New-York tribune., 1904-09-23
CHANGE In FEE SYSTEM
Higgins La5c Requires That Money
Go Into State Treasury.

The apparent intention OF the Democrats 20
carry on a mudslinging campaign. as Indicated
by the platform adopted by the State Conven-
ton az Saratoga and statements By Hill and
other party leaders, has not dismayed the Re-
publican leaders. II this Is persisted in souls Of
the most effective kind Of data can be presented
against the Democrats. The Efforts OF the Demo
crast to make the issue 'Odsuism'' viii be met
squarely and frankly. Governor Odeu at head
quarters last night accepted the gauge OF battle
and issued dignihed and convincing reply to
the cry Of misnanagement Of State affairs. The
Governor was asked what he thought OF the
charges In the Democratic platform. and the is
sue which the Democrats attempted to make
against him personally. AS to the personal at
tack, he said. it was only a repetition Of the
mudsInging tactics Of Ex-Governor Hill. whicn
had been disapproved by the people in 1902. and
he did not consider it necessary 20 reply to IT,
The Governor continued:
In making a comparison between the last
Democratic administration in 1894 and the Re-
publican admins alton for the year lSJt. Y
would be we'll e. -,ear in mind certain facts ne~
fore reaching conclusions.
First-That prior to 1893 every state depart
ment was in receipt Of fees which were retained
by the departments and did not pass dlrsetly %
the State Treasurer, because the custom was LOT
the various departments TO ask for amounts over
and above such receipts. The appropriations
did not. therefore, represent the Jotal e&peaa-
iturss which were smaller because Of the re-
tent on BY the departments Of these fees For
instance the State institutions for the tnsa. a.
were reimbursed for that year TO the amount or
$253507 80. The actual appropriation for this
department for that year, as reported N the al-
preparation BILL should have this amount added
to il because Of this fact. And 50 IL was WIN
almost every other department. On the state gov
erurnent Tn s condition was changed by the
adopriOn Of the so-called Higgins law. which
-sCi-e5 The T,aJrSsrt INTO tire State T-easJEry Or
am such fees The amount q fees received By
the var Gus departments In the year 1900 was
$5I2.Jtt 6S-
THE INCREASE IN POPULATION
second-vve must take into consideration the
fact that in 1890 the population OF the state was
but 100000, while in 1900 II had increased 20
726S.OOO so that the ordinary expenses OF gov
ernment would be much larger, Owlqs 70 TINS
Third- By- the adoption OF the constitution OF
1925 the people OF the state provided for a lavSs
number Of Supreme Court justices. as well aS
Increased membership OF the state Legislature.
thereby producing a corresponding increase or
the expenditures OF the State legislature ana
the State judiciary.
FOurth-The adoption OF the eight hour law ns
the State made larger expenditures necessary
upon the canals and various public works OUT
side OF the Lunatic and Charities departments
Fifth-The State IN lSsA passed law WaLen
placed the insane entirely under state care ana
Supervision This not only did away with the
abuses of the old county system. but relieved tne
localities Of the direct charge and expense or
caring for their insane
Sixth-The school population has incrsqssd
from 1OS3OSsl with 2l.ts0 teachers. IN 1874. to
256 OslN with "a 600 teachers in 1904 This. OF
course has produced greater expense. not only
to the State but 70 the localities as we'll
BY the STATE Care act Of 1881 the population or
the state charitable institutions and institutions
for the insane has increased from 1l,o14 90
81, 900.
The legislation for abOlishing grade crossings
was SUBSEQUENT 20 the year 1894 and it Is there
fore an expense which did not appear N that
The expenses OF the Agricultural Department
have been increased because OF the protection
which il has sought to give against impure
foods.
figures showing the appropriations tor the years
1894 and 1904. are given: