The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-01-07
NEW YORK LEGISLATURE.
Senate.

ALBANY, Jan. 8, 1852.
OFFICERS.
Ira P. Barnes (dem) was elected Clerk after long
debate by majority Of The vote stood l6 to 10,
Senator Wright, (whig) of Washington county not
voting.
Charles Lee (dem Of Yates YVES elected Sergeant at
Arms, by 10 to15.
w. Beardsley was elected Doorkeeper, and George
Reed. Assi.tan
The Senate being declared organized for business the
Clerk shortly after proceeded to read the
GOVERNOR MESSAGE.
FELLOW CTrzEFs SENATE
rtik ASSEMBLY
The opening Of the seventy fifth annual session of the
Legislature Of New York. since the establishment of
tive Of grateful memories and patriotic hopes Three
quarters Of cent ury have passed since
penaence on 9 distant monarchy, and appealing to
Heaven for the Justice Of their cause proclaimed the
cred right of segovernment and assumed the attitude
of free and sovereign State 1t profitable to to
the spirit Of wisdom and patriotism which guided
legislative councils at that trying period Compelled to
deliberate amid the strife of opposing armies aud
rounded by difficulties which called Or the highest
else OF capacity and energy your early predecessors
gained double title to the public gratitude While their
prudent but vigorous sustained arms and
carried the country in triumph through its long struggle
Tor Independence, they accomplished the more difficult
work Of framing system Of representative governmen
based upon principles of justice equality, and ,ial
order combining popular freedom with those salutary
The protection of the citizen in the peaceful enjoyment
of his rights
Experience has vindcated the wisdom of the political
1heory adopted by the statesmen of the revolutionary
Within period comparatively brief in the history
cf governments, the American Union has attained
prominent rank among the nations OF the earth; and
New York the feeble and bleeding colony of 1915, has
become great and powerful commonwealth, holding
bigh place among the States of conedsracy Under
the operation Of free principles our progress
has been rapid beyond example The blessings Of liberty
and security have stimulated the best energies Of our
yota o,6 fhatr NH f,v snfa
tectual and ply sca Improvement,
A sy.tem Of education by which knowledge is placed
within the reach Of all and youth are taught to
prehend the rights and duties Of citizenship; the
supremacy Of law and ORDER rapid proficiency in the
arts which multiply the enjoyments and elevate the
character OF society; artificial communications connect
ing the with the lakes beyond our borders and dis
pensng to every section q the State the benefits of easy
intercourse the consequent Advancement Of every agr
cultural, mechanical and commercial interest,
suits which to demonstrate the advanagesof free
instrons and the capacity Of our people to preserve
them in their original vigor and integrity.
When we contemplate scene so gratifying, and re-
ect upon the progress that has been made by the in
habants Of this continent in the short space Of two
centuries, in advancing the welfare OF mankind, the
mind is led with gratitude towards the Supreme Ruler
of the world whose moral government guides the destiny
In the discharge of my obligation to communicate to
the Legislature information respecting the condition Of
the State would first invite your attention to the tua
zion of the finances
The amount Of the State debt the close Of the last
asca year (september 80, lS5l was as follows m
Canal debt. Si03ul lus 10
General Fund debt bt.....,............. $3.50 693 80
$2l, 800 s)2 40
showing reduction Of principal in the past year Of
$4,000 1t is believed that the amount of the debt
now reported by the financial departments cannot be
materially varied by the unliqu lated claims existing
anterior to the creation Of the sinking funds by the
stitution Of 1856.
AZ that time large sums due to citizens on canal
contracts partly executed and for prvstc property taken
for canal purposes These caims consttuted In fact
part of the public debt then subsisng and the Lesea
fure afterwards made them expressly chargcabe upon
ahe Canal Sinking Fund. But as the amount due on
shem Uncertain, and could not be ascertaned until
final adjudc alton by the Canal Appraisers OF the Camel
Board this portion Of the liability was not included m
Hence the payments made from the Sinking Fund en
that Glars Of ,bg aous, though reducing the debt IN
reality did net diminish the apparent amount ~ sRogu
u anpuEl eport of outstanding nto KS The most q
the iqudated claims have been eTtngulsbsd and
che future reduction by the operation ot the sinking