The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1905-01-10
GOVERNORS
MESSAGE
Third and Last Dacment
Sent by Franklin Mur-
ply to the Legis-
lature.
SURPLUS So, 600, 900
Lines on Which Equal Tax
alton Advocates Should
Move-Labor and Tene-
ments.
SURPLUS $4,000, 900
Special to The Jersey City News,

Special to sThe Jersey City News.'')
TRENTON. Jan. 10, 1906. Governor
Murphy sent his third and last annual
message to the Legislature today. Some
extracts from it follow:
Gentlemen of the Senate and General
Assembly:
We have cause for thankfulness that
the favor Of the Almighty still blesses
our beloved State. Peace and prosperity
are ours. The merchant and manufac-
turer, the professional man and the
farmer, and all who toll. have found
reasonable reward for their labor, and
the people are happy and contented. I'm
fortunately, the poor and afflicted we
have always with us, but their condition
as a whole is improving, and the ability
and desire Of those favored to share their
blessings with the less fortunate are, I
am glad TO believe. increasing.
commend you to the reports of the
various State officers and the boards Of
the many State institutions for informa-
tion as TO the condition and progress Of
the work Of the State in its various
lines. Taken as whole( they give
complete statement Of the condition Of
tie government of the State. and their
understanding is essential to intelligent
legislation
The reports Of the Treasurer and
Comptroller show receipts during tie
year Of s4,.5T6.ols.s2 and disbursements
lssss
of s., ,94o,9ls9S. When it Is remembered
thar a year ago the State received $3.50.
Coo from the United States Government
for interest on Civil War bonds.sand that
this year there has been no sum of inn
portance received from any special
source. it is apparent that the income Of
the State from what might be described
as its regular sources has been larger
than ever before {
The financial prosperity Of the State
has been so great in recent years that the
amount Of extraordinary disbursements
has become relatively large but notwith
standing this the surplus has increased
until it has reached the sum of $1,000
000 1t may be that now and then a
year will come when the expenditures of
the State. as provided by the Legislature.
will exceed tle income from the State
for that particulr year, but it must be
remembered always that the surplus is
Il haisa To naal:e good any deficiency, and
shat is lie Asst and principal service Of
4 snrplns. We have too large a surplus
to retain for this particnIar purpose. |
have on former occasions expressed my
opinion that this surplus should be used
for the present needs of the State some
of them srying needs, and l reiterate all
that / have said on that subject, and
shall have occasion later in this message
to make some specific Recommendation
along those lines.
TAXATION OF RAILROADS.
The subject Of the proper taxation of
railroad property should receive the earn
est attention of the Legislature. Many
people sincerely believe that the property
of these companies is not bearing its
full burden Of taxation, and, in response
to a general demand ! appointed at the
last session Of the Legislature commits
sion to consider the subject of the tax
alton Of all classes of property. This
commission has held many sessions for
the purpose of hearing suggestions Of all
kinds. and will shortly present its report.
Meantime, both political parties in their
platforms have demanded change and
in my opinion the Legislature will be di-
relict in its duty if it does not seriously
consider the present situation and act
upon it. Important interests are involved,
however, and must not be overlooked,
and the first duty of the Legislature is
70 protect TIE income Of the State. Tile
states revenue, for which the money
anffaIls rees.ivpsl finn railroads has