The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-01-06
Governor HoRimnn's Message.

S'SAhoA hAS1"sse~s
The first message of our new Governor to
the Legislature is published on another page
of the paper. Agreeably to the old adage
that new broom sweeps clean Mr.. Hoffman
review of our State affairs, with many valu-
able suggestions for reform and some little
moralizing on political parties, State rights
and the duties of patriotism. It is q neat,
smoothly constructed and respectable docu-
ment. It remains to be seen whether Cover
nor Hoffman will take the high ground of
elevated patriotism which he has expressed In
words, and whether he will stand there inde-
pendent Of political parties, rings or cliques.
The beginning is very well. We shall see
how he win end.
Mr.. Hoffman commences his address by a
fitting tribute to our great State and this mag
nifcent metropolis, and says truly that there
Is no real conflict of interest between the city
and the country. Speaking ofthe agricultural
prosperity of the State he remarks that dur
ing the last year we have been favored by
abundant harry ests, and that the farmers have
met with compromising prices and general
prosperity. This is an important fact, which
ought to silence the on-to-specie-payment
croakers who try to make out that the coun-
try is being ruined and everybody suffering
in consequence of q paper currency. We
question il the farmers generally were ever
~ prosperous as they are now.
The exhibit Of the finances Of the State on
the whole is satisfactory. The debt on the
30th Of September, 1868, after deducting the
unapplied balances Of the sinking fund at that
date, was $3S, 1854, 44s. The sinking fund at
the present rate Of application, if not inter-
fered with or diminished, will extinguish the
whole debt within nine years. The surplus
revenue of the canals for the past fiscal year
has been sufficient to pay the balance of the
canal debt of 1916, to satisfy other require
ments and TO contribute over hundred thou
sand dollars toward paying the expenses ofthe
government. A change in the contract sys-
tenn for repairing the canals and more eff
cient management of them are recommended.
The cost Of the common schools was
go, 48O, ACT, and the receipts from taxes
and other sources, including balance of
over million in hand, amounted to the same.
The number Of children attending school was
97l,5l2. The total number in the State of
school ago Is 1880, 467; 50 there are more
than two-thirds Of the children in the State re-
ceiving . common school education. New
York may well be proud Of her common
schools.
With regard TO the several commissions for
governing the metropolitan district the Gov
crnor recommends they should be placed
under the Mayor Of the city, who is elected
by the people and who should be responsible
for the government Of the city. This self
government by the people Of the several locali-
ties he claims Ii the only one consistent with
our republican institutions and the spirit Of
the constitution.
He recommends greater facilities for the
naturalization Of citizens and the protection of
the franchise. He Is opposed to Capitalization
by the federal government, and holds that the
only way 10 preserve liberty is to leave the
regulation Of local affairs to the people in
their several localities. He applies this to the
question Of suffrage as well as municipal ad-
ministration. These views and suggestions,
with several others which we have not
specially noticed, are worthy the consideration
OF the Legislature. Mr.. Hoffman has begun
his official career very well in this message.
and we hope he may end with deeds as brave
as are his words.