New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-22


adopted. The same tendency to multtudinous. and
slpshod legislation prevails in other States OF the
Union and has attracted the attention of many
thoughtful persons.
from the existence of many separate statutes the
easy change of existing law tends to create popular
dlsrespect for the sanctity of the law. what can
he SO readily made and so easily altered can fairly
be considered as of small Importance
UNIFORMITY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
The general statutes of the State in press
will comprise three large volumes of over one
thousand pages each, and In bulk will be about
twice as large the general statutes OF the Ihteu
States Unless We are to have to confess that our
legislative system is failure, we must ma
method of remedying this excess II Is not yes s LOO
for the government OF municipalities. when snou1
be compulsory upon all so that the Ositio %
local government contemplated by the Cohsutu'io"
may be attained. - - l.,
terest in life. cannot continue without lnvoiVlnk
many important subjects in serious confusion ana
other kind OF municipal bodies affect the levying and
collection of taxes and the issue of bonds matters
sons are financially interested. shall offer some
suggestions which. if adopted will in my oplni1 on
mitigate. if they do not entirely remove the
No law should be passed unless there is some pub
lie necessity demanding ii. The fact that pro
posed law is. as is often said unobjectionaDle IN
itself Is no reason for its nnt nerative
ones. Settled rules should not be easily dsturpeu:
II should be one comforting positive benefits aud de-
handed bv public necessity or convenience 70 en-
title it to the solemn sanction Of the Legisattnre
considered in committee before SUBMISSION 10 we
Gssd hOs sse i4r IS and Expresses only
it is intended to effect. 1t should be compare
with the existing law the same subject TO ascet
tain if it harmonzes or is inconsistent herewith.
ee are several proposed 10 the
law. they should be consolidated into one aS'; ~
And let 1t be remembered that In the discharge oi
the duty OF legislator there can be no consider
ton for such things courtesy to fellow-mem,,
the people of the State are to be affected .,,o.
In accordance with these views, shali consiuI,r
bills that have positive advantages 10 the puolc
or are trivial ill-consdered In subsanee ,b DE
lieve 4. is better bear some inconvenience tiah
- be constantly altering the statute law OF the
These expressions are not intended to discourage
the of aM the In matter ter
OF legislation, well as in other things.
PROTECTION OF LIFE AND LIMB.
There are subjects to which l hope the Legisa-
,nre will give their most serious attention. The
nrotection of life limb and health against danger
from public of the highways and streams OF
the State is one. Some wel-considered and equita-
BILE plan of providing overhead or Underground
crossings where railroads intersect the streets of
,,onu,ous cities should be devised and enacted The
Experience of other progressive States that have
dealt efficiently with the subject is available Tor our
We ali know how the calendars of courts are
crowied with causes arising from accidents from
,rolIey-cars. Doubtless many such accidents are
AZ Ia the carelessness Of the injured party
Neverhe s Is even arsnst the careessness Of
EeonIe because there are many. Including especially
children MOI 1neo~ The existence Of this new
agency of electrical propulsion whch, tnrough t'e
danseroUs vehicles makes it oblisatory on the
Legislature provide such legal as are
possible. consistently with Necessary pubic con
venience in order TO minimize the DANGER OF a S
dent How far these lines Seos ne streets and high
ways should be matter OF eonsldefauon ,nt ' me
co1nIrv districts 1t would seem only right 10 re-
oure that electric railroads should hereal.l pe
@ he limits Of the highway thus preserving
ha lads for The use of the public In the manner
OTg b p9ntion Of the rivers Of the State by cities
and towns through sewers ana 'tth e. created
p publ, er Subject that am informed will be
Drensa. so ybieets are Of the highest importance
and extremely difficult TO deal Tih an9 iadcal
the eTeril hs ATTEMPT ff mt to deal fairly with the rights
~ ali concerned Possibly upon some OF tnese ,ha
ecs you may not be able 70 adva n'd ne wise TO
have the of your inquiries EN- isia ture
form as to be available to the next LesiSi"'u'e
WHAT THE PEOPLE DEMAND.
7 consider the result OF the recent election In this
State as a declaration of the people tha' '"es az
prove the policy OF keeping our state char''a',e'
educational and penal institutions free from poi'-
,cal control; that they desire the most rlgid econ"
omy In the management OF state ana i,ed mai
useless offices snail be cTedteu Ut
of1cers who are receiving inordnate compensation
through fees should be put upon the basis OF iI ar
salary and the be paid into the Treasury o. ~
State for the benefit of the people; that puDiv ~
fcias shall be held to strict account hot OILY Tor
the discharge of their ordinary duties but also Io
the public funds which they may handle, ,,, ma INA
rauds the state shall be httngy rpecnyered
and moneys fraudulently gotten shall DE reco'e'e''
possible. . ,,,s y,
II have learned anything OF the sentiments OF
our people 1t is th't they desire above , a and
best government that human wisdom can CIV
them. The prosperity. the peace the honor OF oui
State dean to them all. They want strct ecIi-
omy. wise counses prudent and guarded leg,sn q
uon. absolute honesty, fearless ana unsWersii. VIE
adherence to those things that make for righteous
ness and exalt people ,a
To the attainment OF tbAse things am aireaus
pe1ged; but here, in this presence, with all the ear
nsstness and soemnity that BELTS this occasioi' u
renew the pledge. To the service OF the people an
,ne people Of our beloved and honored state: ue'
VOTE whatever OF wisdom, whatever OF patlehce,
with. ''' ~ 7 '
ana Tor my assistance ! invoke the GOODWILL w
kc~uencce, the loyalty and the patriotism OF my ie
""-cNizens. with the favor OF Almighty God