The morning journal-courier., 1908-01-02
HUGHES MESSAGE
New York Governor Urges Suppression of Race Track
 Gambling.
TAKES UP BANKING REFORM
Recommends Extending the Scope of Public-Service Law and Sim
 pllfying Ballot.

Albany Jan. No recommendation made by Governor Hughes in the mes sage submitted 10 the legislature to-day Is likely to attract more immediate and Widespread popular attention than the one regarding betting at race tracks.
 The governor urges the lawmakers to carry out the clear direction of the people against race track gambling. as embodied in the constitution, repeal the existing deception" that wlnks at bet ting in certain licensed inclosures and impose the punishment of imprison- ment upon the bookmakers, aholishing the alternative of fines.
 Those persons who have sought to create the impression that Governor Hughes is dissatisfied with the public service commissions law will be disap- pointed. He suggests no change in the policy or structure of the act, but does favor such amendments as may be ad- visable to carry out more fully it's in- tent
 The governor recommends an en- largement of the scope of the act to include telephone and telegraph com panies, this extension of jurisdiction to take effect Oct 1 next.
 In view of the urgent need of new transit lines in New York city, and particularly of new subway lines, the message indorses the debt limit recom- mendation of the charter revision com mission.
 This recommendation Is that the con stitution should be so amended as to exclude from the computation of the city's debt limit all bonds or evidences of indebtedness issued for purposes which produce revenues in excess oi their maintenance charges.
 In the meantime the question wheth- CT any changes in the rapid transit act should be made 10 facilitate subway construction is presented for serious consideration
 In submitting the report of the bank. CTS whom he appointed to give him ar expert opinion as to what changes arc advisable in the state banking law, tho governor says recent events have shown the necessity of preventing tht exploitation of banks and trust com panies.
 There should be. he says, an enlarge ment of tho powers of the state su- perintendent with reference 10 the or ganization of banks and trust compa nies, the establishment of branches of either and mergers.
 The message recommends that the fields of banks and trust companies be carefully deltmited and deals with the question of reserves, liquidation and jurisdiction of courts to appoint re ceivers
 The governor renews his recommen- datlon for a simplitied form of ballot without the party column. In which the names of candidates for the respective offices shall appear but once grouped under the names of offices.
 He says that no candidate should have more than one place on the ballot so that there may he the smallest DOS sible opportunity for fraudulent con trivances to secure the advantage Of duplication. Appropriate designation pl party may p1 pldCtu ulnpSlLe edcH name.
 In line with this reform he urge. an official primary ballot and declare; himself in favor of direct nominations that the enrolled voters may be en. couragcd to take part in party pro. ceedings and the will of the party hc i expressed in the choice of candidates. The nfT1ees of quarantine commits sionerS the governor pronounces un. necessary, and says they ought 10 bt abolished
 There are too many port wardens fl his opinion, and he recommends tha' the board be reduced to five members. Other recommendations of the mes sage are Suitable fixed salaries fo, supreme court justices, with no al lowanCeS,
 I Commission to protect immigrant, ] from imposition and strengthening O i the tenement house act