New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-13
IN TIE GOVERNOR,S HANDS.

Governor Roosevelt has n unique opportunity
to secure an equitable tax system for this state.
Never before was IL in the power Of one man to
accomplish that great good for the people Of
New-York. For all practical purposes. II may
fairly be said, the Governor does possess that
power to-day. He not only can force revision
Of the tax laws, but he is master Of the stu
alton that interests which might otherwise stand
In tho way of thoroughgoing reform along scen-
tifc lines can be made 10 aid in the preparation
and passage of measure such as he approves.
For years there has been talk of tax reform in
this State People have demanded ii. Commits
sions have recommended it, The great inter
ests that profted by the inequalities opposed 1t
and Legislatures neglected it. Now suddenly
we find that the insurmount3ble obstacles
smooth themselves away-or promise to. The
practical politicians" who never could be
brought 10 listen to academic discussions" of
tax laws and the powerful financial interests
which were long perfectly willing that the taxes
should be unequal so long as their burden was
the light one. arc all willing and anxious for an
equal and scientific system. and in such hurry
for 1t that they want AN extra session of the
Legislature.
What has wrought the transformation? Moth
puts a tax on property that for some years-not
always, as those who denounce II as revolution
ary would have us believe-has been exempt.
BY so doing II removes the greatest obstacle to
the general readjustment and equalization Of
the tax burden, for II deprives the most power
ful class of those who benefited by the failures
and inequalities Of the old law Of the incentive
10 perpetuate it. So far as they fear it as over
;,1, 10 otiv IL.
ers for n general reform. The essential motive
mower behind their desires and promises is the
Ford bill, and II those promises are TO be trans
lated into benefcent results that bill must be-
come a law. II It does not. their enthusiasm
for tax-law revision will evaporate into thin air
and we shall probably see a repetition Of the
familiar experience OF an excellent code pre-
nared by q body of experts left unread and un
acted upon by legislators.
The first step In the reform Of our tax system
is the signing Of the Ford bill. That will settle
the principle Of franchise taxation. AS the TAX
will not be levied for year. there Is so muci
time for the preparation and passage OF an!
general law embodying its excellences and elm
mating its possible defects. 1t will be objected
that possibly imperfect law should not be pu
on the statute-book In anticipation OF future re
vision That might be OF force II the law wa'
one that made present conditions worse But
as a matter Of fact the Ford BILL whatever
faults there may be In II, is distinct step II
the direction of justice Perhaps II is not scien
tIfc But how could any amendment to ths
present monstrosity Of our tax law be expected
to be scientihcl We now have tumble OF IN
congrrous and Ubiquitous taxes, and In spite OF
them all great class OF the most VALUABLE
properties in the State has for some years beer
almost II not quite exempt from the burden
(which bore so heavily on others. The only way