New-York tribune., 1905-01-18
NEW-JERsErs NEW GOVERNOR.

Yesterday, in the Taylor Opera House. in
Trenton, Edward G. Stokes took tho oath Of
office as Governor of New-Jersey and then
delivered his inaugural address to the Iegs-
lature the judiciary and the citizens there
sembled
The questions Of State revenues and taxation,
intertwined as they are were dealt with at
some length. AS is generally known, New-Jer-
sey is not in debt and has no State tax. The
money needed TO maintain the government
comes from various taxes on corporations. One
part of this income is derived from fees for in
corporation papers. and Governor Stokes tried
to make it clear that "NewJersey does not COM
pete in any race for revenue between States
where the inducement TO interpretations is lax
"ity OF law" There has been tendency in
some quarters to advertise New-Jersey as being
in the market to sell charters to any kind of
people for all sorts of business, and that the
State cared for nothing but to get the fees.
Governor Stokes emphasized the fallacy of that
notion.
''Unsound legislation, for revenue only" he
said, should never be encouraged, but honest
Legislation which safeguards the rights of the
'public, and thereby attracts capital and en-
"terprise and produces increased income, is
"New-Jerseys aim" He recommended the ap-
pointment of a commission TO review the incor-
poratiOn acts.
Governor Stokes re-echOed the demand of the
last Republican State Convention that second
class railroad property be assessed at local rates
for local purposes, but that the valuation be
fixed by the State Board of Assessors. While
not expressing a positive opinion to the
taxation of the main stem of the railroads. he
made plain his preference to maintain the pres
ent system without radical change He pointed
out the glaring inequalities Of taxation through
out the State, made plea for strict and literal
adherence to the constitutional requirement for
assessment Of all property at true value and
suggested the creation of O State Court OF Taxa
ton Equalization.
Another important point made by Governor
Stokes relates TO municipal taxation. The stead
lily growing increase in municipal expenditures
has. as Governor Stokes said, prompted many
citizens to conceal their taxable property or put
it into non-taxable forms. He suggested that
this evil could be avoided by taxing all property
ar its real value, thus reducing the rate, and to
give a protective guarantee by having a State
law fix the maximum rate at, say, ST 20 on the
hundred Or lower, if possible.
Governor Stokes recommended the appoint
ment of a Commissioner of Charities and Cor
rections, having at his command an architect
and a sanitary engineer, to supervise the cree
ton and management of the various State in
stitutions, with the present admirable unpaid
boards of managers as an advisory council.
New-Jersey's forestry resources received more
than passing mention As the Governor said.
there are thousands of acres of land in New
Jersey. part of it mere brushland. part OF it
abandoned and waste. all of it unsightly. and
"aIl capable of growing trees that would beau
"tfy the landscape. afford attractive driveways,
furnish places of recreation for the we'll and
health resorts for the sick, and be a source Of
Income to our commonwealth. Much of this
"land can be purchased for 81 an acre and in
"some cases can be obtained for taxes
In a voice and manner that betokened great
earnestness Governor Stokes turned to his as
sociates In the government of the State and re-
minded them that they were chosen as the
agents of the people TO administer the affairs
of the State for the people. and for them only
and he declared that there must be no favorit-
ism toward special interests. If this be borne
always in mind and consistently lived up TO, all
will be well