New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-05-23
RECORDING TAX A LAW.
Measure Has Defects, but People
Demand 1t, Says GOrernOr.

Albanv Nav - (Special) After having
rasses The legislature twice, once IN naoolneo
form after veto by the Governor, the record
,ng Tax bin became law to-day, when Governor
Higgins signed Senator Pages second measure
Incorporating that principle. most persistent
campaign, one of the hardest fought in recent
years was Waged by individuals OF recognized
standing and organizations from all parts OF the
state for he repeal of the annual mortgage tax.
While the Governor thought that this plan'
which became law only a year before, should
have longer trial. and, with his advisors, found
the original Mortgage Tax Repeal bill so faulty
,hs, he had TO veto il, he declared to-day in
signing its successor that if it had been signed
for no other reason he would have taken this
course simply in Difference 10 the will Of the
people Of the state expressed so repeatedly
through the Legislature
Next 10 the insurance reform bills, the record
ing tax measure was easily the most important
general bill Of the session. The road 10 victory
in It's case was far harder than that of any one
Of the insurance bills, not excepting the general
bill which narrowly escaped emasculation owing
70 the decisive action of the Governor. Against
the repeal Of the annual mortgage tax Of one
half Of ! per cent was q small, determined
minority led by Senator Lewis, chairman Of the
Committee on Taxation and Retrenchment, who
believed that the principle Of a recording tax
was less correct than the annual mortgage tax
Senator Armstrong. who agreed with his col
league. and Senator Malby. chairman Of the
Committee on Finance. who declared that re-
peal Of the annual mortgage tax would mean
return 10 direct state taxation.
Practically every legislator from New York
City came IN Albany at the beginning Of the
year pledged 70 support the recording tax bill
agfr2 7a ifIlfi Of a
tax for the annual tax was taken up by other
large cities notably Buffalo Rochester and
Syracuse. The Allied Rea; Estate Interests, a
state organization conducted an extensive cam
laign, and from the moment Senator Page in
treduced his first bill the great body Of public
sentiment manifestly was in its favor.
Senator Alfred Page Of New York took the
'front.' in the battle At the beginning of the
session he Introduced bill for recording tax.
IS did several other New Workers. Soon after,
10 prevent confusion and obtain cooperation.
senator Page called a conference Of all the
Republican legislators from New York, and
~ subsequent sessions Of this conference it was
agreed 10 support the bill introduced by him and
Ahsembiyman Bowling, OF Brooklyn.
In committee these bills had hard time. Once
out q committee the Assembly bin had COM
lsrstively plain sailing. though one OF two
amendments were made to il. and Mr. Wade
Chairman Of the Assembly Committee on Taxa
non. opposed il vigorously. In the Senate, how
ever. the bin felt the full brunt of battle. Sena-
tors Lewis Armstrong and Malby fought It at
every opportunity When tiHy saw that II had
behind il n majority Of the Senators. pledged to
It's passage. they alibustered. forcing before its
passage one Of the Interest debates of the year
nevertheless. II passed. by vote Of 30 to 10
IN the Assembly it had obtained - 20 80.
On a1frfI the (.OverT,or vetoed the bill,
Ing forth many technical objections 10 the form
n which it was drafted. Almost Immediately a
heE bin was presented. in which every effort
A@d been made 20 correct the inperfections
poiR;ed out by the Governor Opposition 10 this
Measure was redoubled. the obstructionists hop
Aig 10 stave off action # until the end Of the
Session Senator Page had 10 discharge the Com
hlttee OF Taxation from further consideration
. the biz. which precipitated the historic all
night session OF the Senate in which every con-
eegable method OF obstruction and hlibuster was
fesorted 70 by the opponents Of the bill How
eRer, they were Oufgeneraled and outnumbereG,
and the next 10 the last day Of the session
3 was again passed by vote Of 81 70 H.
4t vas this second bill. modified TO meet his