The New York herald., 1871-01-04
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, ALBANY, Jan. 3, 1871.

EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, ALBANY, Jan. 3, 1871.
To THE LEGIsLATURE:-
The favorable action Of the Legislature. at rs last
session, upon many important recommendations
made by me has left very few questions OF State
policy TO which 1t IS necessary to call your atten-
tion.
General laws have been passed, through which
much special legislation Will be avoided. The con-
splracy laws have been amended. A new revision
OF the statutes has been ordered. The registry laws
except in the city OF New York) have been re-
pealed. Important changes in canal policy have
been made. The examination Of numerous
claims against the State, heretofore requiring
special act IN each case has been provided for by
single statute. The excise laws have been modi-
fed IN conformity with the judgment OF majority
Of the people A general law Tor the incorporation
OF villages has been enacted. The powers OF the
boards OF supervisors OF the several counties have
been enlarged. Metropolitan and other district
commissions which had absorbed the rightsul
powers OF local governments, have Deen abolished.
The management OF their own affairs has been re-
stored TO the people Of the great cities The initia-
tory steps have been taken to secure more Just
and satisfactory assessment or property for taxa.
ton
These subjects engrossed, in great degree, the
time OF the Legislature at the last session. The dis
position then made of them having commanded the
popular endorsement the principles involved may
be treated as settled. am justified, therefore, in
the hope that the present legislative sessi Will be
much shorter than usual. 1t will be a relief to the
people II the volume OF annual legislation be dmn-
shed especially If they see that much OF the
dimlnuti0n is due to the defeat Of the private
schemes which are SO frequently thrust upon your
consideration.
Although the people Of this State are enjoyinn q
iair degree OF prosperity, they feel sensioly the
neavy burden OF taxation, federal, State and local.
always do, lessons their home comforts and inter-
feres with their efforts to improve their condition.
They watch closely their representatives legislative
and executive, In the administration Of public
affairs. They expect retrenchment Of expendi-
lures wherever 1t IL possible, and have right to
demand that legislation be confined to Its legitimate
purpose to w.t. the equal protection OF all and the
promotion Of the general good. They know that all
the money drawn from the public treasury is taken
out OF their earnings that there s IN TACT public
treasury except IN the pockets OF the people. VIII
ernment, they are not disposed to be parsimOniOus
In contributing thereto but waste extravaganza and
taxation for the benefit OF private speculative enter
prlses will incur their condemnation.
me tendency on the part OF both federal and
state legislatures for many years past has been TO
the making OF laws for the benefit OF favored few,
protecting and advancing special at the Of the
general interests. Those who seek such legislative
favors always ready put forward the speclous
argument that some public benefit is likely to accrue
as compensation for the private gain assured to
themselves; but IN too many cases the result Is
simply that new burdens are imposed on the people.
This evil IS one Of great magnitude. Our govern
nent Is government by majorties; but it is mis-
take to suppose that the governing power even
when vested In majority, has the right 10 impose
taxes upon the people At large for purposes OF pri
vatc benefit
1t is time to return both In federal and State al.
fairs to full appreciation OF the principle OF JUS
tfce to all, upon which our government il founded
Our country has passed through the struggles and
trials OF great civil strife and people are ran
idly forgetting the causes which engendered it, and
the griefs and SORROWS 1t produced. While the ma.
tions OF Europe are csnyulsed by war, or stand in
dread oil IT, a merciful Providence blesses us with
peace. Gratitude to God as well as our interest," de.
mands that we shall cultivate all through the land.
the spirit Of maRnanmity, charity and patriotism:
then, II wisdom shall inspire our counsels we NAV
easily throw OF the burden which folly and evil pas
sions have put upon us, and enter upon new ca
reer OF public and private prosperity.
TAXES.
The rate OF State taxation this year Is about seven
and one-fourth mills. Nearly 0ne-thrd OF the tax is
for the annual payment on our war bounty debt re-
qulred by the act creating It. Besides this, one mill
was necessary TO provide for obligations Incurred
and claims audited In former years. but for payment
OF which the Legislature then omitted TO make ap-
preparations. 1t was question OF discretion but
matter OF State honor, that these claims heretofore
examined and audited by the proper Officers should
be paid ut once. They ought TO have been paid be.
FORE This item will not appear another year. Five
egngns ol mul are levied to meet payWe9ts tE work