The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-04-11


TO obscure truths supremacy and to pro-
mote Indifference to it's claims
A Dearth Of State Issues This Year.
The Republicans OF New York held their
State Convention for the nomination OF
delegates to the National Convention Of
1896 on March "a; their convention for
the nomination Of q Governor was held on
Aug. 20. In the platform adopted at tho
August convention the administration OF
Governor MORTON. the first Republican Gov
ernor Of the State chosen since CORNELL
was elected In 1879. was approved, the
newly adopted Rajnes Excise law was
praised. the adoption OF a comprehensive
system Of highway construction was
urged, and the Greater New FORK prof.
ect vas Endorsed. Tho canal amendment
had been adopted at the election proceed.
ing, and the financial administration Of
the State Government was reflected In a
tax ratio Of 2,6o. yielding $50, o0o. 900
to meet the legislative appropriations. The
Democrats, at their State Convention Of
1896 in September In Buffalo. denounced
the Liquor Tax law, arraigned the manage
ment Of the Superintendent Of Public
Works as wasteful and extravagant, and
recommended among other things the
revision Of the Employers Liability law.
The State Legislature which adjourned
on Friday last may be said to have left
a record nearly colorless 50 far as con-
Germs any measure affording an issue which
can be turned to great political advantage
by either party.
The canal controversy, always a matter
Of division On geographical rather than
political grounds In New York, has been
advanced TO the extent OF the passage Of a
bill for a survey, but held back by the fail
ure Of the Legislature to take any action
toward the radical reconstruction OF the
canals on the basis OF the 500, 900, 900
estimate Of the Special Commission. The
canal question. therefore, remains, so
far as the rarent Legislature Is concerned
in II, in allegiance until next e
The Liquor Tax law. which was an element
OF party division in 1890 and later, appears
to be such no longer. The estimated in
come from this source next year Is 81, 10O,-
900, and no serious effort was made at the
recent session to amend in any particular,
much less repeal, this revenue-yielding
statute. Practically, the excise question
has been eliminated from the politics OF
New York. 1t will not be a factor in this
years State fight as II was in 1896, to the
benefit Of Democrats In many localities.
The administration OF the State Depart
ment OF Public Works now In the hands OF
Commissioner PARTRIDGE is no longer a
subject Of political censure and defence. as
was the case In the State contest OF 1898.
The tax rate this year, fixed at l.9e. Is
low-lower than II has been in
any year since 1901, when, for exceptional
reasons. it was somewhat less. In the
Presidential election Of 1888 the Stete tax
rate was 2.e2; in 1892 1t was / .9s: in 1895
II was 2 80, and this year it will be lee, and
a low tax rate Is, In a State election, always
regarded as favorable to the prospects OF
the party in power. In off years the rate
usually goes up. Thus in the year sue
ceeding the Presidential election Of 1888
~ was 3D. ana In 1880, the year preced-
ing a Presidential election, it was 3.24.
The State Administration has been sub.
jected during the past session to little
criticism. There have been no partisan
attacks upon any Of the officers elected on
the ticket with Governor ROOSEVELT, and
partisan attacks upon any Of his execu-
tive appointees.
A Governor, Lieutenant-Governor and
other State officers, as we'll as Congressman
and State legislators in both branches, are
to be voted for this year, along with the
Presidential Electors. The record OF the
Legislature, as made up on Friday, Is such
that the determination Of the political rom
test In New York will turn on national
questions. State issues will figure in a less
than at any preceding election.