Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1825-01-19
G0orcfstRr:
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1926
COY. CLLNTONS MESSAGE.

The late Message of Gov. Clinton to the
Legislature of NewYork is an able and lumi-
nous document, highly creditable to his char
acter as a statesman, and one which will COM
pare advantageously with the best of his form
er performances. The peculiar characters
tics of his former Messages-an enlarged and
comprehensive view of the means and resource
es of the State, and fearless independence
in recommending such measures as, in his
view, are calculated to promote its welfare
and prosperity, regardless of the personal con-
sequences to kimself-pervade this commune
cation.
Notwithstanding the high opinion we enter
tain Of Gov. Clinton, and much as we ap.
prove of the greater part of this Message, yet
we cannot but regret that he should have at
tempted to excite prejudices against the SUI
preme Court, and jealousies between the Ma
tional and State Governments. Whatever
cause Of complaint New York may have, we
doubt not that ample justice will eventually
be done her by legal and constitutional
means and when such means have failed of
the desired effect, it certainly is soon enough
to excite spirit of disaffection to the consti-
tuted authorities and to the Union. The pro.
position to make the Senate of the Union a
final Court Of Appeals has been before propos-
ed by some of the Virginia and Kentucky pol
itcians. If the constitutionality Of laws is 10
be determined by The same body which enacts
them, 1t is doubtful whether any would be de-
cided to be unconstitutional, as such decision
would be a condemnation of their own acts,
The following is brief abstract of some of
the prominent subjects of the message.
1t recommends g more liberal extern
sion and more secure enjoyment of the
elective franchise" and suggests that
all persons should be allowed to exer-
else the right of suffrage, who are citi-
zens Of full age, and have resided com
petent time in the State.
He advises that law be Immediately
passed for giving the choice Of Presden-
tial Electors 10 the people by general
ticket. He considers choice by districts
the most Judicious, provided is uniform
through the Union, but until it is, sound
policy dictates the former mode.
He recommends more liberal atten.
ton TO education, as upon il tive must
rely for the preservation of Republican,
Government" it being truth that "a
virtuous and enlightened people will
never breathe in the atmosphere of
slavery. The number of children
taught in the common schools of New
York, exceeds 100000 The stude MS
in Incorporated Academies are al out
1888, and in the colleges 1855. The
fund for the Common Schools may be
stated at upwards of 1,739,0OO dollars,
to which may be added the interest on
the future sales Of lands, and on the dis
posal of escheated property, the pro-
ceeds of which latter item may be added
TO the capital"
This fund the Governor adyis:es the
Legislature TO augment He stat es il as
an important and interesting fact, that
{" of the many thousands who have been
instructed in our free schools in the city
of New York, there is not solitary in
stance known Of any one having been
convicted of crimesn
He urges the Importance of statistical
surveys, for enabling the government to
bring the resources of the State into ac-
ton and advises that statistical inqui-
ries be blended with the census which
is to be taken in the State during the
present year. Periodical returns of
births, marriages, and deaths, are rec4
commended
He suggests the expediency of the
States rewarding "wlth liberality the
authors of such inventions as produce a
saving Of labour in agriculture and me-
chanical pursuits"
He considers the Erie and Lake
Chsmplain Canals as 'but the first in a
series ofgreat Undertakings and advises
the formation of board for internal
improvements, to consider and report on
roads, railways, canals, bridges, and wa
ter courses" with general superin-
tending power over their construction.
He states that the annual interest on
the Canal debt, amounting to upwards
of millions, is S32j,823 55 and the
revenue from tolls this year exceeds
| $4,000. This revenue he expects
will be doubled next year, if the Erie
Canal shall arrive at the Lake in due,
season. Ii is estimated that 100000,
boats have passed at the junction of the,
Erie and Champlain canals, within the,
last season. Boats with commodities,
proceed at the rate of 55 miles in "a
hours, and boats with passengers 100
miles in the same space of time.
He says the apprehensions Of too.
great weakness in the general govern.
ment have entirely failed; that there is,