labored zealously to ameliorate the condition of the unfortunate inmates of these institutions are urgent in their demands for refor mation. The indiscriminate confinement of petty offenders and persons awaiting the action of grand juries, in the same apartments with the most hardened criminals, must almost of necessity result in increasing the degradation of those who should be shielded from malign influences while in the custody of the authorities. The practice of confining felons in the penitentiaries instead of the State prisons is also deemed unwise and injurious. While referring to this subject it is suggested that an extension of the jurisdiction of the State Board of Charities over the local prisons and poor-houses might lead to beneficial results in an important direction.

EMIGRATION.

The whole number of passengers from foreign ports landed in New York from January 1 to December 1, 1879, was 167,665, of whom 39,560 were citizens, or persons who had previously been in the United States; and 128,105 were aliens. The number of steerage passengers landed at Castle Garden was 127,271, being an increase of 50,726 over the preceding year, and largely in excess of any year since 1873. It is expected that emigration next season will show a corresponding increase.

The number of emigrants remaining in the State Emigrant Refuge and hospitals is 484, of which number 81 are insane. At the Castle Garden Labor Bureau employment was procured during the same period for 15,235 emigrants, and a large number were forwarded to inland destinations wholly or in part at the expense of the Commissioners of Emigration.

Of the appropriation of $170,000 made by the Legislature for the maintenance of the State Emigrant institutions for the year beginning May 1, 1879, there have been expended $103,295.14, leaving $66,704.86 for the remaining five months of the year.

The decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, rendered March 20, 1876, declaring unconstitutional and void the laws of the State requiring indemnity or, guarantee by commutation for the support of indigent emigrants, has imposed a serious burden upon the State. In obedience to the direction of the Legislature, the Commissioners of Emigration appealed to Congress for relief, but no result has yet been secured. A bill to regulate emigration, approved by all the Representatives from this State, has recently been introduced in Congress, and it is hoped that it will receive favorable consideration. It is recommended, therefore, that the Legislature take some formal action in behalf of the measure.

QUARANTINE.

During the past season 1,142 vessels from ports liable to visitations of yellow fever were examined by the Quarantine officers at the port of New York, of which 284 were from ports known to be infected. Ninety-five vessels had 256 cases of yellow fever on their

passage, or in port under quarantine. Fifty cases of fever were treated in the Quarantine hospitals, of which twenty-nine were yellow fever. Of the latter, eleven proved fatal.

It is gratifying in this connection to state that the National Board of Health, after careful investigation of the methods in vogue at the different ports, unanimously recommended the principles and modes practiced at the port of New York, as affording the greatest protection against disease and the least interference with the freedom of commerce.

RAILROAD TRANSPORTATION.

For several years there has been an increasing interest in the subject of railroad transportation. The relations of railroads to the public are of vast importance and demand careful examination by the Legislature. In its inter-State aspect the subject can only be treated by Congress. But the internal interests of the people of this State, comprising one-tenth of the population of the Union, must depend upon local legislation. Responding to popular sentiment, the last Assembly appointed a special committee to investigate the management of the railroads, with instructions to report to the next Legislature. The members of the committee have devoted themselves assiduously to this duty, and will, in due time, present their conclusions for your consideration.

The question of railroad transportation affects directly or indirectly every industrial and commercial interest; and the public have the right to demand that freight tariffs shall be uniform for like service, without discrimination as between citizens or communities, and that they shall also have all reasonable publicity. This should be secured by just and practical regulations.

ELECTION LAWS.

The foundations of free government rest upon the purity of the ballot. Every elector is entitled to have his vote honestly counted and to be protected from all fraudulent practices in the conduct of elections. This is the vital element of National life, and in many respects it is the most difficult to shield from abuse. All enactments, whether National or State, calculated to protect the freedom and integrity of the elective franchise, are earnestly to be commended.

In consequence of enormous election frauds perpetrated in the city of New York in former years, very effective laws have been enacted for that locality. But in other cities defective statutes are still in operation, and in some of them elections are conducted in a grossly fraudulent manner. Remedy has heretofore been sought in more perfect legislation, but obstacles have arisen to defeat the desired object. A well-guarded registry law for all incorporated villages is also believed to be necessary for the correction of existing evils. In view of the importance which these subjects bear to the highest interests of the people, it is hoped they will receive your early consideration.

EXCISE LAWS.

Much dissatisfaction prevails in regard to the Excise laws, and it is essential that some effort be made to render them more effective. The laws are constantly violated or evaded, and inadequate attention is given to their enforcement. Indeed, the chief difficulty seems to be to determine the scope or meaning of the existing statutes on this subject. Under recent and somewhat conflicting decisions, Excise commissioners are left with large discretionary powers. The will of the commissioners is substituted for the mandates of law, hence conflicting interpretations obtain within the jurisdiction of the different boards of Excise. What is needed is a carefully matured act that can be plainly understood and faithfully executed. Although beset with difficulties, it is your duty to seek an intelligent solution of the matter.

HARBOR MASTERS.

The Supreme Court of the United States having declared that portion of the law of the State unconstitutional which authorizes the collection of fees by Harbor Masters, these officers are left to perform important duties without legal remuneration. If the services rendered by them are to be continued, it will be necessary for the Legislature to provide for their compensation in some different form.

PILOTAGE.

The laws relating to pilotage in the harbor of New York cause much complaint from those engaged in commerce. It is represented that the legal charge for piloting a large steamship in and out of that port is larger than the wages of the captain for the round European trip. If this be true, a remedy is surely needed. The growing competition of other sea-ports for our vast foreign trade renders it imperative that the commerce of New York shall be relieved of all unnecessary burdens. The future prosperity of the State is largely dependent upon the continuance of our commercial supremacy, and no private interest should be permitted to interfere with that great object.

INDIANS.

Attention has been called to the condition of the Indians still remaining within the limits of the State, more especially those residing on the Onondaga reservation. According to the representations of well-informed citizens, there seem to be ample reasons for the adoption of such measures as will conduce to the moral and material welfare of this peculiar people. Much must necessarily depend in this direction upon the exercise of wise and beneficent influences; but as the State has long sustained the relation of guardian to the remnants of Indian tribes within its domain, the interests involved in their situation are commended to your thoughtful consideration.

LOCAL INDEBTEDNESS.

Serious embarrassment exists in different sections of the State on account of the large amount of town indebtedness incurred for the most part in aid of railroad enterprises. In some instances towns are being depopulated in consequence of the high rate of taxation rendered necessary to pay the interest on their bonds. The value of property is also depreciating; and looking forward to the maturity of the debt, the prospect becomes still more discouraging. The only remedy seems to be in refunding the indebtedness, so as to reduce the rate of interest. This, however, requires an improved credit; and it is very desirable that some measure be devised, if possible, to enable the towns to accomplish this object.

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.

Municipal affairs are prolific subjects of legislation and will doubtless occupy much of your attention. In dealing with them it should be remembered that the restoration of specie payment affords a favorable opportunity for the readjustment of public expenditures, many of which, established during the period of inflation and fixed at rates now extravagant, have become needless burdens upon the taxpayers. Especially is this true in the city of New York. Overburdened with debt largely created by the criminality of faithless officials, the expenses of the city government should be reduced to a frugal and economical basis.

All measures calculated to simplify the methods and promote the stability of local as well as State administration, or secure efficient and economical discharge of official duty are earnestly commended your favorable consideration and support.

to

CONCLUSION.

We enter upon our duties under circumstances which mark an interesting event in the history of the State. For the first time. since the organization of our State government in 1777, the executive officers and the members of both branches of the Legislature were chosen simultaneously at the recent election. A trust of unusual magnitude, therefore, is committed to us, for the faithful performance of which we shall justly be held to strict accountability.

Commissioned as the representatives of a grand constituency, unequaled in enterprise, wealth, and power, may we be impressed with the gravity of our responsibilities, and solemnly resolve to be guided by worthy motives in every official action.

ALONZO B. CORNELL.

Ordered, That said message be laid on the table and printed.

(See Doc. No. 2.)

On motion of Mr. Loomis, the Senate adjourned.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1880.

The Senate met pursuant to adjournment.

Prayer by the Chaplain.

The journal of yesterday was read and approved.

Senators Isaac V. Baker and William B. Woodin appeared in the Senate and took and subscribed the constitutional oath of office.

The President presented the annual report of the Commissioners of the New Capitol, and also of the Superintendent; which was laid on the table and ordered printed.

(See Assem. Doc. No. 8.)

The Assembly sent for concurrence the following resolution:

Resolved (if the Senate concur), That there be printed of the Governor's message 15,000 copies, of which 5,000 shall be in German, the cost not to exceed thirteen cents per page per 100 copies, 1,000 to be bound in cloth for the use of the Governor; which was referred to the committee on printing, when appointed.

Mr. Robertson introduced a bill entitled "An act giving the consent of the State of New York to the purchase or acquisition by the United States of two sites for range lights in Cold Spring Harbor, Queens county, Long Island, New York, and ceding jurisdiction over the same," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on the judiciary, when appointed.

Mr. Robertson introduced a bill entitled "An act giving consent of the State of New York to the United States for the purchase of land at New Brighton and ceding jurisdiction over the same," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on the judiciary, when appointed.

Mr. Forster introduced a bill entitled "An act to exempt from the penalties of the usury law all transactions prior to May 1, 1881," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on the judiciary, when appointed.

Mr. Forster introduced a bill entitled "An act to amend chapter 335 of the Laws of 1873, entitled 'An act to reorganize the local government of the city of New York,' passed April 30, 1873," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on cities, when appointed.

Mr. Forster introduced a bill entitled "An act to provide for the more economical opening of streets, avenues and roads in the city of New York," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on the judiciary, when appointed.

On motion of Mr. Forster and by unanimous consent said bill was ordered printed.

Mr. Astor introduced a bill entitled "An act to prevent persons holding money, securities or funds as trustees or otherwise from