The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-01-07
The Governor,s Message,


The Governors Message.
We lay before our readers this morning Gov
Kings maiden message. 1t is a lengthy dOcu-
ment, and there are parts of it which it is
gratifying to read. Indeed, with the exception
of the last few paragraphs, the whole Of it is
creditable.
So far as we are concerned, the important
topics Of the message are the canal question: the
city charter, and the Kansas matter.
To the former we have already made allusion
At the time the last loan was voted for by the
people, We warned the voters that It would not
suffice for the enlargement Of the canals; that it
would be squandered and that the politicians
would be back in q very short while, wanting
more money. Our remarks excited much
severity of comment from the Seward whig and
hard shell organs; the Tribune, we remember
was very violent against those who questioned
the suficiency of the sum demanded, or the pro-
priety Of its levy. Sooner than was expected
our forebodngs have been verified the canals
are not completed, the money lie gone, and two
millions and half more are asked for, if we do
not desire the money already spent TO be unpro-
ductive. Only two millions and half, say the
canal men, give us two millions and half, and
the canals will pay all the debts and expenses Of
the State
We have not the least idea of anything OF the
kind. We feel satisfied that the canals are like
that bottOmless tub, which the fifty ladies OF
classic fame atoued for their sins by vainly striv
ing to fill; they will never be so far inished as
TO dispense with help from the State; they will
never pay any considerable portion OF the ex-
penses Of the State government. At the same
time, we suppose they must have the two mil
lions and half they want and in this belief,
We are inclined to agree with Governor King
that State tax is the tarest and most sltisiac
tory way Of raising the money. But this severe
measure, which win press unusually on some
citizens of the State, ought not to be adopted
alone. 1t should be accompanied by revival of
railroad tolls, 80 as TO place the canals which
cost us so much, at least on an equal footing
with their rivals in busn ess Were the Legisa-
ture constituted of men Of independent and pa
triotic views, it might be taken for granted that
this very necessary measure would be adopted
As it is, there is reason to fear that the great
railroad monopolies have bought up sufficient
number of members TO defeat any endeavor that
may be made to compel them to bear their proper
share of the burdens of society.
With regard TO the city, the Governor
administers a SLY rebuke to those partisans
of his who want to transfer the government
to Albany. He declines to indicate the defects
ba al III, hot
be best done by the city delegation. That there
are defects he thinks no one can doubt; but the
remedy does not lie with him. We trust that the
Legislature viii have the good sense 10 adopt the
views OF the Governor on this head. and will not
insist on knowing more about Us and caring more
for us than We do for ourselves.
Finally, that part Of The message which refers
TO Kansas is in very bad taste The Governor
tries 10 excuse himself by pleading The example
Of the President; but surely Mr. King has set up
for himself higher model than poor Pierce. Mr.
Pierce, seeing himself utterly ruined, politically
and morally, and having too little gentlemally
feeling TO rise above the rancor Of partisan,
might well devote bis last message to an outpour
ing OF spite against bis political opponents but
We expect better things OF the Governor OF New
York. The people OF this State have no manner
Of concern with Kansas. They have no right to
NEEDLE with Kansas institutions. They have no
hight 20 speak. or act, or move IN a way 10 inlu-
ence Kansas affairs. They are bound, in honor
in good fellowship. ana in csndor, to leave tn
people Of Kansas to choose themselves such laws
such systems OF labor, and such other institutions
as they may choose; and when the Kansas men
have chosen them, they arc bound to defend and
protect them in their enjoyment. Further than
this, the people of New York, collectively and a
a commonwealth have no right 70 open theit
mouth: and when their Governor does it for
them, he deserves to be raped on the knuckles
Such trash may DO very we'll in the altitude Of
Worcester. Mas. or in the torTid swamps OF
Alabama, or Mississippi; but il is simply ridicu-
lous here; and 50 far as il goes, tends to shake
the growing belief that Governor John A. King
has independence enough to govern without die
tation from bis party.
N