New-York tribune., 1900-03-26
GOVERNORAND LEGLSLAT TJrRE
SUGGESTIONS BY ROOSEVELT WHICH
LAWMAKERS HAVE FAILED
TO ACT UPON


he has suggested has been laid aside openly
killed. 1t is true that he has had some
but in the main the Legislature has rejected the
acts he has suggested The session, therefore,
unfortunately promises to be a comparatively
barren one and is another illustration Of the fact
that Legislature dominated solely by ma
chine" politicians has desire for legislation in
the interest OF the people.
The passage of some law providing for fur
ther Improvement Of the canals of the State was
expected. Two commissions Of eminent citizens
had made a careful inquiry in relation to the
condition of canal commerce. and both had rec
commended continuance of work on the canals
for their Improvement. The work done by Gov
ernor Roosevelts Canal Advisory Commission
was especially notable; 1t gave statistics show
ing the loss of trade by New-York, owing to the
fact that the canals had not been enlarged, and
it also revealed Enthusiastically the danger of a
further loss of trade. owing to the competition
Of Canada's enlarged canals. The enlargement
of the State canals might be considered to be
the leading thought of the Roosevelt admins
tration But nothing is to be done. Short
sighted machine" politicians have forbidden the
Legislature to take a step in the direction of
improving the State canals
The voters not to be asked at the
polls this fall whether not they would ap
prove Of any further expenditure for the i'm
provement of the canals. Nor Is a small
appropriation to be made to have survey made
Of the proposed improvements Of the canals, to
learn the probable cost. The people Of this
State. II argued at least ought to have
these figures but once more the machine" poll
ticians have said that not penny shall be ex-
pended in this direction. The elaborate and
valuable reports of the Canal Advisory Commits
sion and OF the State Commerce Commission
thus join the many volumes Of reports of pre-
vious State commissions which accumuat
ing dust on the shelves of the State Library.
NEED OF TAX REVISION
Governor Roosevelt in his last annual message
said
The last Legislature wisely appointed a
committee to consider the feasibility of thorough
there Is good reason to believe that the forthcom-
ceive the support substantially all classes of
payers
The report of the joint committee
tainly far reaching" 1t turned the taxation
laws of the State topsy turvy. and it antago-
nized about every interest it could assan. 1t
gathered to itself enemies from the day of its
publication. Finally railroad corporations at
the demand of the Platt organization, had their
bonds exempted from taxation under it. and its
fate was sealed. At the last there was such a
storm this exemption that the bill was re-
stored to its original shape; but even this did
not save it, and the measure killed. Thsre
is thus to be reform in the taxation laws,
just they
Governor Roosevelt also SAID in his last annual
message:
There is a consensus of opinion that New-York
must own It's own water supply. Any legislation
permitting private ownership should be annulled.
The Legislature has not passed any act an
nullirg the rights conferred on the Ramapo
Water Company by the act passed by Speaker
Nixon in 1895. Nor has 1t even passed Assem-
blyman Morgan's bill giving New-York City the
right to condemn water rights. and thus put i.
a level with the Ramapo Water Company.
Governor Roosevelt stated yesterday that the
representatives of the Merchants Association
would be here tomorrow with amendments TO
the Morgan bill defining the watersheds in
which it may condemn lands for it's But it
is probable shat these amendments offered
too late, and 1t is to be regretted that Governor
Roosevelt did not send a message to the Legis-
lature last week calling its attention to the
necessity of passing some law giving New-York
the right to "own it's water supply.
Former Governors have accomplished good
deal with Legislatures by addressing to them
messages on important topics and thus appeal
ing to public opinion and arousng 1t against
legislators not inclined to do their duty.
Governor Roosevelt also said:
call the attention the Legislature TO the
called Horton Boxing law now on the statute
The repeal act has passed the Assembly, but
It sticks In the Senate. Possibly that body will
pass it. but only twenty-five votes yet
pledged to it, and twenty-sx votes are neces-
sary pass 1t. 1t is to be hoped of the
twenty five Senators pledged to support the
peal act will have sudden spell of sickness"
STATUTORY REVISION COMMISSION.
Governor Roosevelt also said in his message:
| Due attention the various measures which the
Statutory Revision Commission has prepared Will
mission which ought to be done during thee pres
ent year | recommend that steps be taken to close
| the Commission during the year.
The Legislature has net yet passed any bill to
carry out this recommendation, and there is a
contest over the matter. The Bar Association
| of New-York wishes to have the present Statu-
! tory Revision Commission abolished. There Is
| report that ex-Judge Charles Andrews ex-
| Judge Robert Earl and ex-Judge Francis M
| Finch all OF the Court Of Appeals will be
pressed for members of the Statutory Revision
Commission If the present Commission is aboi-
| ished
| Governor Roosevelt last year appointed
commission to unity the school systems of the
| State In regard the work and the recon-
| mendations Of this Unification Commission the
| Governor said in his annual message:
This commission has arrived at suggestions en-
! bodied in report suggesting statutory changes,
| which, II adopted by the Legislature will give
effect to the system which they reGonmena s The
from political or partisan considerations It de
the cordial support OF all friends OF public
education
Unification Commission. Indeed that bill never
and Assembly to which it was sent
etyelr fI,rth her in