New-York tribune., 1884-01-02
FULL TEXT OF THE MESSAGE.
STATE OF NEw-YORK: /
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, 7
ALBANY, January |, 1851. ]

ALBANY, January l, 1854.
To the LEGISLATURE:
In transmitting statement of the condition or
the State and recommending snch matters for
legislative action as are deemedexpedent, believe
it TO bo entirely proper at the outset to direct at
tention the fact that the growth and progress Of
the State in every direction, and the needs OF the
people, call for patient and intelligent action on the
part of their representatives in the Legislature.
Every one who has assumed any share of response
bity in this branch of the government should enter
upon the discharge of his duties, fully appreciating
his trust, and with an unwavering determination to
faithfully serve the State.
1t is suggested that frequent and unnecessary re-
ccs.s taken during the session of the Legislature,
not only result in great waste of time, but by in
erfrption of thought and effort tend to loose,
ss, and ilI-advised legislative action
another evil which has most perncious infu-
e. g Oh legislation is the introduction and cOnsid
e ton Of bills purely local In their character, af
fecting only special interests, and which ought not
upon any pretext TO be permitted to incumber tho
statutes of the State Every consideration of expe-
dency as well as the language and evident intent
of the Constitution, dictate the exclusion of such
matters from legislative consideration. The powers
of Boards of Supervisors and other local authorities
have been enlarged for the express purpose of per-
mitting them to deal intelgently and properly
bills are introduced authorizing the building
and repairing Of bridges and highways,
the erection of englne-hOuses and soldiers monu-
ments, the establishment of Libraries, the regu-
Iation or purchase Of cemeteries and other things
of n like nature. In many cases no better excuse
exists for the presentation of such bills than tho
dignity and force which is Is supposed to be gained
for their objects by legal enactment the saving Of
expense and trouble to those interested in their
purposes, and the local notoricty and popularity
sought by the legislators having them in charge.
Their consideration retards the business of the ses
sion aud occupies time which should be devoted to
better purposes. And this is not the worst result
that may follow in their train. Such measures,
there is ground to suspect are frequently made the
means of securing by promise of aid in their
passage the votes of those who introduce them, i'll
favor of other and more vicious legislation
The crowding of a large amount of business into
the closing hours of the session gives opportunity,
In the haste and confusion which ensue, for the
passage of bad and imprOvident laws, perhaps to
the exclusion of measures of Importance and value.
The postponemeut of legislation until the last of
the session also results in leaving large number
of bills in the hands of the Governor at the time OF
final adjournment By the terms of the COnstitu-
tion such bills cannot become laws unless they are
approved by the Executive within thirty days after
Legislature to review the disapproval of the Cover
nor. and he has the absolute power to determine
which shall become laws and which shall fail. This
arbitrary executive control of legislation should be
guarded against by submitting the same TO the
Governor, as far as possible, in time to permit the
Legislature to review his action thereon if un-
favorable.
At the time Of the adjournment of the last session
357 bills had been signed by the Governor and 249
remained subject to his action.
FINANCES.
The total debt of the State on September 80 last
after deducting the amount in the Sinking Fund to
meet the same, was $J,97s,30l 81, being reduc-
ton of debt during the year of $4O7,05i 10. This
debt, with the exception of balance of $4,000 OF
the County debt which remains unclaimed, and
Sl22 69i 81, the amount necessary to yield at D
per cent interest the sum required 10 pay the annul-
ties TO Indians, consists OF the stock OF the state
issued for canal construction bearing per cent ln-
terest and rcdeemable in the years 1887, 1891,
1892 aud 1898.
The statement of the condition of the financial
department of the State government for the details
of which you are referred to the annual report OF
the Controller shows sufficient funds IN the treas
Ury to meet al obligations and an aNaliaOle sur.
plus at the beginning OF the present hScal year OF
81 2495G7 81. This surplus arises from the veto
by the Governor of items VI appropriation after the
adoption of the tax levy, the excess OF receipts
from various sources over estimates, ana uneX-
pended balances of appropriations.
The amount received by the Treasurer from taxes
on corporations during the ycarwas ~ ,23J,l193lt
being an increase the preceding year OF
S3g5 405 04; but of this amount S3J | S3 % was
on account of taxes due in 1880 and paid under re-
cent decisions of the courts.
In consequences of the increase in the val
nation of the taxable property Of the state.
the tax rate of three and oqe-quartcr mllls
ON each dollar fixed by the last Lcgis"
lature will raise So 334 S36 81 an amount consid-
erably IN excess of the actual needs of government
The causes which contributed 10 slightly Increase
the rate of taxation for the present year We're the
adoption of he policy Of Teserying Sl,OOOOOO or
the surplus then IN The treasury 10 meet current cA
penses and the adjustment of the canal hnahccsto TO
The system under which these works are supported
by a direct tax upon the people, which required
that there should be raised IN the present nsca
wear for the Canal Debt Sinking Fund, an amount
that otherwise would have been distributed over
two years. -, , INN