The New York herald., 1879-09-22
GOVERNOR ROBINSON ACCEPTS.
Review of Democratic Administra-
tion in the State.
EFFECTS OF THE REFORM POLICY.
Advantage Of Paying Debts Instead
OF Creating Them,
THE ISSUES NOW BEFORE THE PEOPLE

ALBANY, N. Y. Sept. 21, 1870.
The following correspondence will appear in the
argus tomorrow
Hon. LucIus RopINsoN:-
DEAR SIR AS president of the Democratic State
Convention which assembled iu Syracuse Septem-
Der 10 am charged with the pleasant duty of in
forming you that you were unanimously chosen as
the regular nominee for Governor. Enclosed please
ma the resolutions setting forth the principles of
the democratic party and the issues now engag-
ing the and interests of the citizen voters
which have the pleasure OF stating were adopted
without dissenting voice. Your obedent servant.
JOHN @. JACOBS.
GOVERNOR RoBINsoNs REPLY.
ALBANY. N. Y, Sept 20. 1879.
Hon. JOHN @. JAcoBs, president of the Democratic
Republican State Convention:--
DEAR SIR-1 have received your letter of the 18th
inst. formally advising ne of my nomination by the
Democratc-Repubican State Convention for re-elec-
ton to the Office OF Governor.
The Convention was composed of men Of high
character and unusual ability. fully representing
every county In the State. From its proceedings
learn that with entire unaniinity it indorsed the
course of the State administration and by the vote
Of very large majority, subsequently made unani-
nous. renominated me for the high Office which
hold. It has also named by acclamation the
post Of Lieutenant Governor q gentleman known
and honored throughomt the State and nation. and
reuominated all the officers who have for two years
been associated with me in the conduct of State
affairs.
denomination, and that did not consent to the
use of my name in connection with it until circum-
stances beyond my control seemed to render 1t an
imperative necessity Grateful to the Convention
for this expression of confidence accept its nomi
nation. hold it to be the duty of every citizen
joying the benefits of free government of the peo
pie to sacrifice private interests and nclinations
when thus called upon to serve the public.
do not regard the nomination as in any sense
personal tribute to myself but ms an ap-
proval of the earnest and laborious efforts
which 1 have made to uphold the supremacy
OF the constitution and laws, to arrest vicious and
extravagant legislation punish derelict officials.
to reform and purify the administration of tho gov
zens to reduce expenses and taxation to the lowest
practical point. and to relieve the people from all
unnecessary burdens.
~ THE WORK REFORM.
The work OF reform. however vigorously carried
on, is unavoidably slow. It encounters at every
stop the hostility Of those who reap rich rewards
from the abuses which it seeks correct Overpaid
corrupt and lawless officials stand at all times in its
way. They band together to buffet to buy
honest duty. They mako costly the effort to exc
cute the law and punish its transgressors. But
made such progress in this State that is difficult
now to comprehend the condition in which were
five years ago. 1t is not possible to fully appreciate
that which has been accomplished except by COM
parison of the situation then with that of to-day.
10 thus it is proper that Ishoud fora moment refor
from and followed the war led to reckless
legislation, loose and corrupt practices In
the administration. fraudulent contracts for public
works and a general disregard Of law, both in the
State and municipal governments. Profuse
penditures. exorbtant taxes and vast indebtedness
OF SuCn cOuultlOQ OF
In 1874 tho people became aroused and demanded
the reform which was commenced in 1875 and has
been steadily and vigorously pursued ever since
with most gratifying results. t..
49, DECREASE OF EXPENDITURES.
In 1874 the expenditures on account of tho canals.
exclusive OF the canal debt and ntest reached the
enormous amount Of $3Si2, 500 rs and of this sum
S2373 425 " was paid from the proceeds Of direct
was only sSOs.347 O2. the whole Of which was
paid from the revenues OF the canals. with
out any tax. and with lower rates Of toll
and hiatt xrtrA
before. In 1876. the year preceding the new
management of tho State prisons. the excess of
nesr s1n a Syer earnings paid by taxation
from any tax on that account. The prisons are sub
stantisly self-supporting and show greatly i'm
taxes were $l5.727 .4s2 0S. In 1870 they only
S767slO3 "a. At tho close of the war. in 1866 the
State debt amounted to $51,O41 .537 &c. 1t now
amounts. after deducting the sinking fund.- to only
$780, TAG 09. give these results i'll brief to show
the advantage Of pursuing the policy Of paying debts
instead or creating them. ana the benefits arising
from retrenchment and reform in all branches Of
the public service.
Besides the great reduction effected in canal and
prison expenditures Legislative appropriations have
oeen vetoed arng the last three years to the amount
ton that of all the appropriations thus arrested by
the Executive during the last three years. not
has ever been passed by the Legislature the
veto; statement which is also true Of oil tho bills
on which vetoes have been interposed. The amount
OF money thus saved is not all that has been gained.
The increased regard for law, the integrity and
fidelity in the administration Of public trusts which
have been necessary to prevent the squandering of
the peoples money. have developed higher toLe of
morality and virtue among all classes of public
servants 1t is not claimed that the Governor and
State officers under whose administration these
suits have been attained are entitled to any special
credit therefor. They have simply performed their
duty in obedience to tho requirements OF the con-
stituton and laws This is what all officers
bound and sworn to do They are no more entitled
to extraordinary credit for 1t han any citizen In
titled applause for not being thief. But II does
the people know that those who have car
ried on these reforms aud achieved these results
have been true and faithful to their trusts. where
others have betrayed them By gross negligence aud
upfaithfulness. IN
THE QUESTION FOR VOTERS
The question now submitted to the voters OF the
State is. whether they will have continuance Of
the reform policy or whether they will abandon It
times with their inevitable attendant OF increased
and burdensomo taxation. have myself no doubt
of their decision The great mass OF people de-
ton. They not deceived by the sophistry of tho
dishonest or the clamoring denunciations OF the
so on; that our State government shall continue
pure. ana that the rottcnness OF municipal adminis
tration which now disgraces some OF our cities shall
stop once for ALL In this good work am willing
and anxious to Join at any post duty bo IL high
or low We cannot better serve our State our coun-
try and our fellow mon. ...i
ABOUT THE PLATFORM.
The resolutions adopted by the Convention, de-
claring tho position Of the democratic republican
party upon the leading questions of the day and
pledgng IL anew to this great work OF rctrench-
ment and reform. have my cordial approval. Tho
government il established and should be admnis-
tered for tho protection and benefit OF all the in
habitants of the state without regard to political
parties, religious creed place OF birth. In en-
deavoring to impress these views upon the Lcgisa-
lature in my last annual Message used tho follow
ing Language. cannot more clearly give my mean-
ing than by quoting it, .
Under the constitution tho State aims to fair and
equal representation for the people pure elections
suits TO the end that tho majority
mcnt equal and exact justice 10 all that neither the
poverty OF the poor the wealth of the help
hinder tho mnintenancc of their rights rigid economy
public EXPENSES and tho ghcs possible exercise Of tho
taxing power that labor bear needless burdcns
an honest currency. assuring stability TO finance aud
stoadness TO wages; perfect integrity aud 6dcity
In onice; prosecution aud punishment OF dcrsct of.
heias as prompt aud energetic those of Grim
nas the protection OF every In his right
ms awin, ealing Ia his own way and 10 enjoy ~ fruits
under all circumstances II forbids all local and special
Legislation Tor private profits all wastcu and progmto
expenditure OF public money! tho folly of ccntng debts,
ms well the crime OF rcpudiating them when
concednE tho federal all the
deegated 70 u and shrinking from sacrifice TO maintain
them IL yet sterny insists those Inherent rights
served 10 each FREQ and independent state