[
ON STATE ECONOMY
After Tirade Against Extrava
?gance, Now Sees Need of
Finding Sources of Income.
WOULD PUNISH VOTE BUYING
Governor in Annual Message Fa?
vors Making It Felony-Amend?
ments to Primary and Public
Service Laws Urged.
I rty Tf ?cRiaph ?o The Tribun*. )
litany, Jan. "?""Governor Dix s second
annual message went to the Legislature t?
<jav. it ws* notable chiefly for its com?
nlfte act diametric?! divergence from its
-.rede *css.>r on the subject of state
tcontttny The salient feature of tlie first
Uix mee!?age was economy, that brand of
??era. r,,<'k hound Democratic economy
whl?*h would Flash appropriations and
tpare not Economy was mentioned only
once in ?his second messag?-. and then It
vis distinctly in qualitied phrase?"the
ji)C4?t reasonable economy.''
Ijhh year the Governor*! message Bound?
e? like a Democratic campaign speech
?jromeil over Republican extravagancia
waste of public funds, and all the rest of
it This year tho tenor of his remarks Is
quite different. He talks about the ?vci -
??Tewing demands on th** state government
an-i the necessity for a discovery of new
rwunres of state income if the state is to
make progress. It Is apparently a sadder
and wiser Dix In the matter of finances
who stands sponsor for this second mes?
sage, a man with some slight recognition
of the s ope of ?he state's business and
the breadth of ?he state 8 responsibilities
and th?' demands of the state's citizens
for a government of profit? -s, even If ?he
ledger each year does show a larger ?x
penditure than that of the previous year.
The Governor's message was one of th?
longest on record. It took three clerks to
read It In the Senate, and all were hoarse
and tired before ?hey rlnished It advo?
cated some changea lu Tammany's BO-called
direct primary law, chiefly the election of
all atate ?ommitteemen at one time, thus
removing the discrimination regarding N". w
York City, which was inserted for the
benefit of Charle.? l\ Murphy. Also It
recommends the enlargement of the state
committees to a membership of 159, one
? ommltteeman from each Assembly dis?
trict. It does not say a word about the
?orrertion of various other notable defects.
The Governor recommends more stringent
laws regarding v.?te buying and vote Belling,
?hat th^' former be made a felony and tha?
Immunity he granted one guilty of the lat
i?>r if he turn state's evidence. He advo
ratis t!.e adoption of plans for the devel
onmen? of water power sites under state
control, hut the rei "tnmendation is rather
vague. The Governor suggests an "ef
Icieucy bureau" for the benefit of mu
?Idpalltlea and a uniform charter for third
class cities, designed to foster "home rule."
lie iirgei also amendments to the public
?errlee commissions law to give those
bodies more power over capitalization of
r-jrporattona under their Jurisdiction than
?hey have now under interpretations of the
Ian St \t Stands Also he would extend
their jurisdiction to include supervision of
piiva'.. water ?onipanies.
Sharp Discussion in Senate.
? th? ^ena?c th? reading of the message
Marted ? sharp dlaeunlon. i-'cnaior New
: who foresaw In th.- message a year
releasing of the hungry and thirsty
of 'i'ammany on the state and a portent of
rganlzatlon of the state service, criti
: this document even more sharply. He
rally accused the Governor of deee?t
und hypocrisy la his economy utterances a
v?ar *?<i by comparing that message and
?hi* one. and carried the line of thought
further lo include the Governor's position
on primary and eleeUou "reforms."
QoTernor Dix. said Sena? or Ncwcomb.
wa- In an unfortunate political position
Everybody knew it. and for that possibly
he should not be judged too harshly. That
unfortunate, situation should have result? d
In his acquiring much Knowledge und
humility, although ?lure was doubt
?be it the Governor's progress In those di?
rection? On the whole, the Sentaor though?
?he Governor was "the head of an adminis?
tration wholly discredited" and "stami>?*d
with the seal of disapproval by the people."
Discussing the Governor's utterances on
economy a year ago. Senator Newcomh said
they were calculated by Insinuation and in
tmen.lo to produce the idea among the peo?
ple that Republican administrations had
Wn guilty of lavish and unjustlli??; ?>
pendHures of state funda
"N'on a mor? experienced and more chas?
tened Governor," said he. "talks about in
creaaod responsibilities on the part of the
State and increasing cos? of government
whKh necessitates new sources of revenue.
If all ?hat Is true now was It not true a
>*ar ago In the same measure? What,
?hen. of the Governor'in Insinuations of a
year ago" Was be Ignorant Of all this then'.'
What kind <>f a light ?loes this throw on
his sincerity if he ?ll?l know, or on his un?
derstanding If he did no?? The Goverrnr
should retract his criticisms of former ad
Mnlstrattomi "n the score of alleged ex?
travagance, for they were wrong and un
Ju?. Now I think he has far overshot the
rrark in the other direction. Df course,
then- c?e numberless calls on ?he state for
extension and development of its activities
Borne of these ?demand* should be granted,
??ther-. unquestionably should be denied. I
don't believe ?here |* any nces-ity ROW
tot unlimited increases."
Doubts Governor's Sincerity.
senator Newvuinb said there whs no sign
In ihe Governor's message that he had
learn?*! hie lessor? regarding primary legis?
lation it probably would not be profitable
'i discuss the Ideals and hopes of ardent
direoi primary advocates. Nevertheless, If
the r.overnor had been really sincere last
>ear In hoping when he signed an Imp* r
f**ct law ?hat it would be improved this
year, direct nominations men might f?.<!
? hat he would recommen?! specific change?
1" ?be law where it was admittedly wrong.
Vet j arn aurprlsed and disappoint?-?] to
And that he has not noticed on'- of Ihe
wrongs In the law which are already
?tamped with ?he disapproval of the peo?
ple." said .Senator Newcomb.
These wrongs, lie ?aid. were the use of
tarty funds to perp?tu?t* factions Of the
tarty, a provision regarding th?> number
?t signatures required for petitions for In?
dependent nomination against the party
candidate at the primaries which made It
Practically Impossible to beat the bouses*
???ection for party nomination, and the uee
?i the party emblem In the primaries?"a
?isuae & the party ,..,,,,,?? inexcUMble
????d reprehensible, yet of It the Governor
?*yB not one word."
tr8****0-* N'ewcomb paid much attention
? the Governor's remark? on civil ser
tnee. To be sur.-, comment on the civil ser
? view? of a Governor who permitted
'i ,ap,prove** *''t* "somewhat peculiar ac
, Ue"" of ?*? existing Civil Service Com
muelon wM ?omewhat unnecessary, he felt.
thV* i Gov"-"?or'-? portion waa so absurd
"Th ??Ul(1 n<)l ?*? lmHtil',x oV,!r ??????'??-IC'**1
flivi !i m*rtt ?y"*"m" ?ald ,,e' "wa" not
Zl, to distribute office? equally between
ihi w ? PBrt,M The Governor seems ??>
:"n" th?-t ?he civti etrvloe law should
that'*! b,Dar,,??u'-,r'lP hi )?.). holding. If
* '? hl? view, of course, he ha? mlsron
? ' "* the ,p,rlt and hiat,,ty 0f etrl\
* ?-cttvlty |? th,, pttt|, -))fl ,,,,. .oimtiv ?
??"eroor Dix? home rule Ideas male
Sfnator Ncwcomh la,,-h .-The i;()vern
who signed the Brooklyn ripper bills nr
sheds croeodlle tears over the fate of hoi
rule In this state," he aocloj-d, and ad?!.
The Governor seemed to figure that
municipality bore the same relation to tl
Mate as the state dUl to the federal go
erntnent This i.ieH. Neweomb declare
Was ridiculous. He m\,\ \u , ,?imicntlng <
the infamous Levy eb-ction law that tl;
probably crystallized the opposition to Tat
many government, and ao was response
for the overturn in control of the Asser
bly. The excuse for It was found in t!
Ootrernor's message 0f a year ago. whe
he recommended that a candidate's nan
should appear on the ballot only once, at
cpioted an incomplete se. Hon of Covern.
HugheSTS recommendation? for a Mass
CbUBOttS style ballot to back up his pos
?Ion Senator New comb criticised Idm f(
misrepresenting and misquoting Govern?
Hughes and for falling in the present me
sage to say a word about "?he Inlquitl?
of the present law." or the framing of
??roper measure to take its place. He ?sa
as the Republican party was < harge?! wii
no responsibility f?>r legislation this se
sioi, it BhouM decline to liav?- any tralT
with the Governor, and woui.l do ever;
thin?; poaalble to compel the Pcmocrats '
adjourn Mar?-h 1.
Benator Wagner undert-tok to ?lefenci tl
(iovernor ?ml bis message and the Hem.
cratlc administration. He maintained th:
ihe Democratic l*ecord up to date was oi
of economy and achievement He d?
?lar?d that a I'emo? rati? luv? .??Igatlon ?
the Crison Department under Republict
control showed ?c?.nsi?l? rabie graft In tl
department which could not have been ui
kno?vn to Its head, the distinguished poli'
cal adviser of the cx-I'rcshlent of tl
united States." He sal?! also that th?- liar
?Deportment was a disgrace up to the tin
of t|?.- l?i\ ?i'lmlnistratton ami that "ma
tcrs of a criminal nature" ha?i been ovei
looked by Republican bank su,?erinteiident
The Governor's Message.
Governor Dls's message follows, in par
The transactions of tb<* treasury ?lurln
the us. al \.-ar ended September 30, 1911, '?'
summarlxed and shown In the followln
stttlcnit-m :
BsJanes ..t cast) ? n hand Beptembar
:;?.. i'.?i.? .B2_.411.lia
? ?Including transfers i>e
tsrsea fun?Is), general fund:
Ta\ for ?our?, rxp? its?. 8228,818 f>8
Kxi-I?o tax. . . .. . T.??-2.4W) l?l
Corporation tax. H.7S1.7 4S T-.'
Organisation or ? "t
.;.ns . 3ST.2S1 11
? !"? if ?ti.he ritan. ???
ISS) . Mi-, 108 77
Block transfer? estamp
?ax? . .'. S,?*8S.8U Sl
Moitgage iax . 1 7t?T.r._i M
Motor vehl? les . X7\7?9 '.'.'?
?'thrr sour,.-? . 3.4??.17l ."'?'".
"lots' K'iirrai t-.ia?l.$3.'.,H7s :_, ?;r,
Cuna! funds . 18.070480t8
Highway funds. 11,011,887 T8
Sa!.it?>ca Spring?. Sta'c
ReserraUo? funi... i ? ?ft, ??<?.">.*?
raib.-iorslntfrsti.te Park
funds . 4 I'-MiS? ?is
Trust tunas ... ,.._ I.StSJ'O 88
Total re.eipts . 11,818,4011
Total. |??;; 7
Expenditures llticludtng tran*f*t?
between funds), general fu: ?;
1 ? r support of ih'
?late government.
maintenance, ?on
struct ion nul bat
t.-nmnls of Ins? i
luttons and mala
tenant-? and repaiis
of ?anal? an 1 hlgli
?vh\s .!*.',.'...1?-?77 H
Cans? debt ?inking
fund??. 1.?TOO.9^4 18
Highway d*b? sink?
ing ft_W_. 1.0.4.016 01
I'm interest on hank
I'Sia?.' ??, belonging
Kj other funds- ?4.71? f*7
Tola! general fund .87?'*. '32.?137 l?2
?anal fund? . 21.Mt7.64? 4.":
Hlghwa? funds . 8.884,280T?
Satat.iga Spring? Slat?
Ileservsil.ii fund . . If?'?47, 74
Palisades Interstate r_rk
finds . 4,070. ?W, 1145
Trust funds . 1 1E7.974 2?>
T? tal expenditure?. 873.A41.12I ff
Palsnre of ea*h on ?,gnd Septem?
ber rift. 1*7*11. naiBB.IBI 1?
in addlti?>n to the receipts shourn in th(
foregoing statement there has been ?ol
lect.-d shout J735.0?? aa a result of the enact?
ment of the law providing an optional ta>
on secured debts.
The net receipts available for the pay.
ment of appropriations during the past fis
cal year were *_S,t-B.8**B38, as against 837.
7??.?I0 07 during the previous year. Net ex?
penditures out of appropriations aggregat?
*-7.<?4ft.S7!'4?? against ?*3S.*_.?,i?74 03 a year ago.
The to'al -eneral fund appropriation?
ena.-te,l by the Legislature of 1910 for sup
port of government (I. e.. exclusive of tin?
fixed charge for sinking fund contributions
was 140,320."?IT 80. as contrasted with *_W.*i_4.
T6171 for similar purpose? enacted b? th?
la?gislature of 1*11. This decreaae of Jl.-K?.
M3 09 was, however, more than offset by at
increase of ?l,4?4,2M M p. ?inking fund r?
rpilrements, resulfniK In a slight Increase
in the total appropriation?.
State Debt.
On September 30. 11410, ih? state
debt ?as .?.187,288,180tt
Dur!' - the fiscal ?ear ended Hep
tr 710, 1811, further obliga
tiens haw- been lacunsd
l'.a -anal ceostree
?Ion .8l0,?D0O,?V?O?TO
r?u hlghwa?- cou?
nt ru? tlon . lO.ono.ox, 00
got ?he Saratoga
.Springs State IP ?
ervatlon . 1?*7i.n??f> ui
I i the J's'luade?
interstate Park . . I'.iV?"?.???. 00
-22.tVt0.O00?>
Making a ??Mai *>H of. BTB.SM BOO
Against which ?Inking fund? hav?
been provided aiuotintlng lo. 2?\M7,372 ?V
Leaving a net Sa?I uni.r?-.? ??|e,| fr,r
on Baptsmbsr .'??. 1811, of. ^.SBO.TSTSi
An additional $|0.0f*0,0?10 of t-atmdi foi
canal construction have been subs<-qu?-iitl>
Bold bv the ?'nntroller.
Of the present IM.ZSf?.WA ot canal bond?
outstanding. M.OOO.OOO will be redeemer
January 1, 19_2, and $3,230,000 on Januarv 1
tea.
Sinking Funds.
The large annual Increase In sinking fun?!
requtrenieats Is shown by the following:
? lit" ul }??ir en.led Sept*_ilo .;"
inn. 1812. *if?i:i
Canal deht Hlnklng fund?;
fl.8jQO.B24 ft I2.2.*.7.044SS "_,S70._?OtVl
nig eras? dehi ?inking funds:
I,?_M.01|B1 l.7:..V?W7??2 2,137,200 0fl
Pails*?.**. ln?er??a.e Park Hlnklng fund:
12?'?. Mr. 07 130. ? ?.o I? i
Saratoga BPCillgS Slate r.e.ervatlnp fund!
- 180. IM M
Par??- canal terminal ?inking fund.
121.4i.2fKi
To?sli>.|2,??4.943 0? ?4,13f?.-*27l*7 8?1.417.!?:.2 o?j
*Ks??mated.
The ?Iovernor call? n?t?-nti<>n to the need
of additional revenues. "Progressive re?
sponsibility and Increasing cost <>f govern?
ment,*1 h? says, "necessitate increased leve
nues, and the devising of new Sources of
rovenae for the state through taxation that
may be most easily, Justly and coultablv
Lome try the people of the otate. Is B prob?
lem worthy <>f the wisest and most patriotic
..f our ? ?tlzcnship." Had it not been for
the Imposition of a direct tax of six mills
in 1 *_ 11 tile state would now be laboring
under a deficit in spite of the present op?
erations of the indiri-'t tax, declares Oar*
crnor _**_. After giving the figures show?
ing that the moneys neoeosary for the ??Ink?
ing fund bad Increased :;.") per cent bctWS ??
1 f* 1 I and 1912. the tlo?ernor Sdds:
The wisest administration and th<- most
reasonable economy must be supplemented
by ad?Jllional revenue measures in the near
future if ihe government of this sla'?-'ls
lo serve and protect ofrlciently the int.Tests
"f Its people. This problem should I.?- a|.
proacbe?! In 8 patriotic, not a i>aiti??n.
?pint. Its solution lies i?> ?h?? fli-ld of ? co
nomlcs, not of politics. Service i?> tl?'' people
of the state In the development and p.ejec?
tion of their common wealth must be th?
only end sought, Jn th?; least burdensome
und most ?-?lultable ways.
Primeries end Direct Nominations.
Tho chief executive next takes up "pri?
maries and dlre?t nominations" and refers
to the Importa??'?' <?f the measure passed
at the last session. He iKBBflBllllBtCS the
Legislature for passing such B luw. Al?
though the act might nut in every particu?
lar be all that It Bhsald, yet It was "u de?
cided und substantial advance In one of
lb?- most Important und pressing reforms of
our day." continuing, the Governor says:
Here and there in ?M luw are apparently
conflicting provision?? which ne.-.l anieiici
nunt str?5ng?y urge and i-command eariy
attention to thes?-* necessai-y phangea, l?ur
?_?ii i .- it Ih ?uiwlse an.l liiuir.??.-i that
n... t -rs of ??ate ?onimlUees Of lb.- gieut
ar ei sh.mld be elected at di fiaren I periods
? diff?re, P?'ts of the state. They should
he elected at Hie K?me time In every county
d oolltbal siihdl? I.lon- not In the ft-.ll In
Vew'v< I. fltv. and In th.- spring m the
___*_# ?k- _t__t ?**,,???, "* l*ro*^ritm Is In
L-?. of?.1. ?n,l rsdi.alb In ?'onnl.t alth
'i'o' Ott, a I'.c.Mdenilal >csr. the membcis
th. ^ulL^um,UK"i "h0"1'1 be elected at
the tip ing primaries ?n every unit of repr
vi.., V r,r,|*ifn?."lve fn.m ?ach Ass. m
i'iv district, and that the members of the
committee should i.e dlrectlj elected at he
ri.narv hy ,,,? enrolled vot(?ls ^ \?
nit of representation, of such paramour,;
importance In political organisation, U? ihe
?nesiion of state committee membership
and election that the unit of represen ta?
lion and the time and method of election
should be prescribed by the law- 0f the
?'?.. ' fP6 "ot W" ,0 ,n" decision of ?
?onvenllon <?r any oinsid.- bodv of part*'
?a.l.rs. The law should give authority
t?. state committees to Impose leaaonaht?
annual dues on their members, anc ?o ap?
point sub-committees to ?Hkc charge of
campaigns or other special work
?He direct nomination law is the first
Wep in coiiHtru.tlve legislation upon which
the state has embarked with ,i VleW to giv?
ing the voters of the state rontrol in party
atfn'rs. Th?- law will doubtless need amend?
ment and readjustment from time lo time
t?. meet contingencies which onlv practical
experience ran reveal. The enactment of
Ihe statute ia th? beginning of the emi of
?he contest for popular control of political
organisations and for the direct nomina?
tion of candidates for office by ?he voters
of the mate, it establishes a new order of
things in the conduct of party affairs; and
If the people are alive to the opportunlt.ee
afforded by ?he law. an?i take advantage
"f them, ?hen- can be no question but that
gieat benefit will result to ?he state und
tr the various political subdivision? within
the state.
Mr. Hlx recommends the enactment of
effective legislation to prevent the buying
and selling of votes. After telling of the
advance taken by the Rmptre State along
this line, requiring the candidates for elec?
tive offlct-s to tile their expenditure?: and the
passing Of the publicity law in I!"1*! and
the application of it to primaries and
political committees, ?he message "ays:
i earnestly recommend s further exten?
sion of the publicity principle, so as to
require a full public accounting of receipts
and expenditures for election purposes. l?e
for<- as well as after election The voter
should know the source?, snd Judge th?
probable motive?, from which proceed
heavy campaign contributions: and In order
?o be of full value be must possess BU? h
knowledge before the election
Make Vote Juying a Felony.
The Oovernor says that no publicity law
can sufficiimiy m?et tue requirements, and
that drastic remedies are needed. All good
citizens should unite on the proposition
that elections must be absolutely bonest,
both in th. polling m?! canvassing the
\"t' Governor Dix adds:
Upon the eve :|f ? Presidential election,
i therefore recommend thai role buying be
made s felony, ?hat Immunity !>?? granted
to the vote seller upon condition that h?'
turn state's .vid?ne- against the vote
?.iiv.-i The man of standing in the com?
munity who buys a vote is distinct!' B
worse citizen than tin- degraded ?itisen
who s. ?l-i a vote The tlr.-t. severest anl
surest puntshm? nt should rest upon ?he
v.'tc buyer.
i further recommend such leg - at ? ac>
? ion as may be needful to forf.it the elec?
tloii of any candidate against whom, ?li
icctly or indirectly, through himself or
another, a material degree of corruption
may be proved; such forfeiture, per se. t>.
rendei such candidate thereafter Ineligible
foi publie ofii, ,.
Athletic Commission Bill.
i earnest 1 rene* mi reeommenUeUon ol
September ?t for the repeal of Chapter 77?
??I tti<- laws of Im, known as the athleth
? ommlaslon t?ill I repeal that when this
bin came befon me for signature I believed
it would prevent the disorderly and unregu?
lated < Khlbltlons of t?"\ing which havi
given in this stat?- f??r the last few I
Kxperience with Ihe new law lias satisfied
ni- thai it I? not adapted to produce sue??
B result. The conditions win. n have arisen
under it are hostile to the feelings an?l the
Interests of th? law abiding citisens of Ihs
state and should be ended at oi,oe. t there
fore again urge upon you ths i.-?,rai of the
law under which these occurrences bava
arisen.
After .ailing attention to the decision <?f
the i'ourt Of Appeals declaring unconsti?
tutional th. workmsn's compensation law
of 191f?. ?h<- message sav s that th.- principal
of compuisory compensation fur ail indus?
mal accidents cannot fairly be questioned,
and adds:
The constitution of oui commonwealth,
according to the decision obov mentioned,
prevents ?he doing >>f average justice to
?hose whs hv th'ir toll COntlibUtn to our
material wellbvlng and growl I and who
are unfortunate enough to be Injured in the
course "t theli lai.<-r. j he constitution,
therefor?, should te so amended ?s to
clothe the Legislature with power t" pi"- l
vlde hv- proper means the relief that labor
I? entitled te n reive. Th.- adoption of auch
an amendment at thi-< se?s|on of the Legis?
lature ?j earnestly recommended
The ?iovernor urge? the advlsablllt? of
amending the labor law uiatlng to ?he
hours of women ii, factories si d ?-f provM?
lug a suffi? lent force of Inspector.? fo? ?he
bakeries tn New fork CltJ
Th,- message takes up the work of the
factory Investigating Commission autboi
iwd by the la--t I?fglslstnrs:
i'rom ?he evidence laid before ihe COttV
mission it is quite rlear thai remedial 'eg
let at Ion is necessary lo Improve the sani?
tary conditions snd to properl) ?afcguHtd
the liv.s of the worker? in factor) build
Inga, and that much eon bs ?lone in the
way "f improving th? methods of Inspec?
tion of manufacturing estaidishmcn??.
possibly by s system of registration snd
licensing, which will be to the great ad?
vantage snd Improve ths health and w?i
fare of those working therein
I firmly believe that everything should
be done which will ssfssjiisrd the life of
everv working man. woman and child m
this stat? Humanitarian instituts and
ec.inomi?- motives demand thai everv pos?
sihle Hep !,<? talc n to .he. k di-e,i?e and
accidents now *o widespread among our
working people.
The states supervision and protection
Of li.e workers within its bounds shoiil?)
be r?guler ami systematic, and not merely
the aftermath of some terrible catastrophe
wliicn might have besa averted by proper
diligent ?
It 1? char thai It has been impossible
for the commission, In the ?h?rt time at
its disposal. |0 complet. Its labors, al?
though its members have worked most
diligently and energetically, and I there?
for? Suggest 10 the Legislature that the
time of the commission be extended at
least otic year and that sufficient appro?
priation be made to moot a? necessary
expenditures
ft appears thai conditions in manufact*
uring similar to those which have he?n
BhOWn t?l the < Itles of the first and s?-. olid
clH"?M exist In Other ? Itles and locall'le? of
the state and thai In the Interest of the
citisens ths scope <>f the investigation
should be i i?.ad? ned SO BS to cover the en
UrS State and ill estai.Ilshments where
worklngnicn and woiklngv ?mien are cm
plov ed.
Civil Service.
The Governor has this to sa;, about the
civil s, i vice;
Good government and fidelity to ihe
rights ami interests oi the Mat.- require
faithful compliance with the i onstitutlonal
provision that appointments and promo?
tions in ?he civil service of the atSLt? nil
its ?ivil divisions shall be nia'b- according
to fitness, to o? ascertained as tar a? prn<*
UraMe by competitive examination. The
salutary results which the people right?
fuily expeci by th< separation ol ths state
?ivil service from the realm of political
spoils can h- achieved In f'dl measure only
by -i fair and impartial administration of
the civil servie? law, it may w< u be aski i
whether it is not a brea. h of the spirit ..f
? reformed civil ??-nice, to , hange ami
adopt civil servios rubs snd regulations
so as t.. cover into the comp?titive and
permanent class large numbers of adher?
ents of one political party original!.? ap?
polnted without examination ami appar.-ut
lv ?is a reward for political services. tSspo?
clali) questionable is such B procedure
When H IS take? Bl B time when ?-hange
of party control of stat?- administration
seems Imminent
The support from public opinion neees
sary to the pennanenl establishment ol a
competitive civil service .-an hardly be
expected If there is apparent warrant for
suspicion that ni.-mhers of all political
parties cannot expect equal treatment in
the administration of the ,|vil service laws
Bod regulation- i" bs truly non-pan lean
the ?ivil service of th** sta??- must be open
? in ?-uual terms to all citizens. Irrespective
of their politics. That this has not always
been the case is indicated by the general
belief that the protected dusses of Un?
civil ?civic- aie illled almost entirely with
the adherents of one political party. This
Impression may not be altogether war.
ian?.-d Nevertheless it Is the opinion of
many members of th? p ?litkal party that
at the pressai Ums Is charged with the
responsibilities "? the at???- government
?hat the) have I.n, in s measure, unfairly
dealt with In th'- administration of ?he ?ivil
service In former state administrations
exemption" were created In large numbers
without protest, or with only perfunctory
objections from organized odVOOates <>f
ivil service reform. At this time how? ? r,
when' .-ffon Is ms?l.* ?o grant present state
nfflclaU elected by the people, the direct
nower of removsl from and appointment
to Importa-il places In their departments
hat was exercised freely and without qu.-a
tlon bv their immediate predecessors In
filling exactly the ??in" place? there i?
-trennen? protest, not ?it mixed with ex
agiierHtion and mlsiepisetntatleo, ?-rvn
irvlce reform " ? ?real i suse, Mit ahso
uic fairness and Justice should rharartei
no H" de-rl"i>in-nt and aominisiratlon
Klae the citizens of the state who affili?t?!
with the party that Buffers froirf disci im
ination will iSel resentment foiinde?l or
a substantial grievance. To place the Mat?
?.?Ivil service outside ?h? domain of parti
politic? and to prohibit its use as a reward
for political service l? r? laudable and pa?
triotic aim Baccess cannot be achieve-,
however, by making the civil set vice, Ir
BUbetaace ami practice If not In form, th?
perquisite ol partisans of one political faith
to tb?- practical exclusion of adherents ol
all other political partb'H. Fair play and
equal treatment Is as necessary In civil
service administrations as In ?very other
?b'PBitment of state government.
That comparison may b<- made with tin?
cl\ II aervice re<-or?l of the last ten years,
1 append the following statement of action
bv the State Civil Service Commission on
applications for exempt ? lassltlcatlon ol
positions In the state Bfrvtee.
l!4ftO_4'ovemor Roosevelt. 112 exempt ap?
plications; 2!?7 granted: li denied.
1:*?1-1904?Governor Odell. ^?.3 exempt ap?
plications: tO granted: 110 denied.
.?MBVI-BS-- -Governor Hlgglns. M exempt
applications; 1S4 grsnted; ?1 denied.
li?'>7-191<V-<;ov ??? ti'.r Hughs?, Ml exempt
applications: 374 granted: 131 denied.
1911-1"- exempt appiu-tions; :is granted;
01 denied.
Conservation.
Conservation Is discussed at length. Th?
people of to-day are said to be merely cus
todlans of the natural resources of th??
state. The burned area in the forests has
destroy08* ths humus or leaf mould, which
cannot bs replaced In eenturtaa The only
substitute Is Ih*- construction of reservolra
scieiititically to regulate the Sow of
Btiaajns. The *a?8Bsage says:
?-onserrlng the waters on the bigb levels
must be understood to embrace ownership
01 POUrer Of ?ontiol and regulation 1 v 11,..
state, to the en?' that ths same shall be 1 i?
served to th?; people for their use an?l en?
joyment forever, this insuring to ihem all
the benefits to be derived from a develop?
ment of the natural reeources "f the state
This should be uccompHsh?-d Without a.l
versely aff?-?"tlng existing Interests. L#egls
laiion ablcii shall recognise and conserve
the Interests <>f ?h?- people, with du?- regard
for th?- right? of private bualneea, wilt r?.
ci-iv" tin- approval of all cltlsene.
.Hydraulic energy Is a most Important
?Tactor in the growth and prosperity of tue
state. The storm or Bood waters of the
streams in this stat?- should be made avail?
Hide for public purpose.- lo h.-n.'tlt Hi
health of eommunitlee along thoee streams
by increasing tin- minimum How and to
?void the devastating result? ot Rood time.
I believe that every municipality should,
for th" sake of pul,||. health, l?- ?-quired
. .. ??? institut dispf'sai plants, whereby the
! lake? and streams ?if this stats may he
1 purified and the public safeguarded. And 1
1 recommend laws which? within the shortest
I possiM? period of time, will prevent this
io ?ling of state waters
Two dominant factors exist in the vast
? undertasinf to control, develop and regu?
; late the water in the streams of this state.
I'ir.-t. the regulation. The waters thus con?
served should he utilised and disposed of
h?- the people and lor the people. Stream
regulation will Increaee the efficiency of
the pr?-_-nt power development lu the
Streat0? tu be regulated. an?l th- ?II??? t ben
etit to the pn sent power owners should be
).,.!.! for by .such power owners.
Secondly, the bydro-ele<ftrlc energy re?
sulting from the development of new pow?
ers. If utilized to its full capecHy th"r?.
! can be created in this stat. ? system for
i supplying ?-I?-? ?rt?- current t?? every munlcl
I pailtv, which will mean a saving to the
people of this commonwealth of tw nty
million tons ?>f coal per annum.
The.*" two factors are ??! great magni?
tude The* are distinct and separate, rel
they should ?*"*-ordlnat_ In a general pian
mogeneoui development of hydr.!??<*?
trie dossIbllitlea I recommend that the
1 ? gisiatui" enact laws which v?m enable
the Initial construction of storage re? -
v..I;?, looking forward i<? the rounding out
In futur?- rears of Ihls great economic pe?
sltllltv of utilizing Ihe fon-es that nature
has given us. Instead Of drawlnir upon the
. "Si fields of our neighboring st..??
The state should never surendei owner?
ship <.r control ,.f the nv.f potentlsllties
'?reat?-d by ?he barge canal an?i th<- canal?
ised riven which f?.rm ? part of the canal
system. N?> snle of tin- -t?te'?? reeources
should be maii?-. In fact. It would s.em
right an?! proper that such sale or tr.itisf.-r
be nrohlbfted. The poHcy of lh< stats
should be io tireserv?? ownership and con?
trol of Its natural reeources an?! develop
ami utilize them entirely and ?olel? for the
public w.'lfare.
Agriculture.
Liberal Support is a?k??l for the ?tnt?'?,
agricultural Institution?. nls<> th.it provision
Bbould i?e made for ?he Inspection of meat
??.id in the market? of ?hr commonwealth.
Th?- . bomnrgarlne law sh?.ul?l al.?o be
nnien'led t?> stop the selling of that product
for butter
The Qor/ernor mys ther?- ?? no question of
state sdtninlstrntlon of mor*? Imtnediate In?
terest than that of Improved highway?, and
that ih* only n'iestton n???r Is h?>w to sr.-me
for the ?tat* t?i? best r< ?ulfs and highest |
? fflcnt_Li at the lowekt ? ..?t t.> the tatrpa,
ers. Good roads must be th?. feeders of th.
great canal enterprise, or the latter canno
fulfil its mission as a factor In the growtl
of the development of the commonwealth
The message adds:
The territory and counties adjacent ?<
the canals and waterways enjov means o
communication, built In part by the stat
which connect then? with the KTeat centre
of ?rad.-. with ?he metropolis of the contl
m-nt. and with ?he -mai port of expotta
Hon. ?A hy should not the other counties o
the state have similar facilities? And hov
chii these facilities i?. (.rea.r(j except b;
the construction of ?. .?tat(. ?mern nf high
ways that wih traverse ever* county am
connect the most remote settlement wltl
Us market and the outside world?
Whenever practical;!.-. Governor DlX says
local labor material and machinery slioul?
b. , mployed in the repair and uiqlnts?nffl
of tho unlmprov, d portion? of the stap
highway system and the state should pro
vide as much as |g raised by the towns.
Home Rule for Cities and Villages.
Much attention is given to home rule. Th?
Governor ?ays:
I To Anicrh-aus no right Is more ggcrs?
than that oi self-government The funda
mental principle of home rule, which I:
but another term of self-government, Is li
th.-ory the basis of the American system <>
government It Is the principle upon whlci
rest our federal and stale governments
It is the foundation <?f our constitutions
both national and Stats; vit in the OCtUB
government of municipalities and thel
local sub-divisions within the state, th?
principio is not Simply violated?it Is for
gotten and Ignored. Mor,, than half tin
tlm? of every legislature Is consumed Ii
tin- consideration of local bills dealing wltl
purely local matters that should no mor?
bo discussed uml settled by the State Leg
Mature In Albany than should purely stat?
matters he discussed and settled by th<
National Congress in Washington.
The last Legislature is to bs commend??
for ?he passage of a proposed ?imendnien
to the state constitution guaranteeing t<
?itles and Incorporated volages the right o
municipal self-government. an?l reetrictint
the power of the Legislature to the enact
ment of general laws in reference thereto
Th? present Legislature ran perform n<
more beneficial service to th?- stat?- that
to establish. BO far a* possible. In th<
fundamental law of the state, the boon ant
light of home mis and self-government t?
the ?itles and village? within the state. 1
desire t.? repeal what I have said on an?
other occasion, that local self-governmenl
should lie as cl.-arly an?! definitely estab
llshed BS state government, or as the right.'
of the nation within the lines of th- federa
Constitution
In th.- State ol New Vork there are fortl
cities of the third class, six of the second
and three of the first. There is a total ol
forty-nine eitle? [n the single year 19H
the Legislature amended the charters ol
thirty-one . itles, passed sixty-two amend
Story Cltjr acts, and amended, revised 01
repealed three hundred and fifty-seven sec?
tions of 'itv charters, not Including the re?
vision of an entire charter of four hundred
and sixty-two sections governing a single
municipality.
The time has come when the cities
should demand that Instead of being gov?
erned as subject provinces, they should he
endowed with nowers "f roverament as
complete snd efhVient as those vested In
the KtHte and nation by the state and fed?
eral constitutions
The need of the state, in Its municipali?
ties ami its county, village anil local gov?
ernments. Is said to be a scientific sys?
tem of administration and expenditure.
There Is a state-wide need of measures
that will promote, tf not guarantee. |
maximum of berief,? ?" taxpayers for the
money they pay into local treasuries. The
[Governor recommends the attention ot
1 the Legislature to t'i?-se matters with a
? ,ew of adopting practicable and reason
able measures that nil] establish the fol?
lowing results
A state central "efllclenc* bureau" which,
at local expense, will pis.spert criti?
cism, sxperl sdvlcs and expert service
within the reach of communities too small
to organise their own staffs of efficiency
experts.
a msndstory minimum standard of efii
? ? i -. In accounting and business procedure
exacted by the Stat.- Controller or
?ep?tate bureau upon all municipalities, In?
cluding l-ountlea and villages.
A compulsorv minimum standard of
health -<ui.ervl.slon, at local expense, in all
publl. achoola, no matter how small the
administrative unit, si:-h supervision t?
lnclu?le a minimum standard >'f material
conditions surrounding children at school,
ns well as inspection for physical defect?
snd contagious diseases heretofore In?
cluded in the permissive acts provided for
medical Inspection and medical examina?
tion.
The m?.-<age derlnre? that mu? h was ac?
complished last WSJ t<> Improve the ?ax
system <>f the state, it. refers to Ihs re?
wilting of the Inheritance tax. which Is
'
now declared to be Just, a direct state
tax an?l the secured debt tax. "The local ad?
ministration of tax laws,'' It In said, "ha?
been strengthened by statutes provldln?
for the separate assessment of laml an?
buildings in all the cities of the state; foi
the assessment of real estate I i all th?
towns and villages, to bs made agalnsi
each parcel, lot or farm, regardless of th?
name of the owner; for a uniform an?
equitable rule of equalisation by count)
boards of cjua'lsatlon, conforming to th?
rule employed by the State Board ol
Kuuallzatton and by changes in the torn
of the roll."
The expediency Is recommended of allow
ing by general law som>- larger measure
of home rule to the local subdivisions ol
the state in determining the distributer
of their local expenses upon local prop,
erty; also that a study be ma?le, with I
view of devising such equitable amend
mentS of the present statutes as will put
a stop to present abuses, without defeat
ing the original purpose? of the statut?
authorizing exemption of savings bank de?
posits from taxation.
Taxation of Msnufscturing Corporation!
The Governor continues:
The act of 1857, under which we tax th?
Surplus tools and machinery of manu?
facturing corporations, Is in urgent need
of such amendment as will make ?it uni?
form throughout the state in ?is applica?
tion, and a better revenue producer, whil?
at the same tim<> giving more encourag??
ment to capital seeking invstment Ir
manufacturing. The Court of Appeals ha,
ruled that this statut?? presents a m?~i
extraordinary confusion of Ideas and, read
literally, leads to most absurd results
that umler It the assessors of our more
than fifteen hundred cttles, villages an?
townships have no law or rule to guld?
th??n lit ascertaining the value of capita
sto.-k and surplus. The assessment, there
fore, being merely the result of bearsa;?
and s'iesswork, the lax is Imposed wltl
great Inequality and much unjas? dlscrlm1
nation throughout the state, depending en
tlrely upon what the loeal assessor, un
guided by any rule, chooses to do in Im?
posing or waiving it.
For many years Pennsylvania and othei
nearby states have openly and boastfullv
t.ik'it ailvanta,." of this hostile and menac?
ing condition of our laws to untaS th?
machinery, tools and other personal prop
I erty of their manufacturing corporations
Tha result Is that New York and for?
eign capital has invested In manufaeturin?,
in thos?' states In preference to N'.-w Y"?'<
to such an extent that New York is rap
idly losing Its place as tfie leading manu,
factoring utat?> of the l'nlon. notwith?
standing its superior location am! au
vantages, and this tendency should b?
stoppe?!,!)}- every legitimate means that w?
can ad?>pt.
The federal irovernment tax recently Im
pos-.1 upon ?In? net earnings of man.fact
tiring corporations suggests S met lu I Oi
state taxation that Is worthy of consid?ra?
tion as an Improvement upon our present
unsatisfactory statute. Tin- uiing wiiii Um
state authorities of a duplicate of the re?
port reepilre?! to he tiled with the federa
I authorltb-s would ImpOSS no additions
' burden upon the corporation and would
; affor.l a <!"tln!te, certain beats for the Im?
position ..f ? ia\ that, no matter how mod?
erate It was. would proefuce more revenu?
than is secured under th>- present law
Without being definitely committed, how?
ever, to this or any other particular th"??ry
of 'reforming our present Htatut?-. I urge
the subject an?l its imp?rtame upon the
consideration of the Legislature.
The Governor recommends an amendment
lo the Public Service Commissions lavv de*
Signed to place the capitalization of iv
organlsed corporations, incorporated pur?
suant to th?? provision of Section 10 of th<
stock corporation law, clearly within the
' regulative power of the ?onuniesloas, to
the en?l that the sto? k ami bond issue shall
! lie limited to the fair and reasonable valu?;
of th?: property taken over, but leaving the
?ilstrihutlon tl-, -reof, as heretoCore, to agree.
\ iii?-iit between the various lot?TOStS. II?
als.i recotnmeii'ls that the Public get vice
[Commissions have trie supervision anil reg?
ulatt.n ovfr private water companies.
Lib.-ral appropriation for the abolishment
of grade . losing? i* urged.
Insurance.
After reiountliitr the insuranet legisla
i lion of th" last session Governor lux Bays:
i-.-enses to insurance agents sad Is
should, of right, be Issued only by the
stnt?'. and the Insurance Department
should have power to grant, withhold or
i-evoke such lh'enses ?m definite standards
of experience and efficiency. The licensing
law of Ml is. therefore, bot s beginning.
When ? proper organisation has been
fornieil ami the correct standards ascer?
tained, proposals Intended t?j bring about
these re?uits should, after proper consid?
eration, be enacted ln?o law.
Insurance |? ? publl?- necessltv, it? csre
ful regulation a public duty. Its cost ??.
the peonle h public concern. The time has
perhaps rosne when. In lire, ca'.ialty. em?
ployers' liability and similar line- of In?
surance, mean? should be. devised-as was
done w|th life insurance? six years ago
wherehy expense? ami commission? should
be limited by law and the cost of In.-ur
aii'-e thus properly reduced. Temporarily
the state may. to the?.- end?, avail Itself
<?f so-called rate making associations, for
?hat purpose legalizing them, but always
reserving to Itself ample power to veto any
rate which. In Its expense and commission
factors, is not economically reasonable.
A new- sta?e office building In Albany Is
recommended.
Satisfactory progress has been made In
reconstructing the t'apltol. the message
says.
The Governor regret? that through ?-*on
may he felt obliged to veto a bill providing
for free collegiate scholarships, and .iug
gests a titling dedication for the new
education building next fall.
In regard to banking legislation Mr. Dix
says:
While ?lie Banking Heparinient 1? not
directly cliarg.nl with the enforcement of
?he p.-nal law of ?he ?tat?-, the Superin?
tendent of l tanks and his subordinate? have,
been In frequent "onsuhation with the
district attorneys of various counties In
an endeavor to bring to Justice those who
have wronged or defrauded Institution*
under Ids supervision. As a result of tiie
conferences, in connection with prosecu?
tions instituted agahist the officers and
directors of failed Institutions, It leetns
very desirable tha? the definitions of cer?
tain crimes, again.-t tin linanclal Institu?
tions of the state should be mor?? clearly
state?! and somewhat amplified, and ?t is
believed that the addition of certain sec?
tions adopted from the national hanking
act will assist in safeguarding the Inter?
est? of depositors.
1 hope that hills embodying thee? sug?
gestions may meet with your approval.
A review of progress on the anal? is
given, and the adoption of the terminal
referendum Is referred to as a source of
gratification.
The Governor recommends that illegal
selling of liquor be prohibited. He again
recommends the abandonment of the 'ler
lem prison at Wlngdale.
The care of ?he Insane and the work of
state charitable and rofortnatory inulitu
tions are reviewed.
In closing the Governor says:
In due time reports from various state
departments will be stibmlttod for y*-ur
lnfoimaticn and for consideration of auch
iceotmnciiddtlons as may be made.
I shall heartily ami unreservedly . o
operate with the legislature In every effort
to enact useful an.l beneficial law?. Die
peonle ar<- far less concerned with tha
partisan complexion of the legislature and
the state government thai? with ?he quality
of laws that are enacted and the honest,
efficient and econotni'-al administration of
the public business. The first duty of tha
I'-gislativc and executive branches of gov
j ernment. each in its own sphere. Is to
i foster and establish equal rights and e?iual
i justice, promote and advance the welfare
, and beg? Interests of all the people, a??i to
I protect the honor an?l dignity of the l-'m
' pin State.
?OLDEST HOUSE IN STATE TO GO.
j Albany. -Ian. 3. ? What Is said to be the
(oldest building In th.- state was condemned
j to-day by State Fin Marsh;.1 Abeam It.
is a dilapidatsd two storv frame structure
I in.Southampton. Long Island, and w'as built
,n. 161*-. It adjoins the poe'.or?tce and la
! owned by the Larry ?state.
- m ,
HOEY WANTS HOTCHKISS'S JOB.
Albanv. -Ian. 3.?Kx-Aanemblyman James
j J. Hooy, of New York, bas filed an appli
1 (dtlon with Governor Dix asking to be ? on
{ stdered as ? candidate for Steffi Superin?
tendent of Insurance to succeed William H
Hotcbkisa, of Buffalo, whose term expires
next month.
TWENTY AFTER DR. DUTY'S PLACE
i Albanv. -Ian. 3. ? Th?> nomination of a sue?
,-essor to ' 't ? Alvah II. l>oty as Health
Officer of the Port of New York probably
> will be sent to ?he tenate by Governor Dix
.when the Legislature "-convenes ou Janu
! nrv i.i. The dor? rnor said to-day that there
ire at bast twenty candidates.for the place.
HUDSON NAVIGATION CLOSED.
Albany. Jan. I?With the. departure of the
| Troy boat for New "York to-night, naviga?
tion en the Hodsea] Rlvgr closed for the
: season. Not in thirty years has the river
[been open so tato fan the winter.
The Best Almanac Published
The Tribune
For 1912
Last year the size was
doubled while the price
remained the same.
This year it is still
larger and new
features have
been added.
iMore than 800 Pages of Val?
uable Information in this
complete reference book.
Should Be in Every Home, Office and Library
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or sent by mail on receipt of 35 Cents.
?Copies in boards with cloth backs, 50c., at the Tribune Office,
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THE NEW-YORK TRIBUNE
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