The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-01-08

gion of the State derive valuable advantages, but
the trade Of the country and the revenues Of the
canals will be proportionsbly increased. collate.
raj but Important object, in all these improvement
Of the northern waters the gradual 6tting OF the
country bordering upon them, for the reception Of
be made nsvigable, and the establishment OF com.
Portable roads, among the strongest and indeed
are almost the only inducements to the settlement
of the northern part of Hamilton, and some of the
adjoining timbered territory.
IMPROVEMENT OF sARANAc RIVER AND LAKES
George Parsons, of Satanac, and Moss n Platt,
Of Plattsburg, in Clinton county, and Robert
Gichrist, Of Johnsburg, in the county OF Warren,
were appointed by chapter 362 laws Of 1851 to su-
perintend the expenditure Of IS O0O for each OF the
years 1852 and 1893 in clearing and improving the
channel of the Saranac, and the channel connecting
the upper and lower Saranac lakes and their ribu-
taries
These gentlemen have filed the bond required by
the statute; but have not drawn any part of the
sums appropriated, the appropriations having been
made for the years 1852 and 1853 Whether the
work has been commenced, the deparsmen is not
advised.
SAVINGS BANKS.
The Comptroller was required, by joint resolu-
tion passed by the Assembly on the 18th, and con-
CURED in by the Senate on the 10th of April last, to
inquire and ascertain the amount of unclaimed divi-
dends and deposits m ade prior to the first day OF
January, lS49, in the savings banks of this State,
and OF banks OF issue, and deposit, empowering
such agents to administer oaths, examine the books
and affairs Of such banks inquire into the securities
held for tho payment of the deposits held in trust
by the banks, and to report the result of such OK.
animation to the next Legislature within ten days
after its session commences
In obedience to the requirement of the regou-
ten, the Comptroller on the I'D of April last, ap
pointed George Underwood, of Auburn, Abram
Wakeman, OF New York, and George A. 5.
CroOker, of Cattaragus county, as such agents.
These gentlemen have been some time engaged in
the performance of the duties prescribed; aud the
amount Of labor which is understood to be involved
in some cases, indicates the Importance and the ne
cessity of investigation.
HALF MIL TAX.
The proceeds of the half mill tax upon the cor
rected valuation Of the real and personal estate Of
the State of New York for the year 1880 tod,
as will be seen by statement marked d, to the
gross sum of $36iOO IS of this sum S27i,074 IS
has been actually paid into the Treasury, aud the
sum of $23064 % remained unpaid by several
county treasurers at the close Of the preseAt
year.
The same statement exhibits the proportion Of
this tax paid by the respective counties in 1850,
and a column is introduced into this statement
showing the amount received from the Treasury by
each county in the State for unpaid nonresident
taxes within said counties the same year.
STATIONERY FOR THE LEGISLATURE AND THE PUBLIC
OFFICES
The amount expended during the past year rs
will be seen by the annexed statement marked ),
was $6,55S 81
CLERKS IN THE PUBLIC OFFICES.
Statement gives thenames and the salaries Of
the clerks in each of the State Offices. So far as
relates to those in the Comptroller's immediate
department, it has been considered for the interest
of the State to employ them extra service rather
than to multiply the number by introducing those
comparatively inexperienced; and the Comptroller
has no doubt that the uncommon amount of neces.
sary labor the past year, has thus been better per-
formed than it would have been by increasing the
clerical force.
VALUATION OF REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY.
Although the clerks of the respective boards OF
supervisors have been twice addressed during the
last few weeks by cir cuars, asking their particular
attention to the provision requiring return of the
above valuation, to this office the statement shows
failure to do so, at this time, (Dec BIZ in seve-
raj counties. Enough, however, is found to show
the good effect of the well directed legislation OF
last winter, on the subject of valuation. In his
haste to send abroad at an early day. circular to
the Boarcs Of Assessors directing attention to the
new enactment, (see Appendix Ky the Comp.
treller overlooked the fact that the word "agent
had been inserted in the second SO tion Of the act.
Explanations the effect of this addition of the
word agent, have been repe atedy asked Of this de-
partment, which might have been, perhaps, moro
satifactoriy given In the circular referred to than
otherwise had tho change been sooner noticed. IL
is here mentioned, Of those provisions in the
law not 80 we'll understood by assessors, as to be
acted upon without hesitancy and doubt; some
thF king one species of property only and some
another, falling within the rule. In some of our
northern counties objections have been interposed
to the taxing OF land contracts in the b lands o.
agents; and in cases where the propriety of q tax
is hot denied the question, Mt what sum they
should be valued, whether at the amount of prin-
cipal and interest nomiDally due, or at estimate
OF their fair probable value, has frequently arisen.
Man. other questions Of doubt suggest themselves,
under the various circumstances connected with as
sessmepts in the different pats of the State, which
ia mr. al. 81 la he Dlai fp
is practicable, by careful, well considered le.
eislation
IMPROVEMENT OF THE UPPER WATERS OF THE
HUDSON
The reports Of the several commissioners on this
subject, will BIO found subjoined marked NJ o. Z.
DEFICIENT APPROPRIATIONS.
In few Instances the appropriations BY tho
last Legislature for the current fiscal year, have
mapping, &c, under chap. 1873, alre ady advcrted
to in this report, will require, is estimated, to
pay indie btedness already created, and that which
may be incurred during the year, $4,000.
1pe sum granted for the expenses Of tho public
Offices has but small amount remaining on hand:
The omission to appropriate the salary and usual
contingent expenses Of the transfer officer in the
Merchants Bank of New York, is presumed to have
been accidental. The expenses Of that ofioo dur
ing the current year, are stated at go oO wnicn,
with the salary, is 1925 80.
The sum pyroprated by he 10Th sec Of chap.
l3i, Laws of 1851 is not believed to DO a reasons
bic and equitable remuneration for the actual cost
of 'the copies Of the original standards Of weights
and measures" made in pursuance Of the &C!
aforesaid and deposited in the State Hall fur.
tier sum Of $3.50 is asked fc., to make what is
dsemeo . JUG. com Iersati OH for this service Some
further provision OF five or six hundred dollars fol
defiaying expenses OF the old State Hall during
the current year, will be necessary, wiz also au
additional sum for the transportation of journals
ann other public documents from the Secretary of
States o. ice. Respectfully submit tied,
PHI G.. FULLER.
Brooklyn city Intelligence.