New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-18

NEW YORK's EXPENDITURES GROWING
AT RAPID RATE.
NEIGHBoR1NG STATES MORE ECoNoMIcAL-coN-
TROE.ER ROBERTS PROTESTS AGAINST
GIVING TURKEY. ICE CREAM AND
OTHER Lu-XURlEs TO PAU
PEERS AND PRISONERS.

PIERS AND PRISONERS.
Albany Ian. 17-Contronor Roberts issued an
other part Of his annual repor, tonight He shows
that the States expenditures have increased from
50 PA in 1881 to $40 705 IN ls07 The State Is
spending per capita a much larger amount or
money than are neighborng States. New-Jerseys
per capita is 81 80: Pennsylvania g q; Massachr-
sets g 49, while that of New-York State is 49,
Controller Roberts finds that since 1880 there
have been created thlrty-s,x new State depart
ments and commissions which called for an ex-
pendture during the fiscal year ended on Septem-
Der 80 1897 OF Sc, Ss4 7lS. and during the years OF
their existence. some being OF earlier and some or
later creation. they have cost s2i.H3f5. These DO
not include the Departments of Public Works.
Insurance. Prisons Banks. The expenses of the
six constitutional Offices. which are supposed prao-
t.cally TO manage the State government for the
last fiscal year were only s299,t@
For the INDECENT insane the first appropriation
made in 1893. end Il amounted 10 NSB.09
Last year the expenditure was 81 254 aoS. or about
four times as much The payments by the State
IN aid and support OF charitable purposes have In
creased from E45S471 IN 1851 TO S2s2.559 in 1897
OF the latter amount s. S343 for the support
Of the inmates Of these institutions. and S227S,96
for new buildings
In a summary OF another part Of the Controllers
annual report given out to-day. the following
occurs:
rs II fair that the average workingman should
wear poor clothes and 1--we plain fare In order
that he may bring UP his family decently and
honestly, while the inmates Of State institutions
are INDUCED with turkey at is cents q pound
footballs S4S each. oranges, candy. nuts.
ice cream and expensive Injuries? All Of which.
and much more were asked for in n recent State
reformatory estimate. 1t must not be forgotten
that money spent on these inmates is not voun-
tary contribution, but is the produc; of enforcei
taxation.
BY many It may be regarded as out OF place for
public official criticise the charitable work OF
the State God forbid that should put straw
in the way Of a charity nationally directed, but
my four years experience as controller, Whlch
place has forced me into close contact with the
public charities and has compelled close study OF
them, impes to say that charity IL dispensed
In the State with an almost lavish hand, and In
For instance when the taxpayers provide a
good. comfortable home for the unfortunate Of any
class; when they provide an ample supply OF goci
wholesome food; when they furnish substantial.
seasonabe clothing, etc, ! think that should be
sufficient and the benefciaries should reciprocate
by rendering any service in support OF the insitu-
ton they may be able TO give.
1T seems 10 be the policy OF the management In
many institutions TO purchase the most expensive
articles the market affords; not TO require me m
mates to render any service whatever, but 10 en-
ploy outside help whenever possible. l do not be-
i!eve II good public policy TO cultivate tastes and
appetites in youthful offenders against law, con-
fined In reformatories, that they can scarcely ever
hope TO satisfy when free and relying on their own
honest resources ] do not believe II good pubic
policy TO give these young offenders better educa-
hope To obtain, or can possibly obtain at the com
mon schools. an education that IS more ornate than
useful / do not believe in treating these young
offenders against Law. who are supported at Stale
buckingham the outside shall envy them; yer
in some institutions this seems TO be the policy