New-York tribune., 1869-01-06

nre bnt thew were DELAYED by an nunotion from exc
cutting the contract until the 11h OF september
Owing TO this delay II not until The f4n Oi Jahu
1861 that the first crbwOrk which 10 constitute the
foundation OF the structure sunk in its proper posi-
ton The inclemency of the weather soon after com
nailed the Temporary suspension OF the work. but II was
resumed and from time to time prosecuted as the eIe
ments permitted, until the foundation Was ~, ne
is considered TO be In proper cohdltoh oI e
tion II buildings thereon, and II probable that 'esc
viii be finished during the present season NV many
ne n very doubtful experiment, who believed that the
m oxnosrd point I'm the waters Of the bay. But am
advised by competent judges that lts success can ho
longer be considered prOblematical. -,
n nerformng the duties enoined upon them the Board
found Themselves embarrassed by the restrictions OF inc
act by which they were % ercton Of the structure
but terms them no power 10 modly or TO guni
against emergencies or 10 make aleruohs Will , rn
prove to be necessary in the progress OF tne wofS t
cent and severe storm had tested the strengtn Oh te
structure more thorongs s wod suggest that an
addition to the rprap should DC hade ior iurei DC
curity. , 4. ., ors n, tho
Board recommend such legislation as may be heces-
sry 10 enable them to accomplish their WORK. po.,
BY an act passed at the OF 1868 the same oad
was authorized TO erect another structure on West BANK
TO be used boarding station for quarantine purposes
and am advised that the work is in successful pro
gress Only $4,000 was appropriated by tne act pus ~
was generally supposed that sum OF s5OOOo which nau
been appropraed in the Supply bill OF 1867 for the erec-
ton place for the temporary detenti0n Oh passehsci
under quarantine, could be applied to this purpose:
however has been suggested whether the act OF
sS7 M nor in tins respect wholly superseded by subse-
auent enactment / respectfully recommend whatever
egsaton may be necessary complete this work, so
essential to the due administration OF our quAfa'no
The report of the Commissioners which viii be laid be-
fore you will contain the statistics Ia reference 10 u'
eases treated under quarantine durns 'no pa'' ''"
CATTLE DISEASE.
nrr,pg tho mast Summer contagious disease, known
as the Texas cattle disease made l appearance 10 ths
western states and measures immediately adopted
NV fhe commissioners appointed for the purpose 10 pre-
vent its introduction into our State These measures.
ns Sm sa 9 Of the disease and in every instance it
confined the farms which IL originally appeared
early day IL IS estimated that within this State there
900 cattle the annual value OF their products Deing
upward OF s2iO0OO0O The protection OF this source OF
wealth is matter OF so much Importance to our agrlcu
tural population as TO merit the continued attention OF
the Legislature. AIN informed that the act for the pre-
venton OF infectious diseases among cattle passed Api
90 1866 needs amendment In order TO enable the COns
', ~ ~ I" recnmmend the subject 10 the care
ful consideration of the Legislature
IMMIGRAIIOS
During the past year the number OF alien immigrants
landed at the Port OF NewYork was 237Os showing de-
from 1867 OF 29o9 This decrease may be atribu
and the competition Of other States, winch, In order to
attract immigration TO themselves, nave estaDlishea
direct steam communication with European countries
The Commissioners OF Emigration during the past year
have improved the lands and buildings and the facilities
caring for the sick and destitute on wards Island
They have also established Labor Exchange In con-
necton with the landing depots at Castle Garden by
means OF which they have been enabled 10 supply the
demand for labor from the various parts OF the country
and to secure immediate employment FOR many lmml-
grants over 10000 orders for male and female lmni-
grant labor have been led from the bureau OF this
department For more detailed accounts or the workings
Of the Emigrant Commission you respectfully re-
ferred 10 their annual report, when Will shOrty DO
10 you.
missions in the Metropolitan District and other district
commissions and boards In the state respectfully refer
you TO the several reports which VIII be duly transmitted
CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CODES, ac
The codes prepared by the two commissions organized
under the Constitution have heretofore been presented
the twenty fourth section Of the sixth article
has reported codes Of civil and criminal procedures and
teenth section OF the first article has reported civil.
penal and political codes book of forms has also been
Volumes designed to lay before the PEOPLE IN con-
else and systematic form, the whole body OF the law
common aud statutory, with formulas or general use.
Much labor has been expended by the Commissioners
upon their work, which has commanded considerable
public attention The code OF eiyl procedure has been
code Of criminal procedure by 10 of them and oiy and
enL code the last reported has been adopted oy Two OF
10 the subjects embraced In these various reports CON-
mend them 70 your early eonsdeTailon. ms a.. ,u,.,.
iuIe !espeetiny suggest me Bfopsy OF ss
as well ss an immediate reform IN our criminal laws
/ particularly recommend that provision be made by
the circumstances attending the homi-
eide do not In the opinion ofthe uy justify punshment
by death. they render verdict OF murder OF less
degree TO be punished by imprisonment for term OF
years, the maximum Of which shall be fixed by law.
The Constitution Of the State In terms recognizes for
the purposes OF local government conntcs cities towns
and Villages and other territorial divisions IL directs
that all officers whose appointment Is not provided Tor
shall he elected by the electors or appointed by the
Authorities OF locality within which their powers
to be exercised distinctly recognizing the right OF elect
local communities 10 choose their own officers and
they eeSs rear S nn Sn o The hs been
clearly violated In the creation by the Legislature OF
shed by the organic law II is rue the highest court OF
the State. by bare majority vote, held this legislation
VALID but 1t has. nevertheless been very generally sd
mitted to have been partisan contryance for power
and II not open violation at least evasion OF the
One OF these districts, called the Metro
pOltan District embraces the counties OF New YORK,
Kings westchester and Richmond The people of these
counties. and OF the cities Of NewYork and Brooklyn
own local affairs many important particulars. espec
ally with reference to matters OF health police and ex
cse and these interests have been committed 70 officers
appointed by State authority who.do not represent the
majority OF the Inhabitants OF the respective counties
minority in these districts the power OF governing the
Df the Constitution whose manifest intention was that
power and responsibility should go together unhesita
ngly recommend the repeal OF all laws creating these
svery county and city in the State Of the Constitutional
power TO regulate and manage their own local AFFAIR."
egard TO the necessity OF these Commissions the fact
ndspuable that they have been established only over
ooaltIos and communities which not In political
ympathy with the dominant party In the Legislature
the repeal not only because the legislation TO
Sich object s usurpation OF power and an evasion OF
he Constitution, but also because tho Commissions
themselves have been to great extent partisan in their
and conduct and because the majority OF the
,eOpe the respective districts have had no effective
representation IN them. and these COMMISSIONS being
controlled by authority foreign 70 the communities in
which they exist, and owing no responsibility To tho
eope governed have been administered without regard
o popular rights.
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
Questions relating 10 municipal government In onr
eat cities have immediate connection with the subject
which have Just referred. 10 is fayorte theory
With that the people Of such cities cannot safely be
nrusted with the management Of their own affairs, and
hat the State at large Is directly interested their
Ood government that 10 should assume entire control
yer them No man assent TO this without admitting
hat republican form OF government Ia failure About
nehaf of the population Of the State reside within the
mits OF cities and this theory II true, would necessar
lead to the conclusion that onehalf OF people
nt TO exercise the duties and enjoy the privileges which
ertain 10 the citizens OF free government
In the City Of Eew-York. which may properly DO
illustraton Of views the Advocates of