New-York tribune., 1901-06-24
NAY ABOLISH STATE TAX
MEANING OF GOVERNOR ODELL,S
EFFORTS At TAX REDUCTION.
SIGNIFICANT STATEMENT BY JUDGE
PARKER-GOvERNOR'S STUDY. OF
STATE INSTITUTIONS.

Jersey. arc regarded rs significant because
of the warm personal friendship between
Judge Parker and Governor OdeII.
Albany. June % (Specian.-Governor odel
has just re-established his home in Newbure
for brief period. but his plans for work ,pon
the States affairs have not been abandoned
and will be carried TO completion here in Al
bsny and elsewhere in the State If the Governor
continues 10 enjoy his present good health. He
has given up the thought OF leasing a cottage
for the summer at Saratoga, perhaps discerning
the fact that there would be more politics to
the square inch in that locality than anywhere
else in the State this summer. or will he have
one in the Adirondacks but he may pay a
short visit with his family 10 Lake Mohonk
With the legislature scarcely of his hands the
Governor plunged into other work in behalf OF
the State. which has kept him busy until this
late period in June. Some OF his time has been
given to the careful consideration Of applica-
tions for psrdons submitted in behalf OF GRIM
inals. and some days TO the attendance at re-
views Of State troops. but most OF his hours
have been occupied apparently in reading public
documents OF the State and chats with the other
Republican members Of the State government
about the affairs of their departments A Con-
trolers report is not alluring document for
summer reading. but. nevertheless. packed away
IN il minute statements about the expendi-
lures OF every department. what the legislature
costs what the State printing costs-and here
the fact may be recalled that the Governor in
one OF these reports caught sight Of the inter
esting circumstance that the legislative and de-
partment printing running up to an appall-
ing total In cost and induced the legislature to
pass bill against unbalanced bids for printing
which has already saved the State the sum OF
$4,000 That is item in the State admin
istration of business and practical
politician"
SOME THINGS ACCOMPLISHED.
II can reasonably be believed that Governor
oael is beginning to think about the legislation
that he Will suggest TO the legislature Of 1902
and that this is the meaning of his present hard
work on State matters and preparations for
equally hard work on them later in the year
After prolonged examination Of State documents
many confidential talks with State officials and
thorough consideration Of the subjects naturally
acted upon 10y the legislature in the fall of the
year 1900 al his home IN Newburg he submitted
10 the legislature OF 1901 a programme Of legis-
tive action which so commended itself TO its
members that almost without exception his rec
concentrations We're adopted
The rate Of State taxation this year is the low
est imposed since 1854. but. low il is the pre-
6iction can he safely made that next year, under
Governor OdeIs supervision OF the State
finances. il will be lower yet. Whether direct
State taxation be abolished altogether as
soon next year is stin doubtful dependent
somewhat upon the States revenue from the
new tax laws imposing additional taxation upon
corporations. passed at the Governors sugges-
tion. But Mr.. Odell is tenacious man-that
must be considered Having in private life re-
solved that IL ever Governor he would DO his
utmost TO abolish direct State taxation. +" onn
be depended upon 10 hold fast TO that resolution
10 the end Of his term as Governor
SIGNIFICANT UTTERANCE.
Alton b. Parker Chief Judge of the Court of
Appeals. in a speech he recently made at Union
College. called attention impressively to the re-
lation Mr. Odelrs policy Of abolshing direct
State taxation has 10 the problem Of city gov
eminent The Judge said:
rnent the expenses are rapidly increasing, and al
though foT nr portion reSs,eS o1 tne h e
dency 10 wastefuness and extravagance IS nor
paiities in the not distant future with a burden
1hat VII pe @ oIa.e W. Mti erIsiniV would not have
happened had the educated professional and bust
ton q municipal affairs as our g9Herninentai sys-
ten necessarily requires ql an ma d1 ~ ~
when & we stop ste sTee ons aSggo fa2aon 70 Is eveS
for the purpose Of detrayns & ofSa & egsafinn 9
expenses IL rs pdd prSoe5eD h, NC Governor Ode viii
next year and thereafter make II rnneeessary TO
poses and if the prediction be verified the people
Win then be made 10 appreciate that h !, the bur.
lightened and checked the corrective must be ap-
piled al home.
There are two factors, however, that the Gov
ernor must consider in his attempt 10 abolish
direct State taxation, and it is obvious that he
is aware OF them. Besides the increase OF the
States income from the indirect taxes. the
States expenditures in various directions must
be reduced Careful study is required in reduc-
ing an expense roll, or serious mistakes may be
made.
MEANING OF GOVERNORS TRIP
Il was with view clearly of forming his per-
s0nal judgment upon the expenditures or the
State that the Governor lately began an inspec-
tion OF the States penal and charitable institu-
tions He leased a special train and. accom-
panied by Senator Ellsworth, President pro tenn.
OF the Senate; Senator Higgins, chairman Of the
Senate Finance Committee: Speaker Nixon and
Assemblyman Aids. chairman OF the Assembly
Committee on Ways and Means. started away
from Albany on a tour OF the States insiitu-
tions 1t viii be noted that he was accompanied
upon this journey by the Republican leaders or
the legislature; by the men who VIII nave the
framing Of the appropriation acts OF the iegis-
l2rure O, 1902 The Governor. in the company
OF the members Of the legislature, visited In the
OF that tour the House OF Refuge for
Women at Hudson. the House OF Refuge FOR
Women at Bedford. Sing Sing Prison and the
hospitals for the insane at Matteawan and at
POughkeepsie. Then the journey was inter
rupted owing TO the serious Illness or child or
the Governor. But later in the year the tour
OF inspection will be resumed, with the same