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


Both branches Of the Legislature Of this State
assembled at Albany yesterday, and a. coon as
they were organized, Governor Hunt delivered his
first me ssags. That document Will be found al
length in this days Herald.
II il evident that Mr.. Hunt is thoroughgoing
whig, ss far ar the enlargement Of the Enc canal,
and other wing measures, are concerned. He adj
vocaies that enlargement, and 10 in favor Of it's
being effected, even if il be necessary to amend
the constitution in order TO effect it, The Erie
canal is mine Of wealth to the State Of New York,
and has, no doubt, done more than anything else
towards making us such prosperous people as we
are, and emitting US to the appellaton Of the En-
piIe State. lts capacity il not sufficient for the
purposes of our internal traffic, and rye suppose
that its enlargement would be advocated by all
who are acquainted with the inconveniencies, as
well the vexa,ious and positive loss, which those
engaged in It's trade suffer. The Governor says he
dots MOI doubt that large portion of our citizens
would unite in conferrng upon the Leg sluture the
necessary authority to create loan OF seven or
eight millions OF dollars, on pledge Of the surplus
revenue of The canal for its early completion and
enlargement. Neither do we. Il, must be recol
lected, however, that great deal Of villaay and
corruption has been practised upon thu people Of
this State, In this matter, in former years
and unless they are perfectly well satisfied
thaifJ nds appropriated to such a purpose would
be honestly and faithfully expended, they wolld
not like 10 grant such authority. few
years age in the discharge Of our duty as an indie
pendent Journalist, we exposed some OF the secrets
Of contracts connect with canal Improvements,
which were rotten and corrup, as they could
possibly be. Now, the people will othesilate TO au
,horze the expenditure Of such sums Of money as
may be necessary TO furnish every facility TO our
internal commerce; but they would like to have a
guarantee that il would not find its way into the
pockets Of unprincipled contractors or SPECTATORS
whose only object Is to amass fortunes by gulling
the public, under the cry OF supplying the wants
of traffic on that great work.
We are pleased TO hear that the common
school fund 10 in such a prosperous condition
an Mr. Hunt represents II 10 be. The capital OF
that fund, on the Both Of September last, we are
informed, was o.. 29o,5 BIB %, and the increase Of
the fund, and lis income, will, we are Informed,
Justify the Legislature in increasing the amount of
the distribution among the common schools OF the
State to the sum OF from t2s5,000 TO $780, 900.
This is extremely gratifying. The vote Of the
people Of this State, at the last election, shows
they are determined that education shall be ex-
tended TO sll-thus svincing an Intelligence and .
patriotism highly creditabe to the State of New
York. On the general subject Of education we
agree perfectly with all that il said by Mr.. Hunt in
his message.
The new Governor regrets that existing laws do
not furnish sufficient protection to the numerous
emigrants arriving at our shores. We can assure
the Legislature that the laws on this subject are
good enough. If they were only carried OUT they
are a dead letter, Notwithstanding the stringent
ensctments that have been heretofore passed, the
unfortunate emiHant Is a. much pirated upon az he
ever was-as much swindled by emigrsnt runners,
boarding hous. keepers, and certain forwarding
houses, an he ever was II the Legislature would
appoint committee. armed with authority TO make
proper investigation into this matter, they would
direover an amount Of rascaity vllany, robbery,
and corruption, that would appakthem. Let such
a committee be appointed and discharge their
duty properly, and we know they would arrive at
a conclusion, the publication OF which would no,
only startle but honify the community. Not only
have the efforts OF benevolent societies and hu-
name persons been thwarted, but the law ~ In
almost every instance completely disregaried.
Occasionally one Of the combination OF unprinci-
pied runners and boarding bouse-men is arrested
but as general thing the emgrant is no better off
now than he was five years ago, when he was
swnded out Of all he posse
Our limits will not allow 10 make further
comment on Mr.. Hunts first message to the LeRis-
lature. That part relative to the Fugitive Slave
law Is not exactly Of the "hgher law" order
lie is OF the opinion that the act is CONSTITUTIONAL
and must be obeyed.