New-York tribune., 1901-01-03
VIEWS OF MESSA GE HERE.
CONTROLLER COLER SAYS HE LIKES
MOST OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS
SHERIFF WOULD RETAIN FEES.


SHERIFF WOULD RETAIN FEES.
Governor odell's message was generally read in
this city yesterday, and politicians and public men
discussed IT freely.
Controller Coler said after hastv read,nq of the
message
II think that is a good message II was written
by practical business man and politician who
knows the needs of the State, and believe he in
tends to make wise of his powers. / agree
heartily with most of the Governors recommended
tions.''
Mr. Coer was asked If he agreed with the
nendation regarding the collection of the collateral
inheritance tax, and he replied that he did. "I
nave said before" the Controller remarked, that
thought the expense of collecting the tax too
great told Governor Roosevelt that would be
satisfied to have the Controllers for the collec
ton OF the tax taken away if the Controller
held financially responsible only for his acts
Mr' Coier said he favored the Governors recon-
mendation as TO the change i'm police control and
several other recommendations which he had
noticed in a rapid reading of the message
William Rhinelander Stewart. president of the
State Board of Charities when asked yesterday
what he thought OF the Governors proposal to
reduce the Board to a single Commissioner. de-
chned 10 discuss the subject. He said that he had
not yet had time TO consider it, and even il he had
he did not think he would be at liberty to say
anything until after the Board meeting next week.
The Board would probably give out a statement
after the meeting
Lispenard Stewart. president of the Prisons Com
mission, when asked for his opinion of Governor
odells recommendation that the present Commits
sion of eight members be abolished and single
Commissioner be substituted said that he had the
utmost confidence in Governor Odell. and believed
that the Governor had made the recommendation
only after becoming convinced that single Com
missioner could do the work. Mr.. Stewart said
that there a great deal of labor in connection
with the prisons. and he thought that one man
would find it difficult task perform
In the six years he had been a member of the
Commission he had become much interested in the
work. For many reasons he would be sorry to
give II up but at the same time. because of the
labor involved il would be relief.
Sheriff GrelT said yesterday that he had per-
sonal interest in opposing a change of the law
under which the Sheriff receives a salary of $4,000
and half the fees of the office under the law he
could not succeed himself. but he thought the Gov
ernor's recommendation 20 have the office made
entirely salaried Office and have all the fees go TO
the city not practicable. That tried I'm
Tamsens time he said. "and then the law was
changed. The Sheriff is liable his bond. and it
has been found impossible for the Sheriff to pro-
tect himself by an indemnfyng bond. At present
the city gets half the fees and liable for the
acts of the Sheriff The Governor made mistake
Of $500 in stating the amount OF my salary and
was about as far wrong to the amount of the
fees We have 10 execute all the orders OF all the
civil courts in the county. and have handle about
twelve thousand prisoners year. have twelve
deputies and twelve assistants who receive sal
aries"
William ]. Youngs secretary 10 Governor Roose-
Welt in 1900 said of Governor Odelrs message:
1t is the strongest message 1 have read in years.
and the most remarkable In many respects have
read.
Presiding Justice Van Brunt OF the Appellate
Division Of the Supreme Court. declined last even
ing make any comments upon the Governors
message or 10 say anything regarding the special
jury law and the high salaries paid under the law.
criticised by the Governor in his message. Judge
Van Bfunt declared that he was unwilling TO say
a word about either subject.
Sheriff william Walton. of Kings. said regard
ing the recommendation OF Governor Odeu in ref
erence TO his office, that he was elected to enjoy
accepted all its responsibilities A. to the desir-
anlnty oi iilahlis Ine chahse susses.eu pS ttae ttia
his Judgment the expense OF conducting the office
would be largely increased over what II is under
the present conditions. The. powers and duties OF
the Sheriff OF Kings County were somewhat DIFF
ferent from those in New-York. In Kings County
the sheriff had charge OF the county Jail, which
York had nothing TO do with the TombS' but the
Sheriff of Kings County had tho jail and the civil
of Ludlow Street JAIL known the civil prison.
Sheriff Walton added that the liabilities OF the
Sheriff OF Kings County continued long after his
exit from Office and there never had been Sheriff
fend for years after his term OF office expired
In speaking of the message as a whole Andrew
said last evening that he considered il very
savings banks. II do not think II is the right
time 10 say anything anOut the taxation OF the
surplus OF savings banks" he said. II do be-
lieve any savings bank official would to dis
cuss IL now II IS too early. and we have had no
time to think it over No one knows what shape
the legislation the subject take.
I'm regard TO the exemption OF mortgages from
taxation. l think IL would be good thing for the
borrower. Mortgages exempt in Massachusetts.
and money be borrowed in Boston at 312 per
cent. where AZ per cent would be expected In this
State At the time the Sfranahan bill before
the Assembly L openly advocated the exemption Of
mortgages.
From the point OF view of the savings bank It
would not be good. Loans secured by mort
savings taxed
and get per cent on them.