bo a wise and prudent economy ; hut tn
Ihut grwit uitere?t the State oanuo* aHurd to oe pa?
Mloionioua. TUe problem tor u the
whuti* the cheapest tor the tune, but what u in?
best system lor managing the canal* so that the
Stat* ami me people everywhere may realize ti > the
fulttiNt extent, now ami ii urwiiier, Uio gieat auvan
ia.irt*s were uoniutttHl K)8?curo- fcxpfirtcucj tons
*tiowu ttiai (bey c.*unot, under exUtlug law#, be mo
managed asto iiuiur* tuo ultras uits lor trie Ht&to
or lor tbnM who are engaged ami Interested in tne
business ol transportation* i'he contract system lor
repairs lias proved a failure, and l reuew my recom
mendation oi lust year mat u be abolished.
vStoue omeaion* nave oeeu and may continue to
Iw interposed to oilier methods, und it may l.e dull
ouli w> wet ure an agreement lit the legislature upon
any specific plan of management.
in view of ilu* nossitnluy and as me constitution
provides tnai tlie canals shall rem aiu the property of
tue State and Uj uu.ier it* management iorever, Ire
?pectlnil.v recommend that discretionary powers, to
tne fullest extent permitted l?y tue oouatliutiou,
over tue canals aud everything connected with the
workinir or theui, bo conforrod upon tue C'aual
Hoard, to tue end mat they may adopt the best prac
tical plun or combination ot plans. Tliev are a con
stitullouul body wliicli it m:uiu-> to me may be
properly chanted with such responsibility uno
duty, in their iianos the Plate might be enabled 10
reallae all tlio benefits o: Ihou ii?e cou tract auu su
peimtcu tent systems and t>e ^a.e I irotn tlio eviij
incident to' tuner aloue. Ti.eycoiid c' u ,
eniorce such police regu atuus as wouUl project
those engaged in naugaf.ju atfain^tirio<iOsuUj
tmi? and delays U> winch they u re now w?? JfSSL
lassly subjected. mey couia contnia ior J-epMrs
wlieu In their Judgment it u as 1110,1
they could have ?ork done ulldB' f"p:1
when they eonsideied tuo Interests ol the Mate
would be tnereo . subserved. 1 liov could use w"'1'
ia i?oo<i and meet tvhai n>t$ttMi| and
mowing. .is inoy arc hound to know. uio wtiole
wurk and His iieo<*HbiU6H, could tbrou^li the yropwi
omcew sec are tHo nest practical results vriUi llie
'"u^eem^very' "certain that Important reductions
ma* bo uiad j m canal toils. Kvorv Intercut dciu.inilh
Una such reJucuoas should be made. I am informed
that the Canal Hoard will recommend lower rates,
and I asW the prompt concurrence of the Leulsla
1 The Kate Engineer will, in his report, recommend
certain specific luiprovements. 1 .isk. for uis recotn
niendatlous your mo?t favorable coaiidciation.
KOL'CATHI.v.
1 submit the followin? BUt-uient in relation to
common hclmo.s lor the yearenama septomocr iiO,
llfui receipts from all sources, including
balance on haud at the commencement
of me 0 <cal year I".?W.W2
Total expenditures u.aa?,h-B
Balance on hand $i,4afl,0S4
iuoro tlian k?t oju.oio was paid for teachers wages,
and nearly f 2.600, ooo for school houses, sites, repairs
and furniture. Tne exact Ouures will upnear by the
reoort of the Superintendent oi Kducauou.
There are in ihe ?>iato nearly l,i>oU,OOo children
ol school use. about 1, Otto, 000 of whom a'tendoi the
L?ni(.ic schools dunnu' some portion ol the year,
while lau.uO i were attending private schools.
Six normal schools are also in full operation, the
attendance ou winch, in me aifgrepaie, amounts to
*''n?e total number of public school homes is ll.ods.
and the estimated value of these, with their sites, is
more than $i!>.ooo,oo >.
Cbese lacis snow the great proportions to which
our common scnool system lias grown, i here may
bedelerts in it. but Iukcii as a wnole it commands
and receives tlie hearty commendation anu me
cordial support of the great body of the people.
Under our lot in of government, in which the voice
of tlio people Is so potential, the State has a direct
intereat in so educating me iujhsvs tl.ai thev may
intelligcntlv understand timir duties as citizens; and
no tax should be paid more cheerfully than that
which enables all, without reference to station or
oondi ttou. to acquire itio lUdimeutH oi u Hood hiitf
JlHh education. The Legislature gtiould do all in tw
nower to sustain and periect u system w inch aim- to
accomplish this result.
I he condition of the colleges aud academies of the
State will appear irom tUo annual report of tne
KeaenUi of tne University.
HTA'I R PRiaOM*.
The report of the Lompti-obei will show. In detail,
the exitenses and earning* ol the several St t'e pr.s
ons durlujr the past year umi give the necessary ex
Dlanalitin* thereof.
There have been, during the year, mutinous dis
turbances am. tug the convicts, and the expanses of
tlie prisons continue to be ".rirgelv in excess of the
earnings, i renew the objection* made in my tast
annual inesnaiie to the coutruct sysleni for the em
ploymcnt or tue pn-onns' lanor. It is a vicious ,
one and should is* abandoned.
The discipline of tne prisons has been serious, t
artected by legislation which has deprived tnetr Min
cers of nearly atl discretion in regard to punishment,
j mum the chief officer of each prison should be
clottocd with the fullest discretionary powers in re
lation to the character und amount of punishment,
subjoot to the restriction mat it shall bo iniltcted ouly
In bis presence. .
I sumnlt to the legislature that the subject of pri
son management has become one. ol very great con
sequence and detnandsearnesl attention. .More eon
centrated respon-iblttty is needed, as well as protec
tion against frequeut cuddies of adminlsti-aUve
onicers. H is douotfui wlieiher such results can ia:
atuined w ithout an amendment of the constitution
making an entire chaupe m tlie ay stem.
The coiiiiui.-sioiicis appointed by me, pursuant to
chanter 40s Oi the laws of l^'iS, to select a site aud
?Mbimi plans lor i he construction ou l tnanagement
of a state penliciitlary will, l am iiuoriiicd, make
their report to liie Legislature at au early day.
I nave visited durtug the tear, all tlio Mate pris
on* and kiiven personal hearing to large u limbers
of convicts who desired to present applications for
executive clemency. The toial number of applica
tion* lor pardon aud commutation or punishment,
presented personally or in wi lting, ami examined by
inc. ui about BOO. Klghty-six pardons and twenty
commutations havd been granted. A full statement
of the names aud of the reason* in ouch case will
be transmitted to you lietealliir.
salt 8I'kim;-i.
Hie quantify of salt inspected from the Onondaga
salt sprlrus during the last Uocal year was
8 .Vt4,<Ml bushels, a decrease of production, coin
pared Willi the previous year, ol a6S,a6;i bus'aels
The revenue lor me year, irotn a;l sources, was
fs.r),53l: the e.v pen ?es. $46,:tll: the net revenue re
ceived by the State being $:?>, iw.
1 Nsl K A.SCh.
The numoer of insurance companies subject lo tue
?upcrviuion of the Insurance Uejiarimeui was. on
the 1st or December, inirf, J' ii. of these many are
incorporations created by oilier States or by foreign
countries, doing business w'thiu tins Statu, I tie
total amount of stocks and mortgages held bv the
department tor the protection of policy holdurs oi
Hie and casualty .iisurance companies or tins state,
aud ol foreign companies d"ing business within it.
l.-t }(i 7att,t)?2. ui these me value of $4.otH,n: in se
curities is neld for the ptotuction generally or policy
holders in lire insurance companies ol tills state.
For the protection ot registered policy holders, ex
clusively. titers are on hand securities to the amount
of $U37,noO.
BANK*.
During t.he last fiscal year there have been re
turned, destroyed and caucelici, by tlie bank De
partment. ?.iis,al? of the circulating notes oi ihe
banks of t ils Siate; of which amount $4?,:;04 were
the notes ot incorporated banks, aud were
the notes of banks organized under the General
Bankiug law. The amount ol State bank circulation ,
outstandtnu on the mb of r-epteiiibev last was
t'2 63u,06 t, of which $l,'<iwi,i?o4 were notes of bank
in 2 associations anvl Individual bunkers, organized
unaerth" 'ieueral Hanking law. an i $l,at2,l.r>'i were
notes of incorporated bunks, 'i tie whole of the lor
mer und $o7-2.072 of tlie latter are se
cured jV bonds *nd moriirage*, govern
ment or State stocks, uud cash deposited
with the Superintendent oi the Hank Depart
ment, loiving but $s70,t)S4 or itnsocured circn'auon
ontHtandine, a large portion or wun-h, It is pre
sumed, l:as bee 'i destroyed and the remainder Is
alwavs redeemed on presentation bv the representa
tive* of I tie banks winch issued the same.
The total amount A securities held by tlie super
intendent ol the l?auk Department at the close or
the ilscal year wus $3,058, la?, oi winch 51.
were neld for banking associations and iiintvid iai
bankers, 0 t or incorporated banks au l
3V8 for Incorporated trust companie.-. \ detailed
staiciiient of these securities will be rmind in the
annual report or the Superintendent or me Hank
Department. .
Fill, v- even banks are now doing bflslneus under
the laws ol tin- Slate, out. ot couise. Issue no circu- j
lating iiotea. of these six have returned to the state j
msteui from the ualtona1. under the provisions of
tlio cmibliug act ol 1S07. several other national
banks ,ne reported as having in contemplation a
Bimiiar change or organization.
one tin mired and twenty-eight savings banks are
now organi/ c<l aud doltnx tiusiu'*-,s in this Mate,
with au ai'crcirate of as-ets exc aaliug ?i-*0 t?()0,00n.
Tne inaau'tuile aud the Importance or Kits inf?r
est seem to demand a u. iut.inu.te gnardiatisnip
and more ?,arenn supervision than is now atford
?<1. An amendment to existing laws requiring or
at lea*t authorizing a personal examination
of these institutions, under the direction or
the Superintendent or the Hank Department, would,
in mv judgment, worthily supplement what has
aiready been done in the direction or securing safety
anu efficiency In meir management, and a run lis
closure of their real comliuou for tlie information
and greater security of tliflr depositor". I'he sub
j#ct l* roHpectiuliy submitted to your favorable con
eideration.
MILITARY AFFAIHS. I
The nnlf'irmeii uiililia. designated bv law . nc
National Guard of the Stare ol .New Vorn. number*
ok.'j officers, non-commissioned officers , and pri
vates, and consists of three regiments oi cavalry,
one battalion of cavalry, four troops of cavalry,
three battalions or aiMllerv. eight batteries of artil
lery. forty-seven regiments ol' infantry, three oat
tadons of Iniautry.
The legislature of 18?9 authorized a reduction of
the inaxlmun force to '.'o.coo. Three regiments tiave
airoady been mustered out, uud further disband*
merits are now in progress.
The report of the Adjutant General, which will be
transmitted to you at an early day. contains many
v*uiit?ie suggestions, to which 1 ask your favorable
Attention. He recommends, amomr oiher things, a
transter to couuty authorities of arsenals not neces
sary lor State purposes: the substitution of breech
ioadei s of the kind adopted by me War Deuartinent.
in place of arms now In use. and a codification of
military laws oontaining Important amendments.
Th? State mlliwy agencies have, during the year,
collected from the United States for back pay, 'mini*
ties and pensions, and paid over to the seveial
Clmynthonsaud)'(Jollars was appropriated by the
l egislature lust year to redeem ' certal i # ?"'??**??
|0#U(Kt tO tttO SOiillW* ^ ^ IHlit IWMW
six hundred un thirty -one of them certificates, ex
hauntiug the whole appropriation, ha?# been ex
amined and audited. There are, 1 have reason to
believe, man* families of these old soldiers whose
claims are . ret unprovided for. They deoerve your
favorable attention.
The first division of the National Guard. In the
city oi New Vorlc, which numbers 10,000 men, feu Is
seriously trio want of u proper parade ground. It
has l?een suggested that the Central I'ark Commix,
sionera might be authorized to take lands lu the
vicinity Di tne I'ark for the purpose; and it Is be
lieved by many that the additional taxable value
conierred on adjoining property will compensate
for ihe cost. 1 reuommead this matter to your con
sideration. .
CHAKITIB* AND ASYM'SIS.
I refer vou to the olllclal report of the Oommls
?loners of Churi ties, which will be duly transmuted
to you lor inioriuation in detail of the operation of
our several state charities. I recommend to your
favorable consideration the claims of the nufor
tunate classes, to whose relief the state asylums
and other institutions ure devoted.
1 earnestly call your attention to the necessity of
additional legislation tor the neneflt or thu insane
poor throughout the State. Thoir condition in the
county poorhouses is uopioruble. Noue are so help
less: none for the most part so friendless. They are
o' ton abandoned by their relutives, who. whatever
tlieir inclination, have not the nieaus of giving them
the care they need. No provision suitable to their
condition and their wants can t?e made on a small
scale. rhey require, generaiiv, the disctpilne and
the treatment which can be had only iu large wed
organized iiisiiiutlons. under the charge of meu
who have made this painful formofdisea.se a special
study. It Is impracticable for each county lo pro
vide properly Tor the few suiterers of this class who
are louud within its limits. Their presence In the
county poorhouses is, from the Inadequate care that
can l hero i?e bestowed upon them, and
from the cruel restraint which Is often
of necessity resorted to, demoralizing to
the neighborhood, interost, duty and cnarity
demand mat further provision be made at once lor
this unfortunate class. The state should provide
asylums, with room for the poor thus ainictod who
cannot be taicon care of otnerwise. and the authori
ties of each county should be required to send to
them its msane poor, and to pay such sum for their
support wiilic in the State institutions as may be
proper. The Willard Asylum, now in process of
construction, and lu partial operation, will have
accommodations for 280 of this class, aud the Hud
son Kiver Asylum and the one lo be erected In the
Light n Judicial district will also, when completed,
accommodate a limited number; but it is estimated
that tiiVre are now more than 1,800 or Insane poor in
me State outside of the eouuties of New York and
Kings.
it is prohahlo that many of those who are classed
among the insane poor are so harmless or so man
ageable that families and friends could take care of
them If pecuniary aid were coutrlbuted toward their
support. In such cases the superintendents of the
poor sftould i>o authorized and required to pay to
rhose who would assume their caro such weekly or
monthly .stipend as should be uecessary and proper.
1 his would prevent the overcrowding of the State
institutions, yet add nothing to the county charges.
in connection wnh the subject of insanity, I re
spectlully suggest that you will give favorable con
^deration to the application winch will be made on
behalf of the Slate asylum at Utlca, for authontv to
appoint a special pathologist for the duty of making
such investigations as seem to be now demanded oy
medical science. The reasons for this will be lully
slated in the report of the superintendent of that
institution, winch will be transmitted to the Legis
lature.
THE NEW CAPITOL.
The money thus far expended on tho new Capitol,
according to a statement rurnlsbel me by the Comp
troller is $l.:i?y 640, of which sum about one-half has
been paid ror land.
The appropriation made last vear was expended
before the autumu of ls? ?. It seemed to be clearly
tho Interest of tbo State that rho work should not be
Interrupted so long as the condition of the weather
permitted its continuance, An arrangement was
made, therefore, with tho consent oi the Executive
aud the Comptroller, by whlcn t.'ioo.uoo were ad
vanced to the Commissioners and deposited with
ihe Comptroller, to be drawn out on proper vouch
ers. I recommend that provision be made ror the
repayment of ibis advance and lor carrying ou tins
work during the coniltu year.
quarantine.
The hospital on ths West Bank, In the lower bay
ef Now Yorit, has been finished, llie structure to
be used as a boardiug station is near completion.
The report or the commissioners will fnruish more
detailed mrormatiou, aud also the statistics in rer
erence to discuses which are subjected to quaran
tine. The comuusslouers deem soine iurther appro
priation oi money necessary, iu order to euable
theiu still further io strengthen the works under
their charge. | recommend thoir suggesiions to
favorable and careful consideration.
lUMKJKATION.
During the past year the number of Immigrants
landed at the port of New York was 260,00.1, show
ing an increase, as compared with the year lhfl.s, or
4?, ;H. Kor more detailed inioriuatluu 1 respectfully
reier you to the report ol the Commissioners ol Kml
graiion, which will De transmitted to you at an
early duy.
GENERAL AND SPECIAL LAWS.
At its last sessiou I was obliged lo dissent fre
quently from llie Legislature iu reference to bills
limited in their application to localities or uiiordmg
relief in special cases, when, as it app arcd tome
the proper couise would have been to amend the
general laws pertaining to the subject or to pass
liew general laws. The Legislature, on the recon
sideration which the constitution in such cases im
poses upon it, in every instance concurred in and
sustained uiy views. Nevertheless the statute book
of 18PD contains nine bundled aud twenty nets and
Is almost ns bulky a volume as that of any previous
year. Tills multiplying ol laws is a serious evil and
in my jiidgmeut unnecessary.
I recommend io you the carerul examination of all
existing general laws, with a view to ascertain what
amendments are necessary iu order to lessen the
number of applications made at every session for
special legislation.
An Important amendment to the general laws was
passed at I no last session enlarging the powers or
the Boards or .supervisors over roads aud bridges
and otiior matters iu relatiou to wnich the Legisla
ture has heretofore bceu called upon to pass many
special acts, j submit, for your consideration
whether the legislative powers or the Boards of Su
pervisors over these aud otner subjects of strictly
local interest may iiot, advantageously, be still fur
met- enlarged.
i lie rapidly creasing population of Westchester
county ana pans or Long Island, lu tho immediate
vicinity or New York and Brooklyn, renders neces
sary ihe laying out of roads and avenues of a char
acter wliicb could not well be provided for in the
general laws applicable to other pontons of the
stale. Hence there are Irequent demands upon the
Legislature to create special commissions to take
charge or such work. 1 recommend that a law be
passed covering all such cases in these localities,
which will render luture applications to tho Legisla
ture unnecessary.
i recoiumcuu the enactment of a general law pro
viding lor the appraisal aud payment of claims or
damages arising or resulting from matters con
nected with the canals.
I recommend, also, the examination of the general
law passed tit the last session concerning savings
banks, lo the end that, u necessary, it may be
amended so that special charters lor these institu
tion-. shall not hercaiter be requisite; and tuat no
special bills for savings banks be passed at this
session, unless the parties aoplylng shall have
complied with the general law of last session; also
mat tile general law ior the organization of lire com
panies in towns be amended; it makes no provision
for hook ar.d ladder and hose companies: also lor
your consideration tuat t lie limit now imposed upon
the amount of property permitted to be Held by
literary, musical and other societies bo enlarged;
also some provision, by general law, undor winch
cti u i olios and societies may aitcr their names with
out coming to the Legislature for authontv to do so
In every special instance.
1 also recommend the careful examination of the .
general laws ior i ne incorporation of villages, to
the en<i that a form of charter may be provided
under which the needs of every municipality of that
grade iuhv r>e met. and that applications for special
village charters and for amendments to charters
may no longer be necessary. 1 also recommend that
ml existing village charters oe, by tne provisions of
tor act suggested, made to conform to the general
model of the proposed perfected law. The charier
of i he village oi Oswego is to be found complete
oiiiy be rriarenc? to fourteeu separate acts of tho
Legislature, pas-ed at as many separate sessions. A
fliitcmh amended charter was proposed lust ses
sion. nut l.iiied io obtain the executive approval.
I here stems lo me to be no reason why village cnar
tevs should not be. like our town goveruuioats uni
form in character.
I recommend that all laws which have been
passed conflicting with the principle or uniformity
in town governments, such as those which, in
special instances, permit the votes loi town oillcer*
to be taken by election districts instead or In town
meeting, be repealed. There is a delect in the law
! providing for two justices of the peace to sit as jus
tii.es of the sessions and ol the Court of Oyer aud
Terminer. Section 40 of chapter 2S0 of the laws or
1S47 provides that in case or absence of any Justice
of the ?e?sions rrora any sitting of the court, or in
case the otllce or any of the two justices of the
peace who have been chosen justices ol the sessions
snail be vacant, the county judge may designate
some other Justice of the peace to acL Section
'-j ol chapter 470 or tne laws or i S47 bo
amends the Orst named section as to leave no
provision lor appoluiment In tne case of a vacancy.
In a reccni instance, by reason ol tnls omission, tne
Court or sessions could not be organized. 1 recom
mend the immediate passage <n an act to remedy
thedelcot. I deem it unneceseary to present argu
ments in support of these several recommendations,
believing that the mere statement of the pro post
nous will secure ror them the approval of the Legis
lature.
CONSPtBACT LAWS.
A statute of this state declares It to be a misde
meanor for two or more persons to conspire to
commit any act injurious ro trade or commerce."
such a conspiracy. If it assumes a magnitude which
serious.y threatens or affects the public welfare,
deserves aud should receive Its proper punish
ment. ihis statute, however, has for the most part,
?!!?.! a<1f>piion, more than forty years ago, been
of little practical value. 1 cannot find, after a care
ful examination, that Its provisions have ever been
successfully invoked against capitalists or others lor
combining to raiso tne prices of grain, coal and
other articles necessary for the comiort of the whole
people, or to reduce the rate of wages, it has, how
ever. been evoked on several occasions asralnst and
lieen by the courts construed to apply to Journeymen
and others for combining to raise the rate of wages
or to make and enforce regulations which they
deemed necessary for their mutual welfare. Cases
have recently ocourred id Westchester county where
Uie .aw lias been enforced agaiust persons engaged
In thelast named combinations. 1 do not balleve
that (be exuionou of a statute wuioti cau
bo so construed as to make such acts orimiual
? productive of anr public benedt. I do be.ieve it
to be productive rattier of pubno erli. Like all
other laws which from tlieir nature are likely to be
executed unequally, it operate*, when it operates at
all, oppressively. 1 recommend, therefore. a repeal
or this conaDimcy law, or sucu a modification of It
as, while it lot bids a conspiracy to Injure tne gen
eral trade and commerce of the Stale or country,
will do awajr with that judicial construction which
niakos it equally criminal for citizens to combine
for the purpose of securing an Increase of the wanes
of labor, or of establishing anil maintaining pru
dential regulations f or their mutual interest and
protection.
INJUNCTIONS AND RKt'KIVERS.
I recommend also the passage of a law forbidding
the gran ting of injunctions or the appointing ol re
ceivers in cases aiMotlug moneyed au.i otuer corpo
rations on Hjr jtar e applications. l think it would bo
far better even tnat tho writ 01 Injunction should be
abolished altogether than that It snould continue -to
ee the cause of the unseqinly oollisions between
judges which have been frequent lor some years
past.
APPKINTIOK LAWS.
I am informed tnat application will be made to the
Legislature for a revision ol tho laws relating to ap
prentices. one of me complaints agamst the
existing statutes is that, wulle they impose
severe peaulUes upon apprentices for viola
tion oi the provisions oi iheir indentures,
tney do nut afford suillcient protection to t/io
apprentices themselves. It is claimed, and with
justice, that tne employer should not only be bouud
to thoroughly Instruct his apprentice iu ail tne mys
teries of his business auu culling, but tnat proper
penalties should be Imposed upou him lor violation
of this duty. The State should make due provision
for the enforcement or all contracts affecting per
sons under age; and It is tho interest or the commu
nity to aecure tue greatest ainouui of skilled laoor
lu all mechanical occupations. I recommond the
whole subject of revising the apprentice laws te
your prompt and careful consideration.
RKVIHION or STATUTES.
I again invite your attention to the importance of
a revision of the statutos of tins state. During the
tlrst iort> -eight years ot our history tne Legislature
provided for four dnierent revisions. The last act
for tuat purpose was passed on tue 21st of April,
aud the last revislou was completed in
Since mat tline a new constitution has been put in
force; the Stale courts have been reorganised; a
new system of practice has been adopted ana many
acts have been passed materially attectmg the pro
visions ol previous laws, these changes, so numer
ous and important, and extending. a< they now do,
tnrougn at least tlfty volumes, create ereut -dim.
ciilty aud sometimes uncertainty in ascertaining the
exact state ol the law. A new revision, oy wliicu
a.l laws of a general nature shall bo collected to
gether and the vurious acta relating to the same
subject arranged and consolidated, is greatly
needed. *
NBW JUDICIARY.
The amended constitution proposed by the con
veuiion which closed us sos-iious i ebruary i?.h,
was submitted to tne electors at tne last general
election pursuant to chapter U18 of tne laws of isou
and tliut portion known as the Judiciary article was
adopted. It will be the duty ol the Legislature to
pass tne necessary laws to carry into lull working
operation tins article, which becomes tne sixth arti
cle ol Hie constitution ol the State, and I recom
mend that It bedoue as cariv ui tho session as mav
be practicable.
KHGISTRT AND ELECTION LAWS.
I respectfully call ilto attoniion of the Legislature
to the wunt of iiiuforiuity iu the registry ami elec
tion laws of tne state. Ail laws relating to elections
should Iks uuiiortu in tlieir principles una general in
their application. Ms open aud corrupt use of
money at the polls aud elsewhere to control elec
tions is a great evil and demamis your earnest, at
tention. The laws which aim to secure the people in
their right of speaking through the ballot box suould
be stringent and rigorously enforced. They snould
not embarrass tne electors, yet iliey should guard,
with tho greatest care, ugamst frauds at ttio polls or
in tne canvass, 'lue Legislature should spare no
efforts in tins direction. It is to be learcd, however
that no laws, though careiully aua s?nrtilly devised'
can protect the purity ol the ballot oox, unless your
legislation can roach what is the run laineutal evil
the corrupt use oi money in eleotions. In consider
ing this subject, it must not oe overlooked mat
grave doubis are expressed by very Intelligent men
whether our present registry laws, while tncy often
times embarrass honest voters, are, in any material
degree, enective lor the prevention of frauds; and
there are ninny who believe, alter a fair and full trial
of ihein, that lar better results would bo attained bv
providing everywhere lor the establishment of small
er polling oistrlo s, and the luil and tree exercise of
tne puvllcge oi challenge on the day of election. The
subject is ol tne greatest importance, and demands
vour earnest consideration; lor the whole system of
otir government depends upou maintaining ?ud pre
serving the purity of elections.
CRIMINAL LAW.
There are frequent cases ol murder, as tho crime is
now defined, in which the Jury are unwilling to con
vict, because of so little deliberation in tne aci mat
they think it docs not deserve tne punishment of
death. They acquit or find a verdict of manslaughter
in some in lerior degree; or they convict ol murder
with a recommendation to mercy, und so throw upon
the executive the responsibility ol deciding whether
the death penalty niiall oe enforced. A slinrue
change in tue statute would, in my judgment, secure
a Tar ootter administration ol criminal laws aud a
more certain punishment of crime than
is now attained. I earnestly renew the ro
commetidation made last year, that ex
press provision be made by statute, that
in all casus of murder where the decree ol premedi
tation or the circumstances attending tho homicide
do not In the epiuion ol tne jury Justify punishment
by death they uiav render a verdict of murder in a
less degree, to be punished by Imprisonment for lite
or for a term of years in the discretion or the court.
By existing pto visions of law courts ot Sessions
have the power in cases of conviction by them to
grant new trials upou the merits or for irregularity or
on the ground ol newly discovered evidence. I re
commend that the same power be conferred upon
the Oyer and 'Jerininer or upon the Supreme Court
in canes of conviction by the Oyer and Terminer.
I also suggest ror your consideration whether It
would not be well to abolish, as has been done in
England and some of the Slates, the common law
which forbids the trial of an accessory to a felony
until after the conviction of the principal offender.
It ofteu operates to screen guilty men irom punish
ment, aud so to defejy tne ends of Justice.
BkCIHK lXwS.
In my I03t annuul message I recommended the
repeal ol the Metropolitan District Excise law for
the reasons, among others, lhat it was loeal aud not
general, tnat its provisions were unnecessarily
harsh, needlessly violated private rights ana un
duly interfered with the social customs of
large numbers of sober, temperate, law-abiding
citizens, whose enjoyment of such customs aid not
prejudice general morals or public order. This law
also authorizes anest without warraut, and under
its operation a system of espionage has grown up as
degrading to the police who arc compelled to carry
It out as it is to the people who suffer from it. For
these reasons i again recommend its repeal. Excise
laws should be uniform Iu principle uuu general in
their application throughout the state, regulating
the sale of intoxlcutlng liquors under ilue restric
tions as to time and piace, aiming to secure order
and decorum on every dav oi the week, ruily recog
nizing the general sentiment prevailing In favor of
a proper observance ot Sunday las has ul ways
been done m the stiu utes of the state irom
the earliest period of its history). jet iree
from the intolerant provisions winch characterize
tne present Metropolitan OiHtrict law. and which
are wnoily unnecessary to the analnment of thcee
ends. Hoards of excise should consist of, or be ap
pointed by, some local authority. 1 rccomnieiul tue
abolition ol the county boards as now organized
throughout the state, and the substitution or locai
boards, to be composed or the supervisors hnd ius
tices or I he peace ol the several towns. This was
the old py steal under the Kevised statutes, and it
liai not., in my Judgment, oeen unproved upou by
the subsequent legislation. In villages the board
might properly consist or the president and l.oord of
trustees, and m cities be appointed by the Mayor.
COMMISSIONS AN P CITY HOVER NMKNTS.
The constitution or 1840 recognized, lor the pur
poses or local government, counties, cities, towns
and villages, and no other territorial divisiuus, and
provided that the ollP ers thereor should be elected
by the electors or such counties, cities, towns and
villages, or some division thereof, or appointed by
such authorities tneroot as the Legislature should
uesignate. Tins provision was intended to sccnre
the right or seii-governmeut in loeai affairs against
any possible encroachment ?r violation. For tne
purpose of evading It the Legislature created new
districts (so-called), made up of two or more ailjoiniax
counties, and established within their limits vurious
independent boards and commissions, in winch all
powers relating to police, Are, excise and health, or
some of mono subjects, are vested, and the members
of wntch commissions are not elected by the people
or the localities or appointed ny the authorities
thereof. The constitutionality of this legislation was
atllrmed by tue Court of Appeals, although It is
hardly denied thut it is an evasion or the spirit of
the constitution. I no effect was in every instance,
practically, to give the political minority in the dis
tricts the power, through the central authority at
the capital, of governing the majority.
It cannot be denied that there were evils In
municipal governments existing at the time which
were seized upou as a pretext lor this extraordinary
legislation. The intelligent sentiment of the com
munity to-dav declares tnat such legislation was
unwise, and that the true remedy for the evils com
plained of was not in laws or the character men
tioned, but in a thorough reorganization of
municipal governments upon sound principles. I
have always beeu opposed to the laws referred to,
and nave recommended, and do now recommend
their repeal, and a thorough revision of the charters
of these cities embraced in any or these districts, in
order to insure an early return to the system of local
sell-government as guaranteed by the constitu
tion. Exist lug Charters are radically detective,
inasmuch as tnere is an aimoit enure absence of
executive power in the Mayor; and. as l said in my
last annual m-ssage, no good government c?n be
secured to any great city unl?ss u shall have a re
sponsible head, in whom shall be vested all execu
tive power, and to wbom, as the elected represent
ative ?f the people, atl departments charged with
administrative duties shall he directly and summit
rily responsible and accountable. I believe this to
be the very Joundatiou stone of a good structure or
mnuicipni government.. This subject Isone in which
the people of l tie wnole State reel a deep interest,
ami In regard to which tncy will expect prompt ami
Judicious legislative actiou.
KARLY Lib DILATION.
It Is the practice to suoralt the annual tax levies
Of the city aud county of New York to the Legisla
ture for approval. For many years past the con
sideration or these and of the several appropriation
bill* for itio State government has boon delayed until
a late period of tho session. The Executive la. br
tuis delay, practically deprived of tbo opportunity
to present objections. If aur be baa, to the provision*
of these important bill*, to the end that, If bla objco
tious, upon reconsideration by tbe Legislature, be
deemed valid, tbu bills may be amended. Not only
these but, many other bills of great importance were,
but vear, presented to aie at the very end
of the session, so tnat no alternative was
left me but to appror*, notwithstanding
some objectionable details, or alsapprove tbe
bills and let thom fall to become laws,
at great public inconvenience. For thus* reasons I
recommend that too city and comity tax levies, aa
well as all bills appropriated moneys for the support
ol the State government, be taken up early in the
session, and also that the consideration of other
bills of great general importance be postponed no
longer tnan tbe state of pubilo business manes ne
cessary.
I Lave now, aa far as It see ma to me necessary,
presented to you facta and suggestions connected
with the condition of our own mate.
Our especial duty is to promote the pnbllo good,
by laboring to secure a more prudent, honest and
economical homo government. Keeoirnizlng the
goodness of (lod, grateful to Him for all Ills mer
cies. acknowledging our dependence upon film,
looking to Illm for wisdom and guidance, trusting
Him to lead us through uii the dangers wnlch beset
us, let us all, In our respective spheres, labor to
secure to the ft ate and to the country substantial
prosperity and real and enduring peace'
FKHKHAL APKAIKN.
The people of this state are deeply concerned in a
wue administration of federal affairs. An represent
ing tbem 1 believe It to be my duty, before closing
ibis message, to call attention to, and to protest
against, whatever m the policy of thegeueral gov
ernment strikes at their commercial and agricultu
ral interests, or Is in any way prejudicial to their
wellare. 1 protest ajfalugt tbe rovoiuttonarr courae
ol Congrew wltli reference to amendments ol tbe
constitution ol the United states, by wtilcb aiiiomr
their other efforts at centralization, they seek tbe
absolute control of elections In the states. Power,
less themselves to amend it by direct act. and
unable to procure the voluntary conseut of Ihree
lourtlis of tbe states, they lorce the consent of
the Southern States as a condition to representation
and thus override and nullify the will of others
whose proper relations to the federal government
have never been Interrupted, and whom they can
uot constrain. 1 protest agaiuat the action of both
Congress and the President of the United States in
subjecting the people of Georgia anew to military
power, tlieir State government being m mil opera
tion, and tbe restoration of their constitutional re
lations with the federal government having been
recognlzcd by the federal^ authorities as complete.
I protest against tbe longer exclusion from repre
sentation of any of the States; il uuv one be ex
cluded the rights of all are unsettled, and the har
mony ol our government is destroyed.
TIIE TAItlKK LAWS.
I protest against the favoritism of our present
tariff laws, winch have virtually destroyed American
shipping, and whicn boar oppressively upon the
masses ol the people and especially i.pon the great
agricultural States, between whom and our own
State the relations are close and Intimate, and upon
w liotie prosperity and freedom from uniust exac
tions depend largely tbe weifaro of the whole coun
try, aud its ability to defend its honor and pay its
delfts. I prot-st n^aiust postponing, as has oeeu
suggested by the President of ttie United States, the
revision ol these laws. Tho evils connected with
them are airoany ol long continuance, and imme
diate relief is required.
Our taxation lor the accumulated responsibilities
and present cost of tho fedurul government is
heavy. Its wl/tit will be felt the more severely
now that low prices lor our agricultural and other
products are likely to prevail. The people suoiuit
cheerfully to all taxej neccssacg for the support of
the government and of us credit, iney have a
right to demand, however, that the burdeu of a very
heavy taxation shall be rairiy aud equally adjusted,
and so adjusteu as to interfere as Iiitle as possible
with their daily comfort. It is the direct interest of
tho people at largo that they shall be able to buy
cheaply whatever thoy have to buy. our preseut
tariff of duties ou imports compels the many to pay
high prices lor he benefit of a few. Although en
acted djr.ng the great need ol the government, it
wss, nevertheless, framed not for the one great
end of giving tho lederal Treasury the largest
income, but with the view of favoring certain special I
private interests. No government has a right to
tax. except to obtain Its necessury revenue. To
impose taxes upon articles of daily need for the
mere purpose, by increasing their price, of favoring
the capitalists engageu In their manufacture or pro
duction is aa abuse of the taxing power. So long as
laws are enacted upon this principle powerful com
binations will be formed among those whose special
Interests are to be beneficially affected by them to
pu-h turough schemes which lavor their private
business, regardless of tho interests alike of
tlie iieople ami of tho federal ! reasury. Laws or
liiis tittuue u<ud to the building up of moneyed
monopolies, to the aggregation Of capilal in lew
band*, and to the creation and strengthening ol un
illegitimate influence to Which Congress becomes
inoie and more subject. In enforcing uutles intend
ed to be prohibitory, an extraordinary nud very
costly bodv of oitlcials Is made necessary, the temp
tation lo smuggling and fraud is mcreused. and offi
cial delinquency is made common; evils which
would be uvotaed, white the revenue would not be
decreased, by a return to the simple duty ol govern
ment and to moderato imposts. To make a just
tariff of duties tno principle of favoritism should be
abandoned uitotcetlier. if tUe Mlnclwle be admitted,
no Huii* can be placed on the abuses un. lor It.
CENKKAL FINANCES.
I protest against the continuance of a financial
policy which la:;* either to strengthen the public
credit or to dimmish the people's burdens; whlca
keeps values uncertain and unsettled; which I allies
business foresight; which, while permitting the sale
of government ,jold, loaves the couutry subject to all
the evils ol an irredeemable paper currency; wlnc.i
threatens to withdraw from the people what is now
in use as money before providing a substitute; which
undefined in character and variable m action ex
poses the business of i he country constantly to the
chances of disastrous panics; which seeks to exert a
fluctuating control over the gold market, instead
or making steady progress towards permanent
soundness m financial condition; which can suggest
110 method of meeting the legal tender promises
except to get theui back rrotu tue ]?eople bv a pro
cess of contraction both painful and dangerous
which ncglects to rodueui tne legal tender totes Uetci
everywhere among the people; yet, with the proceeds
taxation, purchases at a premium
bonds ihat the govemmout m under no obligation to
pay for nearly fifteen years; which saves a few mil
lions annually ju interest ou the bonds thus pur
chased, when, by raising tho credit of tho country
to Its proper level, many milltous more could be
saved by \he negotiation of a new loan at a lower rate
of Interest; which assumes that the rate of in
terest ou our bonds can be lowered at the sole
will of the borrower, or that cai.itali.sts who now
hold bonus paving six percent Interest in gold can
bo persuaded to exchange them voluntarily for bonds
bearing only four and a ha.f per cent; which, fa-luia
to devise a permanent financial system 10 which
the business ol the couutry couil, without un
due sacrifices, conform, substitutes a series of
experiments that entail losses upon individuals,
without contributing to the general good: which sti"
gests no remedy for the fluctuating value of the
legal tender notes, except that the government snail
redeem these promises at a price fixed by itself
which Is to be Ihsj than their face, or, in other
words, repudiate so much of us obligations. auJ
which, by railing to secure the conildence of me
capitalists of the world, keeps the government secu
rities below par tn gold everywhere, when, in view
or tho vast resources or ihe country, they should
even at five |>er cent iuterest, command a premium'
We are enduring great evils from onr irredeema
ble currency. The financial panic w hich occurred
In New Vork in September last threatened tor a time
widespread disaster. A very little Increase of i he
then prevailing distrust might have thrown the
whole business or the countrv inio confusion. That
panic would not have been possible but for our hav
ing in use us money something which, lacking the
intrinsic worm 01 the precious metals, must depend
ior us current estimated \aluo upon the caprices of
opinion. ? ?
Money of shifting value Is a enrse to the great
body or the people. It renders the rate of wages
delusive, counteract ami defeats the economy of
the household and makes the savings or labor laid
tip at the cost ol much self-denial, of uncertain and
variable value. If we wouid avoid discouraging
regmnr industry, and fostering, In lis stead, a spirit
of speculation the money which we use to denote
the value ol what we have to buy and seil every
day, aud in which we fix the rale of wages, must, be
constant in iLs own value auu not liaJie to caori
clous fluctuations.
it is a misiormne that we ever departed from
the use of tho money or the constitution, sooner
or lat< r we shall be obliged to go back to it. We
have before us the alternatives or returning to a
sound condiiiou by wise and prudent efforts or our
own, or or awaiting the possible advent or a finan
cial psi'lc of greater inienslty than ttny we have
yet, witnessed, and a return to specie payments, at
the cost or great and protracted suffering, by the
operation or self-enrorcing laws which are above
our control.
1 do not l>eiieve that any contraction of the legal
tender currency is necessary m order to reach snecle
payments. The amount of such paper is limited
and it is not serlousiy depreciated. We have not
as some other countries have done, issued paper
I money without limit and to an unmanageable
extent, making tbe depreciation or it so great as
to reuder it almost worthless and Its restoration
to pur hopeless, llie whole sum of tbe
legal lender notes scarcely exceeds the amount or
coin received in two years at our Custom Houses.
1 he amount of legal tender notes afloat on the 1st of
December last was, including fractional currency.
IMn.uoo.ooo. The present annual goid lucotne of the
Treasury irom import duties is $180,000,000. with
the abaudant resources of nie federal Treasury it
ought to be, and it Is possible, to leave tnis currency
at its present quantity, and yet put it, at no very dis
tant period, at par, and thus to give settled pros
perity to the people and save them the d is let us which
win attend contraction.
Alter the peace of 1815 England returned to spe
cie payments by contracting the volume of her paper
money. She had no other means of reaching the
result. She was not. as wo are, a gold producing
country; aud was obliged therefore to curtail her
paper currency so as to rorce gold to flow in to her
irom abroad. In consequence of this policy the
trade and business or her peopio were crippled,
general distress ensued auu immense numbers
of those who lived by wages were deprived or their
proper employment and oonaemned to Idleness and
want. The ten years rrom 1816 to 1825 was a period
or rearrul strife ring in England and of repeated and
most disastrous financial convulsions, we should
take warning from her experience. We have no oc
casion lo force gold into this country from abroad.
We produce it largely at home, and all we need to
do is to retaio enough or oar own product to effeot
oar purpose.
MO UrVUUTIOH.
The government la m much bound to pay Its legal
tender note* m lu bonds. I aw for paying both In
fun, aud against the repudiation of any portion of
either.
The legal tender notes are promises of the govern
ment to pay luouejr? tuat is, gold com? ou donaud.
1 bey ure in tbe pockets of the laborer and tbe 1 ar
mor, iu tho tills of tradesmen, In tbe va.ilts of the
banks as a part of and as security for the deposits of
tbe peoolo. w filch deposits constitute available capi
tal esseutial to dally business.
Tbe federal Treasury, in the hour of Its need,
rorced this irredeemable paper on toe people; it is a
matter of simple duty, now, in tbe time of it* abund
ant resources, to redeem it. 't'bia paper displaced
tbe coin which was boiore in use. The buMinesa
or tbe country has adapted Itself to tbe
exU,iln* quantity of our presdht lawful money,
aud tbe people rely upon this legal tenuer pai>er
wnerewith to pay ail ordinary debts; It is the sub
stance. too, iu which bank notes are redeemed, and
in wbicb all that vast aggregate of indebtedness
anown as hank deposits is payable. On thin paper,
tnorejore, the whole structure oi onr uitorual busi
ness now rests: aud upon its soundness is dependent
tho substantial prosperity ot tho people. It is bad
fuith to the people to lessen its nuautity or to take
iroiu it its legal tender quality until it is paid.
THB CONTRACTION T1IK0RT.
\> hen coin occupied tlia bame place in our monev
system wbich is now held by tbe legal tender notes
any serious withdrawal, from whatever cause, of
the gold then in one from the general circulation In
variably produced financial trouble. The with
drawal of legal tender notes now must be followed
by liku trouble. The theory of those who
advocate contraction is that so soon a* the legal
tcuder notes shall have been reduced to $260, 000,000
or soma other theoretical sum the government will
be able to make this reduced quantity redeemable
in coin, and so pnt tho notes at par with gold. If it
will be possible to put the lesser quantity at par by
making it redeemable, it is obvious that, wim a
lntie more effort, the present quantity can be made
redeemable and put at par; and tliH effort is due
from the government to the people.
COIN AND PAPKR MONHY.
The fedoral government la bouud to restore coin
to the place which u formerly occupied in the
business of the country, and from which
the Treasury, for lta own convenience, dis
placed it. It should be ready to substitute
coin in the general circulation before it undertakes
to withdraw legal tender notes; otherwise the with
drawal of the paper amounts to an absolute destruc
tion 01 so much of our stock of lawful money, and,
practically, of so much of the people's capital in the
form of ready money. 8uca withdrawal would
lessen everywhere the resources for paying debts
make all debts less secure, diminish confidence and
render disastrous panics probable.
Two kinds of money of unequal value will not
circulate together. The government, therefore,
caunot make coin take the place in general circu
lation 01 any portion of the notes which may be
wttbdrawu until the notes are first renderel
equivalent to ooin. This can only bs done by
making them redeemable in coin on demand.
Aud It must be borne in mind that this
Is ail that la necessary to oe done to restore general
specie payments. The banks are not in a state of
suspension; they redeem their notes and pay their
other debt* in the lawiul money of the country; if
that lawful money were to-day equivalent
to coin, they would find themselves and
all their customers paving specie without
any effort on their part and without any
distress, it ts the government, and the government
only, which has suspended payment; the legal ten
der notes alone which are irredeemable. When the
federal Treasury is ready to redeem its legal tender
promises lu gold, as fast as the public are likely 10
present them, s|K5cte payments are thereby re
sumed uil over the country, without fur
ther effort on the part of auy ono aud
without luconvenienco to the peop.e. Then, and
not now, will be the proper time for taking In the
paper; tor Htich contraction can do no mischief, it
will in tact be 110 contraction. The Treasury may
then cancel every note so soon as it is paid; for gold
and the notes being at par, tbe coin paid out 01 the
Treasury will enter Into the general circulation in
place of the notes redeemed; and uo diminution of
tne stock of lawful money In use will be forced on
the people.
The essential evil of oqr present lawful monev la
to be found not In Its quantity but In the ract that
it is not redeemable; it is, for that reason, depre
ciated. A less quantity would as ccrtainly be de
predated, if that less quantity contiuueJ to be
lrrodeei liable, fcven a single note, issued by the
government, or by uny other debtor, without pro
vision made i^r its payment, would become de
preciated. The remedy which wisdom suggests is to
make the nores redeemable, without pausing to dis
cuss the question of bow much money the people
ought to have tn use. In looking back we sec that
when our money was good in quality no apprehen
sions wero iclt that too much of it would be used.
Ihe government passed through its mint all
the gold the people chose to bave coined.
Political economists aud statesmen may
speculate, as they do, as to how much money is
necessary and proper lor the business of a couutrv;
but this is a question beyond their wisdom. If the
government w ill ukc care thRi the money It issues
is good, the people will regulate the quautlty to be
used by ttieir needs.
it is the special duty of the federal
Treasury, the issue of whose irredeema
ble paper haa brought us to our pres
ent condition, io see to it that there Is an ample
supply of win retained m the couairy so as to make
the transition from our pieseut currency to gold
both easy and permanent, it seems obvious that
this supply of gold should be lu the federal Treasury,
which is responsible for the only Irredeemable
paper now afloat, so that the coin may ha ready,
when the proper time comes, to flow promptly out
of the Treasury into general circulation in exchange
lor the notes redeemed.
GOVERNMENT CREDIT.
The first great duty of the government is to mako
Its legal tender promises as good as gold. Having
thiii established lta credit, It will find no difficulty in
negotiating loans at lower Interest, and in man
aging Its bonded debt, ft cunuot, any tin re than a
private debtor, hope for high credit while paying
some debts aud ignoring others.
It is a delusion to suppose that the payment of a
few tf our bonds before they are due' materially
helps the public credit: the Treasury is not bankrupt
as ta us ootids: it is paving the interest according
to contract, and the principal is not yet due.
This is not the point where the public credit
needs to be helped. The Treasury is bank
rupt on its legal tender notes; for a failure
to pay a promise when it is due is bankruptcy. No
debtor Improves his credit by anticipating the pay
ment or some of his obligations which are not due
while he neglects to pay those which are due. Nor
do?-s the payment of tne bonds before maturity
tend materially to lessen the burdens of the
people. Were we to cancel $100,000,000 of
bonds In any year there would result an
annual saviug of Interest of W.OOu.oOO. If, on the
other hand, we could reduce the rate or interest on
our loans by only one per cent we should thereby
effect at once a saviug 01 over fiio.uuo.ooo a year for
the whole time the debt may ran. Moreover, this
payment of the bunds berore maturity can be made
only out oi surplus revenue? that is to sar, by keep
lug up taxation to a point rar beyond the actual
needs of the government.
We must not forget tha: financial laws are self
created out 01 tho circumstances existing at the
period. They cauuot be constrained by legislation.
Wo shail be moat likely to avoid trouble by seeking
the natural solution or our present difficulty, whfh
natural solution is, as It seems to me, that the
power which issufed the irredeemable paper, under
which we now suffer, should get ready to redeem it.
UOVKKNUENT UOI.D 8A1.ES.
Spasmodic sales of gold front the Treasury impart
no additional worth to the ie#ai tender notes, cou
fidence Iu ability to meet obligations is the only
source or solid credit as well for the Treasury as for
othar debtors. Increasing public confidence in the
grow lug ability 01 the Treasury to meet the notes in
coin would operate not merely to affect, from day to
day, as these sales do, the speculative pticc of gold,
but towards the recognition or a greater Intrinsic
value in i lie legal tender note, aim so to make the
possible ran^e of gold speculations narrower.
it is obvious that saies of gold out or the Treasury
cannot have the eiiect of bringing legal tender notes
actually and permanently nearer to the value of
gold; lor it won. doe absurd to maintain that The
Treasury, any more than any other debtor, can, by
parting with coin, made its promises to pay coin
more valuable. Tne Treasury sales of gold have
simply tne effect which is always produced by throw,
j lug upuu any market a supply oi an article lor which
there is, in that market, a liiultod demand. All
ueots, with rare exceptions, being now payable lu
legal tender notes, the need or gold ror use in busi
ness is not general, aud therefore tho demand lor it
is coullned to a few, and is a very limited one. In a
market bo situated a very temporary and small over
supply may depress it much below its true and cor
rect value as compared with Jegu tender notes,
which depends ooviously on the prospect oi the notes
being paid 111 coin, beraugeincnt of business is as
certain to follow the artificial depression or gold
below this true value as its elevation above it.
Such a depression cannot be relied upon as lasting:
nor doe? it afford any guarantee against great sub
sequent iiuctuauons. These Treasury sales, while
they do not improve permanently the value of the
government paper, couiouud the most prudent cal
culations or business men.
1 must not be understood as favoring any expan
sion ol the legal tender currency. The government
cauuot at present pay the notes of this kind already
issued. It would be utterly unjustifiable to put out
any more of them.
FEDERAL TAXATION.
The federal Treasury is not warranted In taxing
the people to keep up its preseut enormous Burulus
of revenues. U the country can bo ke^t in a pros
perous condition every year of its growth will make
tha payment of the principal of ihe debt come easier.
A moderate surplus beyond the interest on tho debs
and the expenses of government is all that Is desira
ble or necessary to enable It to devote Itself em
clently to the great, Imperative duty of making its
paper money good.
RKbKMPdON or PAPER MONEY.
The moment the people see that the government
Is getting ready to redeem its paper by providing
Itself with the only means of doing it the apprecia
tion in the actual value of tho legal tender notes will
commence. It will oonunae, and the pro
gress towards a return or specie payments
will be gradual, steady and certain The very
ract that tne government Is nnder a fixed and stable,
and not an experimental and variable poiiey. pre
paring to redeem its paper, and will some day an -
rea<i'I}ea' t0 do so, would narrow tho
range within which speculation in gold would be
possible. The current value 01 the notes in tne open
market will indicate when the proper time has come
for redemption; the government need not declare it
in advance.
The mos| severe, cruel and ruinous method
<w contraction would (k? one that should put
the value ef these note* by regular grada
turn it a Higher and higher rate from day to day
?? w?** i? week, as to suggested or Uie President
of the Untied states ; or any method by wtuoh
they should be converted or exchanged into interest
bearing securities; for this would act rigidly and
rapidly to take them out 01 circulation, buoh a form
ol contraction would, I fear, not only lntllct unpa
ralleled disires* upon the poo pie, but endanger uie
credit ot t.'io govern went itself.
It is not necessary to discuss the propriety of tho
on^luui measures of which our present tin jncial con
dition is the result. 1 Bimpiy conaider tue praotloal
questions which present themselves, taxing things
ok they are. It ueeds no groat financial wisdom
to Hoe that the way to high credit ih for tua
Treasury to prepare itself u> par all, its debt*.
m well its legal tender promises oh it* bonds; that
high credit is the coudltion precedent to a lower
rate of Interest on government loaua; that lowering
the rate of interest on the loans will atrord great
roller to the people; and that no relief either to
Treasury or people can be expected from what
tends to derangement or stagnation in the business
of the country.
? ARI.Y RETURN TO Bt'BCIE PAYMENTS 01WIRABJ.B.
The earliest practicable return to the hard moner
of the constitution is, thorefore, desirable, an
being. m every way, for the interest of the
people; but tills return should be made wisely,
by a process which wilt not cost neodloss
suffering, under a declarod and lixed policy, intelli
gible to tho whole country, and wnlch will insure
that the change, wheu it comes, shall be permanent.
A rash attempt would, by its failure, inane our ooa
dltiou worse than It is now. But no time should be
lost In adopting measures which shall tead by pru
dent steps to the attainment, at no very distaut
day, ol a result to which sooner or later wa must
dome.
If the federal government does not trv to accom
plish au euriy return to the uso of gold and stiver,
without spreading rulu among the people. It falls In
lis uuty; 1L with its abundant revenue It cannot do
vise a method of doiug so, it (ails in wisdom.
JOHN T. HOl-FMAN.
CHARITIES AND CORRECTION.
Improvement*, Expenditures, &c., on the
Cltjr and Inland Institutions During
the Past Year ?Abstract of
the Annual Report.
Dnring the year just closed the Commissioner* of
Pubilo charities and Correction have through their
Indefatigable efforts succeeded in accomplishing
substantial work for the city In their administration
over the reformatory and oharltaoie institutions of
tne Commonwealth, they having expended tbrongn
oat the year no less a sum than $1,476, 006 in oh
jects of charity and Improvements.
The island Institutions, as well as those located
In the city, have lu many distances been enlarged
and Improved by the expenditure of considerable
sums of money out of the appropriations made at
the commencement of Hie year, and the citizene or
the metropolis may congratulate themselves on the
fact that the money thus expended has and wilt
attain the objects for which It was laid out.
At the different islands under their supervision
tliere are improvements constantly goluj on and
new buildings boiug erected, the inost important of
which is the s
MEW LUNATIC ASYLUM,
m course or construction on Ward's island
Three hundred thousand dollars was appropriated
by the Common Council for Ha erection, and
at prfesent there Is everr prospect that it will
receive its Unletting touches by June or July.
It is greatly needed, aa the present structure oa
Blackwell's Island 1$ wholly inadequate for the
wants of the constantly Increasing army of unfortu
nates conflued within Its walls. There are at present
at least 1,400 male and female patients packed
together in this tily arranged bedlam, aud 200 In the
lower tier or oells at the Workhouso. which la the
best accommodation that can be given them under
the existing circumstances.
TUB INFANTS' HOSPITAL,
oa Ward's Island, upon which some $60,000 has
been already expended. Is last aoproachlng com
pletion. One hundred and twenty-live thousand dol
lars has been added to tho orulual appropriation,
aud It promises to be a magtnUoeat structure.
There arc at preseut about 600 foundlings in the
old building, who are remarkably healthy, consider
ing their crowdod couduion.
During the (TionTn of November the managers
of the institution have been trying an artificial rood
(Hustle's bread-and-milk flour, socalled) with a
number of bottle-led babies, aud the result attained
was that It u destined to become a valuable adjunct
in the feeding of babies, and it la very probable that
it will generally be adopted throughout the hospi
tals for foundlings throughout tne United States.
TliM 1NKIIKI AI ? ASYLUM,
Ward's Island, contains at present soo inmates, or
whom 100 are non-pay i'tg patients. Forty thousand
dollars was appropriated tor tuis institution and it
has been In operation two years and is considered
by ail to be a failure, but still the physician in charge
has hopes of success. Hoard in this asylum runges
i rout ttvedollars to fifteen dolla s p-r week, and more
are a number of well known characteis u idor treat
ment there, among whom is an ex-Governor or th?
"Prairie state."
tub scuooLsmr mercury.
The Commissioners take great pride in this vessel
rroui the raot that she is the a*pioneer" or their ex
periment, and has up to the present time proved a
complete success. Thirty-flve thousand dollars
was paid for her, aud she is destined to
: create a revolution iu the management or cast-away
street gamin*. On board or tuis vessel there are now
;;oo laas who nave been picked up in the streets.
They are subject to striot discipline, but and doubt
less prove good sailors.
The Commissioners have asked an appropriation
of $40,000 more to enable them to make a lew altera
tions and provide for the present pear.
KXPBNUITURES,
The following is the table or expenditures for the
pa?i year;?
For various Improvements and outdoor
poor |l,oia,ooo
Inebriate Asylum 7.TT9
Island improvements est
Labor Bureau 3,247
For the bliud." 1,828
New storehouse buildings 600
Infants' Hospital 136,844
Hart's Island 1,8.(4
Central office, build inns, Ac. 30.0A4
Idiot House 4,945
Morgue 103
steamer Mlntiehannock 33.973
Lunatic Asylum building 102. 000
Sclioolship Mercury 70,174
Rand all's Island, general improvement.... 14/269
Ambulance Department 2,137
liellcvue Hospital 7,7 <6
Charity Hospital 2i>5
inebriate Asylum ::w
Idiot Asylum - 00
Lunatic Asylum 280
Total $l,47u,oou
ESTIMATE OK EXPENSES FOR 1370.
Hospital*. Average i So. ol Patients.
Belicvue Hospital 900 $115,016
Chant/ Hospital U09 104,114
Fever Hospital Go 0,117
Smallpox Hospital cu 0,772
Incurable Hospital Ijo 16,180
Lpilepno and Paralytic Hospital. 120 14. .148
Infants' Hospital.... 600 50, IM
Nursery Hospital and Idiots'
House 400 62,333
Asj ium lor Indigent Bliud I/O 11.421
Lunatic asylum 1,200 122,987
Lunatic As>luiu, Ward's Island.. 160 18,020
Moigue ? . 818
Randall's Island Nurseries 820 63,137
Industrial School, Hart's Island., mo 20, tin
Sclioolship Mercury 300 44,(03
Inebriato Asylum 3jO 10,737
Almshouse l,2oo 78 601
City Prlsous 400 67,078
Workhouse Coo 49.072
Penitentiary 600 66,92'i
Ward's Island Farm 20 6,0011
Free l*abor Bureau ? l7.7o?
Steamboat expenses ? 22,040
General expenses ? 37,600
Central Oflloe ? 40,400
Colored Home ? ?,000
superintendent Outdoor Poor.... ? 160,004
Total ? $1,220,706
Discovery op Another Oiant? This One only
a Skeleton.? The on city (Pa) Tune* is responsible
for the following:? on Tuesday morning last, while
Mr. William Thompson, assisted bj Robert R. Smith,
was engs?ed In making an excavatiou near tne
bouse of the former, about hair a mile north of W est
Hickory, preparatory to erecting a derrick, they ex
humed an euoriuous helmet 01 iron, which was cor
roded with rust. Furteer digging brought to light
a sword which measured nine feet lu length. Cu
riosity Incited them to enlarge the hole, aud
after some little time they discovered the bones
of two enormous feet. Following up the "lead"
they had so unexpectedly struck, in a lew hours'
time tney had unearthed a well preserve* skeleton
of an enormous giant, belonging to a species of the
human family which probably inhabited this and
ether parts of the world at the time or which the
Bible speaks, when it says, ?'And there were giants
In those days." 1 he helmet is said to be or tha
shape of tuose found among the ruins or Nineveh.
The bones of the skeleton are remarkably white.
1 he teeth are all in their places, and ail or them are
double, and of extraordinary sue. These relics
have oeen taken to Tloucsta, where they are visited
by large numbers of people daily. When his giant
ship was in the flesh he must have stood eighteen
feet la his stockings. These remarkable relics wi.l
b$ forwarded to New York early next week. Tea
Joints or the skeleton are now being giuea together.
Thesa remains were found about twelve foet below
the surrace or a mound which bad been thrown up
probably centuries ago, and wtuoh was not more
(hag three feet above tha leval ol the ground
around it. a?ra is suolimr uut for auutuanau* to
acMJb