New-York tribune., 1867-01-03
TIE G0HERNOR,S MESSAGE.

cellenCy's opinions on tins subject are preSehteu
with moderation and kindness, and show no de-
sire for blood or confScation. Of this we are
very glad.
The necessity of Constitutional Convention
is emphasized by the Governor. The war gave
new problems to our State Government ana
"grave questions are likely to arise in con-
"nection with our commercial ard material
"interests which were not anticipated or pro-
"vidcd for by the trainers of the organic law"
The Judiciary system needs remodeling, espc-
cially in New-Yorll City. Here crime stains
the eTmine, and when vice seeks shelter 1t
creeps to the Bench. We find our Judges
more anxious to register the edicts of
Tammany Hall, and crafty the unlicensed keep
ers of Third-ave. shebeens, than to do justice
between man and man. The system which
gave us the edcts of CardOzo, and which re-
gisters as law the notions of McCunn about
gambling, should be abolished, or at least so
constructed that the Judges should not be respon-
sible to politicians and tavern-keepers. Our
Courts are 80 divided and subdividcd that litiga
tion is as endless as in the famed case of Jarn-
dyce and Jarndyce. New York law is expensive,
slow, and bad, and we want Constitutional
Convention if for no other reason than to give
us Justice. In regard TO the Convention and its
manner Of organization, the Governor thinks
that there should be 30 delegates at large
chosen, each elector voting for 16 of that num-
ber By this means each of the political parties
would have the selection of half the additional
electors at large. The plan seems to be fair,
and should be considered.
We regret to learn that the State owes fifty
,o;lI;ona Of dnllora This 10 good deal of
money, and we presume is not one-half of what
is really owed when we add the debts of towns
and counties The Governor thinks that there
should be mode of assessments that should inn
pose upon personal property its due share of tho
public burdens. There shoul' also be Teduc-
tion in our internal revenue .cs He does not
see the propriety of the National Government
imposing heavy taxes now, as heavy taxation
can only retard industry and enterprise
Those who como after us should help
to pay for q war which insured them
| independence. The Governors argument
on this subject deserves attention, although we
rather like the idea of paying our debts as
soon as we can raise the money. Mathematical
calculations as to what may be done thirty years
hence when our population il so large, are
| generally fanciful. There is no knowing what
new responsibilities may be imposed upon the
nation during the next thirty years; wars,
! famine, improvements, national wOrks-Occa-
siOns for immediate and enormous expenditures
may come at any time and we can i'll meet
them with heavy debt. Let us pay it speed
| lily. The Governors argument to the contrary
is ingeniou~ Int not convincing.
| II is not strange that the Governor should
find the subject of punishment and the pardon
ing power interesting, since he has been so Sc
verely handled for certain works of mercy. APP
| peals for mercy are so numerous that much of
his time is absorbed in their consideration and
he fears he cannot always do justice He would
rather be relieved Of his blessed prerogative
About this we are not altogether clear, Mercy
is an executive act; it Is so purely matter Of
manhood and charity of sympathy, perhaps
! that to put it In the hands Of lawyers, or of q
Bureau officer with limited responsibility, is TO
either create new judicatory or weaken the
most precious duty Of supreme ruler. The
| Governor thinks that our prosecuting attorneys
are not always anxious to put evil-dOcrs in Jail,
and asks for further legislation. This is SEN
sible.
Our public charities, as well as military and
ernor's attention. New-YOrk City Is commended
to the consideration of the Legislature The
cholera was with difficulty kept out of it last
year, and pains should be taken to prevent its
entrance at another time. We want better
! quarantine accommodations, and the Legislature
should see that they are procured. Peace
full people will be glad to know
that we have 104 regiments Of infantry,
with cavalry, artillery, and light howitzer
| batteries There are $4,000 men in our National
Guards who do glorious duty on parade-days,
and are supposed to be ever burning TO meet
the foe. The Governor thinks that We need a
complete military system-that among other
things it will "keep alive the grand traditions
"of the race" and inspire a chivalrous sense of
national honor.n 1t is comforting to know that
we may turn to our National Guard and find
these things.
| We confess we find moro TO interest us In
education and the canal system than in the
chivalry of our National Guard. The report
shows that 5000 per cent of the entire number
of children between five and twenty-one years
OF age, or 4S.67 per cent of those between
six and seventeen years Of age, 90 to
school. We should like to see a larger
number attending, for the sake of tenn
perance, peace, increased Republican majorities
and an enlarged circulation of THE TRIBUNE.
The canals have paid s2,S74,75O 80. We think
the canal business requires thorough
overhauling. The whole concern La leaky, and
we fancy much thieving is done in quiet way.
Nor do tho canals do their business satisfacto-