The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1893-01-17
Goxernor Ahhatt,s Mes.axs,

Judge Dixon and Others Washington b.
Williams presided.
Governor Abbett's Msssaes.
The following are the most important
points in the message of Governor Abbett'
which was sent to the legislature on Tues
day.
The financial condition of the state was
never better. It has no floating debt; the
old debt was paid off during the preceding
year, and none has been incurred since.
The balance in the treasury at the close
OF the iscal year was $2l7, 532.19 greater
than at the close Of the preceding year.
| The state board of taxation has worked
satisfactorily, and has been the means Of
correcting many inequalities and griev-
ances from which the taxpayers have suf-
fered. The board will present its report
to the legislature with its recommends
tons for additional legislation to more
fully carry out the purposes OF the present
law.
| There has been q wonderful increase in
the material property of the state under
the enforcement of the tax laws. The
value in 1880 was s9,725, 1870; in 1889 1t
was $l4. AZ, $40; in 1892 it was SAL ,Sl4. 66s.
The value of the real estate exempt
from taxation as returned by local assess
ors is $57. 627. 13l. The exemptions to vet
Grams. national guardsmen, fremen, ETC..
amounts to $S,0O0,000.
Municipal taxation is the heaviest bur-
den imposed upon the taxpayer, and the
legislature should endeavor to find some
method which will render il impossible
for extravaganza. incapacity or fraud to
impose unnecessary municipal burdens
upon the taxpayer. The only sure meth
cd of limiting this burden is to fix rate
beyond which the local authorities cannot
tsx property.
In order TO assist the farmers in their
demands for good roads, the legislature
passed two acts authorizing the use of
state funds to assist in the building of
these roads, and making an appropriation
OF sum not to exceed $75, 900 per annum.
There are now three roads in Middlesex
county which have been completed under
the provisions of these acts. The state
has paid therefore $40, 1851. IS, being one
third of the certified cost of their con-
struction. These are the first roads that
have been constructed in the United
States under acts which provide for state
aid for public highways. am satisfied
that these laws will be found to be Of the
greatest advantage in the near future to
those engaged in agriculture, and that the
farmers of the state will generally avail
themselves of this legislation.
The condition of the educational in
terests of the state are very gratifying.
Additional accommodations have been
literally provided. The new census law
has enabled the state board to obtain a
correct statement of the children of
school age in the state. and will enable
the board to distribute the ten per cent of
the school tax on a more equitable basis
than heretofore.
The normal and model schools have
had prosperous year, and the school for
deaf mutes is in satisfactory condition.
The national guard has been re-organ-
lied, in order to make it conform as
nearly as possible to the new drill regu-
Iations of the regular army. 1t consists
of 303 officers and 3.727 enlisted men.
making total of 4,030, which is an in
crease during the year of 204. This force
l. ,oxr, <,~oan s1ad into aftvo;w cov,vao;e.
of infantry and two Calling gun COM
panies. The total expenditures for the
past year were Ss4,Sl4.
There are 46l benefciaries in the SOL
diers' hume at Kearney. The state PEN
sion roll for veterans of 1919 includes four
persons. as against seven last year.
The work Of the department of bank
ing and insurance has been most efficient,
and at present 260 corporations are re-
porting TO 1t.
A law should be passed creating state
officer, who should when directed by the
governor, on the request of any insurance
company, investigate any fire in which
such company was interested. The crea-
ton of such Office should not entail any
expenses on the state. but the investi-
cation when made should be paid for by
the companies interested in the insurance.
The daily average Of prisoners confined
in the state prison during the last fiscal
year was 075, Of whom 946 were males
and 20 females. This is an increase in
the daily average of "a.
| The system for the parole Of prisoners
is commended. Attention Is called 10 the
necessity for the reorganization of state
prison management 80 as TO decrease the
expenses and increase the income, the
annual deficiency being heavy drain on
the state treasury.
The state reform school, in which there
are 34s boys, an increase Of 10, Is doing
good work.
The report Of the chief Of the bureau Of
reports states the building and loan asso-
Citations are rapidly increasing In assets,
So, 600 600 during the past year.
The history of labor legislation In New
Jersey shows more practical gain for the
wsge workers than the history OF similar
legislation in any other state IN the I'M
ion. In behalf of this large and impor-
tant body of our citizens the legislature
has passed various laws to further their
interests and protect their rights, list of
which 10 given by the Governor
GENE RAJ NEWS