The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-06
COZ. WoLooTTs AppREsS.

Necessarily, a generous portion of the
address which Gov. Wolcott delivered
to the Legislature yesterday was de-
voted to the history of Massachusetts,
in the war. 1t was a significant and
eloquent statement, rejecting credit
upon the commonwealth and its chief
executive. In any such enumeration of
services to the republic, the work of
Sherman Hoar could not of course be
overlooked.
Yet in the governors address, as in
those of many another public admin
istrator, economy was prominent
topic. The three-fo1d increase of the
state debt within four years is a fact
that cannot be ignored. 1t stands out
as beacon of warning, and the gov
ernor does well to emphasize its prom
inence. That municipal debts have
been increasing coincidently with the
rise of the state debt is a point of no
small moment, and the governor clearly
indicates the correlation of the state
debt and the increasing expenses of the
spective municipalities have an ac-
count of indefinite proportions yet to
settle. The state tax rate was low last
year, as compared with the record of
the decade, and the governor saws it
will be possible to keep it down another
year, IF due regard is had to prudent
economy in all annual expenditures.
THERE'S no argument for niggardly ap-
preparations, but an exhortation for
rigid scrutiny and that is what is
too often lacking.
The governor has the weight of ex-
pert opinion behind him, in his recon-
mendation for the state control of pau
per insane and of all offenders against
the laws of the commonwealth. This
implies the abandonment of the pres
ent system of county jails as well as of
certain other institutions. That the
public mind is working around to the
view that divided control is bad both
in theory and practice, is evidenced by
the law enacted last year, providing
that all capital offenders shall be ex-
prison.
There is a sensible caution, too.
against the excess of special legislation
applied to the government of cities.
The growing practice is in direct con-
travention of the home rule principle,
and its influence is not good.
The legislature may well heed the
governors advice in regard to the cat
tie commission. There should be no
repetition of the inconsistent and prob
ably malicious action of the last ses-
sion, when the commission was re-
fused an appropriation, though the
laws prescribing it's duties were left
unchanged and obligatory. Only such
duties as involved no expense to the
state could be performed, and the COM
missioners have drawn no salaries.
This petty business can hardly be re-
peated by the present legislature. AS
the governor points out, the commits
sion is charged with important duties
for the protection of the public health.
which 1t should not be prohibited from
of faction over the application of
tubercallin. There are other diseases
than tuberculosis to be combatted. and
there is a foreign quarantine to be
maintained, unless the state is to be
made a common dumping ground for
diseased cattle.
The governors recommendations con-
corning assessment insurance. the in
crease of the salaries of the Judges of
the superior and supreme courts, and
the representation of Massachusetts at
the Paris exposition, are matters that
deserve attention and doubtless will
receive it from the legislature. 1t is a
sound and sensible message, full of
business and entirely free from &C.
centricities and fadS.