The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-03

economy and efficiency is the proposed
reorganization OF State departments.
known incorrectly as short ballot pro-
pnsal. AT present there are 1852 depart
ments, bureaus, commissions and offices
In the state OF New York, exercising
executive functions. These various
bodies overlap ami conflict. They are
supposed to be subordinate to the Gov
ernor, but in the absence OF proper
classification and adequate machinery
they virtually 10 their own gait. The
new constitution roposcs TO group
them into seventeen departments and
forbids the Legislature TO Increase the
number of these departments. This re-
form, If adopted, will prove al effective
aid to the budget plan and will also
march In the direction Of efficiency and
economy.
II lay great stress upon the proposed
financial reform in regard to our methods
OF mourning and paying debts. New
York State has recently incurred a debt
of over $lS6, OO0. 900, and to-day has the
largest per capita debt Of any State in
the Union. The same is rue Of It's mu-
nicipai subdivisions. Furthermore, the
sinking funds now existing to take care
OF these debt have not been scientif-
cally managed Il the provisions of the
present Constitution are not clear or
adequate.
THE new Constitution proposes that
no future debts shall be incurred ex-
cept upon the security of serial bonds.
This means that whenever a debt 10 in
CURED the State must begin within one
ycar to pay it OFF, and this imposes
a rense OF responsibility on every ad-
ministration which proposes to incur
deht. The new Constitution also pro-
vldes that no bonds shall be issued with
a longer life than the life Of the i'm
provement for which they are issued.
This reform will put an end to the
present method OF issuing nifty year
bonds for improvement in highways
which may not last more than five
years. This Constitution also provides
a new and scientific method OF amortiz-
ing our present sinking funds, SO as TO
guard the credit OF the state and at the
same time protect the taxpayer against
Unnecessary accumulations,
I'm all these respects the new Con.
stltution marks u tremendous advance
upon our present methods In regard to
creating and taking care OF our indeb. :
edness.
FINALLY, ! believe the provisions oi
the Constitution az to home rule in boti
cities and counties mark n very lOnp
step forward. They are based ON the
principle OF making the electors rcspon-
n'blc for the management of their locaI
Affairs n OF relieving the genera
Legislature from a vast number of mat.
tors which AT present It IL supposed q
handle bug handles loosely and badly
| believe tNat these provisions will Civ,
the taNntEtr a much greater voice IL
the roatrn, OF loca. matters than a
pr"ycrt, rr'a y" iG ant 20 b. ovcrru,"U
by reurr.'4' ives from other portions
OF ne state wHu will not have to bear
his burdens.
Ticking l. Ms n whole, In my opinion
the proposed Constitution represents al
earnest and thoughtful attempt to pro,
vide his state with "A government whlcl
VII pgoto". the Interests e the tax,
PAYERS and which will avoid or remed,
, evils which 'ome from Irresponsible,
and eXtravagancc. | think II would b,
an calamity to the state II 4
were not approved at the polls IN No
vcmher."
Other leaders OF the convention ar,
to give the advisory board their view
of the proposed amendments that tn,
real estate interests and the public ma,
have "A comprehensive idea OF tn,
measures which they will vote on a
the coming election.