Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-01-19

A3A tltio EplilGAliJil DIlE subject pre-
sents itself which by reason of the
great interests involved calls for ear
nest and immediate attention / refer
to the laws relating to cities and other
municipalities. Scattered through many
pages of the statute books and forming
the subject matter Of numerous chap
ters Of laws are to be found the provi-
sions relating to this form of govern
ment. They are conflicting doubtful
and obscure. They have frequently been
the subjects of litigation and have re-
ceived judicial Interpretation. At times
they have received constructions seem
ingly contradictory Few dare hazard
an opinion as to the constitutionality of
a proposed enactment, so great is the
uncertainty In which the power of the
legislature relating to this subject is
now involved and so subtle have been
the distinctions made as to the required
tests of valid act. / believe radical
measures are required to remove the
present embarrassing condition. Some
general and uniform act for all cities
is necessary if the present uncertainty
Is to be removed. A mere codification
of existing laws will not remove the
trouble. 1t may be necessary 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 expense of the
few who might be temporarily affected.
In such a scheme provision could be
made for simpler and more effective
methods for the administration of mu-
nicipal affairs, the necessity for which
is manifested in the general dissatis-
faction and desire for change which
now exists. The advantages which
would follow the adoption of some care
fully devised law are manifest.
! think the legislature -hould appoint
or authorize the executive to name a
commission to consider the subject and
prepare such a plan for the government
OF cities as they may think proper after
a full investigation.
wish also to direct attention to the
growing surplus in the treasury. So
prolific are the states sources of reve-
nue. that its annual income during the
last fiscal year amounted to more than
$2.000,O00 exclusive of the proceeds of
the school tax.
Keeping pace with the growth of the
receipts, the state fund balance has now
reached a large amount deficiency
existed in 1899 but this balance fund is
now represented by about ST. 000, 00O The
amount therein has increased. notwith-
standing the fact that disbursements
out Of state and school funds have each
year been larger and have increased in
amount from about 81 800, 900 in the year
Of the deficiency to more than $4,000, 600
in the last fiscal year.
The increase in disbursements is part
ly to be accounted for by the sums re-
cuired for the needs of a growing state
and partly by 10 sums expended for
educational purposes and in the erec-
ton and Improvement of state institu-
tions including armories. In so far as
the revenues of the state have been
spent for these objects there is little
ground for just criticism or complaint.
Something of permanent and useful
character stands in place of the moneys
expended, or benefits have been re-
ceived by the public which fully com
pensate them for the disbursements.
But one of the largest items Of increase
is to be found in the amount annually
appropriated fer chsslitabie and reform-
from about 100000 spent in 1884 to
more than S40O, 600 spent in 1898 The
amount now annually disbursed repre-
sents about II per cent Of the states
total yearly expenditures. This increase
is so striking and has grown so rapidly
as to suggest the inquiry whether there
cannot be devised some means of re-
trenchment without injury to those en-
-. -,.E4 ~
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 the state.
There is little likelihood of further
demands for large, extraordinary ex-
penditures in the immediate future ex-
cept in one or two instances. If econ
omy be practiced and the income re-
ceiyed by the state shows no apprecia-
BILE falling off, the state fund is not like
ly to decrease. 1t is mere likely to as
sumo proportions which will be far lar
ger than the needs of the state require.
It's existence will prove a constant in
ducement to extravaganza or unwise
expenditure. The funds should be main
tanned at such an amount as prudence
and a due regard to the demands there
on, 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 direc-
ton have been adopted without en-
dangering the states interests or seri-
ously affecting its balances. To what
extent if any, further distribution
H. II
consideration. Many ways in which it
can be done readily suggest themselves.
There might be returned to the differ
ent municipalities that part of the in
come which is derived from taxes as
sessed 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 ex-
penditure A permanent diversion of a
portion of its funds might seriously
hamper the state and prevent it from
meeting just and pressing demands. 1t
is questionable whether this plan would
bring about the local relief which those
favoring it believe would come from its
adoption. IT is a matter of cormon oh
servation that expenditures in munich
palities 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 thus returned without CORE
spending reduction Of tax rate
It would be better, in my judgment,
under existing circumstances, if any
action is taken by the legislature to
devise some plan whereby the amount
diverted should not be a fixed annual
sum, but one varying according to the
condition of the treasury and the claims
likely to be made thereon. Appropria-
tions 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 Sr some means might be de-
vised whereby. upon an equitable APP
portionment, the expenses of the vari-
ons counties for the support Of their
courts could in part be defrayed.
In this connection and as constituting