New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-05


ING THE INTERESTS OF
SMALL CITIES
.,Aa,v Ian. 4-Governor Roosevelt to-day
.-o,s-,i,.ed the following message 10 the Legis-
lature
state OF New-York. Executive Chamber,
Albany. January 2. 1899
To the Legislature;
The people OF New-York. like the people Of
.,.e-v other State in the Union 10 be con-
sratulated because curing the last year the
Ss,,on has carried TO brilliant triumph one OF
,hs most righteous wars Of modern times. When
last spring il became evident that the interests
q. humanity and Of National horor alike de-
handed that should drive Spain from the
western Hemisphere and free from her tyranny
.he subject peoples OF the islands Of the sea-
~aw-York responded with easer zeal TO the call
,or volunteers and IN the Cabinet, In Congress,
and in camp her representatives aid all they
co,,ld 70 insure the success OF the American
,ol,cv. We are not merely New-Yorkers. We
are Americans: and the interests Of all Arneri-
cans whether from the North. the South. the
East. or the great West. are equally dear to the
men % the Empire State. AS We grow into
mighty nation. which. whether II will or not.
must inevitably play a great part for good or
Cor evil In the affairs OF the world at large, the
reople OF New-York wish il understood that they
look al all questions Of American foreign policy
ron, the most thoroughly National standpoint
The tropic islands we have taken must neither
Ia allowed 70 lapse into anarchy TO return
under the sway Of tyranny War is grim
thing at best. but the war through which We
have passed has left US not merely memories Of
glory won on land and sea, but an even more
he LrDo eS
waged rom the highest motives for the good
OF others as well as for our own National honor.
Above all. we are thankful that It brought home
10 al O. US the fact that the country was In
deed one when serious danger confronted II.
The men from the East and the West, from the
North and the South. the sons OF those who
wore the blue and OF those who wore the gray.
the men Of means and the men who all their
lives long had possessed only what day by day
they toiled 10 earn stood shoulder 10 shoulder
in the fight, met the same dangers shared the
same hardshipe and won the same ultimate
triumph.
In our domestic affairs the State lie 70 be con-
graduated on the gradual return OF prosperity
Though temporarily checked by the war. this
return has been on the whole. steady. The
capitalist finds constantly greater business OPP
portunities: the wageworker, in consequence, Is
more steadily employed the farmer has bet
ter market
TAXATION
No other question Is Of such permanent I'm
porrance IN the domestic economy Of our State
a. the question 81 taxation. AZ present our sys-
TEN OF taxation IS in utter confusion, fu4 OF
intustices and Of queer anomalies. II is an ex-
ceedingly difficult subject. one well worthy the
attention OF best men. the men with most
highly trained minds and the broadcast practical
experience; men who are able 10 approach the
subject from the standponts alike OF the FARMER
the merchant and the manufacturer. Not only
Is Il necessary 70 consider whether any kind OF
TAX ought II practicable. 70 BE- levied. but
whether II is in fact practicable 10 levy IT, we
should discourage the building UP If non-taxable
interests and yet should discourage driving
property out Of The State by unwise taxation or
lsvying q tax which is in effect largely tax
upon honesty. I most earnestly commend the
whole matter To your special attention.
CANALS AND COMMERCE.
Nsw-York State took the lead IN this country
IN the promotion Of a canal system, and the
operation Of the Erie Canal has been Of incalcu-
liable benefit not merely in Buffalo. New YORK
and Brooklyn and the cities Of the Mohawk VAL
ley but 20 all of the State. for when a part OF
Il 10 benefited the benefit is shared ultimately oy
the whole
OF recent years the city Of New-York has fallen
or relatively 10 other cities as regards the
increase OF her commerce and IN exports there
has been positive decrease. Under my prede-
cessor commission was appointed 20 examine
into The causes Of thi decline. I recommend
that this Commission be allowed ample sddi-
-ional time 70 close It's work. the subject being
hat 70 eylN
all needful aid
The canals az present are IN sucn conoiuon
that the money already expended will avail
nothing y the work Is discontinued. AS cnair
Is only as strong as its weakest link. so the
navigability o, the canals Is determined oN
The shanowest sections While I do not now
recommend the voting OF any large amounts Of
money. yet in fixing UP those different part:
expenditures that can be clearly made within thf
Constitution should be authorized.
u Is essential 70 the State no less than 70 the
city Of New-York that our commercial suprem
acy should Be maintained With this end in vie"
the canals should be administered economically
and with an eve single 70 the welfare or tn'
whole people Any man. whether public servan
OF contractor who in any way defrauds I'M
State perverts the business OF the state 70 ni'
private gain must be dealt with as Vigorously a.
the laws will permit
The Canal Investigating Commission. ap
pointed BY my predecessor pursuant 10 the Pro
visions Of Chapter Is Of the Laws OF 1879 ma
completed Us work and made It's report ~
work has been OF great service 70 the state
The act provided that the Commission snoul'
serve without pay. but should receive the actua
and necessary expenses incurred in the per
Torrance OF It's duty. The Commission was ais
authorized to employ counsel experts, engineer
aud such other assistants IL might deem
Necessary. The time for making It's report wa
extended by my predecessor 70 the latest dat
authorized BY law. and the investigation mac
vas broad IN us scope and searching IN ~
nature
In addition 20 the report OF the Commissiol
required by law, which is herewith transmitte