New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-01-03

The failure TO dispose Of the certificates woud
have rendered necessary % suspend me works undss
increase Of indebtedness without anording any ada
enal facilities to navigation. The proposed amendment
the amounts needed Is the bonds win be based upon the
credit of the State and shoud the surplus revenues
be insufficient the holders will be assured OF the prompt
dayment of their interest end the ultimate payment OF the
principal II the stocks Of the State continue bear the
premirms which they commandn market the saving
by having them based upon the public security instead OF
limiting them solely to the surplus revenues viii amount
The condition Of our canals at this time demands ex-
Fendures upon them beyond the amount of their surplus
revenues II the Improvement which have suggested.
shall be made once and any further diversion Of their
business if the money which shall be ap
Piled to their completion shall be adlciousy expended
Of keeping them in repair their net revenues may be so
far increased to prevent the necessity for resort to
which may for the benefit of unfinished pub
lie works
The last Legislature adopted efficient
heve the General Fund from Its endorsements and to
increase its and In the fiscal year
ending September go 1884, the income Of this fund
s. less than the charges upon it, The deficiency
for the fiscal ending September 30, 1883 was $780,
500 making aggregate indebtedness at that date of
9216 s6. pay this Indebtedness and to relieve the
public who held demands against the treasury for
work the canals the State tax increased from
quarter Of mill to one mill the dollsr for the fiscal
year ending September 80 1884, and to three quarters of
mill for the year ending September 30 1855, and to
half mill for each year thereafter Of the proceeds of the
mill tax $4,000 is appropriated to the payment Of the
contracts under the canal law Of 1851 which decided
to be unconstitutional s46667 AZ h appropriated to the
payment of drafts drawn upon the Auditor and protested
for of funds and for other debts making total Of
sec6 A. which will be paid by taxation this for
nal purposes.
except in certain specified yet appears that debt
for camel and general fund has been incurred
amounting than 81 100000 in direct conflict with
this provision To relieve the contractors and other pub
lie creditors and to the State from dscredt the last
Legislature compelled to impose heavy tax upon the
people To prevent the unconstitutional creation of debts
hereafter recommend law prohibiting any public officer
from continuing expenditures drawing drafts when ap
propriaons have been exhausted where there
funds applicable to their payment.
The law designed to pay the debts above mentioned
also increases permanently the State tax imposed for the
benefit of the the general fund revenues from oneuarter
TO one half mill onthe dollar This will make the amount
of the annual paid for the support Of the Government
about s600 OO0 This sum, with other will be
ample for that purpose udciOus economy used unless
is withdrawn under the operation of the proposed amend
mt to the Constitution. II this should be done will be
necessary supply the deficiency by further taxation
refer YOU to the Controller Report for valuable sugges
tons respecting the finances of our Government
The last Legislature with entire unanimiiy, adopted
resolutions proposing amendment to the Constitution
providing additional guards against bribery at elections
Its purpose will eecualy commend to your favorable
consideration II should be submitted to the action of the
people at the same time with the proposed amendment in
relation to the canals.
ment topic of public discussion and interest II justly
regarded fruitful of misery restitution and
crime. and its effects forced in painful manner upon
the attention of those who are required to execute the
laws Our present statutes with respect to licenses have
not been strictly enforced in large commercial towns
and cities 1t is difficult to say If this owing to the de-
fects and nsucency of the system, to the nature Of
the subject Various statutes have at different times been
passed in this State to limit and regulate the sale OF in
ioacang liquors but heretofore the restraints o. eaSca
pic individuals and associations have been more effective
than legislative enacments to check ntemperance. Its
evils have been aggravated by the practice which has
greatly increased within few years OF using deleterous
drugs in the manufacture Of intoxicating liquors. which
has been productive Of most perncious effects upon the
mental and physical condition of those who them.
The whole subject will doubtless engage your attention.
1t is surrounded with difficulties and endorsements aud
unless the legislation in regard to judcious, will in
the evils which It is so important to prevent ANY
measures whieh you may adopt should be framed not
conflict with wei. settled principles of legislation, or
with the rights of our citizens.
renew the recommendations contained in my last an
nual message in relation to the Code of Procedure.
Those who formed the National Constitution felt that
consolidated Government could not successfully legsate
for great number Of communities living under varied
condition. occupying regions with different climates soils
and productions each requiring for itself vast amount
of local and peculiar legislation. 1t the design there
fore, of the Convention which framed that instrument to
combine sovereign States in which should pre-
compact and united strength against foreign asion
and to give them position of dignity and influence in
their transactions with other nations without interfering
in respect to the general objects and most
important purposes Of legislation. So happily was our
Constitution conceived that the fears entertained at the
period of its adoption that it could not be maintained
against conflicting local interests have proved entirely
gTouDdless.
Although the number of States has increased from thr
teen thirty one, and have In addition vast territories,
some which are yet and unpeoped there is
no apprehend II the principles Of national
Constitution are maintained In their sctness and purity
tn at the time will ever when it will be overhrown
TO be desirable and advantageous
From the period Of the foundation Of Government
conflicting views with respect to the powers which It
riehtuy exercise have divided citizens into two great
political parties and most of the questions which have agl
lated the public mind have had their origin in differences
of opinion with regard to the 1t constitution
ally adopt Radical differences of construction have been
manifested in discussions with respect alien and sedon
laws protective tariffs the establishment OF banks; ex
systems of internal improvement snd in agita
tons designed 10 induce Congress TO interfere with the
peculiar affairs Of the people Of the different States.
The power and duties of Government will always
be subjects of deep interest and they will continue to ex
cite discussions and create party divisions and oganza
tons Heretofore the views Of those who contend for
strict construction Of the Constitution and nfenance
of the rights of the States have usually prevailed Under
their policy country has continued to increase in pow
err greatness and prosperity Its jurisdiction reaches from
the Atlantic the Pacific and its Territories have become
equal in extent to the continent Of Europe While this
policy has received the marked appreciation OF our people
those who concede their correctness do not always admit
their application to particular measures AT different Pc
rods interests have induced many to sacrifice the
restraints of strict construction OF the national compact
But the evils which have resulted from such devstions
from constitutional principles have soon demonstrated
their pemci0us tendency.
II Is obvious that the agitation with respect to Slavery
in the States the measures for advancing personal inter
ests under the cover Of protective tariffs for prouse
pendiures for internal improvements for the support by
the public treasury of different schemes promote private
wealth and interests have common origin in mistaken
views of constitutional law. These views
held nv those apyareDty OccupyDg anagOnistic