New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-05

Me 49, Ow =. abroad. We congratulate the peo-
G9VeTnor Roosevelt. whose high place in the ad-
nlirauon and confidence OF his countrymen,
by his valor and success on the field of battle
rs oeen oistinctively advanced by his splendid
TIT TT Ss tne Governor OF New-Yorlk
~ 4HS Eepuoncan party has been in control OF
the state for the last seven years During that
f Etne toe state has increased greatly in popu-
-aSIou' thereby causing a relative annual in
crease IN expenditure for many public purposes
AnIs Is Illustrated IN the increased appropri-
IetL.S LOT TOT the common schools which in ten
SS1rs nave grown from 81 600 900 70 So 600 600
within the period OF Republican control more
1FeF, he state has assumed the expense OF car
ING AoI the lndlgent and insane. That item OF
expense seven years ago when the maintenance
OF charitable institutions was principally a
charge upon the counties amounted as against
the State to only about 50 10000 The great
REFORMS inaugurated by State control which
nave done so much for the Improvement Of the
conolton Of the helpless and unfortunate, com
PEELED an expenditure in 1899 OF nearly $1,000.
oOO. Notwithstanding these great and increas-
ing burdens, Republican legislation and admins
Lauon nave brought about gradual lowering
OF the tax rate until this year il has reached
the amazingly low point of 1876 mills on the dol
lar OF the eQualized valuation of real and per-
sonal property.
THE LOWER TAX RATE.
This great lowering of the tax rate is due not
only to the new Republican laws, placing their
just portion Of the public burdens upon special
interests which have heretofore escaped taxa
ton, but also to careful economies enforced by
Republican Legislatures and TO the better and
more complete execution by Republican admin
lstrarlVe officers of laws enacted by hepUpLlcan
Legislatures prior to the the present period or
complete Republican control, creating speclaI
and indirect taxation These laws were not
properly enforced by Democratic State officers
The law taxing corporations. for instance, was
enacted in 1880 by Legislature Republican in
both branches. but during the seven years OF
Democratic administration, from 1887 to 1854
the total sum collected under these laws was
only SS,915.O3O b. an annual average of Sit
5S4 30 During the seven years of Republican
administration, from 1894 to 1900, inclusive. the
great total of S14 957, $50 40 has been collected
under these laws. an annual average Of S-1oo-
194 IS. The number of corporations reached by
the Democratic State officers for the COLLECTION
Of these taxes is 6,122. These laws nave oeen
changed since 1898 only in the direction OK
moderation and yet so much better is Repub1-
can administration that the annual sum col
lected by Republican State officers is nearly
twice as great as that collected under Demo-
cratic government
The law taxing estates. commonly known as
the transfer tax" was also a republican meas
IRE It was enacted in 1885 by Senate and
Assembly both Republican. Under 1t S2o'UO'-
% has been collected for State purposes since
5 enactment, but the difference between Re
publican and Democratic administration is
shown by the fact that the sum collected dur
ire the seven years of Democratic government
nst nearly S1600O000 collected by Repub-
lie 4 State officers during the last seven years
WORKING OF THE RAINEs Law.
The Raines Liquor Tax law is also a Republi-
can measure 1t has been in operation since ana
including the year 1886. The Democrats nave
since its enactment, and have threatened its
repeal This law has brought into the town.
city and State treasures Of New-Tork during
the i've years Of its operation the great sum
Of $60,7SS,S $50. One-thrd of this sum, -
While the balance Of S4o525 904 has by so
much reduced local taxation on real and per
sonal property The amount COLLECTED for State
purposes in 1900 will exceed S4,25O.OOO-
The Republican Legislature has also enacted
the Franchise Tax law which is now for the
first time being put into operation. Its re-
vet he of
porations enjoying the use OF public property
will continue TO be- as il has been in the past,
policy Of the Republicans.
These are examples OF Republican legislation
removing the burden Of State expenditure from
the real and personal property Of the citizen
But their enactment is lot the only cause, de-
spite the annually Increasing cost Of the govern
nent due both TO its growing population and to
the assumption by the State II the great charge
for the care OF the INDECENT and insane, Of q
low tax rate, accomplished by Republican legts-
lation. The year 1898 was the last year when
the laws were enforced by Democratic State
officers. In that year only S2,3oI ,341 I3 was
expended by the State irres pective CT the ex-
penditures by localities for the support Of the
INDECENT and insane.
Under the new law the appropriations for this
purpose for this fiscal year are SS,922,443 all
OF which is included in the States expenditures
Notwithstanding the difference in this single
the total expenditure was ST 1867 .:335, While the
present tax rate is only 1856 mills and the total
expenditure is SD 316I4 The economies Of
the Republican Legislatures. no less than the
enactment of new laws and the better enforce
ment Of old ones. have brought about this
reduced charge for public purposes on the citi-
POLICY REGARDING CANALS.
! The proper policy to be pursued with respect
to the canals of the State is a subject Of grave
| concern to the people. Thirty years ago. when
| the capacity OF the canals was less than II is
| to-day, there was moved over them twice as
great tonnage. In proportion their capacity
| has increased and the amount Of possible
! business has grown and developed, their use
has decreased. In 1896 the lake receipts Of -four
amounted 70 l0371653 barrels, but only 17,166
/ barrels were shipped through the canal; the
! lake receipts Of grain were 215537 169 bushels,
but only %. 296,OO0 bushels were shipped through
| the canals; the lumber movement at iona wanda
amounted 10 1863 III 446 feet but the canal snip
! ments were only 1S4, 100 746 feet. The freight
/ tonnage in 1898 over the railroads Of New York
was 63. IS10S3 tons, but the canal tonnage was
3 only per cent of the railroad tonnage, although
? the railroad charge for freight per ton a mile
; was nearly twice as great as the canal charge.
I The last Republican Legislature appropriated
( the sum Of 100000 to be expended in thor
oUgh and scientific investigation of the cause Of
/ this decline in canal traffic and Of the charac-
/ ter and expense Of all the numerous projects
that have been proposed for the betterment Of
I the canals and 10 bring about their greater use.
/ 1t is the policy Of the Republican party, if any