The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-01-08

ward the work OF benevOlence and humanity, 20
nobiy begun by the lamented Brighsm
deem it my duty TO renew the Areconmenda- |
tisn made by my predecessor to the last Legisa- |
ture Of the establishment of an institution for |
the instruction and improvement of idiots. This |
unfortunate class of beings, whose deplorabe |
condition exctes the sympathy of every heart, |
has been too long overlooked in our legislation |
for the relief Of the helpless. Until within re-
cent period, i was the general belief that the
tible Of moral or mental Improvement. But ex-
perience has demonstrated that he retains SEINE
latent germs of intelligence which may be devel-
Oped by patient cultures, and that he may be
subjected to healthful discipline, employed in
useful labor, and raised to condition of compa-
rative comfort. Great success has attended the
institutions established for the instruction of this
land. similar school, recently formed in Mas
sachusetts has been attended with the most salts
factory results. commend these facts to your
attention, convinced that considerations OF policy
and humanity should prompt you to rear an Insttu-
ton which will complete our system of public
charities and exat still higher the character OF the
State for beneticence and philanthropy.
The condition of the State prisons will be fully
presented in the annual report OF the Inspectors.
The Sing Sing and Clinton prisons continue to be
a heavy charge on the treasury; though it is but
just to remark that much OF the large expenditure
at the former establishment during the past year,
was occssioned by the erection Of permanent
buildings II is gratifying to observe that, in all
our penitentiaTies, an admirable system OF disci-
pine prevails, conducive TO The phyNcal comfort
and moral welfare of their inmates.
Iwould respectfully call your attention to the
Importance of charging the House of Refuge for
The Reformation OF Juvenile Delnquents in the city
OF New York The number OF dehnquents Is con-
stantly increasing, while the accommodations OF
the institution have not been materially extend
ed since its foundation. The managers have found
il necessary notify the Sherifs of counties that
no more delinquents be received, until further
notice; and large number of youthful con-
victs are consequently committed to the prisons.
The crowded state of the establishment battles the
efforts of the managers to classify offenders;
and the erring youth, whose wanderings may be
traced to early restitution or abandonment is
brought into intimate association with the hard
ened criminal. Thus the humane design of the
institution, the reformation OF juvenile ofen-
ders, is in a great degree defeated. These evils
require a prompt and adequate remedy. The
Western House of Refuge has been brought in
TO use under circumstances which give assurance
of satisfactory results. The admirable structure
and arrangement of the establishment, aud its sue
cessful administration thus far, reflect credit upon
the trustees who have been prompted TO give their
time and efforts TO this noble undertaking by a
spirit of enlightened and disin philanthropy.
refer you to the report Of the trustees for the pro-
gress and present condition Of the institution, and
respectfully recommend such further appropriation
may be necessary to complete the new erections
commenced last year.
The present condition of our militia establish.
ment, and of the military property belonging to the
State, will be exhibited in the annual reports of the
Adjursnt General and the Commissary General.
To preserve the efficiency OF the militia system by
laws calculated TO excite and cherish military
spirit in the ranks of our citizen soldiery, always
the main strength and reliance of the country in
time OF war, Is an object emlnently deserving the
attention of the legislature.
The law of lS49. in relation TO emigrant passen-
gers providing for the relief OF the sick and desti-
tute among them by tax, Intended to protect the
community from unjust and oppressive burdens,
has been efficiently administered, and continues to
produce favorable results. IL is TO be regretted
that existing legal provisions have not IN all cases,
furnished adequate protection against the practice
of frauds on those unfortunate emigrants, destitute
of friends, and ignorant of our laws, who are con-
stanty landing on our shores, and, il practicable,
further legal protection ought to be provided.
The last Legislature, acting IN pursuance ct the
humane suggestions Of my predece ssor, passed
law designed TO secure to each family which pos
sesses freehold estate, home of limited value,
in case of the embarrassment or bankruptcy ofi!s
head. Ii is represented that the clause requiring
special registry of each homestead intended TO be
held subject 10 this exemption, renders the law
practically imperative from the aversion felt by
men in good credit to advertising an apprehension
of insolvency | would respectfully submit to your
consideration whether the benevolent principle of
the law should be made to depend upon condi-
ton with which most men will omit to comply.
In other words, ought not the rule and the excep-
would also suggest that the exemption afford
ed by this law ought not include debts contract
ed previous TO the purchase OF the estate by the
debtor Justice, no less than sound policy, dictates
that neither temptation or opportunity should be
given for the practice Of fraud upon contding cred
itors.
l would respectfully recommend that an ade-
quaie appropriation be made for more complete
exploration Of the lands belonging to the State, in
The northern counties, with view TO plank roads
and other facilities Of access IL is believed that
by improving the means of communication, some
large tracts might be brought into market and
cold for actual cultivation The settlement and
Improvement OF these remote forests is a matter
of much public iMp naace, and should be encour-
eyed by a liberal policy. The land should be
divided into cLnv, ME Il farms, and offered to
actual settlers for smell prices, intended only to
indemnify the Treasury for actual expenditures.
However desirable il may be deemed, under mo-
narcbical governments, to have the national domain
held by few, II 10 important in republic, that
il should be divided, as far practicable, among
the many. Resolutions were adopted by the last
Legislature, with signal unanimlty, IN favor OF
opening the public lands OF the Union. without
their general scope and purpose, have my hearty
concurrence. Some of the evils resulting from
large landed accumulations, and especially from
extensive easehsd estates, have been fully realiz-
ed in this State. Our new constitution has wisely
abolished feudal tenures, and prohibited the future
creation Of perpt tual leases. Contracts Of this
ture, made at an anterior period, in harmony with
laws then existing, have been and must be re-
sTected IN all our legislation II can hardly be
doubted that the occupation OF the largs manors
in this section Of the State, under the system Of
perpetual leases adopted in the early settlement OF
the country, has been highly detrimental to the
interests OF both proprietors and tenants, for
some years past Non-psyrRent Of rent, litigation,
resistance OF law, irregular combinations and
popular discomfort, in its most repulsive form,
have checked our progress and dishgured our
public history. ! consider 1t OF much importance
that these evils should be remedied by just and
liberal arrangements, which shall respect the
rights and promote the true welfare of both par
lies. The perpetuation Of leasehold estates, em-
bracing large agricultural population, is repug-
nant TO nauonai policy and TO the liberal spin
Of our institutions. IL IL a kind OF tenure which
has become odious 10 tenants, exceeding incon-
We d. MT and expensive 10 landlords, and every way
adverse to the interests Of both. The manly indie
pendencs which belongs to the character of al
American citizen, demands the ABSOLUTE control
ard ownership VA fee Of the soil, improved and
cultivated by his labor and which he Is to spend
his life snd rear bis children. Experience has
shown that l.asehold estates are peculiarly un-
fave rable 10 the drye,opemcnt Of the country and
the pTo2Tess OF the people In Improvement and
enterprise.
IA a ha hat auph Hheyal fevu