The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-04-24

OF New York; In the CONSTITUTIONAL Issue which arises
out Of the conduct OF the wing party State ques-
lion, il is refreshing TO see the irae instincts put in
motion which belong TO The two parties. The democrats
take the side OF strict construction economy in the dis
bursements Of money, and dsrusl of the influence
csed by stock obbers when large loans OF The credit OF
the State are resorted to- United this State platform
OF principle, we have strong hope that the democracy
of New York will soon see that similar union is ne
cessary national platform. where the great interests
of the republic are 10 be guarded by steady support Of
the same principles.
ADDRESS OF THE DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS OF
HE LEGISLATURE.
10 the Democratic Republican Electors of he State OF
New York.
.FELLow-cirzENsi The Undersigned democratic mem
bers OF the lee stature during its session.
about To return homes, feel il our duty TO give
on some account OF the present condition OF our State
affairs, and OF the manner in which have en- ieavoed
TO discharge the important uesie Committed 10 The
session OF the legislature which has Just terminated in
sudden and unexpected manner has been in many re-
spec!s OF an extraordinary character, and will be
bered in the history OF the ate.
The executive, legislative and administrative depart
menls OF the government are in the fill possession OF
political party whose doctrines and policy have ever been
anagonis,ic ID good government Iased sound repub
can principles That party had, until the 4th of March,
~ OF the 80 members OF the senate, and So of the 2s
representatives OF the assembly They from that time,
by continuing Mr. Schoonmaker in his sea, in the ser.
aie notwithstanding his being member Of Congress,
possessed uncOntong power over he course and action
OF both banchcs OF the legislature ard must be held
sponssbe 10 The people Tor the policy pursued and the
measures brought forward and adopted or rejected.
The gevcinor, in his annual message, recommended
the consideration OF the legislature various subjects OF
general interest to the people Of the S,ae but such has
been the Of action the part OF the controlling
majority thai but few subjects Of thai character have
ceved that careful attention which they deserved from
the representatives, of the people Subjects OF political
or private nature have enyrossed more Of the time and
attention OF the legislature than those Of general and
public character and have exercised pernicous and
corrupng an influence the whole of legisla.
ton that suspicion has been unavoidaby cast Its
purity and Integrity The subjects Of general nature
which have engaged most of the attention of the legs-
laure have related chiefly 10 the finances and internal
improvements OF the State, and matters intimately
neced herewith These are always subjects of great
Importance TO the whole people, and deserve and should
/ receive the careful attention OF those whom they have
sent here to project their interests and guard their rights
I The party in power has hal uncontrolled posses
OF the State administration for three of the four
years since present constitution adopted, and q
be statement of the results OF their management OF the
financial interests OF the State during that period cannot
be otherwise than useful The people, in the adoption
OF present constitution, incorporated into that ins,ru.
ment such financial provisions as would insure the
tain and gradual payment OF our large State debt oil
tweniyt and one half millions of dollars and in thai
way, few years, relieve the transportation of prop
etiy on our canals from high tolls, and at the time
secure TO the people ample revenues for the payment Of
The annual government, thus Tree them
from the burden OF direct tax imposed for tina, oh
ect Ii should not be forgotten that this large Stale deb
and The necessity for direct tax to support the govern
ment have been imposed the people of this State bs
the wings, when in power, departing from the 6nanca
policy always sustained and advocated BY the democratic
party
TIE wings, as party, have always been distinguished
both In the Stale and national administrations more 70
their ability and willingness 10 contract than 10 pa,
debts and this marked feature in their character
TO remain unchanged and Interchangeable. They have eve
treated the financial provisions in State constitution
as obstacle across their par" They seem to hay,
held that the adoption OF constitution containing 81
many valuable provisions could not be regarded as
expression favor OF the financial article and that tina
article rejected, because its rejection could oa
be purchased by the rejection OF constitution containing
many--very many-wise and enlightened provisions"
i Their actions have coresponded with their views al
TO the financial policy OF the government. The Trainer,
OF the constitution, and the people who adopted It, mad,
a provision for the certain but gradual exngusb
ment of our State debt by s,cedy pledgng the cons
tuition million six hundred and hfiy thousand dollar.
unualy from canal revenues to that object but The
people of The State cannot learn but with surprise that
although this large sum has been annually apart
appropriated to pay State debt in each OF The fou
years since the constitution adopted, the debt has
nevertheless, been diminished only the small amount oil
Slo5 s34 The official reports from The comptroller.
Office show tina. entire State debt the 3Olh Sep
tember 1885, $40 937 $50, and that it on the
3oth September, $780, reduced only to the Of S22
530,s02
You will very naturally inquire into the causes which
have produced this resulta result for which the party
now in power is responsible. To i, seems clear that
has been produced by the bad administration Of our
finances. Money has been used with a prouse and
lavish hand reward followers benefit localities and
TO procure supporters OF the party in power The ex-
penses OF the general administration OF the governnen
and of canals have been largely increased old claims
az ans the treasury OF doubtful obligation have been re-
vvej and finally allow ed by persevering and combined
pressure the legislature and canal board and funds
dedicated by the constitution 10 the completion OF our
canals have been used for the benefit OF other localities
violation OF law.
strongly demanding the condemnation OF the people, is
that which has arisen from the great and unpeceJ ted
increase in the expense OF the public printing The
annual cost OF doing the public printing for eight
years preceding the 30h September, 1916, was
si,aO5, but under The present administration lis nnual
has been greater by hundred per than the
average of The eight years next prior to September 80
1916. This expense - paid out OF what IL called the
general fund OF The State, which is in part derived from
direct tax levied annually the property OF the people
During the year is43 ninety thousand dollars APP
propriacd and paid Tor public printing; in lsi9 seventy
object; in 1850, eighty thousand dollars appopri-
ae Tor the purpose and there paid ont OF the
treasury from September 80, 1919, to January L. 1851
period Of fifteen months Tor public PRINTING engraving,
and binding, the sum OF one hundred and sixty
seven thousand Misunderstanding still due January
is5l the OF thirty thousand dollars for printing,
stated in the annual report OF the comptroller, made
The present session of the legislature This enormous
absorption OF The public money for printing has arisen
from the practice OF ordering large editions of books and
reports 10 be printed, having no coDneyion with the
proper business OF legislation; and the last act OF
TO in the Joint resolution for adjournment 40 that
resolution could in the hurry and excitement Of the
moment, be pressed through for printing large edition of
the Documentary History Of the State for the OF the