New-York tribune., 1903-01-02
TIE NAEGERATION

For the first time since 1883 Ii bONelHor Oh
New York was inaugurated for a second term
yesterday That fact detracted somewhat from
public interest in the ceremonies at Albany. No
new man is taking up the executive office about
whom curiosity must be satisfied. The new
year marks the beginning of no new policy
The spirit and purpose which have been domi-
nant at the capital for the last two years will
not be changed Governor OdelTs personality
and plans are well known: they were voted
upon fayorably by the people at the last cleo
tion so there were no uncertainties to be set
at rest and no keynotes TO be struck in the IN
auguration.
The Governors address reflected this situa-
ton. 1t was merely brief outline of views on
some of the leading State topics in which the
Governor has taken special interest. He once
more indicates his disposition TO treat the State
as a whole and discountenance local legisla-
ton contrary TO general State policy and local
notions that State laws need not be obeyed If
they run counter TO the preiudices Of particular
communities Some attention is given TO taxa
tion aud it is clear that the Governor is still
devoted to the abolition of the direct tax for
State purposes and the equalization Of the bur-
den which has borne so heavily upon real estate.
The improvement of the canals and the roads
of the State and the betterment of the public
known views regarding the administration of
the State charities We're reiterated in the ex
pression The wards in our institutions should
receive that thoughtful and earnest attention
(which may win back health or intelligence, but
1.-The administration of the departments charged
with their care should be unmixed with false
sentiment but not unnixed with charity
The Governors policy In this respect has been
much misunderstood and maligned. but we be-
lieye it will Justify itself to fair minded people.
Indeed, the recent report of the fiscal officer
Of the charitable institutions clearly shows the
economies which the new system has secured
without the slightest deprivation to the wards
of the State
In his address the Governor attempted no de-
tailed discussion of measures. His forthcom-
ing message will doubtless outline definitely his
views on these subjects, touched upon,
which evidently regarded by him as the
most important matters for the consideration
of the State government. Some progress mas
been made of recent years In reform of the tax
laws, but the direct personal tax inquty is still
with us. Probably prejudice is too strong for
it to be done away with yet, but some Of the
worst injustice of 1t might be cured either by
exemption of mortgages from taxation or by
the substitution of a small recording tax for
the present hit or miss direct tax method, which
makes borrowing on real estate expensive and
unnecessarily difficult thereby putting new
burden on the land owners under guise of re-
lieving them by taxing personal property. The
canal question must be solved in some definite
shape before long and the Governors recon-
mendations to that end will be awaited with
interest. So too. will anything he may have to
propose for the schools. The common school
system has been the boast of Americans, but
enlightened teachers are waking up to the fact
that our progress has not kept pace with our
pride. We have been developing fads, but we
have not been developing in proper measure ex-
cellence OF teaching of the few things which
would make the great body of boys and girls
efficient and useful men and women in the
spheres of life in which they will be placed.
This is one of the most important questions
which can face the State, and the Governor
will do great service if he can indicate how
the central authority within reasonable
limits of expense make our common schools
more efficient instruments for the development
of character and the training of children for
practical life.