The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-08
A. DEFECTIVE CRIMINAL CODE.
Prompt Retribution the Cure for
Crime and LawlessnesS.
NO STATE FUNDS FOR PRIVATE CHARITIES.
The Canals, Savings Banks, Taxation and
Usury Laws Descanted On.
an ABLE AND COMPREHENSIVE DOCUMENT.
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, /
ALBANY, Jan. 7, 1873. !

EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
ALBANY, JAM 7, 1879.
To THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY,
FELLOW CITIzENs-You are assembled under cir
cumstances which demand the acknowledgment Of
our heartfelt thankiulness to the Sovereign Ruler
OF the universe. The year which has just closed Is
marked by the usual abundance OF our harvests,
the general prosperity of our people, our exemp-
ton from the calamities OF fire and nood by which
other communities have been desOlated and the
absence Of all MINOR evils, excepting such as are
the fruit OF our own errors and improvidence.
We have q special cause for graduation In the
prevailing calm which has succeeded the late con.
tested election Of the Chief Magistrate Of the
Union, furnishing, as 1t does. renewed evidence Of
the ready acquiescence Of the people Of the United
States In whatever the majority, through the set
tied forms Of the constitution deliberately decide
When we consider that ve-sixths of all the States
have cast their votes for the same candidate fol
their SURFACES may we not regard 1t as an indica
tion that the animosities incident to the late de-
plorable conflict between the two great sec
lions OF our country are gradually wearing
away, and that a liberal and enlightened
policy on the part OF Congress and the
eminent citizen on whom the public confidence
has been thus signally bestowed will lead to an
eventual and not far-distant oblivion OF past diff
ferences No achievement can be more Intimately
interviewer with our common prosperity or more
worthy OF the cooperation Of oil good citizens than
the obliteraton OF those sectional distinctions
which have proved so fruitful source OF dlscord
and strife.
The administration of the federal government
during the last four years has, under many impor-
tant aspects, been eminently successful. More
than three hundred and sixty millions OF the pub
Tic debt have been paid the heavy burdens patroti
cally assumed by the people, to prevent dismem-
berment OF the Union by intestine war, have been
essentially ghtened through the abolition OF taxes
questions Of an irritating character between us
and Great Britain have been amicably and salts
factorily settled; our obligations Of good faith
toward other nations have been scrupulously full
filled and the peace Of the country has been innexi
bly, maintained In the presence of events which ap-
pealed with great force to our sympathes as free
people,
Withdrawing the attention from the broader field
Of our federal relations and bringing it within the
circle OF our own immediate concerns, may not
appeal to you In the spirit Of Cancellation which
presages for the former tranquil future, to forget
That party associations have divided u.s. aud in
woke your earnest and patriotic concurrence in the
correction of abuses, the consideration OF which
entered so largely into the recent state election,
snd ia regard TO which the popular will has been so
The first message Of a Governor OF the State
must necessarily, from the short period interven-
Ing between his election and the meeting OF the
Legislature, be confined to the presentation of his
own views upon subjects familiar to the great
BODY Oh his fellow citizens. He can only know the
condition ofthe different departments OF the State
government through the reports OF the officers
having them in charge. These reports will be SUBJ
mitted to you, and proceed to give synopsis OF
them IN anticipation OF the more detailed iaforma.
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
Inc receipts and paymentSfr0m the Treasury on
account OF all the funds, except the canal and free
school funds, for the fiscal year ending 3Oth Sep
tember 1872, were as follows:-
d. 252
Balance in the Treasury 1851. 500
During the last few years the sums voted by the
Legislature for various OBJECTS greatly in ex-
cess OF the current revenues. BY this imprOvident
legislation deficiencies to the amount Of more than
by succeeding Legislatures. l believe 1t to be
Just and salutary rule that no appropriation of
taneously the means OF payment. No better safe
guard could be found against extravagant and in
Gon sG legislation Tor It is hardly to be sup
debt by wssteu expendItur enc and nar'' incur II
the people 70 deiray them. An ansuccessru IpS at
tempt was made to throw the burden OF these de-
nent State debit but ii failed through a constitu.
tonal obstacle and the amount was added by the
Comptroller to the tax levy for the current year.
Iearnestly appeal TO you to correct these errors
on the part of your predecessors by abstaining
from all expenditures which are not Indispensable
TO an economical administration OF the govern
ment. The people Of the State are already weighed
down by enormous burdens OF taxation. believe
q prudent husbandry of our financial resources by
providing for more strict supervision and man.
sg SI OF public establishments, which now
make heavy drafts upon the Treasury, and by re-
strictng appropriations OF money to State objects
For the purpose OF carrying these views into
enect recommend the passage OF general law,
authorizing and requiring the Comptroller when
ever In any year an appropriation by the Legsla-
plicable to 1t, to provide for such deficiency by
adding IL TO the TAX levy. The people, on whom
the burden falls, WIN be the more likely to scrutin
lie the appropriations by which 1t was created,
and be enabled to decide whether they were re-
CURED to meet the actual wants Of the govern
dent legislation. In this manner they may hold
their representatives to strict accountability.
were bestowed upon private chertes
for the most part OF o local and sectarian char
acter consider these appropriations incon.
the taxpayers. on whom the burden ultimately
falls. The institutions for the support OF which
They belong to localities in which there are large
accumulatlons Of wealth, and where private con-
sriouo3ns may be readily procured to sustain such
varably under the exclusive control OF particular
fengous societies, with some Of which feeling Of
lealousy ana asense Of injustice are naturally ex
cited Dy any unequal distribution OF the public
bounty ameng them Moreover, it appears to me
~ &c ~, on, VI e'e!y principle oil equal justice
W saA sne People VI ot. Lawrence and Allegany,
for the support OF private or sectaria Charities I'M
New YORK or other wealthy and populous cities
The last Legislature refused to make appronria.
lions OF the public money for these obects and 7
hope you may consider their example worthy of
Imitation. "
STATE DEBT.
The following statement shows the amount of the
state debt on the 30th OF September 1872 after de-
Quoting the unappied balances Of the sinking funds
NJ that date:-
Balance Of
Debt on the Sinking Balance Of