The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-21
VIEWS OF MINORITY.
Wagner Tries 10 Prove Rrpubli.
cans Were ENtravagout,

ALBANY. April 2o.-Sena;or Robert T.
Wagner and Assembly man Joseph NJ.
callahan. the minority leaders, issued "A
joint statement Tonight reviewing the
accomplishments Of the Legislature from
the Democratic standpoint. The state.
ment follows:
THE Legislature OF 1915, like the Leg
stature of 1915. will be best rememberet
Tor the magnitude of it's appropriations
and the entire absence OF constructive
acts.
1T Is costing the taxpayer a, the rate
OF $4,000, 900 per annum more to have
the Republicans run the state Govern.
ment than II cost them under the Demo-
Gratis.
The Republican party has repealed no
taxes. II II has reduced none. ON the
contrary. II has imposed new and hea w
burdens Of taxation. both direct and in
direct. II has had "A special legislative
committee at work not TO reduce taxa
ito hut to devise new taxes.
Tn Legislature In 1915 appropriated
nearly $4,000. 900 to cover all State en-
p%enditures from October I. 1915. to DC
tober !. 1916-a fun twelve months year.
The Legislature of 1916 has appropriated
In round numbers $50, 0OO, 900 again for
n full twelve months expenditures. But
the total OF sl2&.OO0. 900 will not carry
on the state Governments until October
], 1917, or twenty-four months. hut only
until July l. 1917. or twenty-one months.
The change in 'he fiscal year has put
one practical efect--the taNpaNer has
provided for two fun twelve months ap-
preparations, amounting To sl2@.o0o. 900.
nut his financial agent. the legislature.
VIII be back asking him for more mill
ions to carry on the business from July
J, 1917. three months before the twenty
four months are up.
This means average annual appro-
priatlons. FOR twenty-one Republican
months, OF SIO.S0O. 600. For the forty
eight Democratic months G9Il-l9l5)
the annual average was s5O.5OO. 0O0.
Last years direct state tax Of 500
300, ooO-wantonly and wickedly i'm
posed-has piled up in the State treasury
an estimated surplus of sl.. 600. OO0.
This surplus, and not Republican econ.
oiny. Is the reason that there Is no di-
rec tax this year. II tn. Republican
party * returned to power next wear the
a permanent institution.
They have in two years added over
s'.00o,ooo To the fixed charges of ad.
mltistering the stat. departments. As
compared with l9li-mostiy for payro,Is
and patronage.
The annual appropriation hill. the
supply hill. the construction and repai r
iHIi' NhcN are All WIN US yet. IhcN ~ -
passed this year under a single cover. a
three ring exhibit. instead of three sepa.
rate performances.
The Constitution clearly requires that
there he but fifty Ssnat districts. The
Republicans have created a ffty-Nrst
district, This they have done, not to re.
lieve New York city from Is yonstitu.
tional handicaps. but to add TO tnos.
handicaps by increasing unlawfully the
number of Senator'S from Republican
districts up STATE.
There is some basis of reason for ,he
requirement that each county. except
Fulton and Hamilton. shall have one
member of IN" Assembly II Is ANAL
oeous 20 the requirement that each state
snail haN" an equal numbc Of United
states Senators. But that is all the
NOR. reason that New York city be given
all its constitutional rights in making
the Legislative apportionment. and this
has not been done.
Last year there was a bill psssed
creating two Unnecessary judgeships In
the Ninth Judicial district, So diagram,
was this abuse of power that the pcupie
of that district overturned a Republican
majority Of 10000 and elected a Demo-
| cratic Judge.
This year the Legislature has pro.
vided for two unnecessary tudgeshipe
In III" Eighth judicial district, for an
unnecessary additional County Judge In
ERE county and for an unnecessary
tudgcship in the Third Judicial district,
"Ir every case but the Third dist rte,
the bills take effect Immediately. Tha,
means that Gov. Whitman will appoin,
IN" men already agreed upon by thr
JudicIll spuils grabbers without awaitinp
Tn" election or over the Republican pri-
marics next fall