Dist. REPUBLICAN STATE COMMITTEE.-Continued. 17. Samuel Strasbourger, 2152 7th ave., New York. 21. Louis F. Payn, Chatham. 22. Isaac V. Baker, Jr., Comstock. 23. William Barnes, Jr., Albany. 24. Reuben L. Fox, Oneonta. 25. W. W. Worden, Saratoga Springs. 26. Walter C. Witherbee, Plattsburgh. 27. Thomas Wheeler, Utica. 28. John T. Mott, Oswego. REPUBLICAN STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. William Barnes, Jr., chairman; Reuben L. Fox, secretary; George W. Dunn, E. A. McAlpin, G. W. Aldridge, W. C. Warren, Francis Hendricks, Cornelius Van Cott, T. E. Ellsworth, R. C. Morris, M. J. Dady, J. Sloat Fassett, Lemuel E. Quigg, John T. Mott, C. W. Meade, Louis F. Payn, I. V. Baker, Jr.; W. H. Ten Eyck, W. W. Worden, Thomas Wheeler, F. J. H. Kracke. PROHIBITION STATE COMMITTEE. J. H. Durkee, chairman, 381 Central ave., Rochester; E. C. Long, secretary, Fultonville; J. A. Hartman, treasurer, Albion; Francis E. Baldwin, Elmira; W. T. Wardwell, New York; Dr. M. Downing, Poughkeepsie; Rev. C. C. French, East Greenwich; J. Kline, Keuka College; L. Hoag, West New Brighton. SOCIALIST LABOR STATE COMMITTEE. Hugo Vogt, recording and corresponding secretary; Henry Kuhn, financial secretary-treasurer; Max Forker, Patrick Murphy, Alfred C. Kilin, Justus Ebert, Stephen D. Cooper. The Primary Law of New York State. The Primary law of the State of New York was finally amended by the Legislature of 1901, and has for its object the granting to every registered voter the right to enroll with any political party with which he wishes to affiliate, for the purpose of taking part in the primaries of that party for the ensuing year. Every person registering as a voter is provided with an envelope and secret ballot by the election inspectors. On this ballot he marks with a cross the party for which he has preference, and seals the ballot in the envelope, which is indorsed by the inspectors. The envelopes are opened one week after election, and the political preference of the voter is marked in the enrollment books opposite his name. Any voter may enroll with a party after he has registered by filing an affidavit with the custodian of primary records, and any person coming of age after the time set for registration may also enroll his name by affidavit. The time set for the annual primary day is the seventh Tuesday before the day of a general election, except in the case of Presidential elections, when the time set is the tenth Tuesday. A primary is also held in March of a Presidential year for the election of delegates to a State convention, who in turn elect delegates of a National Convention. The custodians of primary records consist of the county clerks and the police in New York City. A political party has been defined to be an organization which polled at least 10,000 votes at the last election for Governor. Unofficial primaries may be held at any time at the expense of the political parties, provided that a notice must be published the same as for the official primary and the election. Safe Deposit Companies of the State of New York. Pawnbrokers in the State of New York. Section 5. Every pawnbroker shall, at the time of each loan, deliver to the person pawning or pledging any goods, article or thing, a memorandum or note signed by him, containing the substance of the entry required to be made in his book by the last preceding section, and no charge shall be made or received by any pawnbroker for any such entry, memorandum or note. Section 7. No pawnbroker shall ask, demand or receive any greater rate of interest than three per cent. per month, or any fraction of a month, for the first six months, and two per cent. per month for each succeeding month, upon any loan not exceeding the sum of one hundred dollars, or than two per cent. per month for the first six months, and one per cent. per month for each succeeding month on any loan exceeding the sum of one hundred dollars. Section 8. No pawnbroker shall sell any pawn or pledge until the same shall have remained one year in his possession, and all such sales shall be at public auction, and not otherwise, and shall be conducted by licensed auctioneers of the city where the business shall be carried on, or of an adjoining city. A Review of New York State Legislation During 1902. Such an unusually large number of important laws were added to the statute books of the State by the last Legislature that the session is regarded as one of the most beneficial that has been held in recent years. The important bills passed were nearly all designed to benefit the public service, and the scarcity of private measures was one of the remarkable features of the session. ECONOMY IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION. One of the year's most notable achievements in the line of public economy was the reduction of the direct State tax from $10,704,153 to $6,824,306, of which sum $6,100,000 was raised by increasing the indirect taxation of trust and insurance companies to that amount from $2,981,286, which left only $748,000 to be raised by public taxation. The Legislature abolished the boards of managers of the State hospitals for the insane and transferred the administration of the affairs of such institutions to the State Commission in Lunacy. The appropriation for the construction of new buildings and for the maintenance of inmates was reduced from $4,175,000 to $4,050,000, and it was further provided that, in the future, the cost per inmate at the State hospitals shall be limited to $450, which is a reduction of $100 per patient. Another step in economical administration of State institutions was taken by a law directing the Governor to appoint a fiscal supervisor of the affairs of all the State charitable institutions. This official will revise all estimates for the maintenance of charitable institutions under State control, and his approval will be required before any such institution may obtain either money or supplies. New York City Claimed considerable attention from the Legislature. The Board of Estimate and Apportionment was empowered to readjust all salaries in the city service. This bill was drawn for the purpose of abolishing sinecures, a number of which have erept into existence by the benevolent operation of the new charter. Another law that struck at the financial system of the city was one permitting a reduction of expenses in the offices of the Sheriff, Register and County Clerk of Kings County. A law in the interest of economy authorized borough presidents to reduce salaries of officers in their respective boroughs. This law was passed in response to the public demand for retrenchment in expenses for the administration of the affairs of Greater New York. The salary list was so large that there was an outery against it, and while it was not shown that there was undue extravagance on the part of the city administration, the city charter made it mandatory on the city officials to employ certain persons at salaries greatly in excess of what they would earn in similar positions in private life. Hence the law authorizing the borough presidents to make such reductions in salaries as seemed reasonable. MORE JUDGES FOR GREATER NEW YORK. The congestion of legal business in Kings and New York counties has become so serious as to demand special legislation looking to its relief. It was stated that it has frequently been necessary to sumninon justices from interior counties of the State to assist in the work of trying cases in those counties, with the result that legal matters in country districts are often blocked in consequence of the absence of justices on business in Greater New York. To give immediate relief to this condition, a law was adopted authorizing the appellate division of any judicial department of the State to make assignments of judges when calls were made for their services in other parts of the State; and, under another act, which was also passed, it was provided that no judicial district shall be left without at least two trial justices by reason of such assignments to special duty, a law which was designed to prevent the possibility of any judicial district being left without a justice. Furthermore, the Legislature enacted that a commission of seven persons shall be appointed to inquire fully into the condition of affairs in the courts of Kings and New York counties, for the purpose of learning what measures are necessary to expedite legal business in those counties, the commission to report to the Governor. At the same time an amendment to the Constitution was adopted, which will be submitted to the people for ratification, authorizing the Legislature to increase the number of justices in any district, except the first and second, to not more than one justice for each 60,000 of the population, or fraction over 35,000; in the first and second districts the apportionment of justices shall not exceed one in every 80,000, or fraction over 40.000, of the population. Another judicial district is to be formed in the second district, and when the additional justices are elected for the new district there will be a reapportionment of justices in the old district. GOOD ROADS LEGISLATION. Appreciation of the value of good roads throughout the State was shown by the Legislature, which passed laws increasing the appropriation for such work from $420,000 to $750,000. In addition to this, a law was passed by which the State's contribution to the building and maintenance of country roads was increased $700,000 annually. As Chapter 156 of the Laws of 1902 also provides that the State shall pay 50 per cent of all sums levied by towns for highway repairs, it is believed that this law will induce many towns to keep their roads in better condition than ever before. The State formerly paid 25 per cent of such expenses, leaving 75 per cent to be borne by the towns. Another law in the interest of good roads authorizes any county in the State to appoint a county engineer, who shall have supervision of road work, and another law authorizes any county to borrow money for the purchase of all necessary machinery and equipment for the construction of roads. By the provisions of still another law, if any Board of Supervisors shall neglect to keep an improved State highway in proper condition, the highway shall be repaired by the State engineer, and the expense therefor shall be charged against the offending county. This law is calculated to prevent neglect of State highways after they have been put in good condition at public expense. Among other new acts relating to highways in the State are the following: (1) The commissioners of highways shall inspect highways whenever a board of supervisors may so direct, a law which places upon the board of supervisors the responsibility for the neglect of any highway, and is so calculated to keep them watchful of public interest. (2) When the majority of the electors of a town vote to buy a road roller for the improvement of the town roads the town is not only required to buy the roller, but to keep it in running condition. (3) All persons who throw ashes, sticks or anything calculated to injure a road upon a highway are liable to a fine of $10, and any person who fails to pay a poll tax for highway purposes, when assessed, may be fined $5. (4) Commissioners of highways are required to file vouchers of all moneys expended for road work with the town clerk. (5) Snow must be removed from obstructed highways in the country at public expense, a requirement which will, if carried out, make country travel more easy in Winter than it has ever been. (6) Another law provides for the issue of town bonds for the erection of bridges, to be constructed under the supervision of the county engineer and the commissioners of highway, who are to report all matters affecting the work to the towns which pay the expense for sneh work. (7) It is also provided that no street railway shall operate on any State highway which has been improved except by consent of the State Engineer, who shall prescribe the regulations for the running of cars over such roads. (8) The conflicting claims of adjoining property owners for land taken by the State for highway purposes led the Legislature to enact a law limiting the amount to be paid for gravel banks to $200, except by approval of the county judge and treasurer, in which case not more than $1,000 may be paid for them. (9) Highway repairs may be made without reference to the town voters to an amount not exceeding $1.999, but when a greater sum is needed for such purpose the question of appropriating the money must be submitted to the voters in special town meeting. A new law affecting the speed of automobiles was adopted by the Legislature, the speed of such vehicles now being limited to eight miles an hour in cities and incorporated villages, and to twenty miles an hour on roads outside such cities and villages. PIGEON SHOOTING PROHIBITED. The inhuman slaughter of piegons at shooting tournaments was prohibited by an act passed in the interest of true sport, and in obedience to a public sentiment which deprecated the wholesale annihilation of whole flocks of birds. The idea was supported by the American and Journal from its inception. as it was shown that at these so-called tournaments many birds were only wounded and were allowed to escape and die after suffering several days from the effects of the shot in their bodies. The sport was shown to be so brutal, and in every respect so demoralizing, that sportsmen throughout the State` rejoiced at the passage of the bill. RAILROADS AND CANALS. The recent extension of the surface trolley lines throughout the State has made much special legislation on the subject of such roads necessary. By a new law, passed at the last session, no new trolley line in the country districts may parallel a competing line except by special permission of the State Railroad Commission. Another railroad law allows a railroad to convert its bonds into stock. The Pennsylvania Railroad tunnel bills which became laws authorize the Board of Aldermen to grant franchises and the Board of Rapid Transit Commissioners to supervise the construction of two tunnels under the North River, Manhattan Island and the East River, from Jersey City to Brooklyn, that the railroad may make direct connection with the Long Island Railroad, which it controls. The New York Central Railroad Company came in for a share of good legislation. The company has been hampered for lack of space at its Forty-second street terminals by reason of inability to secure additional ground for trackage, but by an act of the Legislature it was authorized to make such changes in the Park avenue tunnel as will afford better facilities for handling the immense amount of traffic on its lines at the Grand Central Depot. Another law in the interest of the same company and its patrons was one permitting it to change the motive power of trains running through the tunnel. The change is to be adopted by May 1, 1905, after which date no steam locomotives are to be operated in the tunnel. The New York & New Jersey Railway Company was allowed an extension of four years in which to complete its tunnel between New Jersey and Manhattan Island, under the North River. The Dock Department of the city was authorized to condemn water-front property on the North River without consent of property owners, in order that the improvements along the water front, which have long been in abeyance, might be expedited. The demand of the canal boatmen for a berth on the North River was heeded, and a law was passed authorizing them to secure a harbor for that purpose. They have heretofore been confined to a small haven in the North River. It was decided by the Legislature that all trolley and other railroad companies crossing State bridges over State canals shall keep such bridges in repair and shall be responsible for damage resulting from their use of such bridges. The long-mooted project for a canal between Hempstead and Jamaica bays, across Long Island, was discussed by the Legislature and a law was passed appropriating $500 for a survey of the proposed route of the new waterway. The rapid transit tunnel also received some attention from the Legislature, and the contractor constructing it is authorized to assign the operation of the tunnel to a company already in existence or that may be organized after the tunnel is completed. A MEMORIAL TO PRESIDENT M'KINLEY. The State is to remember President McKinley by erecting a monument in Niagara square, Buffalo, at an expense of $100,000. The assassination of President McKinley induced the Legislature to pass a law branding as felony the preaching of any political doctrine calling for the death of any executive officers of the Government or the overthrow of existing government, either by speech or writing. A law that will facilitate appeals in murder cases was passed. It provides that in all cases where the judgment is death the convicted prisoner's appeal must be made before the Court of Appeals within six months after the prisoner takes such appeal. The time may, however, be extended by the court which passed sentence. The extreme penalty for attempting murder was increased from ten years to twenty-five years. LAWS AFFECTING BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT. Proceedings toward the dissolution of a moneyed corporation may be instituted by the Superintendent of Insurance or of Banks, but the actual proceedings must be taken by the Attorney-General of the State, and the charges of receivers for their services are limited to a certain reasonable sum. The new law was passed to protect creditors of such corporations from the rapacious charges of receivers and appraisers. All veterans of the civil and Spanish wars employed in the State service are to be allowed leave of absence from their labors on Memorial Day without loss of pay. A law extending and regulating the liability of employers for damages to employes suffering injury while engaged in active labor was passed. The civil service laws were amended so that war veterans appointed to positions in the civil service shall not be subject to the probationary period, and veterans of the Spanish-American war are also exempt from dismissal from civil service positions except for incompetency and misconduct. Provisional appointments to the civil service are not to be made for a period longer than two months. All gas companies are authorized by the Legislature to acquire natural gas wherever it is procurable for sale in addition to their manufactured product. The Legislature appropriated $50,000 for the promotion of best culture in the State. The racing associations throughout the State are now to be required to pay a sum aggregating $98,000 per year, to be applied toward the support of agricultural fairs. The use of a label without legal authority was made a misdemeanor. The right of married women to bring action against employers for wages due them was upheld by the Legislature, which passed a law giving them the right to sue in their own name and behalf for such purposes. The sale of imitation butter was prohibited except under certain restrictions. Savings banks were formerly prohibited from investing in railroad bonds, but by the terms of a new law such institutions are now allowed to invest their deposits in such securities. Savings banks in this State are now also allowed to invest in the bonds of Los Angeles, California. This indicates that Los Angeles bonds are now regarded as good securities. PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS. Five proposed amendments to the State Constitution were passed in concurrent resolution, and will be submitted, as required in such cases, to the Legislature of the present year. If approved by both branches they will be submitted to the popular vote. Two of the proposed amendments affect Article VI., relating to the judiciary. One of them is as follows: Section 24.-At the general election next after the adoption of this amendment, there shall be elected, and thereafter as the offices become vacant through expiration of term or otherwise, by the electors of the Second Judicial District two Justices of the Supreme Court in addition to the Justices of that court now in office in said Judicial District. The Justices so elected shall be invested with their offices on the first day of January next after their election. Another provides for an increase of the number of Justices, and reads: The Legislature may from time to time increase the number of Justices in any Judicial District, except that the number of Justices in the first or second district, or in any of the districts into which the seconal district may be divided, shall not be increased to exceed one Justice for each 80,000 or fraction over 40,000 of the population thereof, as shown by the last State or Federal census or enumeration, and except that the number of Justices in any other district shall not be increased to exceed one Justice for each 60,000 or fraction over 35,000 of the population thereof as shown by the last State or Federal census or enumeration. The Legislature may erect out of the Second Judicial District as now constituted another Judicial District and apportion the Justices in office between the districts, and provide for the election of additional Justices in the new district not exceeding the limit herein provided. |