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


at which he seeks to vote Among these ques-
tons is one which seeks to ascertain the last
place Of voting. While the question is put
Where did you last vote?" there is lacking the
general query which this question undoubt-
edly intended to form part OF. Where and
when did you last vote?'' A truthful answer 10
this question and nsistence upon correct
answers to all other queries would determine
whether or not the voter a resident within
the meaning Of the law as a qualified elector and
as such was entitled to exercise the right of
franchise. l would suggest that the law be so
amended as 10 include this additional query.
thus protecting the ballot against the posi-
bility OF fraud in this direction.
again direct your attention 10 the increasing
number of defective ballots cast at elections
Establishment of many voters which thereby re-
suits In the hands of dishonest people techni-
calities often are taken advantage OF TO destroy
oalotS some action should be taken at the
present session 10 properly guard and 10 specify
the requirements for a fair counting OF the votes
cast at elections
STATE PRISONS
For humanitarian reasons ample provision
should be made at once for remodelling the pres
ent State prisons. That source Of disease the
foul. damp and unhealthy cell, should be rele
gated 10 the past The object Of punishment
should be not only deterrent one, but should
aim also 10 reform and TO send the inmates of
our prisons out into the world competent 10
take up useful work and 10 become useful men,
bers OF society. So many inequalities and
much injustice result under our present stat
mission, to be appointed either by the legislature
or the executive, should take up this work and
give 10 il careful consideration. with the end
in view OF making the Penal Code and prison
administration more practical than they are
to-day. As an instance of these inequalities,
II may be stated that a young man over eighteen
years of age convicted OF a felony may be
10 reformatory but if convicted Of mis-
demeanOr he must be sent to prison for
definite term. II the object is punishment alone.
then the law Is right If. however, il is also
reformation, because probation or suspension of
sentence is not always wise then We are com
Board and Chdrens Court, which followed
suggestion made by me- have produced beneficial
results. 1t IS quite important therefore that the
benehcent influences which our charitable people
are exerting in this direction should also
ceive encouragement from the legislature.
If the present law which provides for electro
cution is 10 remain in force, and there seems
10 be no immediate possibility of its modification.
then the State should erect a central prison for
condemned prisoners. This would permit a GER
tain amount of freedom which the State owes
in the way of exercise and which it is impossible
TO give under existing conditions 1t would be
well for YOU to give this branch Of prison ad-
mInstration careful consideration. The Prison
Department is the only department which is adj
ministered under the old system in requiring
specific appropriations for portion or each
year. In other words, this department is always
six months behind In It's expenditures and relies
upon the Supply bill 10 meet the deficiencies
which thus occur. I recommended last year
that additional appropriation should be al
lowed and that the item which is usually placed
in the Supply bill be omitted. This bill passed
the Assembly. but failed OF passage in the SEN
ate which fact not discovered until after
the adjournment of the legislature. 1t left the
Prison Department practically without funds
for nearly six months. Whatever debt has been
incurred should be paid and sufficient appro-
priation made to carry the Prison Department
up to the beginning Of the next fiscal year, and
thereafter the appropriations for this depart
rlent should oe made the same for all others
in the Annual Appropriation bill. In sufficient
amount to carry it along full year.
LABOR DEPARTMENT
The Labor Department as been administered
I'm a iudcious manner The authority and power
vested in the department have been exerted
whenever possible toward effecting settlement
of strikes and lockouts- l understand that
numerous applications will be made to the
present legislature for amendments 10 existing
statutes affecting labor There is too often
misunderst landing of the relations which should
exist between the employer and his employe,
and frequently laws are enacted which are
burdensone and oppressive both of
these great interests. In the protection of both
the commonwealth is equally interested. Care
should be exercised therefore by your commit
tees and by the legislature in the enactment of
new statutes While it is your duty to protect
equally both labor and capital, neither should
seek nor be afforded advantages which are det-
rimental to the interests OF the other The
right of every man 10 sell his labor to the best
advantage is sef-evident and automatic The
numerous disputes which have arisen have re-
suited in judicial Interpretation OF the statutes
and the constitution of the State from time TO
time interpretations which have tended to de-
fine the relations which should exist between
these interests In the main these judicial find
ings have been beneficial. and therefore 1T should
not be the object of the legislature TO attempt
to nuIIify them by amendments TO the present
laws Some statutes, which have been passed
with good intentions. positive hndrance
to the enjoyment of those rights which are in
herent under form of government. The
employers should be protected as we'll as the
employees. While the legislature should make
ample provision for the protection Of the work
ingrnan it should not disregard the rights of
the employer. The elimination of those condi |
tions which produce strikes and lockouts is
desirable but II is much the duty OF the State
TO protect individuals in the complete enjoy |
ment of their rights ii is TO protect aggre- |
cations of individuals combined for specific
purposes Stringent laws which VIII protect |
the employer against Matchmaking designs are
as important as the protection of the working |
man in his rights. 1leve the time has come |
when every sensible man recognizes the pro- |
priety of legislation which will accomplish these
results
A committee of the legislature has had under |
investigation the compensation of employees In |
the State service and the necessities for the |
services of those now in the State employ. While
II is not my purpose to anticipate the report of
this committee, TO interfere in any way with |
what is now a purely legislative function. do |
desire to place myself record favoring |
such changes as for the interest Of the State
in protecting IT against such excessive salaries |
as have been the outgrowth more of favorftism |
than of necessity.
Ii is desirable therefore that such amendments |