The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-27
TEXT OF THE GOVERNORS MES
SAGE.

ALBANY, March 20, 1877.
Tho Governor, through the hands OF his private
secretary transmitted the following veto message,
which was read 10 the House -
STATE or NEW York, |
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, ALBANY, March 20, 1877.
To THE Assembly,
return, without my approval, Assembly bill No. IS,
entitled, IAN act in relation to the superintendent of
Public Works" The frauds and crimes the canal
management, brought TO light within the last two
years, are well known. They imposed oppressive
burdens alike upon the taxpayers ana the Doatmen
who navisatcd tho canals II they had not been
rested they would have covered the State with disgrace
and brought the canals to ruin. Al the last election
tho people, by majority OF 45l32l, adopted an
amendment to tho constitution establishing an en-
trcIy now system canal administration. IL
provides Tor the appointment by tho Governor,
pv and with the advice and consent OF the
Senate of superintendent OF Pubic Works,
to hold his office during the term OF tue Cover
nor ny whom no Is nominated, and by whom he may
DO suspended or removed at any time without action
by tho senate. The Governor himself is thus made
sponsbie to the people OF tho State Tor the faithful
performance OF the duties OF The superintendent whom
accountability. Tue object OF this provision
to hold the executive head OF the State
responsible Tor any further Encouragement Of tho
canals. The superintendent is charged with the
cuton of all laws relating 10 the repairs and navigation
Of the canals subject to the control Of the Lcgisa-
ture, he shall make the rules ana regulations Tor tho
navigation OF tho canals. He Is TO appoint not
more than three assistants VINO are 10 be subject 10
suspension or removal ny him. All other persons en-
ployed The and manage cement OF the canals
ccpt collectors tolls aud those the depar OF
the state Engineer and Surveyor, shall be appointed
by the superintendent OF Public Works and be subject
to suspension or removal by him.
The Office Of Canal commissioner Is abolished 'from
and after tho appointment aud qualification OF
the superin' encent OF Puoiic Works, until
continue discharge the duties pro.
vided by law" 1t must be apparent to every that
the super ntcndcnt to have any chance OF
cess organizing this new system, eparIg his plans
and regulations selecting his assistants and employees,
repairing canals getting them ready Tor navigation
al the usual time, II was vitality important that he
should be appointed ana enter upon the vide lcid OF
his the earliest practicable day. Under
amendment he might have been appointed any time,
but he could not enter upon the duties Of his office
until he had gwen the security TO be required ny law
In my annual Message communicated 10 the Legs
lature the I'd day OF January ast called spcca
attention. to this subject ana earnestly urged the i'm
mediate passage OF liking The salary and the
amount OF security to be gwen, that the Supcrn-
tcndent might be appointed and enter ut upon
WORK. leaving any further legislation that might be
found desirable be perfected at the OF
tao Legislature this recommendation dsre-
garded. No bill was introduced unuI January o. and
the introduced, as subsequently amended,
numbered with many useless provisions calculated to
provoke protractcd discussion and delay. 1t not
until the 10th March, nt the close OF the eleventh
week of the that the bill came Int" tho Execu
tive Chamber
Careful consideration had already been gwen to tho
selection of Candidate most hkcy TO be accepted,
would best meet ali the requirements OF tho position
aud for whose management OF tue canals the Governor
night safely hold himself responsible 10 tho people,
Realizing the necessity OF Immediate action, WITHIN
hall hour alter the receipt OF the bill nominated
10 the senate gentleman known and hOnored
throughout tho State aud nation; a graduate
OF our national military academy, OF distinguished
ability engineer and III the organization
| and discipline OF men, and whose personal purity
! OF character universally acknowledged Having
! no entangllng alliances with any canal combinations
or party fact,vns II believed he was well lifted
the task OF hitting the Canal administration out OF the
difficulties into which II had fallen under the old sys-
TEN, and Of placing II upon higher plane. II
also believed that no man could DO IN more perfect
with The spirit OF that portion OF section OF the
bill under consideration which declares that ap
pointnent shall he made Tor partisan purposes by
| reason oil political opinions"
The nomination was made on the 10th OF March. IL
lay on the table until the I'D OF March, when II
taken up and rejected by strict party vote IN obed-
cnco TO determination of party caucus, was stated
open executive session upon the foDr oil the senate
| In the same manner tho time and under tho
same caucus determination, tho nominations Of most
competent and respectable gentlemen Tor Supcrncnd-
cnt OF the Banking Department, Health Oticor Port
Warden and Captain Of the Port, beng ali the
tive nominations before the Senate for Important posi-
tons, were rejected.
This action could only be understood distinct
noticc to the Governor That nomination he might
make would be confirmed unless made III obedience 10
the choice oil the party CAUCUS But even u THIS
construction not warranted The rules OF the Senate
recently adopted by the party majority viii pre-
vent another nomination., unless by unanimous con-
sent, before the first Wednesday April, AID defer
action upon until the tnird "Wednesday In April.
Only thirty WORKING days remain between TINS ana the
| lst OF May. within that time tho appontnlcn must
be the repairs the canuis completed and navi-
cation uIcucl.
II AL appointment could be made at once there would
could organize and put into operation tho new systcm
provided by the constitutional amendment Tho Canal
commissioners farsocipg the fatal result OF these 10.