New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-03

TENT ARY-HOME RULE.
The Governors annual message TO the Legsla
,ure. presented yesterday. is printed in full be-
low. 1t reports gratifying financial condition..
urges canal and road improvement. advocates
blanket" ballot and personal registration, dis
cusses at length State Of the insane. sug-
gests a new holiday to be known Harvest
Day. favors extensive public works in order to
give relief to the unemploy ed, recommends
sweeping reforms in the penitentiary system,
euogizes the principle of municipal home rule
and considers in brief or in detail numerous
other topics Of public interest:
TENT OF THE MESSAGE.
State Of New-York: Executive Chamber
Albany, January 3 1874
To the Legislature.
For the first time III more than sevcnty-fve years
the Executive is able TO announce to the Legisla-
ture that the State is entirely free from debt.
The las, vesiige of debt was paid during the year
just closed in the redemption Of the outstanding
Niagara Reservation Indebtedness
This result is the only indication of the sat
factory condition of our State finances owing to
The very thorough and successful administration Of
the indirect Jaws the receipts from these sources
have been largely increased. and with d continu-
ance OF these favoring conditions the time is close
at hand wAen for the general purposes Of govern
ment We may dispense altogether with direct taxa
ton.
made up OF ninety eight hundredhs of a mill for
school purposes thirty three and one-third hun
dredths Of mill for the support of The insane,
thirty-seven and two-thirds hundredths of d mill
for canals and the remainder, elghty-nine hun
dredths Of a mill. for general purposes. That tax
rate was fixed upon the suppositon that the actual
surplus the treasury the credit OF the general
fund on September 3d. 1885, would be s5651O6 excud-
Ing the $4,000 reserve AS a matter Of fact the
surplus on September 80 last was $2,6N192. Assum-
ing q continuance of recent administrative dill
gence, the Controller estimates tina; the actual sur
plus on September 80 next, the end of the cur
rent fiscal year. will be s3.OS9177 If in fixing the
tax rate for the present year this amount Of sur
plus on hand could have been assumed, the tax
rate for this year would have been twenty-seven
hundredths of a mill for general purposes instead
of eighty-nine hundredths of a mill or total tax
rate of one and ninety-six hundredths mills
The present Legislature can. therefore, look for
ward TO fixing even lower tax rate Not only
will it have this large surplus at the end OF the
current fiscal year to reduce taxation WITH but II
the administration Of the indirect tax laws con-
tinues TO be thorough and vigorous, there VIII be
greatly increased receipts from these sources.
Moreover there is occasion for no extraordinary
appropriations, such necessary during the
last year-as instance, that for the purchase or
Fire Island that for the Buffalo strike, that for
the threatened invasion o. cholera, that for the
Worlds Fair and that TO pay the balance of the
state debt.
Taking these facts INTO CONSIDERATION, IL Is sdie
TO predict that, with reasonable economy at the
present session and without parsmony, the Legis-
/lature can make unnecessary any direct tax what
ever, except for schools and the insane. and pos
sbly the canals. This will be gratifying news TO
the taxpayers of the State. and 1t should be the
aim of the Legislature TO bring about such a re-
sun Certainly the people have reason 10 rejoice
that their finances have been managed so success
fully in the past. and they will expect the same
earnest regard for economy from their lawmakers
and administrative officers In the future.
Let us no; disappoint them.
FOREST PRESERVATION.
The wear lust ended has marked the beginning
~ q new era in the State in the matter of forest
preservation. A policy has been established
whose good results already far beyond expecta-
ton. 1t gives me particular pleasure TO announce
this fact and to congratulate the Legislature that
this State undertaking is at last on bu 5nessike
and intelligent foundation
wear ago I recommended the creation of new
Forest Commission and made two principal sugges-
tons as TO what the policy Of the State should be
in the matter Of forest preservation These were as
follows:
That vast tracts Of the Adirondack forests now
owned by individuals or private associations and
used mainly for purposes OF recreation might be
secured as part of the State Forest Preserve and
forever guarded against denudation by a contract
le,ween the owners and the State. whereby in
consideration Of forest protection furnished by the
State and exempt from State taxation. the owners
moving the timber except under condluohs imposed
by the state. Such contracts urged wouIu ob-
viate the necessity OF expending millions OF uohars
for purchasing lands $780,. -. ..
2. That without injury to the forest, but ra.her
revenue by granting permission to fell trees above
certain diameter on State lands ana 10 remove
These recommendations were promptly embodied
able 20 report that 1850 of Adirondack land
have been offered to the State upon the terms OF
the proposed contract. and that standing spruce
timber exceeding twelve inches in diameter mas Deen
sold 17,46s of State land, from which Il IS
the State IA revenue of So. 100 These prompt
suits are exceedngly gratifying II nus sed
by probably million dollars worth Of lands with,
out any d ge G1 III admnsraton
under the new law has insured TO the STATE an
OF maintaining the Forestry Bureau. Every lover OF
the Adirondacks and every friend OF forest pieser
be particularly satisfactory to the taxpayers OF tne
State If from 50 small portion OF me f S5
forwars 70 The ' time when he Forest Preserve viii
not only be the great conservdtor of our water
courses and the restorer Of health. but Will con
supoo Of the sft 90 ns required
All sales Of stumpage were to the highest bidder
more timber than the Forest Commission thought
wise to sell At that tine They indicate that there
enue which shall not only render the department
e S one VIII eaVe s ig sr Daanc snnmaIw
on the purchase of lands and the enlargement OF
The legislative policy declared two years ago OF
selling scattered and detached tracts of State for
land lying outside the limits Of the Adirondack
park has been pursued during the year. but not
many sales have been made, owing 10 depression In
financial circles.
There has been notable abs, Of forest nres
although neghborng States aave suffered consider
ably in this respect This absence Is in large part
attributable the efficiency Of the town fire war
dens and 10 the efforts of the Forest Commission
through It's officers
Tho threatened loss TO the State Of hundreds OF
thousands OF of forest and by cancellations
OF sales happily averted by legislation last
year passed in response 10 my earnest solicitation
The law governing these cancellations still needs
strengthening I'm some respects. and your attention
is respectfully directed TO the subject.
MUNICIPAL CONSOLIDATION.
There TO be considerable public sentiment
In favor Of consolidation under one municipal gov
ernru - Of and krnOkYQ