New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-07
NEW GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
- nr.AcK,s FIRST RECOMMENDATIONS
TO THE LEGISLATURE.
N FAVOR OF BIENNIAL SESSIONS AND LIT
TIE LEclslArIoN-Mosr OF THE FEAT
TRES OF HIS POLICY WELL
prrrryED IN ALBANY.

~ -r,roRApH TO THE TRIBuNEl
Tan 6-Governor Blacks first annual
,r.s read to both branches Of the Leg
-. to-day. and most OF its recommended
~ lat with the approval of the Senators and
,'o''S .h,v The suggestion OF economy in the
ss,c exnenditures. of course. did not receive
v.s,s,astic praise from some members. but
..h man as Senator Mun chairman Of the
con.,s Finance Committee and Assemblyman
N,~or who will be chairman Of the Assembly
Committee on Ways and Means thought this
.h. hest recommendation made by the Governor.
National Guardsman were pleased to see that
Mr. BLACK has been impressed by the recent
criticisms Of the National Guard management
and that he favors a permanent CHIEF OF that
body
The taxpayers of the State have reason to re-
,oice that Mr.. Black declares that the work Of
completing the Capitol should be done by con-
tract
Mr. Blacks statement that the Raines Liquor
Tax law needs amending is echoed by every
member Of the Legislature
On one subject Mr. Black speaks as an expert.
and that is the preservation of the Adirondack
forests For many years he has spent his
cations on the banks of an Adirondack lake
He knows of the dreadful work of the wood
chopper in the forests. and he says the woods
must be bought by the State.
General Higbie has in preparation bill pro-
yiding for good roads which would carry out
the Governors ideas on that subject.
THE MESSAGE
The message follows:
To the Legislature Of the State of New-York
The Message of the Governor is a constitutional
requirement and the facts and recommendations
herein submitted in compliance herewith.
The finances of the State satisfactory in spite
OF the hard times The total valuation of property
Is a. ssS 1890 The State tax for the fiscal year is
Nl75 ss7 Il. and the total funded debt was on Sep
TENDER so $2.32066o The revenues received during
the last year from corporations inheritance tax and
the Raines liquor law 5000 22s Co. the liquor
law alone yielding $3564.014 IS. Notwithstanding
this prosperous condition. every reasonable en-
deavor should be made to put the rate of taxation
lower. The large expenses now practically fixed
including charities. the school system. the canals
the Capitol and aggregating nearly S3,oOo0oo year
render satisfactory rate impossible. but the pres
ent depression and the uncertainties of the future
demand the most exact scrutiny compatible win
the magnitude and Importance Of our enterprises.
The plan of appropriations. II seems TO me. could be
improved That now followed permits money to
be voted at any time during the session of the
LEGISLATURE with no recommendation or backing
except one or more members whose activity and de-
sires may be strong enough TO work 1t through the
two houses. This method may. and understand
does result in appropriations for special purposes
which are covered by general appropriations made
later In my Judgment the wisdom OF an expendi-
ture should have some other demonstration than
the zeal Of a member for his projects or local
iy Appropriations for the National Government
are made upon estimates provided by the dinerent
departments, thus providing the sanction and' 10
some extent. the responsibility OF those depart
ments for the required outlay. A department
should know it's own needs, and all matters prop
ery within II should be cared Tor upon lts es,I-
sltV This method would in some fix the
responsibility. and would be- if not safeguard at
'eas' '"' PRISON LABOR.
rsw subjects are of more Importance than the
treatment of criminals. Imprisonment Is nor alone
for punishment, but for the safety OF society ana
the reformation Of the criminal The last purpose
can be accomplished only by the steady employment
Of the convict Idleness imprisoned would result al
vavs in deeradation and the hope Of reformation
would be destroyed. Even II the welfare OF the
criminal were out of the question. society "se'i
cannot afford the bemish that would be put upon n
,,, py emu from imprisonment Work must be pro-
Sided and al once The constitutional provision re,
snactinr prison made goods increases the diHicut!
~ nrnvdtnr IT, There are nearly 1000 persons IN
our hospitals and charitable institutions Inc needs
nv the work of the criminal class and II necessat
in order increase the opportunity ior b for the
saving of money is no part OF the proplem n UNI, ab
the product of the criminal class faIs oeiow Inc
reasSnane Is purely question Of State policy
which broadens into question OF Sa by
tenn of industrial training. which. in addition TO me
product made would afford an occupat ION, upon
xhch the convict when released, might rely. -,
The employment Of short-term ,convicts in the
making or improvement o. roads may aisn I bav,ns
that end in view may well occupy your atteniion
suggestions made in the report III oe
and / commend those suggestions The suplect l
and its shGua no De v for
without employment the retrogression OF our crmi'
mails will be marked and inevitable
BANKING.
The ,ast year has been marked by many disastrous
business failures and yet out OF 90 banks of deposit
and discount only failed and four have gone
into voluntary liquidation Thsrecord. made In year
NJ UNPRECEDENTED stress when the resources OF the
banks themselves have fallen of over thirty millions
Of dollars demonstrates their stability Our saving:
banks are and have long been or pf of th
savings of the thrifty and Industrious. Their history
tendency Of affairs among the comparatively poor
Their gain for years has been wonderful ana stea.
100000 raising the total to the marvellous sum o
s7l5O00OOO shows that the PLUCK and energy OF tn'
vorkinp class are too strong TO be overcome by ar
adverse current. The administration OF these banks
must be careful and wise and thelr investments saie
than four hundred are now in existence. with CAPT
n1ss be s aed con Of
iatIon. but nothing should be omitted to make the
management economical and souhd.
INSURANCE COMPANIES
The report Of the Superintendent OF Insurance
indicates that all companies doing business in th:
State with one or two exceptions. are sound II any
legislation could lessen the number OF weak com
panes II should be passed. for company that is no
likely to fulfil it's contracts should not be allowed Il
make them.
LABOR AND ARBITRATION.
Every year the so-caed labor question grow
more ,rnnortant and the need Of its proper solution
more imperative The Board Of Mediation ant
VUoc& IN III G.