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


ments which resulted from the general collapse
added to the usual causes OF mental disorders have
increased immensely the number of sufferers from
nervous and brain diseases. The amounts expended
for construction upon the various asylums up to the
30th OF September last were as follows:
Utica. DOB 81
willard. l,alooOf W
Poughkeepsie. l6yi 6nS ~
Buffalo Observation-Disclosures. 1,096,352 ~
MluuietoWn..... oz9,ooV ~
Total So 374273 AZ
CRIME NURsED IN JAILs AND PooRHousEs.
Many complaints have been made to me through
the Prison Association and the Board OF State Chart
ties OF the wretched condition and bad management
OF most of the county jails and poorhouses. am
very apprchensve that most of these complaints are
well founded The jails represented nurseries
OF crime and the poorhouses az models of inhu-
manty especially in their departments tor insane
paupers ! am not prepared to make "a, any SPECIFIC
planned OF. 1t Is probable that the reports OF the
Board of State Charities and the Prison Association
may bring the subject to your attention IN some
practical form. In any event, you are yourselves
undoubtedly acquainted with the condition Of these
institutions in your respective counties. and can
safely leave the matter to your information and
good Judgment. earnestly urging you to omit no
efforts to remedy the evils complained OF whenever
you learn of their existence.
BlNGHAMToN INEBRIArE ASYLUM FAILURE.
From conversation with several of the leading
managers OF the New York State Inebriate Asylum
learn that they consider the experiment for the refor
nation of inebriaes hitherto tried in the asylum
ut Binghamton, complete failure have long been
of the same opinion. 1t may, without much ex-
pense, be changed into very commodious asylum
Tor the insane.
SHALL THE NEW CAPITOL BE FINISHED?
An important question to be disposed or by the
Legislature is whether further appropriations for
the building Of the Capitol shall be made at
the present session The only necessity for rapid
hitherto urged has been the and
sembly in the old building. Ample provisions have
now been made at . vast expense to overcome the
difficulty complained Of Althe important State OH,
ces more conveniently and comfortably situated
where they are than they ever can be III the new
Capitol. The amount which has already been ex-
pended is $92T66l5 36, and of this sum S4,30U,OOO
have been drawn from the taxpayers during the
period of financial disaster and distress which COM
menced in 1873 and still continues. Inc quesp9n
allowed some respite. and i'll considering this ques
ton account should be taken Of the Widespread dis
satisfaction and sense OF wrong felt by the people OF
the whole state the deception practced upon them
and the violations Of law committed almost at the
outset of the enterprise.
MORE THAN TWICE TIE AMOUNT OF APPROPRIATION
EXPENDED.
In two successive years the people Of the State
were assured that the new Capitol should not cost
them to exceed S4OO0,000. and it was male cond
ton precedent that the Commissioners should not
proceed with the work except upon such plans and
specifications as would insure its completion within
tnat sum. These acts have never been repealed or
modified They were at once Violated ana IN erect
plan under which the building could not possibly DO
completed for four times the amount fixed az its
maximum cost, and the work has gone on until over
900 been expended, instead of $4,000 900.
aud reason to expect that the building can
now be completed on the scale and in the style in
which it has hitherto been carried on at less total
cost than five times the four millions to which it was
! originally limited. About three years age. q
the representation that it would reduce the
cost but it had little effect. 1t too late. mill
of the people. They i'll able to pay it. Nothing
justify its levy but stern necessity That neces-
sy no exists sS They are staggearng under
| taken by the State lessons their power to endure
these local demands. In the light OF all these cir.
cumstanccs and the unwecomc fact that the care or
| this mammoth building. when completed. will an
nually cost fabulous sum- urge that all appropri-
alton be stopped tor the present.
| THE STATE TROOPS.
The National Guard at present consists of seven
divisions thirteen brigadcs. one regiment and twelve
separate troops of cavalry one battalion and ten
separate batteries Of artillery and twentythree reg
ments, six battalions and thirty-one separate COM
stoned officers and 1856 non-commssioned officers
musicians and prvates. making aggregate force OF
2O,2bs Several changes have been made by disband
ing inefficient skeleton regiments and battalions with
| full compliments OF officers but very few men.
instead Of regiments and battalions where such or
carnations were not needed and were not full and
efficient, the policy of organizing separate companies
has been pursued with the best resuts ana am
fully satisfied that the State militia. improperly
named in the law the National Guard, never
in good condition for effective service as 1t Is at
present Fortunately the peace ana order a OF the
authorities that there has boon no occasion to call
upon the military for any service during the year.
| COMMON AND HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION
| In my former messages have given fully my
views regard to the proper scope and extent Of the
|
ton All my subsequent observation has confirmed
the opinions expressed upon this subject. To the
tent Of giving TO every child in the State good COM
school education, sufficient to enable him or her
to understand and perform the duties of American
citizenship and to carry intelgcntly and success
fully the ordinary abors of life. the common schools
| are and should be objects Of the deepest concern
to the whole community. To the few who desire and
capable Of still higher education. and who have
al ambition to shine professional men and in the
| arts OF literature music. painting and poetry, the
door il wide open for them to win distinction in those
rSla
purposes is species OF legaized robbery. and even
the recipients to know it, Nine in ten OF those
educated in the so-caed high schools at the public
expense would far better pay their own bills
than to have them paid by the people of the State
| These views are ~ manfcstly just that have nc
| doubt they will ultimately prevail
| CONDITION OF THE SCHOOLS.
The following is q statement of the number and
condition of the common schools and the number OF
| pupils instructed In them during the past year,
Statistics for the Year Ending Ss'temcer 80. 1878.
| Total receipts. including balance on
hand October /, 1SI7... ST. 1852 67
Total expenditures. Observation-Disclosures. lO626,j05 u.
Amount paid tor teachers wagcs...... 7,75G.s4i 81
| Amount paid for school houses, re-
pairs furniture, &c.,. ............. 1363.4 29 81
sites. 3o.147.5 $50 o.
| Number of school houses. ......... IL, 1874
| Number of school districts exclusive
OF cities. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 1870
| Number of teachers employed tor the
| legal term of school. ................ 1o,9is
| Number OF teachers employed during
any portion OF the year. 30,5G7
| Number of children attending public
| Schools. l,u5l,Uol
| Number VI persons attending normal
Number OF children of school agc in
private schools. 113,s6a
Number OF volumes in school district
Number OF persons in the State between
| the ages Ave and twenty -onc years. 1,6l5,25t
LOCAL DEBT AND REPUDIATIoS.
While the State has paid NIL its debt, except about
ss,0OuO 900, and is rapidly reducing its expenses and
taxes within reasonable bounds. most of the cities
| cot ~ n