New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-23
MR.. H[GGINSS MESSAGE.
TO CARRY OUT PROMISES.
Says Nothing on Senatorship-Some
Recommendations.
rBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBrNE.I

IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
Albany, Nov. 22.-GOvernor-ele Higgins is at
work his annual message to the legislature
He arrived in this city from Buffalo this morn
ing. and was in conference with Controller Kel-
sey, Superintendent Hendricks of the State In
surance Department and others in reference to
matters which will receive consideration in the
message of the new Governor.
Later In the day Mr.. Higgins was In the Lieu
tenant Governors Office in the Capitol where
he was besieged by department chiefs and poll
tcians State officers came with data on State
affairs chiefly financial. which they had been
busy preparing for the last week These facts
will be utilized by the new Governor in his an
nual message. This document will offer for the
consideration of the Legislators important
suggestions, mainly corrective. They will carry
out promises made by Mr.. Higgins the stump.
Among his recommendations viii be:
Re-establishing local boards of managers of
state hospitals for the insane. and transferring
from the State Commission in Lunacy to such
local boards all the administrative powers ana
responsibilities which they had when abolished.
except those strictly financial. Under the old
law local boards had the right TO say how the
patients should be fed. how clothed and cared
for and who should feed, cIothe and care for
them.
Making the State Prisons Commission an un-
salaried board as contemplated by the consti-
tuition, and a board of philanthropic and expert
men and women, having full powers of inspec-
tion and recommendation. The Prisons Commits
sion according to Mr.. Higgins's ideas, should
not be IN any sense part of the administration
which it nspects. on the commission at present
are two State officers. the State Treasurer and
the State Superintendent OF Prisons. The presi-
dent of the commission receives an annual sal
ary Of 81. 800.
Making a State reformatory out of the State
institution at Napanoch. having its own local
board of managers. The institution is now under
the control of the State Prisons Department.
Securing Increased appropriations for the en-
largement of State institutions for idiots and
the feeble minded, and securing the removal OF
all this class from the county almshOuses. Mr..
Higgins will also recommend the repeal of the
Savings Bank Tax law.
There will be no legislation in Mr.. Higgins $
first term of a radical nature It is his purpose
to run the government conservativelv and in
accord with the desires of all interests He does
not wish to upset his administration With any
bitter controversies.
The Governor-cect was asked If Senator De-
pew would be reelected at the coming session
of the legislature. y know nothing about the
Senatorship." he replied.
When asked as to the reported modification of
the Raines law and an Increased rate for hotel
been considerable talk about modifying the
Raines Law between The saloonkeepers and the
enemy recently. You hear Il lot of talk around
Albany every year that never gets into a law"
Mr.. Higgins SAID that he did not expect to an
hounce his personal appointments until the mid
die of December 1t IS believed that Cuthbert
w. Pound. Of Lockport president of the
State Civil Service Commission, will be either
secretary or legal adviser 70 the Governor. Ger
aid b Williams who is secretary Mr.. HiC-
gins, as Lieutenant Governor, is also mentioned
in connection with the Office OF secretary to the
Governor.
Among Mr.. Hiegins's callers were Charles II.
Murray. president of the NeW-Yo~5 County
Committee; William Barnes. jr., Commissioner
Weiting Of the State Agricultural Department
and John McMackin State Labor Commissioner.
Attorney Generals. past present and future.
were at the Attorney Generals office to-day.
EX-Attorney General John c. Davies. whom At
torney General CunI-aen succeeded. dropped into
the Office, and Julius NJ. Mayer. Attorney Cen
eral-eleCt, had a long conference with Mr. Gun
neen in the forenoon relative to affairs I'm the
Office. An arrangement has been made for the
retention Of Deputy Attorney General Wood for
a month or more after MI Mayer takes charge.
Mrs. Higgins and daughter left this morning
for Tennessee where they will spend Thanks
giving Day with Mr.. and Mrs Higgns's son.