New-York tribune., 1873-01-08
TILE GnHERNORS MESSAGE.


very high, will, we think, be generally re-
carded as practical and business-like docu-
ment. While we are satisfied, or at all events
not dissatisfied. we shall leave the business of
oyer-praising TO those whose business it is,
and who are now finishing up week OF
thanksgiving for a bevy OF oihce-holders
who will not be surpassed in integrity genius,
urbanity. patriotism, &c, until new Governors,
new Sneakers new dOorkeepers, and new assist
ant sergeants- arms of the same politics sue
ceed them.
The Governor clearly sees the evils in the
recent financial legislation OF the state, ana
does not mince matters in his rec0mmenda-
tions with regard to them. We have Con-
stitution expressly designed to keep the State
from accumulating debts, and so long as that
Constitution is held sacred it is next to I'M
Dossible for the State to involve itself
in times of peace. The Governor, there
fore. in recommending the passage OF gen
eral law authorizing and requiring the
Controller to raise the tax levy at any time In
order to cover any appropriations tor which
adequate taxation has not been provided, is
little forgetful of the safeguards we already
have. The present Legislature, with the as
sstance of the 56,5O0,O00 which is already
collected in most of the counties, starts out
with the public accounts more nearly balanced
than they have been for generation. 1t re-
mains for the new Administration to keep
them balanced.
The canal revenues for the year were
s3,O7s, 900; the ordinary repairs and cost of
collection amounted to $1,S76000, and the APP
parent surplus was $1,2O2,OOO But after deduct
ing the Extraordinary" repairs, which are quite
as ordinary as the others, there is deficiency
of S3l4,OOO, which must be met by tax
alton. These items of expense are of
less consequence, even pecuniariy, to the
people of the State than the comparative in
efficiency of the canal First it needs thor
oughly digging out so that boats can be
moved by less effort comparatively than stone
boats on land; second, some application OF
steam is required if we are to make headway
in the competition with railroads and the
canal system of Canada; third, the
canal locks must be adapted to boats
of a different model, which will be
required if increased speed, whether
by steam or horsepower, is ever to
be realized. These improvements, certainly
the first and last, are not to be Sc
cured without considerable expenditure
of new capital. The Governor accordingly
urges the funding of the States existing debts
into five per cent bonds To run forty years,
thus divestng the canals of part of their eX
listing burdens. This can be done by an amend
ment to the Constitution, and at the
same time an additional sum obtained with
which to complete the canal and enlarge the
locks. This programme, though popular in
the cities and among those most deeply inter-
ested in the progress of the State, will not
meet with universal favor, for reasons which
we need not state, but which apply with
more or less force TO all enterprises under
permanent Government control
In relation to New-York City, the Governor
is substantially in accord with the Mayor. He
condemns the high salaries of the existing
Commissions, and advocates the investitllre of
the Mayor with ample power and responsible
ity. There is no evidence that his
Excellency sympathizes with the schemes
of the politicians and functionaries who
regard the administration of municipal affairs
solely as SO much patronage to be disposed
of for The benefit of party. 1t is whispered
VndV pL'hi oOd'onlo"C VI ho iA"Oi0hoJ .
views has caused material notifications in
proposed charters. The Governors recommend
atiOns in the matters of the usury laws, the
punishment of murderers, the conveyance Of
property by aliens, the cumulative vote, and
on several other matters are bold and radical,
and calculated to provoke discussion, He
expends most Of his ammunition upon
live topics. Even his suggestion that Har-
Dor Masters should be persons of integrity,
who have seen salt water and know the diff
feIence between sheets and sails, smacks of
Civil Service Reform, and deserves grateful
recognition. We arg Curious to see to what
extent the Legislature will carry out these
various ideas.