The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-01-08
THE FL r st
AWKUAx 1I1SSAo2
WAsHIN GToN HUNT
GOVERNOR or new YORK,
Fsllo,o- eit,Se~s Of the Senate
nod fhs A.e.~. hfa,
THE fou11KKS1

the Common wealth, whose interests have been
entrusted TO your charge by conhding people. We
witness the most gratifying evidences OF public
II is impossible 10 contemplate the
varied blessings which have fallen TO our lot,
people, without emotions Of fervent gratitude to
the Supreme Being, whose benignaRt favor has
protected and sustained through all past vi
cisstudes.
The State continues to advance with august
strides on its upward mission of freedom and CT,
vilixatlon. The republican institutions reared
by our ancestors, and preserved in full vigor by
the enlightened vigilance OF the people, have
been vindicated by experience, as the system OF
nos to ne
stisutions were reformed and hberalzed by our
new constitution. Political power was brought
nearer the people, by investing them with the
direct choice of their judicial and administrative
agents. and il is a source Of high felicitation that
the successful result OF this organic change has
furnished fresh proof of the capacity of our citizens
for an intelligent discharge of the responsibilities
At no former period in our history have the
affairs OF the State presented a more encouraging
aspect. The year which has recently closed was
peculiarly prosperous and suspicious. The pes
thence which visited our cities the previous
year, and which continues its desolating ra-
wages on some portions of the continent, disap-
peared beyend our borders, and was followed by
n season of unexampled public health. The earth
yielded unusual abundance to remunerate
the toll of its cutivators, and industry in other
forms, including many branches OF trade and
manufactures, found active and profitable en-
pioyment. With our rapid progress in wealth
and popula alton, 1t is gratifying TO observe the con-
slant advancement of our people in moral and
intellectual improve cement. The wider dsse nina
uon OF knowledge among the masses, the intiu-
ences shed abroad by our seninaries OF learning,
the constant increase of religious AMI benevolent
instiu ions for the alleyiatloa of human sorrows,
the peaceful conquesis Of invention and The arts,
all tend TO elevate the condition OF society, and TO
strengthen the foundations OF popular govern
ment. These genial influences. combining to
augment the happiness and exalt the character of
the Strife, have been cherished by the liberal
spirit OF past legislation and cannot too earn
esly commend the enlightened action of your
pre- decessors in this regard, and especially in Sc
cosding the efforts of humane individuals 10 i'm
prove the moral and phys1c condition of the I'M
fortunate and the humble, as an example worthy
Of your emulation.
II affords me much satisfaction TO congratulate
you ON the sound and healthfu condition OF our
State finances. Il became my duty, before retir-
ing from the Office of Comptroller, TO prepare an
annual report, exhibiting the condition of the
Treasury, and of the several funds, at the close
the last fiscal year, TO which, with the suggestions
therein contained, woald respectfully invite your
attention.
II appears that, after meeting all the appropris-
tons payable during tae last fiscal year. from the
ordinary revenues, there remained balance in
the general fund, al the close OF the year, of S54
52l 3.
IL is estimated that the receipts of the current
year, from ordinary sources, will be sufficient to
defrsy all the usual expenses of the State, and
that the resources of the general fund, as now
established, will be found sufficient at all times
for the support of the government, without an
increase Of debt or taxation. There is an evident
necessity, however, for economy in the expend-
lures; and trust you will feel the importance of
keeping the appropriations within the reliable
means of the Treasury. la addition 10 the ordinary
current revenues the Comptrollers report exhibits
sertain balances due TO the general fund from ar
rears of taxes and other sources from which il is
he he will alfza ~
within the ensuing two years IL is with special
reference to thsfresource that deem it expedient
IN the present communication, to recommend some
for new Institutions and improve
nents, which are conceived to be essential 10 the
public welfare.
The aggregate amount of the State debt, on the
goth day Of September last, was as fellows
canal debt $40, III, l0s 10
General r und debit. b,3J9, b93 81
$22530, SOP As
exclusive Of the stock loaned by the State to GER
tam railroad corporations. IL will appe ar from the
reyort OF the Commissioners of the Canal Fund,
that the operations Of the sinking fund are steadily
reducing the canal debt. The apple alton Of the
canal revenues in the manner prescribed by the
State constitution, will discharge the entire State
debt, now existing, in the year 1865.
Our canals continue 10 yield a rich return.
The amount received for canal tolls, including in
ieresf, rents, &c during the last fiscal year,
- 4s6, l72 80, being small increase upon the re-
ceipts OF the preceding year After paying all the
expenses Of superntendence, collection and re-
pairs, and $50 600 10 the sinking funds and the
general fund, surplus remained from the revenues
OF the last fiscal year of $500 26 49, applicable to
the completion Of the Black River and Genesee
Valley canals. and the enlargement Of the Erie
canal
Previous to the last season Of navigation, a con-
siderable reduction was made by the canal board
the rates Of toll certain leading articles Of
transportation Opinions will probably differ as TO
the precise effect Of this reduction upon the trade
md income OF the canals but II is generally be-
heved that il attracted sddinonal tonnage sufficient
10 equalize the dmnuuon Of revenue.
Serious apprehensions are entertained that the
uade Of the Erie canal will be impaired by the
competition OF railroads and other rival avenues I'm
and out Of the State, unless early and eiiectual
me asures are sadopted TO cheaper the expense Of
canal transportation. II is conceded on all hands
that no material reduction can be made 10 the cost
of canal freight without reducing the rates Of toll
until the enlargement Of the Ere canal shall en-
able our forwarders to increase the capacity of
their boats This important object will be attained,
IN partial degree, by the completion Of the new
locksIon the enlarged plan. The reconstruction ami
Of these structures has been Hearly
perfected, and new locks on the large scale will De
brought INTO use, on the entire line of the Erie
canal, at The opening OF navigation the coming
season, with the exception OF hvc which are located
NJ points where the route Of the canal is to be
changed There cannot be reconstructed and made
available without the simultaneous construction of
several miles Of new channel, estimated 10 over
"
Did locks al ihese points, by temporary sruciures;n
such manner that the entire canal may be navi-
gated by boats having an additional length of
twenty. eight feet, az compared with those now in
usc. II Is not TO be disguised, however, that the
enlargement Of the locks renders a corresponding
enlargement Of the sections more necessary than
before. The quantity Of water required for passing
boats, - greatly increased by the enlarged size Of
the new locke. II is found extremely ffcut, and
in some cases impossible, 10 force the necessary
supply for This purpose through the narrow channel
Of The old canal Much difficulty and embarrass.
meDt were experienced from this fact, during the
last season OF navigation. Notwithstanding the
vigorous efforts Of the Comm ssoners, and their
II was found impra ctcable to sustain
the necessary height OF water on some Of the long
evels, and II resulted that boats were frequently
grounded. and the nayigators were subjected 10
n furious delays, vexsilon, and expense. There -
" aeon TO believe that this embarrassment will con-
inue 70 increase from year 10 year, until the en-
argement OF the entire canal shall have been com
,leted
How far the descending tonnage can be In
'reated, while the canal retains lie pre- sent limited
dimensions, ~ question which gives rise 10 some