New-York tribune., 1901-01-03
FOREST PRESERVE BOARD AND FOR
ESTRY. FISH AND GAME COMMISSION.

FOREST PRESERVE BOARD AND FOR
ESTRY. FISH AND GAME COMMISSION.
The preservation of the forests, especially as
protection to the water supply OF the State
has been duty that has received proper atten-
tion from the Legislature, and is of the greatest
Importance The same care has also been eX-
tended to the protection Of the fish and game
interests and the shellfish culture along our
coasts The steps taken toward this end have
undoubtedly resulted in great benefit
1t seems to me. however. that two boards, one
charged with the purchase OF lands and the
other with their protection, must necessarily
duplicate each others work TO considerable
degree, and that a consolidation would result
in a large saving. The Forest Preserve Board
is composed almost entirely of officials elected
- the people, and the Fish and Game Commits
on appointees of the Governor The law gov
Lrning the work of the Forest Preserve Board
could be amended so as to permit the selection
Of member by the Governor by and with the
consent of the Senate, who. with the two State
officers designated should constitute the
Forest Preserve Board and the powers and
duties Of the Forest. Fish and Game Commission
could be transferred to the Board thus con-
stituted. The Importance Of this suggestion is
realized perhaps more fully by placing before
you the appropriation made for these Boards
last year. There was appropriated by the last
Legislature for the salaries and office expenses
of the Forestry. Fish and Game Commission the
sum of SS1, $40. This includes the expenses of
printing and publication of reports salaries of
commissioners and employees and other expenses
incidental to the maintenance of such depart
ment, but not the maintenance of hatcheries and
legal expenses. Aside from the sum of $3.50 900
appropriated for the purchase of lands and ex-
penses of the Forest Preserve Board there was
expended for other salaries and office expenses
over $4,000. and paid for additional counsel
about $4,000 The legal work of this Depart
ment should be performed by the Attorney
General.
The saving OF expenses which would undoubt-
edly follow consolidation. amounting probably
10 $4,000, is certainly enough to warrant care
full consideration upon the part of the Legis-
lature, and such legislation Will lead TO this
result is recommended.
SUPERINTENDENT OF WEIGHTS AND
MEASURES.
One of the offices which, in my Judgment
might be abolished without loss TO the interests
of the State, and with saving Of expense, is
the Superintendent of Weights and Measures.
Apparently, he may not perform any duties
oftener than once in ten years, while he receives
annual salary of $500. This office appears
TO be in the nature Of a sinecure. and recon-
mend legislation looking to it's adjustment
EXPENSES OF JUDICIARY AND STATE
PRINTING
Other great items of expense which have been
growing steadily are the expenses of the judici-
AIRY and of State printing.
Upon the adoption of our present State Consti-
tuition the Appellate Divisions superseded the
General Terms the object being TO relieve the
Court of Appeals from the great volume of bust
ness which before had been left TO it's determina
ton.
While more rapid adjudication Of actions
was the object Of the change above referred TO,
ii was not supposed that this and other amend
ments made in the Constitution would enor
mously increase the expenses of the Judiciary
OF the State. Many laws, such as that provid-
ing for clerks and personal attendants, have
been enacted in recent years, and there seems
TO be no limit TO which this extravaganza may
slot lead. AS an example illustrating my mean
ing, your attention is called TO the expenses
which have grown up under the Special Jury
law. passed in 1886 for the city of New York.
The Appellate Division of the First Department
is responsible for the appointment of the officials
charged with the administration of this law, and
has placed in charge one Comm issioner at a
salary of $4,000, deputy at $1,000, three clerks
at $1,000 a year each three at 81 600 year and
one at 500 total of 1850. In addition to
these officials this division also maintains its
stan OF employees upon the liberal basis
OF course, New York City pays the expenses of
the Jury Commission, but this pronigacy in the
one case rs an indication that no greater care
IS exercised where the expenses are borne by the
state 1T seems 10 me, therefore. that in making
your appropriations for the judiciary a saving
could be effected without loss of dignity or
power to the various branches resulting there
from. may say in justification of the criticism
OF the Special Jury law that / am informed
that the Commissioner seldom called upon TO
furnish jury, and is hindraace rather than
benefit 70 our jury system, and the law should
therefore be repealed
another great increase in expenses has been
IN the Item or printing. which in 1880 amounted