New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-07

STATE FINANCES IN GRATFYING CONDITION -
CANAL IMPROVEMENT PLANS - EDUC4-
TION4L SYSTEM-HOME RULE


propose should be issued would be. first for the
sbouId oL SIoVOooo upon which there
n .spu 10 oe computed six years interest at
PER cent upon 5000 900 and seven years in
91n COO Upon S3'GoOoOO. The second levy of S1O-
VoO'uOO would be covered also nv two series of
ponds OF S5,000.000 each upon which seven and
elsht years interest would be computed re-
epet;Ively' This form of bond issue would be
SoIuhued until the final levy and $50 100000
nau peen provided for in twelve annual install
menus Inc total amount of principal and in
s seIesI winch would be thus required would be
eo-' oo,ojV which would require a yearly an
nual payment for twelve wears of S5 23O 600
diese ponds then could be placed with the coun-
ties IN proportion TO their contributions or Ievies
at their then present worth This I m led 10 he.
!ieve. would not be inharmonious with existing
law, which provides that they shall not be sold
lot Tess than par, IS the face value Of the bond
Mo9Id De par and accumulated interest for the
period which IL was to run. The delivery of
these ponds To the counties would be a guaran-
zee mat nnally the State would reimburse every
locality for such levy as might be made an
hualIy Tor the necessary funds with which to
build the canal They could be used by the
counties as a sinking fund for the retirement
OF their own bonds. which might be issued IL
1t is so desired. The latter bonds being county
bonds, would not interfere with the borrowing
capaclty OF any municipality. Under this
method the only burden which would be placed
upon the counties would be the interest charge
upon their own bonds, which would be recouped
10 them finally so that their own bonds could
be retired, and there would be constant de-
crease in the amount necessary for interest
bonds. Therefore the counties would suffer
no loss The necessity for a direct tax would
not exist and the whole cost would be borne by
the State from its indirect revenues To ac-
comphsh this a constitutional amendment
which would permit the payment of bonded In
dehtedness from indirect revenues would be re-
quired. 1t might be necessary to provide, also
for a constitutional amendment which would
permit the loaning of moneys TO the state nv
the counties. although l am convinced that II
the contributions Of the localities are treated
as tax leVies such necessity would not arise.
But II would be better. perhaps. TO provide for
this by amendment to the constitution. Other
constitutional objections might be raised but
ample time can be taken without in any way
interfering with the progress Of the work and
such amendments as are considered necessary
could be presented 20 this legislature and be
readopted by the next legislature. and then sub
THE WHOLE COST
Assuming that the total expenditure will be
Sl01 100000, the whole cost will be as follows:
sta5es proportion in ten years ........ s5o5ooooo
Interest to be repaid to the II 10000
$50 900
Under the present law the payment. prnci-
pal and interest. would be $50 $4,000 or SILL
10000 more than by the plan suggested All
that is necessary to accomplish this are new
revenues to the amount of 50. 800 900 annually,
thus saving TO the people OF the State this great
sum Of money. To provide for the present S1O-
100000 Of bonds could be issued for two or
three years to meet immediate needs and then
be retired.
AS SOL 600 900 are authorized and but s62-
10000 for this purpose required. this tenn
porary use Of 100000 Of bonds would not
affect the plan have outlined. In order that
the practical BILE working out OF these results
may he shown, I have applied them TO the
greater city Of NewYork. Erie. Duchess and
Seneca counties on the 1903 valuation, show
ing first their contributions and the value of
bonds with accumulated interest received:
E &: g ssi $; e
se asas'' ..... ias5as i iss as5 90 %
While under the present law the contributions
would be as follows, for principal and interest:
Erie soss4is 30
SENECA 59ss sf4 60 60
In this latter computation the working Of the
sinking fund is disregarded because the loss
upon yearly payments would counterbalance the
benefits which would accrue. To accomplish
this saving is 1t not better TO disregard condi-
tons which. while apparently securing local ben
efts, in reality more than overbalanced by
payments which will be necessary under direct
tax system for the purpose OF rebuilding the
canals? There may be a suggestion that in
direct taxation will in effect be tax upon the
localities. but the revenues should be derived
mainly from sources which do not at present
form any considerable part Of the local revenues.
PUBLIC EDUCATION.
In the administra ton OF our school system two
authorities are IN control. The one. the Board
OF Regents, has for its particular function the
charge OF higher education, while the so-called
primary common school education was placed
by statute under the Superintendent OF Public
Instruction. From time TO time friction has
arisen, with results which have been in no way
beneficial TO the cause OF education. Dual in
spection and greater expense have resulted, with
no compromising benefits. A well defined line
between the two depar tments would in large
measure remove these unhappy conditions Both
are necessary. Neither should trespass upon the
rights Of the other. In magnificent school
cystem each has its proper place. and
quently no effort at the displacement of either
should receive serious consideration. Primary
education should be understood to include all
schools where academic education is not a part
OF the curriculum. Academic education, the
other hand. should be under prescribed course.
with not less than three-year term. With
this lire of demarcation the duties Of the Su-
perintendent Of Public instruction and the Re-
gents could be determined and fixed by statute.
Who has the most the least is not worthy
Of consideration, but rather that both should
perform their work equally for the advancement
Of education Mere disbursements OF public
moneys do not mean efficiency. What is more
necessary are plans formulated by competent
educators. II. therefore all so-called academic
departments were placed under the charge OF
the Regents. and every grade OF school up to
the academic under the Superintendent OF Pub
lie Instruction better results would be pro-
duced.
A joint committee appointed at the last ses-
sion OF the legislature has this subject under
consideration. and it is to be hoped that from
their report and these suggestions needed legis-
latiOn may result. In order TO accomplish and
carry out such changes as I have suggested
Chapter oJ6 Of the Laws OF 1894 should be so
amended a. 70 provide for a three-year academic
course IN order 10 secure State aid
academic department; second, the Superin-