The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-13

Works. under whose supervision, THE con-
tracts shall be entered Into by the super.
intendent of Public Works on the part o.
the State" (ChaEt ter l47, Laws 1908. B4yd,
who Ia described In what In called the hed
OF the clerks In the Governors office. as
a college mate OF the Governor, where, as
chums."
His old college chum became the per-
so soma appointee OF the Goyern9r 70 su fPSis
old college chum then will let the con-
tracts. Every one who knows Boyd says
Is habitualy described as a good fellow "
dangerous man In public office, zoe apI
friends. too apt to Be persuaded to be
gracious and accommodating to those
who are seeking public favor, too apt TO
be kind and generous to those who are
engaged In rendering public service ana
who desire to do minimum OF work 'or
maximum Of profit.
The law referred to further provides
Section 10, AN measurements, inspec-
tions and estimates shall be made by, the
State Engineer and the engineers and m
spectors appointed by him. The snperin-
iormance OF the duties devolving upon
him by this act, rely upon the certificates
OF the State Engineer and his assistants
as TO the amount, character and quaity
The faithfulness with which contracts
are executed, and whether the contractors
shall be paid for work for rock or sand,
depends upon the State Engineer and ms
assistants. II then, the present Governors
State ticket Is elected, his old college chum
beg pardon. Mr. Van Alstyne, OF Columbia
county and Furnaoevilke, will see that they
are properly performed. viii Furnace
The Canal law provides for an advisory
board. It's members have been appointed
extends until the completion Of the canal
Improvement. Will 1t be safer for the
State to have them acting in conjunction
with the Governors State officers. or with
those in opposition to them2
viii they be more vigilant in watching
their political and personal friends. or
their political foes?
THE SEARCH FOR NEW RBvENUEs.
OF course, with the increase Of expenses
1t became necessary to raise more money,
or with increased revenue new ways had
to be devised to expend 1t, as you may
choose to consider 1t.
Whichever way 1t was, or Is, every year
We witness unceasing Efforts to discover
new sources Of revenue for the State.
Nearly every kind Of personal property
now pays direct tax to the State, 80 that
for the support OF school district, county
and city government. there are practically
no resources left, except the tax upon real
estate.
In this persistent search for new sources
of revenue, nothing has been spared. The
estates of the dead, the deposits of farmers,
mechanics and workingmen in the savings
banks of the State have not escaped, and
even mortgages, in which. to large, eN.
tent, the moneys OF trust estates are held
for the benefit OF widows and infants,
have been the subject OF repeated en-
deayors to tax, in order to increase the
revenues Of the State.
From the tax upon savings banks the
State derives a revenue OF over 100000
per year This money practically belongs
to the provident workman ana farmer.
There are over 2,4O0OOU depqsitors in the
savings banks Of this State. Their average
deposits are SAT-, thus clearly indicating
the class of people who are the principal
depositors in these institutions.
Strenuous opposition TO the passage OF
the law taxing savings banks was made:
its Injustice was pointed out, but it was OF
no avail; and equally strenuous efforts
have been made to secure its repeal but
these efforts have failed. Now, upon the
eve of election, when those who procured
tions find themselves In distress, We are
promised that 1t will be repealed, II 1t liz
found practicable to do so.
But / can spend no more time in giving
samples of the manner in which the ex-
nenses of the State have been increased, or
of the waste of the peoples money. or the
improper taxation that has been resorted
to; there are other subjects that call for
our consideration.
Suffice it to say that from all that can
discover of the financial management OF
the State administration its continued eff
70
peated increases in salaries or creation OF
new Offices the only evidence OF economy
that can find is in the food and clothing
furnished to those who are supposed to
he the objects Of the States benevolence.
those confined in charitable institutions
and insane asylums.
STATE CHARITIES.
Even the charities OF the State have been
diverted from their beneicent purposes
and made a cog in the political machine,
From all over the State have come letters
to me complaining about the conduct OF
expression of opinion from me as to their
management, and promise OF relief,
can simply say to those gentlemen that
at present have not sufficient knowledge
of these several institutions to know how
they should best be managed; that II elected
| shall desire at the earliest opportunity
to consult with those engaged and Interested
in these charitable and benevolent institu-
tions as to the proper method OF correcting
the evils which are now said to exist.
While l do not profess to know how
they should be conducted, one thought has
| occurred to me. Why was 1t necessary
| to take the financial affairs connected
with these institutions away from the
supervision and control of the Comptroller,
| the constitutional officer Of the State,
! intrusted under the Constitution by the
people to manage and control the fiscal
affairs of the State? Why was it necessary
that a so-called fiscal agent should be ap-
pointed at greater salary than that given
| to most OF the constitutional officers of the
State? Why should not the fiscal affairs
OF these institutions be restored to where,
It seems to me, they properly belong-the
| Comptroller's Office OF the State Of New York
together with the constitutional authorities
provided for that purpose, instead Of being
controlled by the Governor of the State
through his appointee?
In the brief time have had at my COM
mand l have only been able to peep into
the books A complete examination will
entail much time, great labor and care.
But surely the samples given are enough
to demonstrate that our present public ser
wants need, in the public interests to take
| q rest that their work may be examined.
Let the people enforce a vacation, that
we may know how our reports stand.
BEGGING THE QUESTION.
H.. 49,