New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-17
THE LEGISLATURES WORK.
MANY MEASURES OF GREAT IMPORTANCE
ENACTED.
DISAPPOINTMENT AT THE FAILURE OF SOME
PROPOSED REFORM LEGISLATION - AP'
PREPARATIONS SEND THE STATE
TAX RATE Up.
OF SOME

TAX RATE Up.
Albany. May ls-The Republican Legislature
OF 1895 has adjourned. What will be the verdict
OF the voters upon it? Partly favorable ana
partly unfavorable, 1t can be predicted. There
has been severe disappointment because much'
Of the proposed New-York reform legislation has
failed to become law, but the other hand,
there is satisfaction over the passage Of many
New-York bills Of importance. General legfsla-
ton also has been in the interest Of the people
OF the State. The election laws have been re-
formed; an excellent ballot reform law will soon
go upon the statute books. The canal interests
have been fostered by the encouragement OF the
scheme to expend 50 900 900 in the improvement
Of the canals.
But IL the verdict upon the Legislatures work
were given by the taxpayers alone 1t Is to be
feared it would be unfavorable one. The
State taxes have been increased from $9Vooooo
to $4,000. 900, or 100000 1t cannot be SAID:
therefore that the Legislature. which has U-Sn
so largely under the control Of Thomas C. riatt
thus gives a fattering account OF itself IN inc
eyes Of the taxpayers Of the State Mr. fiatt
lives in Tioga County and hence IS acquainted
with the rural sentiment OF the state lie must
be aware that the Republican farmers will CON-
rate. But possibly Mr.. Plat will console himself
by the thought that BY his control OF the Legs
Iature in a few matters he has thwarted Mayor
Strong and others who are trying to give oet-
ter government to the city OF New-York. 1t Will
be a costly business however. for the Repupf-
can party to lose thousands OF votes In the IN
terror OF the state by an increase OF taxes. Mr..
Plat would haze done better to pay attention
to checking the extravaganza OF the Legislature
than to engage himself solely in schemes tor
getting Offices for his followers
GOOD NETWORK BILLS.
Yet in a line Of creditable legislation. some OF
the New-York bills are among the best which
have been pass d by any Legislature. Mr.. Piats
friends may have been able to defeat reor-
ganization Of the Police Department OF New
York revealed by the Lexow Committee TO oe
so positively necessary but, nevertheless. the
Power OF Removal act was passed. and Mayor
Strong was authorized in the Police Magistrates
act to remove the TAmmany Hall Police Justices
who have been such disgrace 10 the city Tne
Power OF Removal bill has armed Mayor strong
| with the legislative authority 10 rcnovate every
| department Of the city government OF New-York.
II was one OF the most extraordinary acts passed
| by n Legislature IN Macy years. To no previous
| ever been given. This graf legislative MEASURE
however became a law by the action ~ Re-
publican Governor and a Republican Legislature
and the reformation Of gigantic abuses of gov
| eminent In New.York has begun
| The Police Magistrates act also ought To %
| set down 10 the credit Of the Legislature. The
| moor ~ New-York may be sad to nave p'en
crying out for the removal of the Police JusuceA
| Their petition has been heard and Mayor strong
| undoubtedly Will give the city bench or poiieo
magistrates OF which II can be- proud. :
| Another series Of beneficial acts In regard TO
| New-york was passed when the Tenement House
Commissions bills became laws These DIS per-
| nit tho city authorities to enlarge the small
| parks and To give school children larger pray
| grounds and they also establish rules and resu-
| lations for the building ~ an improved H'ho
| Of tenement houses. Lieuterant-Hovernor saxton
well said yesterday that h. regarded these tehe-
ment-house laws as fully beneficial to the
, people OF New-York as some OF the great po-
| utical measures which have been passed
THE RAPID-TRANsIr ACT.
New-York City also has received the great
benen, Of permission to expend s55.ooo'oOo IN
building an underground rapid transit road Ihis
,s an increase of s. 900 900 In the amount pre-
yiously authorized to be expended for this pur-
nose The Rapiu Transit act also has oeen
amended in other respects so as TO give tne
Rapid Transit Commissioners greater authority
! in the construction of the gigantic system VI
| rapid transit roads contemplated II may De De-
lieved that the Legislature. IN thus giving New
| York power to build this rapid transit ROAD ana
to take her surplus population up into West-
| chester countv and there provide it with homes.
| hs o,rr.rrsd a greater ben Eft upon thu metropo-
lis than all the political bills passed az the pres
| ent SESSION.
Another measure of a ut.liiarlan nature pdsseo
! in relation To New-York which undoubtedly VIII
| confer great benefits upon her. was the ACT au-
| ,hor,yi,, the construction Of gigantic bridge
| across the East River from Grand-st III new
york ~ Broadway. Brooklyn. This bridge. 1t
IL estimated will cost $l6.0ooooo. HAN OF tn's
amount IL to be paid by New-York and half by
| the city Of Brooklyn. Any one who VIII examine
a map will discover that a large BODY oil unoecu-
| MOD land on Long Island viii be brought into
| usa II this East River bridge is built 1he
| nrosperity of New-York and Brooklyn VIII mus
| no enhanced by II. Ii may ne mentioned !"
| nass;ng that with this 100000 10 be expended
for the bridge and 5000 for the rapid transit
| road. New-York City is thus committed II 'ne
| East River Bridge bill is signed by Governor
| Morton to expenditures Of sS3oooooo .
SEVERAL. NOTABLE MEASURES.
Among the great acts passed OF interest 10 inc
| friends OF the schools OF New-fork WAS 'ha'
which authorizes the city OF New-fork 10 sell INC
buildings OF the College OF the CITY OF Ne"-io
in Twenty thrd-st.. and to buy land al COS. OK
$500 900 and to erect building at cost OF WOW
| ooo for the use OF the college II unfortunately
| bannened however that the Legislature did NOT
! mass n bill empowering the Board OF Educaton
| ~ New-York 10 reform the Department OF Educ
| cation 40,
| The Legislature. however. did pass Dill seps-
rating into two parts the Department OF Char'-
| ties and Correction This bill was pushed oy the
State Charities Aid Association It's members
believe that with a Department or Corree''o"
and nsnartment OF Charities separated. the