The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-01-06
$ls,s66 Is
$2,s79 sc

The report from the Mount Pleasant prison states
that the receipts have diminished by the opera
lions of the act Of 1912, but does not estimate the
amount.
There have been All convictions for criminal
Offences by the OF recosd since the first of
January last returned to the Office of Secretary of
STATE, ny the clerks of such courts; of which 544
were convictions for elonies, including five cases of
murder, to wit: two in New York, one in Niagara,
one In Sullivan, and one in Tompkins 1t is es;i-
mated that II the number of convictions by courts
OF record from which returns have not vet been re-
celved, are the same as last year. it would swell
the aggregate to 1885; of this number COZ for
felonies.
The number of convictions by courts of special
sessions, is 2,27S which, added to the number of
convictions by courts of record, will make 3 695, as
the whole number of convictions returned to the
Secretary's Office.
Our fellow citizens who are engaged IN various
mechanical pursuits, have several occasions pre-
sented to the consideration of the legislature, al
legged grievances IN consequence OF State prison
competition. The act of 1872 will, probably, in its
operation lessen to some extent the evil complain
ed of.
IL is proper to encourage the industry and enter
prise OF the citizen mechanic, and so to direct the
labor OF convlcts AZ not to come In competition with
them. But humanity requires that these unfortuna ate
beings should be engaged In some exercise conducive
health; and is $50 essential that the labor should
be rendered productive.
II it should be found that convicts can be safely
and benehcaly employed in the mining districts, it
may be proper to convert most OF their laborto that
object.
The granite of Massa chusetts has been extensive
ly used in the city Of New York and other places.
II represented that stone Of quality equally good
has been found in the Highlands, about fifty miles
from New York. II a careful examination should
prove the stone TO be good, and the qsarries
slble, can easily imagine that convict labor could
be prohtably employed in quarryng and rough dress
ing, which would not materially interfere with the
industry OF the mechanic.
There present in the institution for the in
struchon OF the blind, slxty-three pupils educated
and supported at the expense of the State and in
that for the deaf and dumb, in the city of New York
one hundred and eighteen.
The term selected by these pupils is generally five
yearsin the first instance, which is invariably exteG
ded or seven years, whenever the directors and
the pupils or their parents friends desire such
tension Both these Institutions are said TO be in
high condition OF efficiency and excellence capable
OF afording to those who have been shut out from
the ordinary avenues OF Intellectual Improvement,
ample opportunity TO store their minds with know
LEDGE and to secure by their exertions their daily
bread, and a comfortable competency for the fu.
ture.
1t is represented that the contributions required
by the act toprovde for the sick and disabled sea-
men, from sailors and mariners, are regarded as OPP
pres,ive.
trust that any application which NAV be made
by ms interesting portion of oui feow-citizens,
VIII receive, as deserves, an attentive considera-
lion.
My predecessors. have, on several occasions,
brought TO the consideration of the Leyi.lature the
subject OF the Judiciary, and have concurred in the
necessity of some change in the system. Various
propositions have been discussed by successive Lee
gslatures, but nothing has been Effected
All the representations made to me. concur in
stating that the court of chancery is go oyerburden
ed with business, that injurious delays are exper,en
ced in the administration ofustce. This is not the
fault OF the able and interchangeable officer atthe head
of that court but il results from the fact that the
constitution has not made adequate provision for
the expansion OF the judicial system with the in
creased population and business of the State AL
though, as learn there have been delays in the
Supreme Court for the last four or five years, there
is reason to believe that the abors which now fall
upon the Justices of that court, greater than any
three individuals may always be able to endure.
And whatever exertons may be made, the increase
OF judicial business in this great State will
der an increase OF the judges indispensable.
My pursuits have not qualified me TO point out the
best remedy Tor these evils but think the time has
arrived when something should be done If an
amendment OF the constitution should be found ne.
cesary. IT cannot be brought about in less than two
years, and no time should he lost in taking the first
step towards that result Upon this, as well as upon
other SUBJECTS am not in favor of radical changes
unless there is plain necessity for making them
i would not abandon system which in the main
has worked well and enter upon some untried ex.
pertinent; but would enlarge the present system,