Year: 1869

| To the Legislature.


Having been elected to the highest office in
the gift OF the people of the State have taken the oath
required by the Constitution impressed with due sense
OF my responsibilities, yet indulgng the confident hope
that by the blessing and favor OF Almighty God who dis
poses all things shall be able discharge my duties
as command the approval Of my constituents and to
promote the welfare OF the State. not unaware OF
sthe embarrassmen,s which surround me. am here 20
administer and to execute important public trusts; 10
reconcile and adjust conflicting interests great they
are varied TO overcome moderate sectional preudices
and Jeaousies which may exist within our own territory
10 preserve pubic order TO protect the public works
to endeavor to reduce expenditures taxation and debt
and to assert and maintain the rights Of the State and
defend the interests OF It's citizens


The fact that neither branch OF the Legislature is In
political sympathy with the Executive may seem TO be
an obstacle in the way Of the accomplishment Of these
| ends. Relying however, upon your intelligence ana
patriotism trusting that you will rise shall strive to
do, above all party prejudces and differences / am
ready with ali the ability and energy possess to unite
with you, as trust you will unite with me, in every
effort to secure TO those whose representatives we are
the blessings Of an economical, prudent. and wise
| government We cannot be unmndfu OF the greatness
OF our State and the magnitude variety Importance
OF its interests and resources Containing as Il does
more than 100000 of people, among whom arc repre-.
sented every nation and every creed extending as IL
does from the TO the great inland lakes over an
area OF moro than $1,000 square miles, it constitutes an
empire in extent and population which cannot be well
governed except by the exercise Of the greatest mod
GRAFTON, wisdom and rmness the part OF the Legsa
| ture and Executive


The magnificent harbor which lies at our very gates
invites to the metropolis of the and of the whole
country the trade and commerce OF all foreign ands
while the great lakes upon borders and the canals
and railroads which connect them with the ocean, bear
onward to the same metropolis the vast and increasing
products OF our own Western and Northwestern States
Hence the unparalleled growth and progress OF our
great city, which, including what may be properly called
its suburbs number than onehird of the popua.
ton, and pays than half of the taxes of the
State How such city be best governed how the
apparently conflicting interests between it and other
portions OF the State can be justly harmonlzed tho
differences OF sentiment and thought political social
between 1t and other sections be adjusted are prob
lens of serious import These and other grave questions
growing out of conflicting IDEAS will continually preeens
themselves. You to determine what legislation shall
be had with reference to canals and railroads our
m0neyed corporations schools and colleges our asy
luins prisons and charities, great debt and heavy
taxes, and 10 our varied population differing only in
religious faith but in views Of moral and social obga-
tons customs and duties The very magnitude OF our
territory and Of the population within its limits admon-
lshes us thatupon these and other kndredIsubecs
necessity that we entertain but broad compre-
hensiye IDEAS Whatever may be individual opinions
today the great majority of thoughtful soonero
later be forced to acknowledge that this great eropoan
State cannot be governed upon any merely provincial
theories, by the enforcement OF any narrow. minded
sectional or beral policy and that the masses OF the
people, while they will demand of their representatives
economy in administration perfect preservation Of law
and order and certain protection to life and property
will also insist that in everything which relates to social
domestic and religious e and the nnrsn Of personal
welfare and endowment the-o shall be no ar nm
necessary legislative official interference We must
so act as 20 promote contentment, reconciliation and
harmony rather than encourage dssenson, aena'io"
and division


We must not favor legislation which creates, In the
minds Of large number of lawabding citizens, dissats-
faction with law and Lawmakers. All enactments should
be- far possible general in their application All
legislation should be for the whole people should be
aim SO to conduct public affairs to avoid those
tonal jealousies from which have sprung suggestions
that division OF the State might be desirable. State
pride and State interests alike forbid such division New
York to-day the Empire State of the UnIon and
il governed by wisdom it has before career Of
increasing greatness and prosperity


There is no real conflict Of interest between city aud
country Agriculture and commerce together make
state great and prosperous The merchant and the agr
cuturst are mutually dependent upon aud interested In
each others welfare.


During the past year the agricultural interests Of the
state have been greatly favored by Providence. Our
fields have yielded large harvests for which the farmer



prices He does feel present the full weight ot
the burdens Of taxation and reoces IN his prosperity
He knows however, that these burdens must in the end
be borne by country and city ake that he cannot
cape his share of hem and that at time season Of
and trial will come He, therefore, unes
in an admonition all in authority that public resources
must be husbandef that uni unnecessary taxes
shall be imposed and that, while in all public affairs
reasonable berality is TO be encouraged extravaganza
and waste will be condemned. large amount OF in
vested capital has been declared by Congress exempt
from the taxation which oppresses nearly every IN
terest in the country those who bear portion OF the
public burdens will be active in opposing their in
crease Some will be always ready TO favor projects
Involving great outlays of public money in enterprises OF
real or supposed merit but the great body of the people
will not sanction any expenditures appropriations the
necessity of which is not clearly apparent


BY the Constitution, the Executive s required 10
communicate by message 10 the Legislature, at every
sesson the condition OF the state and 10 recommend
such matters TO them as he shall judge expedient"
proceed to discharge this duty.


The following is condensed statement in relation 10
the finances and Indebtedness OF the state.


RECEIPTS AND payments.


General Fund.


Deficiency in the revenue on the 30th OF Sep
Payments of the year r............-.. l020S,l9 40


Total ...................... sl3,O6e,7s4 ~
peceints ..................... l0,ll2,33l 81
Deficiency OF the revenue on the soth of Sep


NoTE-There was due at the close of the fiscal year
from the City of New York 5J00l4 H. OF which AoVo
has been paid; making up the above dehcehey anu
e''1"s ' General and other Funds.