The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-10

In 1879. V,94l ,2yI
Another subject OF congratulation is the
great success of the new changes in the
management of the canals and prisons by
putting each in charge of single superin-
tendent- ''No reformation in State affairs"
says the Governor, ''was ever more thorough
emit of Public Works was in Office only eight
months of the last fiscal year there has been
n very large reduction of expenses as COM
pared with the preceding year. The
expenses of operating the canals for the
fiscal year ending September 80. 1877, were
September 80, 1878, the expenses amounted
to only $3.50, 74S-a decrease of $40. $50
under the new system of management
The Governor adds that "while the ex-
penses have thus been decreased more than
thirty per cent the canals have been kept
in excellent condition and have been open
to navigation 237 days in 1875 against 214
in 1877 and. 211 in 1876" And these graft
flying results have been obtained in the first
year of the new experiment and in spite of
the embarrassments which accompany o
change of system.
The new method Of administering the
prisons has been longer in operation. It's
results are of the same general tenor, there
having been large reduction of the former
excess of expenditures over receipts. There
is a reasonable prospect that the prisons Of
the State will become self-supporting, as
the one at Sing Sing is already. The ex-
cess of expenses over earnings in 1876 was
s7O4, 379; but in 1873 the total amount Of
expenditures over earnings was only
S67, 800, and this great reduction is re-
garded as the fruit Of the new system,
which concentrates power and responsible
ity in the hands Of a single officer.
Governor Robinson is informed that the
county jails and poorhouses are in a de-
plorably bad condition. ''The jails are rep
resented as nurseries of crime and the poor
houses as models of inhumanity, especially
in their departments for insane paupers.
The Governor regards the New York
State Inebrinte Asylum as an egregious
humbug. which ought to be exploded. He
never had any faith in the institution, and
he says it has become practically q mere
hotel for the entertainment of wealthy in
ebriates. He recommends that the Legisla-
ture make no further appropriations for its
support, and that the building be con-
verted into IN asylum for the insane.
With regard to the new Capitol the Gov
ernor says that "the entire eastern, west
ern, southern and part of the northern
fronts are neither enclosed nor rooted"
They have stood in this condition Cor sew
eral years without much injury 10 the
work, and lac thinks they might stand for
several years longer He contends that the
plan accepted for the building was ille-
gal, because the law forbade the adoption
of any plan which would involve an
expenditure Of more than four mill
ion dollars. It has already cost be-
tween nine and ten millions, and the
Governor thinks it will not be COM
pleted short of twenty millions. He says
that "no doubt exists in the mind Of any
intelligent citizen that State Capitol far
more becoming In exterior design and
finish, and far superior 10 il in convenience,
coud have been or can now be built at n
cost within the limit Of the four millions
originally intended, and for half the money
yet required to complete the present build
ing ON the proposed plan"
The Governor deplores the heavy weight
of municipal and other local Indebtedness.
In consequence of the pressure of these
loeal debts the advantage of the State gov
eminent being substantially out of debt
will be but slightly felt by the taxpayers.
The Governor is totally opposed to the as
sumption by the State of any local debts of
whatsoever nature. There is nothing to be
done but for the local authorities to make
provision for their gradual extinction, and
for the people to learn, in a severe school
and ''in a manner never to be forgotten. that
debts, both public and private, are an I'M
mitigated evil" We have no doubt that