system of preparation. It still needs to be urged upon our cities, that our position is an exposed one to any disease that may come from foreign countries. The winter and spring should be inproved by a thorough cleansing of dwellings, grounds and highways, so that the material most conducive to disease may be removed.

The State Board is investigating the cause of disease occurring among school children and among those engaged in certain industries, so as to suggest some remedy therefor.

The last year has been one of unusual loss to farmers and stock-raisers, on account of several animal diseases. While the Board has been able frequently to check this contagion, they advise that the law be made more stringent with reference to bringing diseased animals into the state, and in reference to selling unwholesome meat. The Board also recommends legislation in reference to tenement houses in cities, which will secure healthful habitations for those obliged to occupy this class of dwellings. The Board also deals with the subject of water-supply and sewage

for cities.

The Vital Statistics of this State compare favorably with those of any other, and furnish us with valuable information as to the physical and social condition of our population. I recommend an attentive consideration of the suggestions made in the report of the Board.

NATIONAL GUARD.

The National Guard of the State consists of 279 officers and 3,054 men, organized into fifty companies of infantry, and two Gatling Gun companies. The entire force is thoroughly armed and equipped, and furnished with the State regulation service uniform, with the exception of Gatling Gun Company A, which still continues of its own volition to wear the Zouave uniform used by its members during the war.

I am in favor of every measure which will increase the efficiency of the National Guard, of which the State is justly proud. Upon consultation with the members of the State Military Board, I determined that its efficiency could be increased by placing the soldiers in camp, where they could learn the military duties connected with active service in the field, and acquire a better discipline and drill than in their armories. This determination was carried into effect by the formation of a Camp of Instruction at Manasquan upon grounds leased for that purpose. The entire Guard was not placed in camp on account of the expense, but the Second Brigade, General Sewell commanding, was ordered to attend the encampment by the Major-General, with my approval,

as Commander-in-Chief. The Brigade remained there from August 18th to the 23d, inclusive. The beneficial effects of this encampment under its able commander were so noticeable, that upon consultation with the Quartermaster General, and with the approval of the State Military Board, I decided under the provisions of section five of the supplement to the act organizing the National Guard, approved April 29th, 1884, to purchase ground for a permanent camp. The advantages of instruction in a camp are no longer a question of experiment. The States that have the most efficient military organizations are all provided with permanent camps, except New Jersey.

I ascertained that there had been expended during the six years, from 1877 to 1883, for rental for use of rifle ranges, over $39,000, making an average expenditure for that purpose of over $6,000 per annum. Upon consultation I concluded that the camp could be used for rifle practice, and thereby save this annual expenditure. The experiment of using the camp for this purpose was thoroughly tested at the late encampment, and was a complete success. A permanent camp would also save much expense for transportation, because many articles could be stored in buildings upon the ground.

The Quartermaster General has agreed to purchase ground for a permanent encampment at Sea Girt, near the place used by the Second Brigade. His action has my approval. The question of title has been referred to the Attorney-General. I recommend that the Legislature confirm the action taken by the Quartermaster General, and that the Comptroller be directed to draw his warrant to pay for the ground, and also that a sufficient sum of money be appropriated for the purpose of improving the camp, and fitting it for permanent occupation.

The amount saved by the State in using the camp for a rifle range will in ten years be sufficient to pay for the land, improve the same and erect necessary buildings.

The discretion reposed in the Quartermaster General, and the Commander-in-Chief under the act of April 29th, 1884, has been exercised so as to secure a healthy location, with a lake on one side, and a frontage on the ocean for sanitary purposes, rifle practice and instruction in sea-coast defences. The ocean frontage enables the State to take advantage of the Act of Congress which authorizes the Secretary of War to issue, on the requisition of the Governor, to a State bordering on the sea-coast, and having a permanent camping ground, where the militia are annually encamped not less than six days, two heavy guns and four mortars, with carriage and platforms for the proper instruction and practice of the military in heavy artillery drill. This act provides for the construction of a suitable battery, and appropriates $5,000 to

each State applying therefor. The great extent of our sea-coast renders such practice a wise and prudent measure.

I am convinced that the efficiency of the military force depends largely upon the proper qualification of its officers. Under the Constitution the line officers are elected by the men of their several commands. There is no provision of law for ascertaining the qualifications of those applying for commissions under such an election. I suggest the propriety of providing by law for a Board in each Brigade for the examination of line officers, whose certificate shall be presented to the Commander-inChief with the certificate of election.

I refer with pleasure to the very complete and satisfactory reports of the Adjutant and Quartermaster Generals, and to those of the staff-officers accompanying the same. These reports will be found to give full and complete information with reference to every detail and matter of interest pertaining to the National Guard.

It has become my sad duty, during the past year, to give a proper and just recognition to a gallant soldier, whose sudden death has been a great and irreparable loss. Major General Gershom Mott was buried with military honors by the State. His civil and military services to the State, his distinguished and gallant conduct in the battles for the preservation of the Union are imperishably written as a bright record in the history of the State and Nation.

PENSIONS.

The work of carrying out the provisions of Joint Resolution No. 1, in reference to pension claims of New Jersey Volunteers, approved March 10, 1880, has been attended with great success. This joint resolution directs me to see that a large number of unsettled claims for pension of New Jersey Volunteers, now pending before the Pension Department of the United States, made by worthy soldiers in needy circumstances, receive early and proper attention from the auditing officers of the Treasury. Prior to my administration about 2,400 claims were thus personally presented, and their allowance urged, and without this direct aid of the State many of them would still be unsettled. This good work has been continued under my directions during the last fiscal year by the able and efficient Adjutant-General of the State, and nearly 500 more claims for pension, back pay and bounty have been urged by personal application at Washington before the proper officials. The citizens of our State embraced within the terms of this joint resolution can secure prompt action upon their claims by application to the Executive.

HOME FOR DISABLED SOLDIERS.

The number of inmates of this institution at the close of the year was 248, and the average number of beneficiaries per day 223. In addition to the regular appropriation of $25,000, the State appropriated $12,000, making $37,000 paid to the Home during the past year.

STATE PRISON.

At the close of the fiscal year there were 843 convicts in the State Prison, of whom only 370 were employed on the contracts in existence. One of the contractors, engaged in the manufacture of buttons, and employing 30 men, failed last July. His machinery and stock on hand were purchased by the State for $1,000. Owing to the depression in business the contractors have of late employed no more men than they were obliged to by the terms of their contracts, which, together with the failure of the button manufacturer, has caused a falling off in the receipts of the Prison.

The report of the Supervisor states that the total expenses of the prison for all purposes during the year were $132,417.58; and that the earnings amounted to $61,846.21, making the cost of the State Prison $70,571.37. This is $9,805.06 more than in the preceding year, and this increase of cost is due to the causes above stated. In addition to those employed on the contracts, 52 convicts have been employed in the erection of a wall surrounding the prison grounds, which has been constructed under an act of the Legislature, approved April 18th, 1884. [Laws of 1884, page 229]. This wall is not yet completed, but owing to the efficient management of the prison authorities entrusted with its construction, its cost will be considerably less than the appropriation made by the State for that purpose.

The State Prison is crowded, and there is not sufficient room to enable the authorities to comply with the law which requires that every convict shall be confined in one of the cells of the prison, separate and alone. Some of the cells have three or four persons in them, and very few of the cells have less than two. It is impossible to remedy this condition of affairs without the State making a large appropriation for new buildings, which its finances do not seem at this time to warrant. When the new tax laws are in full operation, and payments made thereunder by all the corporations, the State will be enabled to attend to this most necessary matter.

The Legislature should take immediate steps to provide for the employment of all the prisoners. First, because it is necessary

for their health and the discipline of the Institution, and second, because such employment will yield a revenue to the State.

Under existing laws the number of convicts that can be employed in any industry is limited. It is impossible to carry on two industries in the same shop, and only 450 men can be employed in the present shop rooms of the prison. It makes no difference under what system the labor of the convicts is utilized, the result will be the same. The limitation on the number that can be employed on any industry renders it absolutely necessary to have more shop room, if the State desires to utilize the labor of those who cannot now be employed. At least 250 more convicts could be employed if there was sufficient shop room. The prison authorities are compelled to leave this large number of able-bodied men unemployed, because the State has not furnished them with the shops in which to put them to work. After consultation with those having in charge the conduct of the prison, I recommend that the Legislature make an appropriation of $15,000 to build additional shops, with the right to use any unexpended portion of the appropriation_made for the prison wall. If this appropriation is promptly made, the shops can be erected and ready for occupancy by June of this year. The authorities, as soon as the appropriation is made, can proceed to make arrangement for the employment of the convicts now out of work, so that as soon as the buildings are completed, the State may commence at once to derive a revenue therefrom. The average loss to the State by reason of the non-employment of these men, who cannot be utilized in the present shops, amounts to from twenty to thirty thousand dollars per annum.

If this additional shop room is supplied, I am confident that the deficiency on State Prison account, instead of being $70,000 will not exceed $45,000 per annum. As a matter of wise, economical administration of public affairs, this expenditure is absolutely essential. The supervision of the erection of the shops can wisely be left in the hands of those who have so faithfully and economically used the appropriation of the State in the erection of the new prison wall.

The Legislature at its last session abolished contract convict labor in the prison, and such labor is hereafter to be utilized under chapter 158 of the laws of 1884. [Laws of 1884, p. 230.] This act provides for the employment of convicts upon goods used in institutions under State control, and for prisoners not thus employed the Legislature has designated the "piece price plan," or the "public account system." After the thirtieth of June, 1885, at the expiration of the contracts now existing, all the inmates of the institution must be employed under one of these three plans. I am informed that only a small number can