The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-03


volvcd all tie duties now performed by the three
Canal Commissioners and the state Engineer.
great reform, which cannot be secured BY mere
change or Officers. The system is at fault. con.
stitutional amendment has been suggested putting
these institutions under the charge OF q Board OF
Citizens WHO are not to be paid for their services.
While that would be an Improvement upon the
present system, reflection upon the subject has
WINGED me that q better amendment would be 10
supersede the present commission OF three Inspec-
tors elected one every year by the peope) by one
Inspector OF state Prisons to be appointed by the
Governor aud to be removable by MIN. An advisory
or examining board OF citizens might be valuable In
addition; but for the actual administration OF prison
and me appointment Q, al so G
concentrated upon one man, that one man being
accountable to the Governor, than TO have tins
responsibility divided among the members OF
It might be well that the state Treasurer, being
the actual custodian OF the public moneys aud per-
should be appointed by Joint ballot OF the two
houses of the Legislature: but al other adminlstra
fore named should, in my Judgment, be appointed
by the Governor, with or without the consent OF
the Senate so to make his responsibility for the
good management oil the public affairs complete.
In connection with his part OF the subject would
recommend that the term Of oin1e Of the Governor
he extended to three sears winch was its duration
under the nrst contribution OF the State. III these
changes could be m.je N the constitution the peo-
OF putting OF f.SNer the entire administration
and bringing n a new SCI Of men, whereas now
they can make only a partial change every year.
1t has occurred more Than once In consequence OF
part OF them goinx out OF oflce each year, that
some OF the administrative onicers OF the state
have been Of one party and others OF the opposing
party-a condition OF things that bewilders the
popular judgment when seeking TO FIX responsible
ity for maladministrati0n
In the legislative department there Is great need
oil providing additional safeguards against faulty
aud special legislation. For twenty years past the
laws passed exceed an average OF I'VE hundred
year; Tor the last six years they average over eight
hundred year. and II requires now two very bulky
printed volumes OF above two thousand pages TO
record the acts OF each session. There can DC no
necessity for this mass OF legislation More Than
thousand bills are now passed In session; as
the session lasts only about one hundred days 1t
Will be seen that at least ten bills day have TO be
passed through both houses. and as three readings
should be had OF each bill In each house. II - PLAN
that dellberat0n by the members Of the two houses
| over proposed laws Is impossible.
Notwithstanding the Difference which II is natural
that the Executive should pay to the Legislature IN
matters pertaining to theli special DUTY That or law
making have found myself obliged, In the course
OF three sessions to Withhold my 0fncia approval
from aggregate OF three hundred and ninety one
bills In addition, more than one hundred DIS nave,
after beng delivered at the Executive chamber,
been recalled by the Legislature for reconsideration,
In order 10 coyras '"""rs"as OF strike Out objec-