New-York tribune., 1900-03-19
STATE POLITICS AND LAWS.
BEARING OF LEGISLATIVE ACTION AT

all their efforts as they did in 1888 to electing
their candidates for State offices rather than
the candidates their National ticket. 1t will
be remembered that in 1888 David B. Hill was
elected Governor, although Benjamin Harrison
was elected President. Warner Miller. the Re
publican candidate for Governor that year, in
General Harrisons expressive phrase fell out
side the breastworks"
Mr.. Hill. as In 1888 will conduct the State
campaign of the Democrats. and it is not doubt
ed that he clearly sees that William J. Bryan
cannot obtain the electoral votes of New York.
and therefore will so conduct the affairs of the
Democratic party as, if possible. to elect the
men on its State ticket. Mr.. Hill also would
make drive for the State Senate. believing that
the present apportionment OF the Legislative dis
trcts gives the Democrats a better chance Of
electing a majority in that body than in the AS
sembly.
HOW REPUBLICANS HELPED HILL.
Some of Mr. Hill's State issues are already
visible. He has been conspicuous in efforts to
make the protection Of New-Yo City from
the Ramapo Water Company a campaign mat
ter, and it is plain that Speaker Nixon and
Assemblymen Aids and Kelsey played into his
hands when they ranged up most of the Repub-
leans of the Assembly in opposition to a mo-
ton to discharge the Committee on Cities of
that body from further consideration of Assem-
blyman Morgans bill permitting New-York
City to condemn land to secure water rights
With only one or two exceptions every Assem-
bIyman from New-York City, whether Re-
publican or Democrat, voted in favor of Mr.
Morgan's motion to discharge the Assembly
Committee on Cities from further consideration
of this bill.
Speaker Nixon. by his policy OF opposing that
BILL thus arrayed the rural Republicans against
their city brethren and, what was most signifi-
can't placed Republican AssembIynen living
hundreds of miles away from New-York City
whose constituents could be in any way
affected by New-Yorks search for water in the
attitude of favoring water company.
1t should be stated that the excuse given for
some Of the opposition to Mr.. Morgan's bill was
that the NewYork City authorities should not
have a rowing commission to condemn land for
water purposes But Mr.. Demarest, of Rock
land Mr.. Cooley, of Westchester and Mr.
Doughty, Of Queens saw no harm in Mr. Nor
gan's bill and voted to have ii reported although
the counties Of Rockland Westchester and
Queens are adjacent to New-York. and land in
them might naturally be sought by New-York-
On the other hand, in what way were the rep
resentatives of all the western and central coun-
ties Of the State concerned about the fate Of the
Morgan bill? Why should they be hostile to IL?
1t would be impossible for New-York City 10
obtain water for its use from their part Of the
State
POSITION OF CHAIRMAN oDELL.
Benjamin B. Odell, jr. chairman OF the Repub-
lican State Committee is in Albany NOWADAYS
every week. No one doubts that he cordially
acquiesces' in the policy OF suppressng the
Morgan Rauapo bill. although he must see that
the defeat Of that bill will lose the Republican
party many votes. Mr.. Odelrs policy is seen also
in another matter-namely setting aside Gov
ernor Roosevelt's policy Of canal Improvement
Two great commissions, the Canal Advisory Com
mission and the Commerce Commission. labored
for months in taking testimony and tabuIating
and considering statistics regarding the canal
commerce and the ocean commerce Of New
York The result Of their work was embodied in
two reports of the highest interest and greatest
value.
The merchants Of New-York. Buffalo and all
the cities along the line Of the Erie ChampIain
and Oswego canals desire immediate action to
be taken. But their desire is not to be needed
They are told that the election in this State this
year may be close" and especially so on the
State ticket Of the Republican party. and since
in various parts Of the State there is opposition
to any canal Improvement scheme no step In
that direction should be taken this year.
ALL PROPOSITIONS REJECTED.
At first the advocates of canal Improvement
permitted to vote on the question Of canal i'm
provement. When that proposal was rejected
it then suggested that a bill be passed ap-
propriating 900 for a survey for the pro-
posed barge canal This suggestion has also
been set aside, under the argument that there
is such intense feeling against all canal ex-
penditures that it would be dangerous to make
any appropriation. The argument OF economy
is not made, for that would be absurd, since
100000 is appropriated for lock tenders on the
canals under the eight hour law. and every one
understands that the Superintendent of Public
Works prOnOunCeS that waste Of the States
money. Three lines amending the eight hour
law would enable Superintendent Partridge to
hire only many lock tenders he needs,
and save the State $500, 900 but such an amend
ment is not made because the State may be
close and the labor interests must not be Of
Tended"
NO REFORM OF TAX LAWS PROBABLE.
There was a promise made of reform in the
tax laws Of the State. but after the Stranahan
Mortgage Tax bill was introduced it was seen
that there was to be reform Of these laws
this year That law was in Objectionable form
when it was introduced. but it has been made
much worse by the exemption of the bonds
of railways bearing less than a certain rate of
interest. This left exposed to the burdens of
the Mortgage Taxation act all the savings
bank depOsitors and all investors in building
and loan associations and the policy holders in
insurance companies. Investors in building
and loan associations TO the number OF 2OO,OOO
have sent representatives here to oppose the
Mortgage Tax act in it's present form, and their
opposition IS making itself felt. Senator aIter
Senator has declared his opposition 10 the Dill,
and in the Assembly also there is intense oppo-
siton TO the measure A good many members
OF the Legislature think the bill is dead.
Senator Higgins the chairman of the Senate
Finance Committee, and other Republican mem
bers of that committee are making a strong
effort TO keep down the State tax rate, believing
that if the State tax rate is low the Republican
candidates for State offices will be in a good