The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-01-05
Totals. SOS, SIS sse sla, ssh as2 sl4 al, aO4

Contingent IS, 900 6677 1892
Ssasi Ss s sSS IS q ssss sis
Totals $2s S2s $50 $ls 5Sl, 3s2 $l4 TAI, 3O4
The reduction during the year Of the debts by
cancellation and by the purchase OF
sS5S 900 of the bounty loan for the sinking fund.- Is
$1,s7o,77o. The dminution during tho year Of the
debts after deducng the Of the sinking funds is
So sos o. The bounty debt sinking fund has been
reduced to 81, 727, TAG II. 1t has cost the State
$50 600 900 during the last ten years deficiency OF
$625 6l0 will have to be supplied to the sinking fund OF
the canal debt The application OF the sums appro-
prated from taxes, in process Of collection, would
reduce the state debts about and one-quarter
millions OF dollars exclusive of accrung interest
Another observation ought be made in respect to
the sinking funds Nearly ST. 200 900 of the
sist Of premiums its stocks at cost present
market rates 1t is clear that the operations of the
sinking funds should be revised The best investment
certainly the safest for State, for individual is
In the payment of Its debts II that be possible on
reasonable terms.
Owing to the negligence OF past Legislatures TO re-
strain local officials unicpal bodies from undue
license in contracting debts, In 1876 the city OF New
York has debt OF 1922 O0O 000 after deductng its
sinking funds against debt OF less than $1i 900
ls46 The other cities Of the State SEQ O00 o0o
and many counties and towns also largely burdened
After referring TO the tax levies OF the past years.
that OF 1874 producing SIS 4S2 o. and that OF last
year S14 6S the Governor says that reduction
of taxes, without reduction in appropriations, would
but create deficiency and floating debt. These
would have to be paid by subsequent increase ofaxes
The appropriation bills framed to correspond with
the lower valuation, and much effort made TO keep
down the appropriations The reduction in the appro
prations OF 1875 below the taxes OF 1S4-countDg at
its construction, item about which there may
be doubts 81 $50, 677 S. This leaves the
Of ST. O33 s75 is applicable to the reduction OF taxes for
the coming fiscal year
The reduction Of appropriations for extraordinary
canal repairs asylums and reformaory and general
purposes during the past amounted to 81 25 1873
The Governor handles the subject OF loose dealing in
the financial affairs OF the State regards appropria
in a very trenchant manner and shows how taxes
may be reduced during this year TO half the amount
assessed during the year 1874 He takes leave OF the
financial question these 1.-THE amendment to
the constitution brought into operation last
session, imposing the Governor the obligation
wise every item OF appropriation, works change in
Official practice amounting TO revolution Hitherto
the appropriations we're embraced in bills that had
TO be accepted rejected as whole, the items have
BEEN In eject withdrawn from the action OF the Gov
erner The responsibility now devolved on him is very
laborous and difficult II tends perhaps, 70 work some
partments In ordinary legislation II is stretch
ing the function OF the Executive veto too
far TO apply 1t to every in which the Governor,
member Of the Senate or Assembly would vote
against bill There TO be disposition to hold
the Executive to the extreme Of accountability in re-
spect TO appropriations This tendency may DO carried
far TO disturb the constitutional equilibrium OF
the executive aud legislative forces
CANAL.
The Governor, after referring to the importance and
value of this highway through the State speaks
OF his famous movement against the Canal Ring,
captivating the measures adopted by him TO unmask
the delinqucnts The income and expenses OF canals
for the year ending September So 1875, were as toll,
lows:-Toal disbursements all canals in excess OF
tolls $685. 044 o. Tolls in Of disbursements for
ordinary repairs, $63s, 26S S. There falling of
with those of 1874 OF ST. OIL 977 g. decrease pay
ments Of 81, l5S So, and loss in net receipts Of
81 OLE S26 40the net revenue being $62 60 10 short
requirements of the sinking fund under article l.
section 3 OF the constitution.
The Message then recommends the following
MEASURES REFORM
In this state OF things II Is obvious that our FIRST
measure should be to ascertain completely and without
unnecessary delay the financial condition OF the canals
the Of the contracts yet outstanding for
binary work. In order to determine what ought to be
stopped abandoned and what ought be continued,
and the means applicable to any expenditure they may
second measure is the careful and thorough nves-
tgaton of ordinary expenses and repairs for the pur
pose OF keeping them down 10 the lowest point
sistent with the efficiency Of the canals
/ third relates 10 the disposition OF such
laerals not necessary as feeders II will be
| recollected that at the last session, in view
OF the complicated questions incident TO this sub
! ject requiring legal engineering and business
! skill and much devotion OF time aud attention,
The Legislature, however preferred TO charge the Ca
! nal Commissioners and State Engineer and Surveyor
with the additional duty: am not advised what re-
port they will make on the subject
A fourth measure is radical change In the system
OF administration The present machinery Is chaotic,
except something OF the unity which existed
practice the Canal Board under the old constitu
ton, is incapable Of acting with efficiency or economy
The abuses perversions Of law and morals improvi-
dence and which cling around It the growth
OF years When man OF average well meaning and
average ability comes singy into one OF these admins
tratve Offices the graft develops not its own nature but
the nature of the parent Il Is difficult to carry
reform by instruments that ncuraby averse 10
REFORM whose Incidence, comfort associations habits,
assistants and advisers all naturally opposed TO
what they expected TO do Every step OF progress
is not only through enemys country but beset by
constitutional amendment changing the system OF
administering the canals was unanimously passed by
both houses at the last session. Your attention vs. re-
specially called TO the Importance OF an early consid-
! GRAFTON OF the subject
| nth measure is the continuance for the present
year OF the REDUCTION ia the tolls made for last year.
sixth 70 subject all the work called ex-
traordnary repairs systematic and thorough scru-
tiny and discard everything that clearly and
tainy necessary. When the debris or the old rotten
utility small which will claim early atten
ton and for which the people would be willing 70 pro-
vide the meas
Is next referred to IN the Message, and then His Excel
lency legislative log rolling the subject Of
asyiums and the reformatory -Four State institutions
are process OF constructon-three asylums for the
insane and reformatory. IL might have been sup
posed mat suSn 40 we oeua no
| become necessary the instant and that common
prudence would have dictated that one institution
should be completed before another was begun But
unfortunately the sacred influence OF charity
could these works from The spirit OF legislative
log rolling or the rapacity Of local expenditure
The policy Of beginning everything and nnishng
nothing has prevailed Construction has been q
scale OF costly extravaganza
Al the last session 81 $50 600 raised BY taxes had
been expended on these four institutions, and about
$3.50 600 raised By taxes and Appropriated remained
unexpended, and JET no considerable part Of these
works had been made available
STATE
Although the burden imposed upon the taxpayers OF
the State BY these institutions has been slightly de-
creased within the last three years think the people
ought not to DO satisfied with the present exhibit
Under q proper system and with proper manage
ent the prisons Of The State Allied for the most part
with ablebodied men, ought TO be selfsupportng, n
indeed they ought not 10 produce considerable reve-
70 the State Other Institutions OF Ike charao-
ter, and possessing IN some respects less sdvantage
impose no burden upon the people; and one con-
spicuous institution In this city Affords surplus 70 the
county
recommend that thorough inquiry be made with
respect the management Of the state prisons IN such
manner the Legislature may think best 70 the end
that such reforms both In legislation and In admins
trA,ion may be accomplished are accessory 10 pro-