New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-03
corERNOR MORTON'S MESSAGE

Va, for many years has the message oi
ro,.or,or of the State Of Ncw-Iork posseSsen
,ho significance of the document SEM 10 we
7 ocis,oturc Yesterday by Governor Morton me
,ol,,,col revolution of last November the pop
r,or demand for sweeping reforms IN the S"'e
and civ governments. the numerous topics re-
ouiriur legislative attention owing TO the ahop
,in If tho new Constitution, all serve to give
oxtrome importance to this winters WORK III
Albany The advice which Mr.. Morton wouo
offer TO the Legislature the policy ne wouiu
or,,,no and the intimation which he would give
of his way of regarding the reform victory III
.,o no,is wore watched for with great interest
AR Morton has not disappointed the people IL
his nets rs Governor shall measure up to MS
words on taking Office the popular verdict VIII
ronr him among the best Executives of the
State.
Tho message Is a bllsness-like document. clear
and direct in STYLE comprehensive in substance
and NJ once prudent. progressive ana deciden
in recommendation. The Governor clearly draws
the line between legislative and Executive rune
,,ons and makes it plain that he does not mean
TO overstep the mark. Acts comparable WIN
uirs veto of the enumeration bills and Flower
veto of ballot reform and the appropriation TOT
tho work of the Lexow Committee need not De
oxnected from him: for he says that the EXecu-
five should not use that power "to aid IN I'M
..nressjnr or imposing his will on the Legs
..iature nor should IL be invoked to serve per
.sonol or partisan ends" Governor Mortons
oxnosition of the financial condition of the state,
os was 10 be expected from a man OF his train
inc l. admirable He notes the trouble caused
by the necessity Of expendng money before the
M nd
hegun in 1883 Of having surplus Of Sl.W""D
IN tide the treasury over the time between ap-
rronration and collection. This fund was per
vcrted to keep down the tax rate and cover up
Democratic extravaganza in 1891 and with IL
wont S2213OOO Of funds received from me
United States In view Of the heavy eXpendl-
tures likely TO be incurred in the care or the
insane the Governor advises tax levy 10 yleld
ST 800 600 surplus. which shall not be diverted
from the use for which ii is created. MT. MOT
ton disapproves of the multiplication OF com
missions which under Hill and Flower nave
come TO cost over $1.2J0,OOO year. ana nc
recommends the abolition OF many OF them ana
the transfer Of their work 10 appropriate Du-
rcaus The legislation made necessary by the
new Constitution receives adequate attention.
The sensible suggestion Is made that the new
iudicial Departments be created at once so that
the Governor may promptly designate Justices
for the new appellate divisions. thus enabling
them 10 consult with the present Legislature
concerning any laws necessary 10 the perfect
working Of the new system. The enlargement
Of the canals to keep traffic from being diverted
TO Canada is favorably considered, and wise
recommendations are made concerning farm
drainage. good roads, convict labor education,
forestry. militia and civil service The banking
laws are carefully examined and the recon-
mendation made that officers should not be al
lowed TO loan money TO themselves or on the
banks own stock.
| The Governor shows that he fully comprehends
the demand for reform in this city. The parts
| Of his message dealing with New-fork AFFAIRS
are all that could be desired He calls for the
! immediate passage Of the POwcr-of-Removal BILL
! and at the same time counscls such moderation
! In legislation as may save the party from the
charge Of making grab for spoils Other need
Oh reforms he expects to come from the report
of the Lexow Committee Mr.. Morton regards
the vote on the Greater New-York scheme as
significant He recognizes that IT Is no easy
task TO unite the various municipalities. and pro-
poses a commission Of citizens OF all the local.
! ties interested TO frame charter and present
| II to the Legislature. The Governor devotcs con-
siderable space 10 the election laws, and asks
for true ballot reform with blanket ballot.
From beginning 10 end the message is marked
by good sense a broad comprehension Of the
needs Of the whole State, and an evident de-
termination to serve the people before the party
and to help on the work of genuine reform.