New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-13
GoYERNoR MURPRrs MESSAGE.

Governor Murphys second annual message to
the legislature of New-Jersey was submitted to
that body when it organized yesterday. While
the document is in the main a Straightforward,
businessike review of the States affairs, 1t con-
tains several new and interesting suggestions
Referring TO the fact that because of the fall
ling off in the receipts from Incorporation fees
some timid people have taken alarm, and they
''see in ina gination the revenues of the State
disappearing and the boyle OF a State tax al
ready in sight" the Governor says that much
greater caamities might happen to the State
than TO have State tax"
Governor Murphy frankly admits that the
suggestion OF State tax is not popular one,
but he believes, nevertheless, that the thou
sands Of voters who contribute nothing to the
States expenses would appreciate their privi-
leges more if they shared In the burden. An
other phase of this question, which the Gov
ernor does not mention. is that many thinking
and patriotic citizens believe it would be a good
thing TO remodel the whole taxing system of
the State, allow the various municipalities TO
collect the taxes OF local corpora tons, which
now go to swell a plethoric State treasury, and
oblge all citizens TO take an active interest in
questions affecting the commonwealth by tax
ing them direct for its support. But propo-
sition OF this kind would. as the Governor says,
scare timid people and they could rely on aid
from the demagogues and corporations in OPP
posing such change.
The Governor makes It clear however, that,
even IL the Incorporation fees disappeared en-
tirely, the receipts from the taxation of rail-
roads and miscellaneous corporations are alone
adequate TO pay the ordinary disbursements.
Governor Murphy reiterates his iniexible de-
termination to have the Child Labor laws en-
forced ''as rigidly as is possible with the means
provided by the legislature" More inspectors
are needed to do this work thoroughly and, as
the Governor pertinentIy observes, 1.-The head of
"this important department should be I'm per-
"fect sympathy with the views Of the people
"of the State" Whether the new chief in
spector appointed last week by the Governor
is the right man for the place remains to be
demonstrated. but he is entitled to n fair chance
to prove his capacity.
By far the most novel suggestion in the Gov
ernor's message is one urging crusade against
the advertising signs located along the various
lines Of railway throughout the State Accord
Ing TO the Governors figures there are between
Jersey City and Trenton alongside Of one rail-
road 1,601 signboards, "dishgured by all sorts
"of efigies Of impossible men and women, and
they advertise remedies for all the Ills that
human flesh is heir TO, as well as all sorts of
FOODS and drinks" Governor Murphy thinks
that IL these increase the day may come when a
passenger Twill pass through a continuous and
'unbroken lane Of slgnboards that will trouble
his nights and days with suggestions of things
that are dlsagreeable" The levying of n high
tax is suggested as a likely way of abolishing
the nuisance. 1t is highly rational sugges-
ton The truth is, most billboard advertising
and advertising by circular are becoming n
nuisance which, sooner or later, will be legally
declared intolerable The only form of adyer.
Using which does not unjustifably invade the
privacy or abuse the rights of citizens is adyer-
Using in newspapers or magazines; and the
time is coming when heavy tax will discour-
age every other kind.
Other recommendations made by Governor
Murphy are the purchase OF more voting ma
chimes; the consolidation OF the State Board OF
Taxation and the State Board OF Assessors: the
abolition Of the State Board OF Arbitration; an
extension Of the Trenton State Prison and the
Railway Reformatory; the building Of sana-
forum for the consumptive poor; the creation
of a State auditor; the abolition Of the fee sys-
TEN in paying county officials, and that the in.
crease OF the State appropriation for roads from
S250,0oo 10 100000 be rescinded.
As to the Morris Canal Commission, the Gov.
ernor very properly says that # would be mani
festly premature for him to give his views upon
the question TO the legislature until the commits
sion appointed last year has made its report
The message is, on the whole a strong terze
and dgnihed paper.