New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-05
SHARP FIGHT IN NEW YORK.
REPUBLICANS STRENGTHENED BY
FRANCHISE TAX LAW.

Albany June (SpecaD.-While no Stat
officer is 10 be elected this year. nevertheless
the State election in November Will be Of much
interest Any election just previous TO one at
which President is to be chosen will al
ways be observed with keen interest, as giving
some token Of the probable drift OF the State
in the Presidential election.
The Democratic leaders frankly say that they
intend 10 roll 10 such Democratic vote in the
State as to indicate that Democratic candi-
date for President may possibly receive its
electoral vote
There are $50 Assemblymen to be elected.
The election therefore. will be a State one TO
that extent. II the Assembly could be won
for the Democratic party no Republican po-
Ntical measures could be passed in 1900, just
previous to thc Presidential election 1t could
q. least Is. ead that such gair of votes in
the Assembly. compared with it's makeup this
year. indicated a Democratic reaction
REVISION OF TAXATION LAWS
There is another tempta; on which the Demo-
cratic leaders have 10 make a strong effort to
carry the Asse nbly and that is that the next
Legislature will be called to act upon re-
vision of the taxation laws Of the State, for
in January next the committees appointed by
the Legislature of this year TO draw up re-
formatory taxation laws for the State
will submit their report with accompanying
bills amending the taxation laws. II Is gen.
orally understood that among the taxation laws
which may then be amended is the Roosevelt
Ford Franchise Taxation act just passed. The
Democratic leaders would naturally wish to have
an influential voice In the revision of the Fran
ohise Tax law. and possession of a majority in
the Assembly would give them that desired
Influence.
But the Republican leaders are awake to the
danger of losing the Assembly by determined
Democratic attack upon the members Of the
present Republican majority. and therefore can
be trusted to make strong campaign to re-
turn another Republican Assembly. Nothing
has happened for months which so favorably
affects the prospect of the Republicans carry
ing the Assembly again as the passage OF the
Franchise Tax act.
%REPUBICAN TAX MEASURES
The farmers of the State. who are nearly all
Republicans. were intensely interested in the
fate Of the measure. Such the report Of the
Republican Senators and Assemblymen from the
rural districts at the recent special session Of the
legislature AT the regular session the Repub-
leans were we'll aware that the Franchise act
was favorably regarded In the rural counties,
and that it would be dangerous to kill 1t. but
they did not appreciate the keen interest taken
in the bill. When they arrived home they found
the feeling universal that the Franchise Tax act
would greatly add to the taxation resources of
the State. and therefore be benefit even 10
communities that would not derive any direct
benefit from it, 1t therefore was fortunate
circumstance for the Republican party that the
measure was passed both at the regular and at
the special session.
The Franchise Tax act is the final one of a
ixrJ hi IL
cans in the Legislature, which have reduced the
burdens of taxation on real estate owners. 1t
was a Republican, W. II. Steele, Of Oswego
County, who introduced the Corporation Tax
bill In the Assembly Of 1880: it was a Repubi-
can, Senator vedder who introduced the Inheri-
lance Tax bill in 1856 and the Corporation Or
ganization Tax bill in 1887; and IT was Repub-
lean Senator John Raines, who introduced the
LIQUOR Tax bill in 1897. These measures now
put over SS,000,000 in the State Treasury yearly,
and the Ranes Liquor Tax law also puts SS,UOO,-
600 yearly In local treasures. And now has
come the Franchise Tax act, introduced by SEN
ator Ford. which will put millions yearly into
the treasures of the cities villages and towns OF
the State
Il think the Republican party can well go to
the polls this fall" said Senator Ranes yester-
day ION the record of taxation bills which have
decreased the burdens of the people Why. the
farmers before these taxes were imposed used
10 pay one-eighth Of the taxes of the State.
Now they pay only one-twelfth. OF the States
levy Of $12.OOO.OO0 they will pay only 81. OOO,-
600"
select several Supreme Court Justices to All
the places of those whose terms expire on De-
cember 81. The Justices whose terms expire are
Henry w Bookstaver in the First Judicial Dis
trict: George A. Hardin. of the Fifth judicial
District and Warren b. Hooker. Daniel ]. Ken
nefick and Robert c. Titus. in the Eighth Judi
cial District.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
The people will also at the polls vote upon
<our nroposed amendments to the Constitution
Two of them are in relation to the counties in
the civ OF New-York. One amends Section 90
Article q Of the Constitution so as to read as
follows:
There be in each county G except in county
whp or unused of such members end elected In
such and for such psIGG as 1d + Or may e 6e
IRE county. or two or more entire counties tht
duties s OF Mun SSfPa &
Sonncii. Board Of Aldermen or other legislative
body OF the city.
The second permits OF the separation OF tne
county from the city debt. or the cities ano
counties, or parts of counties. composing New
York City. -. ,.hor,vas tho
Governor TO designate four Justices OF 'ls
the Court of Appeals whenever 1eJo, ~, i'm
the members of that court shall certiy u nm
that the court is unable by reason OF an ac1
cumulation Of causes 10 near anu
them with reasonable speed -. co,,orror
THE other amendment authorizes tne uoNeI no -
70 make temporary designations OF JuGsvs, !"
the Appellate Division Of the SupreH1e - MI,
Important elections OF mHnlc'P MAYORS win be
Chosen IN Albany Troy. Syracuse and Nocnes'.,,
among other cities, and these eIecGUne pyaridge
10 be warmly contested George '" ppenmbIican
FOR instance is working 10 elect hePu ,s,n.
In Rochester and thus regain power anu 49,