The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1901-01-11

the inmates in the home for boys mum.
bered 37S, and in the home for girls 115.
For the maintenance of the former the
state paid $57, 194.97 and spent $4,000
for improvements. The home for girls
cost $24,735.90, and a new and much
needed building required $15,000
For the completion of the reformatory
at Railway it gave $260,000.
On account of the feeble minded chill
for the support and education of the
blind, the payments during the fiscal year
amounted to about $4,000.
One of the largest items Of expenditure
| was that in aid of state roads. Annually
| $150,00Q are spent on this account The
money so used insures comfort in travel
and an ease of communication in marked
contrast to that which prevailed at the
commencement of the century. Few
states have shown equal progress in
this respect. The example shown by
New Jersey has encouraged movement
for better roads throughout the Union,
and its plan is being widely followed.
The state first loaned it's aid in 1892, and
its contributions amount to 1856, 31S.55.
With the help SO given there have been
built 500 miles of roads. In the year
just closed 1929 miles were built, and
64.99 miles were in process Of con-
struction or under contract for building.
Application has been made for aid in the
construction of 1876 additional miles.
Mention may also be made of the pay
ments on account Of the homes for the
veteran soldiers, amounting to a little
more than $4,000; for the treatment of
epileptics, amounting to about SAT,
and to payments more especially in the
interest of those engaged in agriculture,
on account of the agricultural expert
ment station and the state board of
agriculture, which amounted to about
$4,000.
The foregoing are a few only of the
many objects which did not exist at the
beginning of the century, and for which
large annual payments are now neces-
sary and, in most Instances, desirable.
They are not presented as excuses for a
reckless or extravaganza disposition Of the
public funds, but as illustrations of the
nature and growth in amount of some of
the disbursements. They serve at the
same time as a warning. An income so
great and so easily collected encourages
tendency to liberality In expenditure.
Claims, fancied or real keep springing
up and are urged with a persistency
hard to withstand An abundant sur,
plus makes extravaganza easy. Pru.
dence and wise foresight demand, in
this hour of plenty, a regard for the
! future. We cannot safely assume that
the sources of our income will be always
so bountiful The liberality of the state
should be measured by actual wants.
Wisely generous it should be- but only in
directions strictly limited to the legit-
innate needs of government.
Reducing Burden of Local Taxation.
balance reasonable in amount and
OF such size as a conservative policy
! demands should be retained by the
state. All beyond this should be wisely
used IN reducing burdens of local tax
anon. The manner in which this can be
done is hereinafter indicated and your
favorable action in accordance with the
SUGGESTIONS made with reference thereto
F., is asked
The purposes and field of work Of the
various departments Of governments Of
/ tne state, and Of its boards and com
missions and institutions, have been
described with minute detail in messages
| previously communicated. With these
you are sufficiently familiar and a
particular description thereof at this time
Is for that reason deemd unnecessary.
a run account of what has been done,
ana OF prevailing conditions and require
ments, are fully set out in the several
reports which will be laid before you.
They furnish all information necessary
for your guidance. In the main, they
disclose an excellent state Of affairs and
good results accomplished. This con
dition is due to the zeal and efficiency
Of those who are charged with the duty
Of administration. The promotion Of
public, rather than partisan, interests
seems now to be the standard Of con
duct In public service, and as result
thereof great benefit has come.
Beyond what will be required to pro.
vide for the ordinary affairs Of the state.
there seems to be no pressing need for
any great amount Of legislation. From
one point of Wow this is q conditi Il
upon which we are to be congratulated.
a people prosperous and satisfied with
things as they are do not ask for many
laws. Preceding legislatures seem 10
have established nearly. II not quite. ali
q the reforms and chanees for which
there has been any urgent demand.
Il Is BEST to let well enough alone
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which hAya beon taeently nnn&urSked
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