The record-union., 1895-01-12

instance that at least SO per cent. can
be cut off the present cost of preliminary
street work.
lie advises constitutional amendment,
so that the findings of the Railroad Com
mission shall not be conclusive, and so as
to require as the test of fitness for Com
missioners special qualifications. Local
self-government he would make still
stronger, in order that chartered COM
munlties may not feel it necessary for
their safety to keep close watch upon
legislation at the Capital. He would
nave short. sharp, decisive declaration
OF the Constitution that cities have the
right to regulate their purely local affairs
without interference or dictation by
the legislative branch of the Govern
ment. This suggestion will not be kindly
received by the agitators who have de-
clared that they have the present Legisla-
ture under thumb for the establishment
OF law depriving communities of the
constitutional right to determine what
the rate of license shall be for the con.
duct Of the liquor business in their midst.
If they have counted upon Governor
distinct intimation that they have
counted without due consideration.
The Governor advises some radical
changes in the laws of probate, but these
suggestions demand distinct treatment,
and an examination of existing laws we
cannot now give them. There seems to
be, however, much strength in the advice
that most of the counties can do without
the Office of Public Administrator if the
functions of that officer are trans
ferred to the County Treasurer. So, too,
the advice that bastardy law be passed,
with provision for establishing legitimacy
and making the father responsible for the
support of the bastard, would seem to be
wise.
The ballot law, he says, must be re-
pendence and freedom of the voter, he
approves of it; but the counting system
is defective, and the custody of the bal
lots as now provided for is no guarantee
against fraud, and in this all will agree
with him. He gives excellent advice rel
ative to the selection of precinct election
boards, and intimates that he tavors COM
pulsory service after the names shall have
been drawn from the ballot boxes by the
Superior Court, into which boxes only
the names of eligible persons shall have
been placed.
He favors the Nicaragua Canal project,
opposes the railroad funding bill. He
thinks it would be beneficial to the Pa
cific States if the railroad mortgages were
foreclosed, and the roads operated by the
measured by the cost of service. Wherein
the Governor proposes quite an undesir-
able thing. if the wise thought of the best
business minds is to have any considera-
ton, and an Impossible thing II Atlantic
State interests are to have any considera-
ton.
The banking laws and those relative to
the collection of taxes he says need cor
rectIon, and he invites special attention to
the suggestions of Governor Markham
on the subject.
It is hardship in his opinion that the
Executive must appoint to SO many posi-
tions under the State Government, but is
prohibited, except in some cases, and
through tedious court process, from re-
moving an appointes when he fuds it
would be for the public good to do So.
He concludes by asserting 1t to be his be-
lief that if State administration is put
upon an economic basis million of dol
lars year can be saved 10 the people.