New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-07
THE LEGISLATIVE RESPONSIBILITY

THE LEGISLITlJE RESPONSIBILITIES
Every Republican will agree with Senator
Saxton in his declaration that the Republican
ma ioritv Of The next Legislature " will have
splendid opportunity and great responsible
ity." 1t has opportunity to show the people Of
the State before the fall election of 1884 that
the Republican party lcgisatcs in their interest:
and +, has the responsibility of passing laws
which will render Impossible the election frauds
that have horridcd the people of the State the
last two years.
Mr. Flower should have presented To nm
within Il month after the Legislature meets
n bill reforming the ballot system by the adop-
ton of the blanket ballot and the abolition OF
thc postcr ballot another bill strengthening The
Corrupt Practices act by requiring political
committees 10 give IN itcmiZcd statement Oh
their use of campaign funds, and still another
bill giving To the great political parties an equal
number of election inspectors at every polling
placc in the Statc-in Ncw-Yorll City as well rs
nj the rural cross roads. These amendments OF
thc election laws we feel assured would re-
ducc greatly the present frauds mt the polls.
Mr. Saxton also expresses the thought of the
Republican party when he says that the tax
best understand would he one comforting upon
them THE lowest tax rate that Is consistent with
the Just demands upon the state. 1her" Is
great financial distress. The farmer taxpayer and
thc city taxpayer alike are finding II a dffcult
matter To pay their taxes. Any reduction in the
amount Of state taxation would be gratefully
APPRECIATED by them. The Republican LcglSlat-
IRE should cut down the number OF expensive
State commissions. and should rclucc the eX-
pcndtures of those which are permitted to con
tinuc in existence When Alonzo Il. Cornell
thc last Republican who has held the office or
Governor gave ND his office January ], ISL
thc yearly cost of these commissions was only
SG14ii In the course OF the Democratic adj
ministrations of Governors Cleveland, Hill and
Flower the yearly cost OF these commissions
has annually increased until at the beginning OF
the present year they amounted 10 The large
sum OF S1,1SO.113 ~. The present year the
Democratic Governor and Legislature still fur
thcr increased the appropriations FOR the sup
port of these commissions.
But these are not the sole directions in which
economy can be practiScd. The Democratic
Legislature of the present year increased by
S9SG.tlG the appropriations which 1t made III
the Appropriation bill and the Supply bill ~
compared with the same bills passed by the
Legislature OF 1892. and ii was 10 alienation
of this extravaganza that Governor Flower
aftcrward vetoed most of the>" items OF IN
crease for the State tax rate had been based
upon them and Therefore the money will be
collected from the taxpayers. although not need
ell 10 pay these bills The Republican hnanc'
committees OF the Senate and Assembly should
place the appropriation bills in the hands of
Governor Flower SO long before the final day
OF adjournment that he will be- compelled 10
net upon them before the Legislature separates.
and the State tax rate will then be based upon
the actual appropriations made. and not upon
an imaginary total. much lower state TAX
rate will be- secured in this wny ami me inA-
PAYERS will care more for 1t than Ia read IN the
newspapers a boast that there has been a
short session