOR FLOWERS FIRST MESSAGE.
Tho new Governor at Albany has sent to the
Legislature his first message. 10 Is straight
forward unpietcntiOus document, what IS some
times known as q " business" message, meaning
by that message which fails to suggest a states
man. II is mared by some partisan expressions
and by one or two ineXcrsable inaccuracies.
When the Governor asserts that both branches
of the Legislature represent " a majority OF the
nooular vote " he exploits his Democracy at the
evpense Of his intelligence. No one knows bet-
tor than the Governor that if the Senate repre-
sented majority Of the popular votc' on SEN
ator it would be Republican and not Demo-
cratic. A still finer example of the GoVernm'S
taste for partiSanship is contained IN the para
graph Of the message treating OF enumeration
conc is forced to the conclusion" he writes,
"that the refusal to provide for rightful repre-
sentation has been based upon the unworthy
motive CT seeking to retain partisan advantage
The political complexion of the present Legs
lature. however, removes the possibility OF such
\ motive as an obstacle and | hope lnSures tne
prompt passage of an Enumeration BILL" ii
This means anything it means that the present
ecisIature-which takes its orders from slch
unscrupulous bosses as Hill, Murphy and Croker
would scorn to take partisan advantage
and that it will pass an Enumeration bill not at
all suggestive of "parrSan advantage" Inc
Governor must be careful or he will gain
reputation as a humorist. Another of his mis-
statoments relates to the Constitutional COnven-
Ia
1885 that such convention should be held, but
"the Legislature has yet failed to provide LOT
one. Not 50, Governor. The Republican Legs
lature of 1897 passed a measure making ade-
o,late provision for the holding OF ConstW-
tional Convention, but your Democratic prede-
cessor killed it with his veto.
A large portion of the message is devoted TO
enumeration and apportonment, great stress
being laid upon the important changes which
have taken place in the population OF the state
since 1875 and the consequent sore need OF
the prompt passage Of the necessary legislation.
The Governor advances nothing that is new, ard
nothing that can be urged disposes of the salient
fact that the Republican Legislature OF 1855
passed constitutional Enumeration bill, and
that the only reason why enumeration and re-
apportionment under it did not take place was
due to the death of the bill at the hands Of David
B. Hill.
Perhaps there is no section Of the message
which will occasion so much general comment
and criticism as the one which treats Of educa-
ton. The Governor takes the ground that the
State is not warranted in doing anything for
university extension until it has perfected its
ccmmon-school system. Then, going step fur
ther. he expresses his fears that :" the State Will
eventually find the control and supervision OF
university extension an enormously expensive
undertaking, wrong in principle, because 1t taxes
the majority for the benefit Of the few. and in
defcnsb,e as State policy except under tho broad
est view Of public welfare" These words would
not excite 50 much attention were 1t not for the
fact that the Governor states they care based
upon the testimony OF those who have been most
closely identified with the new movement"
Who these critics are we do not know. But we
do know that the educators OF this State, 50 far
as heard from, with few exceptions, believe in
university extension with all their hearts, and
hold that the State in promoting it is as GER
tainly looking after the interest OF the people
as a whole as when she provides for cana-lock
extension The Governors views however will
provoke discussion out Of which great good is
sure TO come
The rest Of the message may be disposed Of
in a few words. The Governor wisely fayOrS
the repeal of the provision Of the
Electrical Execution law which provides
for the exclusion Of newspaper men; he
calls-not very hearily--for an appropriation
for the Worlds Fair; he urges the completion
of the revision of the statutes; he argues-ln
the face OF the recent raScaly conduct OF Dem
ocratic Boards Of Supervisors in Duchess Onon-
daga and other counties-that the Legislature
can wisely extend and enlarge the functions
and powers of local authorities; he dismisses
the canals and prisons with word lfo approves
Of the benefcent policy Of State care of the
insane; he makes an absurd reference 10 the
contested-e election cases, prOnounclng the results
"eycellent'' which gave the minority the control
Of the Senate.
On the whole, the message is fairly cred
table one 1t would have been better except
for lis partisan illusions IIill acted from the
beginning to the end of his administration on the
theory that he was Governor, not OF the people
of New-YOrx minority as well as majority, but
simply Of Democrats, and intensely partisan
Democrats at that. If Flower is leyel-hcaded
he will not repeat that grave blunder Of his
predecessor.
| ---~---------------"
TIE CONNECTTCUT DECISION