New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-01-05
ALBANY.

| GOV. TiLDEN'S FORTHCOMING MESSAGE.
THE LEADING POINTS Is THE DocUMENT-LEGisiA-
TON FOR THE PUNISHMENT or MANIFESTATION
IN OFFICE TO BE STRONGLY URGgD-sUGGEs-
TONS REGARDING THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE
| CANAIS-sPECIE PAYMENTS FAvoRED-A REDUC-
TON IN TAXATION URGED
IDY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIpUNEl
ALBANY, Jan. 4.-From what can be gathered
from the guarded talk Of those who have evidently
learned something of the contents Of Gov. Iiden
first message to the Legislature, it will undoubtedly
be paper of remarkable interest and Importance,
the more so as it deals with questions Of public
policy with which Gov Tlden's name is lastinSly
and honorably Identified, and on which he is
enabled to speak with authority. There are three
topics which are mentioned as being treated with
considerable fullness. The one most calculated to
attract attention on account of Mr.. Tildens
reform record in New-YOrk is that OF
fraud and maversation in Office, and the
remedies by which it may be possible to punish
crimes of this nature Under this head are included
defacations and all breaches of trust, and the Gov
is said to refer directly to the thefts OF Tweed
and Phelps as cases In point. Attention Will be
called to the tschncalities in both the criminal and
civil remedies for such oiienses which impede the
course of justice greatly that while the common
thief receives heavy sentence. the embezzler OF
hundreds of thousands, or even of millions escapes
with light one or none at all. Both criminal and
civil remedies are equally insufficient for the pur
poses of proper redress. The statute relating to
embezzlement and that furnishing larceny are in
efiectual against public officers who have betrayed
their trusts.
In the Governors reference to the inadequacy OF
civil remedies it is understood that he refers at con-
siderable length to the decision of the Court of Ap-
peals which renders it impossible under existing
laws for an individual to bring q suit in his own
name for redress of wrong done to the people, and
comments severely upon the fact that the officer who
has been guilty of violation of trust may hold In his
hand the political life of the man or men whose duty
it would be to bring the action for redress La or
der to remedy this defect in the existing legislation
the Governor will probably recommend the passage
of law giving the State the right to sue
in such cases, and IN order to make it pos
sble to bestow punisbments on such Grim
inals as Tweed and Phelps somewhat COM
mensurate with their oenses and in less ludicrous
contrast to the penalties imposed for crimes of very
inferior magnitude. The Governor will recommend
the adoption of law which shall be 80 full in its
provisions aud SO distinct its imposition Of penal
ties as to leave no loophole of escape.
The second topic of great Importance is that OF
the canals, which will be treated at great length
and with much elaboration, and will serve as text
for an exhaustive discussion of the whole trans
portation problem. The Governor is expected to
take strong ground for the improvement of the
waterway of the Erie Canal, and such other meas
ures as are necessary for facilitating transit The
question of the feasibility Of the employment of
steam on the canals will be discussed at some
length, and suggestions made for improvements
looking toward its general use. In regard to the
lateral canals, the Governor will. it is understood,
recommend the appointment of q commission to I'M
dertake the management Of their disposition.
The third topic is that of the currency. 1t goes
without saying that Gov. Tilden will speak en-
phatically on the side of hard money and the
preservation of the public credit. There will be, of
course many other subjects of interest touched
upon. Among the more prominent of these is the
present state of taxation, Federal State and munich
pal The whole question will be discussed in all its
bearings the burdens of excessive taxation pointed
out, and the necessity of reduction strenuously
urged In his referenceto the Constitutional Amend
ments the Governor will suggest the need of careful
action in the enactment of general laws for carrying
them into effect. The message has been put in print,
and is now being revised