The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-01-06
Favorable Condition Of the State
Finances.
Recommendations Regarding
the Canals.
The Metropolitan Commissions and Ex-
else Law Questions.
Repeal of the Laws Creating
Them Urged.
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, I
ALBANY, Jan. 5, 1859. (

EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, !
ALBANY, Jan. s. 1859.
To THE LEGIsLATURE:-
Having been elected to the highest ONCE in the
gift Of the people of the State have taken the oath
required by the constitution. Impressed with due
sense Of my responsibilities yet indulge the conf
dent hope that by the blessing and favor OF Almighty
GOD, who disposes all things, shall be able SO to
discharge my duties as to command the approval OF
my constituents and to promote the welfare OF the
State l am not unaware OF the embarrassments
which surround me- ! am here to administer and
execute important public trusts to reconcile ana
lust conflicting interests, as great as they are va
4; 10 overcome or moderate sectional preJudices
jeaousIes which may exist within our own ter
"; to preserve public ORDER; to protect the
lie works; to endeavor to reduce expenditures,
Ion and debt and to assert and maintain the
its Of the State and defend the interests Of its
citizens.
The TACT that neither branch Of the Legislature is
in political sympathy with the Executive may seem
TO be an obstacle in the way Of the accomplishment
of these ends. Relying, however, upon your intell
gence and patriotism, trusting that you win rse
shall strive to do above all party prejudices and
differences am ready with all the ability and en-
ergy possess, to unite with you, trust you will
unite with me, in every effort to secure to those
whose representatives we are the blessings Of an
cannot be unmtndful OF the greatness OF State
and the magnitude, variety and importance Of its
interests and resources Containing, as 1t does,
more than four millions OF people. among whom are
represented every nation and every creed; extend
ing. as it does from the ocean 10 the great inland
lakes, over an area OF more than fifty thousand
square miles, IT constitutes empire In extent and
population which cannot be well governed except
by the exercise OF the greatest moderation, wisdom
and frmness on the part OF the Legislature and Ex
ecutlve.
u The magnificent harbor which lies at our very
gates invites to the metropolis Of the State and OF
the whole country the trade and commerce OF all
foreign lands while the great lakes upon our bor
ders, and the canals and railroads which connect
them with the ocean bear onward to the same me-
tropolis the vast and increasing products OF our
own Western and Northwestern States Hence the
unparalleled growth and progress Of our great CITY,
Suburbs, numbeh more than nnethrd OF the popuias
ton and pays more than Onehall OF the taxes OF the
the apparently conflicting interests between it and
other portions OF the State can be justly harm0nzed,
how the differences OF sentiment and thought, polt-
cal and social between 1t and other sections can be
adjusted, are problems OF serious import THESE
and other grave questions. growing out OF con-
Hou are TO determine what legislation shall
be had with reference to our canals and railroads.
our moneyed corporations, our schools and colleges,
our asylums, prisons and charities, our great debt
and heavy taxes and to our varied population dr.
tering not only In religious faith but in views Of
moral ana social Obligations customs and duties.
The very magnitude OF our territory and OF the popu
iation within It's limits admonishes us thar upon
these ana other kindred subjects. 1t Is necessity
that we entertain none but broad and comprehensive
Ideas. Whatever may be our individual opinions to-
day, the great majority OF thoughtful men Will sooner
or later be forced to acknowledge that this great
metropolitan state cannot be governed upon any
merely provincial theories or by the enforcement OF
any narrow minded sectional or iiliberal policy; and
that the masses OF the people, While they WIZ de-
iratlon, perfect preservation OF law and order
and certain protection 10 lie ana property, Will
also Insist that IN everything which relates to social,
domestic and religious lie and the pursuit OF per-
Bonal welfare and enjoyment there shall be no I'M
Que unnecessary legislative or official interference
We must 50 act as to promote contentmenl recon
citation and harmony, rather than TO encourage dis
sension, alienation aud division.
We must not lavor Legislation which creates In the
minds OF a large number OF law-aoiding citizens
dissatisfaction with law ana aWmakers. Ali enact
Inents should be- as lar as possible, general in their
application. All iegis alton should be Tor the whole
people. IL should DC our ann SO 70 conduct pubic
anars as - AVOID those sectional Jealousles from
which have sprung suggestions that division OF the
State might be desirable. STATE pride and state
interests alike forbid such division. New YORK
stands to-day the Empire state OF the tnion and II
governed by wisdom IL has before Ii career OF ever
increasing greatness ana prosperity.
There Ii no real conflict OF interest between city
and country Agriculture and commerce together
make state great and prosperous. The merchant
and the agriculturist are mutually dependent upon
and interested IN each others welfare.
During the past year the agricultural interests OF
the state have been greatly favored by Providence
Our fields have yielded large harvests Tor which the
Farmer has found ready market and abundantiy
compromising prices. lie does not feel at present
the ul weight OF the burdens OF taxation, and
loices IN his prosperity. lie knows however, that
these burdens must IN the end be borne by country
and city alike; thai he cannot escape ms share Of
ment and trial will come. lie therefore unlfes IN
IAN admonition to- all In authority that public re-
sources must be husbanded; that no unjust or UNI
necessary taxes shall be imposed, and that
while In ali public affairs reasonable lib-
eralitv Is to be encouraged extravaganza
and waste win be condemned. large amolnl OF
invested capital has been declared by Congress ex-
mp from e ry ,noSp vino ssaa n
portion OF the public burdens will never be active In
opposing their increase. Some viii be always ready
20 favor projects involving great OUTLAWS OF pubic
money In enterprises Of real or supposed merritt but
cue great body OF the people viii not sanction any
expenditures or appropriations Inc necessary oa
which Il not clearly apparent
by the constitution the Executive Is required ITO
ms W ID sae ~ saSe ana 70
such matters TO them rs lie shall judge expedlent."
lproceed 10 discharge this duty.
Tne following is . condensed statement In relation
20 the finances and Indebtedness of the Staie:-
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS.
General fund.
Deficiency In the revenue ON the 30th OF
September, 1851 two million eight hun
bred and sixty thousand ave hundred
and eighty-six dollars. S2s6o5S9
Taymenls OF the year, ten million Two nsn-
ured and elght thousand one hundred
and ninety-eight dollars. l0,20s,l es
... sl3,00s,s e4
Receipts, ten rniilion one hundred and
twelve Thousand three hundred ana
tniltyon dollars io,i12 3si
Deficiency OF tho revenue the 3oth or
September, 1865, two million nine hun
dred and nfty-six thousand four hun
drCd aud dfty-tllree dollars. s2,p56.453
NdrE.-Thcre was due at tho close OF the fiscal
year nom the city OF New York four million i've nun
dred and thirty thousand and fourteen dollars, Of
which ts000. has since been paid making up the
above deficiency and leaving large surplus
General ana other Funds.
Receipts OF the year on account OF
all the funds, except the Canal
and Free school FUND, sixteen
million three thousand one hundred
and seventyeivht dollars. .......... S1Gc03, LIS
palance due the Treasury on
the 3oth OF september, 1857,
three hundred and nity thou
sand aud nine dollars. S350,009
1,nyments OF year, fourteen mil