The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-01-15
a@tls s. 3

We have received copy of the
Governors annual message to the
Legislature. Following the usual
preliminary remarks he takes up
the financial condition of the State,
which is in high degree satisfac-
tory. The receipts over the dis
bursements were 5000, oI8.8I, and
the cash balance in the treasury at
the close of the fiscal year was 49,,
95I,637. II.
Further commenting on the
sources of income, he is of the
opinion that the blessings and
benefits of our government would
be more highly appreciated if every
citizen was required to contribute
substantial sum as poll tax to the
support Of the State before being
allowed to vote, and / would have
such tax large enough to remove
the temptation from any political
party to assist the citizen in its
payment. >
If it is the Governor honest in
tentionto provide additional revenue
through means of the archaic i'm
post known as the poll tax, well
and good. Honestly carried out in
its full extent it will undoubtedly
prove blessing in the form of a
curtailrnent of unintelligent voting.
But why not put the curtailment in
the form of property qualification
for voters? To be sure, this plan
together with the poll tax went out
of existence in New York State
fifty years ago and was followed by
Rhode Island twenty years later !;
but if we are to have the poll tax,
raise it to $40, and have the State
derive as much benefit as it can
while it is allowed to remain in ex-
istence.
itheach succeeding administra-
ton Recommendations for additional
State officers are advanced for legis-
1ative consideration and with proper
disposition and division of stated
offices there will soon be positions
sufficient to provide for half the
voting population of the State.
Each of the two great political
parties seems willing to provide for
its adherents despite the promises
of retrenchment and reform The
Governor suggests the ACCESSIBILITY
of creating the Office of Auditor of
State Accounts, to be filled by a
professional accountant. At present
there is no careful audit of the dis
bursement, and while, like Caesar S
wife, the honesty of State officials
is above suspicion-well, mistakes
might happen, you know.
The Governor recommends the
adjustment of the fee system in the
various county officials throughout
the State and fixing their compen-
sation in suitable salary.
The various sanitary and penal
institutions of the State are covered
and the usual suggestions for in
creased efficiency made.
The voting machine proposition
finds favor in the Governors eyes,
and he hopes that in the course OF
two or three years the voters of the
State will agree with him.
His suggestion regarding the APP
preparation tor roads cannot we'll be
synopsized, and will appear as a
separate article. Also his views re-
garding advertising signs near rail
roads.
The Governor recommends the
consolidation of the State Board
of Taxation and the State Board of
Assessors. Also the adjustment
of the State Board of Arbitration
the latter being useless.
On the whole, the message is a
clear and concise statement of facts,
and the recommendations trend to-
ward conservative reform.
~.~~m--m-~-