New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-03-28

There is. however. still great popular ignorance
and prejudice on the subject of taxation. 1t is
also pity that the canal policy of the State is
left as far as ever from settlement. 1t IS
difficult problem, but nothing is 10 be gained
by delay in facing II, and some efforts at least
might have been made 10 test pubic OPINION
on the subject if politicians had not the cour-
age for affirmative action. or the Things lelt
undone these are the chief. OF the things that
ought not TO have been done we are inclined 10
think the Krum Corporation Tax bill is the
most important, if not indeed the only one OF
real importance While its aim is doubtless
good. il violates sound principles of taxation
threatens to provoke retaliation. and arbitrarily
IMPOSES unjust burdens on foreign corporations
doing an insignificant part OF their business IN
this State. Nevertheless, tax laws IN general
both here and elsewhere are so far from the
ideal that the Krum bill may be endured as
ono of the incidents of business, and apparent
" it is likely to be highly productive and inhu-
entail in bringing corporations here for organ
iZation.
As an Offset TO these shortcomings large
amount of excellent legislation has been passed
In spite of the antagonisms excited over the
lunacv law we think that the Governor was
entirely right in his policy of Capitalization ana
that the results will prove it. The willingness
of many OF the nOSplIdl uldldSSl NV '+''-N
their first dspleasure at being legislated out OF
Office Is over. TO continue in service as hospital
visitors is significant The Charities bill pro
yiding for a fiscal supervisor Of the State lnsu-
tutious is on all sides recognized as measure
of great merit, and there is no difference OF
oninion about the propriety of the anti-anarchE
legislation The amendments 10 the law OF
employers liability is an important measure OF
Justice to workers for corporations VINO are
forced to use unsafe machinery and nltherlo
have had to choose absolutely between quitting
work If their employer would not make their
en1ployment safe or giving up all claim to COM
pensation for accident due TO his neglect
The Republican administration can face the
taxpayers with supreme confidence. Never III
the history of the State was the direct tax rate
so low AS the result of Republican leglSia-
ton rich sources of indirect income have been
secured without unduly burdenlng any buSl-
ness. and as a result the direct rate is only
1900 of a mill, just enough to pay the SI4SooO
of interest on the canal debt, which the const-
tuition saws must be met by direct taxation. But
for this there would be no direct tax at all.
Last year the tax rate was 40 mills, ana IN
the last wear of Governor Flowers admins
tration was 21S mills. Though possessed or
rich revenues. the State has not been eNtraNa-
gantly governed. The appropriations this year
amount TO 81. SO7.3 II. but will be cut down
considerably by the Governor. who has power
TO veto items in the bills left on his hands. Last
wear the appropriations amounted 10 SZZoO''-
COS 10. Yet. in spite of this reduction, great
work is being done for the State. For good
roads S795, 900 Is to be spent for representa-
ton at the ST Louis Exposition. 100000, while
an additional allowance Of $330000 is made to
the more needy public schools. Nor has the
attained fhp
EXPENSE of its local divisions They are better
off than ever before. Though the State derives
large revenue from liquor taxes the counties
will this year receive S11724I55 more than
they received in the last year Of local licensing.
and the number Of saloons has been decreased
by nearly seven thousand. These are some OF
the practical results OF Republican administra-
ton in this and preceding years. The legislat-
ure has done good work. ably assisted the Gov
ernor in carrying out busnesslike policy, and
deserves we'll of the people Of the State.