The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-01-17

/ to codify the laws relating to various
| subjects. They have been obliged to
harmonize provisions of numerous con-
| flcting statutes, remove redundancies,
and correct obscure or careless forms OF
clear, concise and explicit act all laws re-
lating TO the topic which formed the sub
ject Of their labors II has required the the
peciai credit is due >'' to ii these g gentlemen
who have gratuitously given their time
and services in the prosecution OF q work
so adyantageous to the State. There IS
need for similar revision and codifica-
ton of laws relating to other topics and
it is my intention in due time to appoint
commissions for this purpose.
In this connection one subject presents
itself, which, by reason Of the great in-
terests involved, calls for earnest and inn
mediate attention. l refer to the laws re-
lating to. cities and other municipalities.
Scattered through many pages of the
statute books, and forming the subject
matter of numerous chapters of laws,
are to be found the provisions relating TO
this form of government. They are con-
f1icting, doubtful and obscure. They have
frequently been the subjects of litigation
and have received judicial interpretation.
AT times they have received constructions
seemingly contradictory. Few dare haz-
ard an opinion as to the consdtutionality
uncertainty in which the power of the
Legislature relating to this subject IS now
involved, and SO subtle have been the dis
tinctlons made as to the required tests Of
are required to remove the present en-
barrassing condition. Some general and
uniform act for all cities is necessary if
the present uncertainty is to be removed
mere codification of existing laws will
not remove the trouble. 1t may be neces-
sary to modify or repeal the provisions of
some special charters if a general form
of municipal government be devised, but
in doing this the common good of all
would be promoted at the possible ex-
pense of the few who might be temporar-
q
could be made for simpler and more eff
fectiye methods for the administration of
municipal affairs, the necessity for which
is manifested i'll the general dissatisfac-
tion and desire for change which now
exists. The advantages which would fol-
low. the adoption of some such carefully
think the Legislature should
appoint or authorize the execu-
tive to name a commission to consider
the subject, and prepare such plan for
the government of cities as they may
think proper after full investigation.
wish to direct attention to the growing
surplus in the treasury. So prolific are
the States sources of revenue that its
annual income during the last fiscal year
amounted TO more than two million dol
lars, exclusive of the proceeds of the
school tax.
4 Keeping pace with the growth of the re-
ceipts, the State fund balance has now
reached large amount. A deficiency ex-
listed IN 1889, but this balance fund is now
represented by about one million dollars.
The amount therein has increased, not
withstanding the fact that disbursements
out of State and school funds have each
year been larger, and have increased in
amount from about fifteen hundred thou
sand dollars in the year of the deficiency
to more than two millions of dollars in
the last fiscal year.
The increase in disbursements is part
ly to be accounted for by the sums re-
quired for the needs of a growing State,
and partly by the sums expended for ed
vocational purposes and in the erection
and improvement of State institutions,
including armories. In so far as the rev.
enues of the State have been spent for
these objects, there is little ground for
just criticism or complaint. Something
of a permanent and useful character
stands in place of the moneys expended,
or benefits have been received by the pub
lie which fully compensate them for the
disbursements. But one of the largest
items of increase IS to be found in the
amount annually appropriated for chari-
table and reformatory purposes. This
sum has increased from about two hum
dred thousand dollars, spent IN 1884, to
more Lnan four hundred thousand dollars
spent in 1898. The amount now annually
disbursed represents about seventeen per
cent. OF the States total yearly expendi-
lures This increase is SO striking. and
has grown so rapidly, as to suggest the
inquiry whether there cannot be devised
some means of retrenchment without in
jury to those entitled to the bounty OF
the State. 1t may well be that many
of the inmates of our institutions are now
supported at public expense who are not
rightly entitled to receive the help OF thea
State.
There is little likelihood of further de-
rnands for large extraordinary expendi-
lures in the immediate future, except in
one or two instances. If economy be
practiced, and the income received by the
State shows no appreciable falling on,
the State fund is not likely to decrease
iC
which will be far larger than the needs OF
the State require. Its existence will prove
a constant inducement to extravaganza
or unwiSe expenditure. The funds should
be maintained at such an amount as pru-
dence and a due regard to the demands
thereon, which may be reasonably antici-
pated, may suggest. Any sum IN excess
thereof should be wisely disposed Of in
relieving the burdens of local taxation
Already some measures in this direction
have been adopted without endangering
ing its balances. To what extent, if any,
further distribution should be made re-
quires very careful consideration. Many
ways in which it can be done readlly sug-
gest themselves. There might be return
ed to the different municipalities that
part of the income which is derived from
taxes assessed against property therein
located This method is open to the very
serious objection that the revenues OF
the State are uncertain in amount and
vary from year to year, as do also the
amounts required for legitimate objects
of expenditure. A permanent diversion
of a portion of it's funds might seriously
hamper the State and prevent IT. from
meeting just and pressing demands. II
is questionable whether this plan would
bring about the local relief which those
fayoring it believe would come from its
adoption 1t is a matter of common OBJ
seryation that expenditures in munlclpail-
ties are usually limited by the amounts
subject to their disposal, and it is within
the range of probability that means
would be found to dispose of moneys 1hus
returned without corresponding reduc-
ton of tax rate.
ment. f "ounu under existing circumstances,
if any action is taken by the
Legislature, to devise some plan whereby
the amount diverted should not be fixed
annual sum- but one varying according
10 the condition of the treasury and the
claims likely to be MADE tnereon. Appro-
priations could be made for objects for
the support of which the people of the
State are now paying direct taxes In
this way the amount now annually raised
for the support of public schools could be
reduced. or some means might be devised
ment. the expenses of the various coun-
ties for the support of their courts could
in part be defrayed.
IN this connection and as constituting
one of the objects for which extraordinary
expenditure may be needed, Wish TO eau
ings Of the State Reformatory al Railway.
From time to time there have been ap-
Dropriated and expended on their account
Various sums. aggregating one hundred and
eighty-fiye thousand dollars Work on
these buildings is now and has been prac-
still IN its ineompleted form the building
now nartIv erected stands as a monument