New-York tribune., 1901-01-09
NEW JERSEY NEWS.
SECOND ANNUAL MESSAGE.
RECOMMENDATIONS BY GOVERNOR
VOORHEES, TO THE LEGISLATURE.

Trenton. Jan. S.-The second annual message of
Governor Voorhees, to the Legislature is unique in
the respect that it compares the conditions in
New-Jersey to-day with those at the opening of
the nineteenth century, and also traces briefly the
progress that has been made during the last hun
dred years. A century ago the State thirteenth
in point of area and ranked tenth in point Of popu-
lation. Now IL is the fortysecond in size II is the
sixteenth In number It's people and I'm density
it is third. Now two cities each outuumber in
population that of the entire State that time.
The Governor comments upon the fact that at the
opening OF the last century about $4,000 only was
needed by the State yearly, this being raised b.
direct tax the people. The total receipts OF
the State fund for the year ending October 81,
1900 S3453.295 Il. and the ordinary disburse-
ments S21G2.l13 So. Besides these, there were
special and unusual expenditures of S599 lis r. de-
spite which the receipts exceeded the dlsburse-
ments by $75206s "a. The balance hand on No
vember l. 1900 was s. 005. .221 Is According TO the
Controllers estimate, the receipts will be $3O0937O
which amount added to the above balance Will
furnish the sum from which to pay the appropria-
tions for 1901 made the last session. and
amounting 10 s2234e4O a. and the supplemental ap-
preparations OF the present Legislature.
The Governor explains the causes which have
10 constantly increasing expenditures by the State
due primarily to the increase in the number Of
people to the greater number OF officers now neces-
for the efficient conduct Of afraiIs and the
gradual growth in number ot multiplying objects
calling for payment. He says:
a h0 hecID
OF the century. and found place In government.
Now they are accepted as necessary for the safe
To fPolish some would meet with general disap-
provsl: to discontinue tho support Of others would
Enlightened selhshness demands their continu-
ance.
The Governor then reviews some Of the i'm
provements In State institutions that have been
made during tho century. and refers to the many
new departments under State control He
tions particularly the establishment OF free public
schools in 1871. the founding OF school for deaf
mutes in 1852. improvements in the OF the in
sane and criminals. and the rational and
humane treatment of each; the building of State
roads, soldiers homes. village for epileptics State
Board OF Agriculture, agricultural experiment sta
ton and the Railway ReformatOry. Commenting
upon the expenditure OF public moneys the Gov
ernor says:
A balance. reasonable in amount and OF SUCH
retained by the State. All beyond this should be
The manner in which this can be done is herein
after indicated. and your favorable action IN
ence thereto is asked.
The Governor says that there to be no
pressing need for any great amount OF legislation.
He finds this for congratulation on the
ground that the people do not ask for many laws.
because they prosperous and happy. Preced-
ing Legislatures. he adds seem to have established
nearly II not quite. all OF the reforms and changes
for which there has been any urgent demand. He
adds:
1t is best TO let well enough alone. Policies and
inaugurated entitled TO fair trial in order TO
not be abandoned until it Is conclusveiy shown
that better can be substituted.
Among the specific recommendations of tho Gov
ernor is that some of the existing abuses among
the building and loan associations be remedied by
enacting law Among the abuses complained
OF are the unnecessarily large salaries by the
State and National" associations; the mainte-
Of costly establishments, with corps OF
high salaried officers and managers the exorbitant
rates of premium charged borrowers in some asso-
Citations, and the fact that shareholders meetings
in the State and National" associations cannot
in the nature of the be truly representative.
The Governor makes criticism of the general
manner in which business is conducted in the
local associations. which by far in the ma
jority in the State. small appropriation is recon-
mended for the Public Library Commission to en-
able it TO begin its work. consideration also being
given TO its further needs.
The revised School law of last winter the Gov
ernor finds to be generally satisfactory, with the
exception of the present system OF apportioning
the school moneys by a school census. 1t Is sug-
gested that they be apportiored the basis of
tuaI school attendance He is pleased with the
ditions at the State Home for Girls. but finds
new building to be necessary. revision in the
law governing the Railway Reformatory is also
to establish a Palisades interstate park seems
capable of realization and such legislation and as
the mart of New-Jersey. OF the Pan-Amercan Ex-
position the Governor has this to say:
The enterprise is purely American in purpose
and scope, and has received substantial aid and
from the Governments OF the
United States and other countries of the Western
Continent The advantages TO our own state IN
having a suitable exhibition of it's resources and
products are manifest and TO defray the expenses
thereof a suitable appropriation Is recommended
The Governor urges the appointment Of a com
mission revise the statutes, and also the adop-
tion of amendments to the Constitution providing
for the reorganization of the higher courts. He
recommends that the surplus be reduced by max.
ing a larger appropriation for the maintenance OF
the public school system. In conclusion he relates
what has been done toward preventing the pollu-
tion of streams. with some suggestions as to con-
ttnuing the work
JAMES B. DUKE WAS INDIGNANT.