The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-01-03
Affairs Mt Albany-The Governors
Message.

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Governor and Lieutenant Governor have
been indicted into Office for the new period
of three years. The three Canal Commits
sioners and the three State Prison lnspec-
tors are about to retire, in consequence
of the abolition of their Offices, and among
the first and most important acts OF the new
Governor will be the appointment OF a
Superintendent of Public Works, to dis
charge the duties of the superseded Canal
Commissioners, and Superintendent OF
Prisons, to take the place of the discarded
inspectors. The benefits expected from this
substitution will be realized in proportion 70
the fitness of Governor Robinsons selec-
tions, and there is no reason to doubt that
he will make good appointments. When
the Senate shall have confirmed his own sue
cessor to the vacated Comptrollership and
his nominations for Superintendent OF Pub
lie Works and Superintendent of Prisons
the new State government will be fully or
ganized.
The Legislature being republican in both
branches Governor Robinson will be un-
able to secure the adoption of any measures
which his political opponents do not APP
prove during the first year Of his admins
tration. But the election of Mr.. Sloan as
Speaker of the Assembly is an indication
that the republicans are disposed to CO.
operate with the Governor in useful meas
ures of a non-partisan character.
The conspicuous event in the proceed
ings yesterday was the reading of Governor
Robinson's Message, an unpretentious,
business-like document, whose weak feature
is the dissertation on national politics. with
which it closes. This was probably inserted
in the Message in compliance with the
wishes of the retiring Governor, and is only
of consequence so far as it may be supposed
to express his views of the immediate politi-
cal situation. This part of the Message is
too crude and careless to have been prepared
con amore by Governor Robinson, and is not
likely to produce any effect either upon
Congress or the public mind.
On State affairs the Message is more salts
factory, most of it's recommendations being
judicious, and nothing being introduced
for display or buncombe. Governor Robin
son is quite free from the temptations which
beset State Executive who accepts the
Office with a view to make political capital
for Interior purposes. He does not seem
anxious to attract general attention outside
of the State, but only to discharge the
duties which properly belong to his office
with efficiency, but without ostentation. He
accordingly lays stress on several important
subjects which were sighted by his prede-
cessor. Among these the one which ranks
highest in real importance-is the municipal
government of this city. Governor Tilden
steadily INSTRUCTED municipal reform, al
though its necessity was as apparent
at the beginning of his term as it
is now. Governor Robinson says:-"In
some respects the government of the city of
New York is in almost chaotic condition |;
appropriations Of money are regulated, not
by the Common Council, but by board Of
four persons, of whom only one is chosen
by the people. The distribution of admin
istrative and legislative powers is imper-
feet and uncertain. An outgoing Mayor
has power to appoint, in some cases, sub
ordinate administrative officers for term
exceeding that of the incoming Mayor.
This was as true two years ago MS it is at
present. and the need of rectification was
even more urgent, because the accidents of
politics have now brought the city govern
ment into tolerable harmony with itself,
whereas the different departments have
been at cross purposes for the last
two years Governor Tilden STAYED off
action on this important subject until
near the close of the first session Of the Leg
islature, when he procured authority to ap-
point O commission to devise plan.
He neglected to appoint that commission
until Just before the meeting Of the next
Legislature, and thereby postponed action
for still another session, because the
commission appointed at SO late a
day could not complete their task in
to Legislature which meets after>the ex-
piration of Governor Tilden's term, and the
great subject of municipal reform is no
further advanced than it was on the day
when the outgoing Governor was sworn in.
We trust that something efficient may be
uOue AT ILLS ScSSlOu, Olu Luul VIC uuNc uoW
Governor who will help forward the work
instead of blocking it by ingenious obstruc-
tons.
Another necessary reform Of great local
interest in this city to which Governor Rob-
inson properly calls attention is a change in
the management of savings banks. He rec
ommends several changes in the law of 1875
for regulating these institutions. He sug-
gests that they be forbidden to estimate
their securities above cost or above par,
even when their market value is greater
He would compel them to keep
the custody of their own funds and
restrain them from making loans to other
banks. He would reduce the amount of