The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-01-02

OdeIl's annual message was submitted to
the Legislature today. It begins with a
financial statement. On september 80
1890. the Empire States total deyt vas
sic. $50 $50. The total payments for all
purposes during the year amounted to
SOS. 221 S95.70. leaving a balance in the
State treasury on September &c. 1899. Of
81, 239. So2.55. The tax rate for the cur
rent year is 1-96 mills. which viii yield
On the Variation of the State C$5,461. 302,-
1921. SO. 704.I53.39.
The amount received from corporations
during the fiscal year was. For IaxLs On
corporations. s.. 624 50S.O5: for organiza-
ton taxes, $35s,77S.61; total. 50. So, ZS6 IS.
This was an increase Of S239, 968.61 over
the previous year. The Governor advises
economy in expenditures for the coming
small revenue received by the State from
corporation taxes. Governor Odsu rec
ommends that the Legislature enact
amendments which viii iberalIze and
make more popular the corporation laws
He suggests that foreign corporations be
subject TO the same limitations as con-
Germs organized within the State
The abolition or consolidation CT several
commissions is recommended The Gov
ernor also favoTs the enactment Of an En-
ployers' Liability law The abolition OF
the State Board OF Charities and the ap-
pointment CT a single commissioner is adj
gised- The same recommendation is made
concerning the Prisons Commission and
the State Board of Health. Governor
OdelI. in communicating upon the subject
Of taxation. recommends 4 reimbursement
so that ali banks. trust companies, and
corporations Will contribute equitably TO
the public funds. Reform in the Excise
law is urged
In regard to the police department Of
New York city, Governor 0deI says:
The serious problem as TO the proper
administration of the New York Police De-
partment should receive your immediate
attention. The present condition is prob
ably due to divided responsibility. l am
not one OF those who believe that because
there is a disregard for existing reguia-
tions upon the part OF some of those
charged with police administration the
whole system is faulty and bad With the
present complicated system. the RESPONSE
hility fer this condition can be shifted
from one 10 another and il is therefore
almost impossible for even the chief ex-
ecuttye OF the city to secure an honest
and faithful enforcement Of the Law. Vice
can never be entirely eradicated from the
city Of New York CT from any other city
II can however be held il subsection and
not allowed to faunt itself dehantty be
fore tic public. IN looking over the situa-
lion. and understanding something OF the
workings Of the department. / believe that
more perfect SySLem can be secured by 4
more complete Capitalization Of authority
What remedy have We FOR this manifest
evil which has brought the police force Of
the city Of New York into such diErepuJe?
4 State constahalary has been Suggested
but the strong Gisinclination upon the
part OF the other municipalities through
out the Stale to acQuiesce in this Sclu-
tier renders tt,fs plan vaIueIess- A met
TOpolitap police system IS open 10 the
criticism that il is violation OF the pri2-
cipIe CT home rule guaranteed BY the Con
stituJion. We are therefore brought 10
face this proposition. with no apparent
remedy as yet suggested In my opinion
there should be 2 complete Capitalization
Of poGer. There Is no necessity. Il seems
10 ne for z commissioner VINO is not in
effect as weIl a. in name the absolute head
OF the police system OF the city OF New
York An efficient man, the choice OF the
mayor. as z single-heaG commissioner,
with all the powers nov possessed by the
chief of police. would II once narrow
down the responsibility, and place II with
in the power Of the chief executive Of the
State 10 hold accountable the mayor and
the commissioner thus appointed This
suggestion. If given effect by legislative
enactment. would, in my opinion be no
violation OF the principle OF home rule
Il IS moreover right that inasmuch as the
Governor IS equally responsible he should
have an authority over this department,
because the people. not only of New York
city. but Of the YtcIe State, are interest
ed and certains powers 10 be exercised
only in cases OF emergency. should be Goa
ferred upon him TO enable him 10 carry
out the constitutional mandates
7 recommend. therefore. the substitu-
ton of single-headed police commits
sion for the city of New York. such COM
missioner 20 be the chief OF police CT the
city. 10 be appointed BY the mayor, and
subject 10 removal either By the mayor or
the Governor, and that the present Office
Of a separate chief Of police be abolished %
The Governor also recommends the "a
tire separation OF the Bureau of Elections
from the Police Department OF the city
OF New York and the creation of hi
partisan board, 10 be selected in the same
manner as the minor election officials in
the city OF New York: that appointments
be made By the mayor of the city on the
certihcation Of the appropriate commit
charging such board with the duties nOY
possessed by election boards
The National Guard is complimented for
Its satisfactory condition On the sub
ject Of the divorce laws. Governor Odell
says
During the past year scandal in ref
erence to the administration Of the di-
vorce laws of the State was exposed, and
& became apparent that in the hands OF
unscrupulous men. the law could be so
manipulated that fraud was easily posi-
bic Marital relations should be sacred
ana only dissolved when statutory causes
have been clearly proven. 1t seems 20 nae
that an amendment mandatory IN Us
character should be enacted, which would
proYide that the service Of the summons
in such an action should be proven before
and the case heard by the trial judge in
open court This would correct the abuses
now existing"
IN regard to naturalization, he says:
MY attention has been called 20 the