New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-01


AND SIGNED N REMARKABLY
SHORT TIME.
Albany. March 81 (SpeciaD.-The State OF
Eew-York to-day took an important step to put
itself in readiness for war. in view OF the POSI-
tility that hostilites may break out between the
United States and Spain AS already related IN
The Tribune. Governor Black for several days
has been contemplating the sending OF mes
sage TO the Legislature before il should adjourn
asking 1t TO put at his disposal fund to be used
in case Of war. The fact is now disclosed that
he first proposed writing such a message on ac-
count OF official communications from Washing
ton
In 1861 the sum Of S3.5OO0O0 was appropriated
by the Legislature within forty-eight hours
after Fort Sumter was fired on. AT that time
the militia force was In a wretched cohoiuoh'
There was no splendid body OF l3.oVo traiheu
soldiers. as there is at present. A large appro-
priation was deemed necessary TO equip ana
arm 10000 men. and so S33OOVO was voted
Mr.. Black considers S1OOUUOO sufficient at the
present time.
The Governor decided this morning that he
would send the message he had prepared reiat-
ing to war preparations 10 the Legislature. Up
to the last moment he had hestitated to DO So
The text of the message follows:
To the Legislature: Events are now trans
pirng of grave and general import that tHe
aitenion Oh every re en NM Which our National
Government now meets involves those deep con-
eiderations which affect the future OF the race
To aid that Government by approval ana sup
port; 10 sustain its hand wnen raised for JUS
tice and fan. play is the duty OF every STATE
No hour has ever been so full or peril mat New.
York has fa.tered while II passed. because OF
her past history and her present greatness she
should be the first TO understand the meaning
Of to-day.
ND wit e.
sire 10 do that which ought to be done. and to
refrain from that which ought not TO be done.
i recommend that before you adjourn you take
such action your wisdom snail decide upon,
70 provide against such urgent needs as the
future may disclose.
| hope the day is still remote which shall con-
sumo the means you set apart. But II the time
should when forbearance and National
eelf-respect can no longer stay together. there
can be but answer to the duty thus arising.
] believe you will. not In haste or anger toward
any other people. but in the deliberate purpose
TO defend your own and as sign OF nope 10
the struggling and distressed realizing that
patriotism without preparation Is as fragile as
a dream. so act that the enlightened sentiment
VI '''7 FRANK s BLACK
This message when read. applauded In
both the Senate and the Assembly. Soon after
ward Senator Higgins and Assemblyman Nixon
introduced the following bill. which Governor
Black made emergency measure so that
IL could be passed at once:
The people Of the State Of New-York. rep
resented in Senate and Assembly. do enact as
follows: o
Section, J. The sum Of S1.O00OO0. or so much
thereof as may be necessary. is hereby appro-
priated for the purpose OF defraying the ex-
penses OF the National Guard and Naval MI
ltia of this State and volunteers furnished by
the State. either Of them. when called INTO
service for the public deferce the request
or reauistion OF the President OF the United
States but no part OF the money hereby ap-
propriated shall be expended unless the Gov
hall hat OpluiOn there
necessity for using the same or portion there
Of and in such case the same shall be PAID by
the Treasurer on the AUDIT ana WARRANT VI '"c
Controller
year commencing on the LIST day OF octoper'
lSgS q State tax FOR such sum as the GOV
ernor shall certify TO be necessary TO meet the
expenses authorized by this act 70 be assessed
raised. levied. collected and paid IN the same
manner as other State taxes.
Sec 2 This act shall take effect Immediately.
The bill passed the Assembly by n unanimous
vote in five minutes without word being said
either for II or against II.
In the Senate a request made by Senator
Higgins that the measure be ordered irnmedi-
ately TO third reading,
senator Cantor the Democratic leader did
NOT object 10 it, advancement but wished II
understood that it the patriotism Of the
neople that appropriated the money and not
nou,ical marty He regretted that the Governor
had no. seen ut to follow the course OF Presi-
don't Mckinley In comforting with Democratic
members
Senator Ellsworth replied that had time per-
n,,,,ed the Governor would have been glad to
consult with the Democrats. 1t was not decid-
Cd mill this morning that the message was 10
be sent TO the Legislature
The Senate bill was ordered TO third reading.
and when the Assembly bill came over II was
substituted and passed by unanimous vote,
all Of the fifty Senators being recorded IN the
Affirmative.
The measure was signed by the Governor at
II so O'Clock. 1t Will be known as Chapter lJl
~ the Laws OF 1898. II passed both houses or
the Legislature, was engrOssed and signed by
the Executive in one hour and twenty minutes.
which beats all legislative records.