New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-03


Although largely augmented, vet a deficiency of
nearly two million dollars still exists in the income OF
the canals to meet iis constitutional obligations and 10
long the railroads are permitted TO carry freight iree
of toll will be necessary 10 levy direct tax annually
10 meet any deficit
condition of our finances, recommended two measures
of relief. The one was restoration Of the tariff or
rates of canal tolls they existed prior to the reduc
lions OF 1858 and 1859, and for which l gave my rea-
SOM at length and to which, without repeating them,
l would respectfully invite your attention. The other
was reimposiion OF tolls upon competing railroads.
The of these recommendations was subsequently
adopted in part by the Canal Board and the State Is
now realizing, in greatly enhanced receipts the benefits
of this policy 1t is maniiestly the duty Of the Canal
Board and believe il is their Intention 10 revise the
rates OF toll with view % secure further advance
the present. beason. Respecting the policy OF reim-
posing tolls Oh railroad freight, after discussing the
question at length in that communication, sad, in
conclusion:
f therefore the constantly increasing amount OF freight
carried over TIE railroads mas oecss,on a%i
formerly paid from these has TO be dawn BY direct
for protective iesaton doubt either wisdom
the justice Of reimposng for few years moderate rae Of toll
ns over railroad. competing with de canals o. Of urug
these roads aggregate equivalent In money snnuAy
the railroads should be relieved from burden temporarily i'm
posed that may have the advantage Of the qbe
and from the vast and beautiful West"
The Legislature not having acted upon this recon-
mendation, and in view of the Importance Of the sub
iect felt compelled in February last, 10 renew il in
q special message to both Houses, concluding as fol-
lows:
awe hav now arrived point where the public creditor
has positive security that the interest and principal Of HE deo
will be paid becomes dne He knows st It win not be-
yad the fund H. for that has been rendered
Insufficient by rg1.lson II the intention Of the Constu
ton should have definite fund which no
could rely beyond the control neglect Of the lsgsuT and
subject only to the remote contingency sng from possible
II we allow the matter remain is public creditor
viii much complaint bat Snposr tolls upon
railroads tha dyertn ana psng the 'ovenpes Of tho
mails and suitably increase the tolls np0n the sitter he viii ehe
receive back the revenues pledged 70 BIN OF their os will be
@ s esx Vsysf vii ay H. taSs: choay ies he feels
that be taxed Interest the canal debt till every
effort has been made to procure the required amount from the
Fully sensible Of the large prospective demands upon
the public treasury, and Of the absolute necessity Of
meeting them, and believing that the tOlls on the rail-
roads should be least temporarily restored, thereby
relieving the Taxpayers OF portion of their increasing
burdens il a matter OF very great regret TO me
that the Legislature Old not see tic 70 adopt these re-
concentrations ! an aware that tho revenue con-
tempIated by article Of the Constitution might not
have been fully realized during the past year had this
been done. Yet believe that 1t would nave beon suf.
fcient, during the present year, with this ADDITION;
thus removing all occasion for direct State tax ex
cept for the support Of government and the purpose OF
education.
Subsequent reflection and observation have only
frmed the views expressed in the communications re-
ferred to- az TO the wisdom and Justice Of placing tolls
upon the railroads during the seas0n Of naygation
nor have they served 10 produce any fear that the COM
peng railroad lines Of other States will divert the
business which legimatey belongs TO the canals and
railroads of own State, and therefore commend
the whole subject with all Us important relations to
your dispassonate consideration.
II is urged that the restriction to rates Of pasen
ger fare over the New-York Central Railroad, now
limited 10 two cents per mile, should be- removed il
tolls are reimposed; and os by the General Railroad
act passed in 1850, all corporations formed under il
have power to reguate the amount Of compensation
A. nd haa
gage with the simple reservation that such charge ia III
no case TO exceed three cents per mile 1t h not easy,
perhaps, TO assign any why the provisons Of
this should not be extended alike 70 all the roads III
the State.
As will be seen, there has been no change in the
PRINCIPAL Of the General Fund Debt during the year.
The Controller, whose report will be presented 70 you
at an early day, will submit for your consideration the
condition of the several specific fnds under his charge
together with the important facts connected with their
revenue and detail Of the estimates Of the expendi
lures for the support OF Government for the coming
year. In this connection Will only add that the Cen
era Fund, which, since the 3Oth Of September, 1874,
has been largely in arrear, has at last emerged from
its enbGrIassments, showing credit balance at the
close Of the past fiscal year OF So 1853 80; thus vndi-
eating the present policy Of combining appropriations
to the simplest and most economical necessities OF Gov
eTnment."
Icannot leave this topic without adverting to the
subjects OF taxation and retrepchuent The deplced
condition CT the Treasury, induced it must DO admitted,
by mistaken policy Of previous years with respect TO
the canals and by pedgng the credit Of the State for
improper Objects compelled the Legislature last Win
ter to levy direct State tax of three mills and five
xths of mill each dollar Of the taxable property
OF the State. Notwithstanding the present financial
embarrasnnenis there is every reason for believing
that these assessments, though large beyond all pree
dent, will be promptly met The people have at all
times eheerfn1y responded 10 demands however oner
ous whenever they have felt the positive neceity Of
doing So whether 10 preserve the faith Of tho State
70 esSyy forward 70 completion sat work VI ip.fg.