New-York tribune., 1910-06-21
GOVERNOR HUGHES'S MESSAGE
Suitable Primary Law, Wider Graft Inquiry and Provisions
to Increase Revenues Recommended.

committee should be enlarged.
No one can favor the exploiting OF base
less rumors or the subjection of the tnno-
cent to unjust and narrowing suspicion; but
| on the other hand, every effort should be
made TO disclose and. If possible. to punish
those who have perpetrated through legis-
lative corruption the greatest wrongs from
which the state can suffer. It is due to the
people of the state that those who have
betrayed their trust or have poisoned the
springs OF government should be uncovered
and branded, and that whether or not this
| result can be attained the adequacy of
the measures taken TO that end should be
such as to secure the public confidence.
Your committee cannot act outside its
powers. and with respect TO subject not
confded 10 il 1t will possess no authority
and it can compel no evidence. A commit
tee with proper power may use its discre-
ton reasonably TO prevent its inquiry from
being made an instrument of injustice; but
it should have the power essential TO &C
complish the purpose of its being.
The resolution provides specifically for
the investigation of "all corruption and cor
| rrIpt practices shown TO exist by the evil
dence in the recent investigation had before
| the Senate Of the state of New York and
''aE matters indicating corrupt practices IN
connection with legislation which have de-
veloped in the recent investigation conduct
ed by the Superintendent of Insurance"
1t is well that the matters thus referred
to should be the subject of inquiry But
the interest of the people of the state is not
confined TO an investigation of the corrup-
ton shown in the Senate proceedings or in
dicated by matters developed in the ex-
animation conducted by the Insurance Su-
g. ;,,cS sy,,ron hot
corruption should be exposed. whether or
not it was brought TO light or indicated in
! those particular investigations.
But with respect to other corrupt prac-
tees not so shown or indicated the resolu-
ton provides that the committee is to pro-
ceed upon Specific charge. verified upon
knowledge of corrupt practices. or official
misconduct in connection with legislation
| or the Legislature, or with any matter or
| proceeding before any state department,
board. body or officer
"There Should Be No Ambiguity"
I have not overlooked the general clause
OF the resolution relating to any other mat
ters pertaining to the conduct OF the bust
ness Of the state and its officers. but there
| is danger that its general words may be
deemed limited by the specific language
/
practices. In such a matter there should
be no ambiguity.
The resolution further provides that "any
person charged with official misconduct
shall be entitled TO be represented by coun-
sci and TO subpoena and examine and cross
examine witnesses" It thus contenplates
with respect 10 such matters a virtual trial
upon specific charges verified upon knowl
edge by those who present them. This pro-
vision is of such q character, and the proba-
bility of specific charges verified upon
knowledge being presented is slight, that
it would seem likely that the actual inves-
tigation by the committee of corrupt prac
tices would he limited TO what was shown
in the Senate inquiry or developed by the
Superintendent of Insurance.
I believe that this is mistake, and that
the purposes that your honorable bo6y had
in view in providing for an investigation
will be attained only by giving such au-
therity to the committee that it may neither
| be ignored nor be defed. trusting to its
discretion to conduct the investigation in
| a thorough and at the same time just and
reasonable manner.
II should also be remembered that the
function of the committee is to investigate
ito the end that such remedial legislation
conduct Of public business be adopted as
will prevent recurrence of any abuses or
evils disclosed" To accomplish this result
I believe il would be better for the COM
rnittee TO proceed as an investigating COM
mittee and not be resolved by a required
course of procedure into trial court.
also question the wisdom of limiting
the power of the committee with respect TO
charges of official misconduct against can
didates for office To those that may be re-
ceived before September l. 1910. This may
be questioned quite as much in the interest
Of those unjustly accused in the interest
of the people at large. If charges suffi-
GENTLY grave to warrant the attention Of
the committee are currently reported, it will
not help matters that they may not be the
subject of investigation by the committee.
If on the other hand, the charges are mere
baseless rnrlors designed unjustly to affect
q candidate for Office. the power of the COM
n1ittee 10 make a prompt examination will
tend not only to discourage their circula-
ton, but will afford an instant opportunity
to expose their wortillessness.
I make this recommendation to the end
that nothing should be lost through want
OF power or thoroughness and believing
that a proceeding conducted broadly and
with directness at this opportune time viii
not only result IN improvement of meth
ods with respect TO legislative action and
procedure but also protect the honor and
dignity Of officers of government who in
the main in and out of the Legislature, are
honorably striving to do their duty and
who detest and desire to eradicate the cor
rupt and improper practices Of the few, by
which they are involved in an unjust and
common reproach.
Financial Condition of State.
Third also recommend for your con-
sideration the subject of the financial con-
dition of the state and the best means to
provide additional revenue.
The bills passed this year contain appro-
priations exclusive Of trust funds and
bond issues amounting to s46,970, ,271 SO. De-
Quoting the contributions made from the
general fund, in lieu OF direct tax, to the
sinking funds for the highway and canal
debts C2. 500, the remaining approprta-
tions reached the total Of 81. 971 g.
In his last annual report the State Con-
troller estimates the income Of the state
for the fiscal year ending September 30.
1910. ar about Ss4olo,ooo. This is doubtless
dirional receipts which are expected under
the new motor vehicle law il is fair TO as
sumo that the income for the current fiscal
year viii be about s3scoo,ceo.
In the appropriation bills passed by the
Legislature I have disapproved items
"a -1o -a- g. he