construction of these buildings on the plans adopted, if accurate statements of their probable cost had been submitted to it.

The capitol at the seat of government represents the sovereignty of the people of the state. The laws by which they are governed are enacted within its walls. It is right that it should bear in its dimensions and the perfection of its architecture, a just relation to the dignity of the service to which it is dedicated; and the people will not object to any reasonable expenditure which may be necessary to make it a fitting symbol of their supremacy and power.

The proposed expenditure is nevertheless far greater than it should be; and it is believed that it may yet be reduced without impairing the architectural finish or proportions of the edifice.

In regard to buildings intended for the treatment and care of the insane, and for the custody, punishment or reformation of criminals, it is neither necessary nor appropriate that they should be ornamental or costly in their architecture. They should be plain and substantial, and should be constructed with the single purpose of adapting them to the uses for which they are designed. The cities and districts within which they are established will very naturally desire that they should be highly embellished as ornaments to their neighborhoods; and as the superintendence of their construction is usually confided to persons who reside near them, it will require great care on the part of the state, as experience has shown, to prevent the plans from being modified by costly alterations or additions.

The most effectual method of guarding against defective estimates of cost and changes of plan involving additional expenditure is to place the construction of all buildings to be erected at the expense of the state, under a single superintending architect, with a salary sufficient to command the highest qualifications. Such an arrangement would also save to the state a large portion of the compensation now paid to a number of architects receiving a percentage on the amount expended in the construction of the buildings respectively in their charge. No plan should be finally adopted and no building commenced until all the working drawings are perfected; and when this is done, an experienced builder is often more competent to carry on the work of construction than the architect by whom it was designed..

If the appointment of a superintending architect is provided for, his first duty should be to see whether such modifications may not be made in the plans of the buildings now in progress as to secure a material reduction of their cost. That the expenditures have not only been unnecessary but extravagant, in more than one instance, cannot well be doubted. The Hudson river hospital, so far as it is constructed, is a model building, but it has cost a larger sum than was necessary, and certainly much more than the state can afford, if provision is to be made for such of our seven thousand insane as are in indigent circumstances. The materials for another section of the building are on hand and paid for; and it is desirable that this section, which can be constructed according to the same external design at a comparatively less cost than the one already completed, should be finished as speedily as possible. The expense

of drainage and supplying the institution with water has also been paid, so that the further expenditure will be limited to the cost of the building and its necessary furniture.

It is also desirable that the two wards of the Buffalo asylum, partially constructed, should be completed so as to be in condition to receive inmates.

With these two exceptions, and with an appropriation for the new capitol, it is due to the people of the state, already overburdened with taxes, that further expenditure on these buildings should cease until the plans can be revised and their cost brought within reasonable bounds. It is of the more importance, as other receptacles will be needed to provide for the insane poor. A large number are in county poor-houses in the most deplorable condition and wholly without remedial treatment; and there can be little hope of making provision for them if millions are lavished upon two or three costly establishments.

CERTIFICATES FOR SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1812.

In 1859 an act was passed making compensation to the militia of this state for certain expenses incurred in the war of 1812. Under this act awards were made and several thousand certificates were issued. The legislature appropriated $50,000 in 1869 and $100,000 in 1870 for the payment of these certificates. There are many thousand yet outstanding, and, as they bear interest, the amount due on them is constantly increasing. Frequent applications are made for payment, but beyond a balance of less than $3,000 there are no moneys in the treasury applicable to this object. The holders of these certificates, or, at least, those to whom they were issued, are old men, and can derive little benefit from them unless they are speedily paid. Many of them have, no doubt, passed into other hands, but to the extent that the faith of the state is pledged for their payment, provision should be made for the purpose. Partial payment has been made on a large number of the certificates, and their validity is thus acknowledged in a two-fold sense.

OBSTRUCTION OF THE HARBOR OF NEW YORK.

Your immediate attention is earnestly called to obstructions in the harbor of New York, caused by discharging ashes and cinders from steamboats, and throwing earth, stones and rubbish of all description into its waters, and also by the construction of docks extending into those waters far beyond the exterior lines heretofore established. There are legal provisions by which obstructions from the first-named cause may be restrained by fines, but the pilot commissioners, who are authorized to prosecute for them, have no means of meeting the expense of detecting violations of law. The subject is one of pressing urgency. Shoals are in the process of formation, and it is a well-known principle that as the tidal flow inward from the sea, at the mouths of rivers, is impeded by the obstruction or contraction of the channel, the outward flow is proportionably diminished in force, and the harbor becomes gradually shallower. The harbor of New York has already been seriously

injured by these obstructions, and unless their progress is arrested by speedy and efficient measures, there is great danger that it may in the course of time share the fate of many maritime ports in Europe which have, through like causes, become wholly useless.

CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION.

On the 3d March, 1871, the congress of the United States passed an act to provide for celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of American Independence by holding an international exhibition of arts, manufactures and products of the soil and mine, in the city of Philadelphia, in the year 1876.

The act provided for the appointment of a commissioner and an alternate commissioner from each state and territory, to constitute a commission which was required to hold its meetings in the city of Philadelphia, and to report to congress a plan for carrying out the object of the act.

Preliminary measures have been already adopted for the purpose, and the president of the United States has issued his proclamation commending the celebration and exhibition to the people of the United States and to all nations who may be pleased to take part in them.

It is now recommended by the centennial commission that each state and territory appoint a board of managers, not exceeding five in number, for the purpose of organizing their respective states and territories, and of securing a thorough representation of the products of industry of each in the exhibition.

Several of the states have entered with earnestness upon the work, and it is greatly to be desired that it should be carried out in a manner which will be creditable to the country. In order that the products of our own industry may be advantageously exhibited, a state board seems to be indispensable. It is not proposed that the members should have any compensation, and it is not doubted that gentlemen can be found who will undertake the service for the purpose of insuring a proper representation of the state at an exhibition in which our states and territories and foreign countries will take part. But it ought not to be expected that they should do more than pay their own personal expenses. The labor of preparing and managing the exhibits of the states is very great, and cannot be performed without the aid of a secretary and clerk and without incurring expenditures for the rent of an office and some incidental objects. These expenditures must be borne by the state, if such a board is created. The amount need not exceed seven or eight thousand dollars a year for the term of two years from the fourth of July next.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION.

It will devolve on you to consider and act upon the amendments to the constitution, which were agreed to by the two branches of the legislature at its last session. Should they be agreed to by a majority of all the members elected to each house at the present session, it will be your duty to submit them to the people, and if, on being

so submitted, they are approved and ratified by a majority of the electors qualified to vote for members of the legislature voting thereon, they will become a part of the constitution. These amendments were matured after the most deliberate consideration by a body of citizens eminent for their ability and experience, representing in equal numbers the two leading political parties in the state, and they provide for defects in the constitution, which have been a source of great public inconvenience and injury. It is earnestly hoped that they may meet your approval. Should you fail to agree to them it would be necessary to institute new proceedings, which would prolong existing defects in the constitution for a further term of three years.

Having thus laid before you such considerations as the condition of the state seems to me to demand, it only remains for me to express the hope that your deliberations may be carried on in friendly concord to results which will promote the best interests of your constituents. It will be a source of sincere gratification to me if I can contribute, by any co-operation on my part, to the harmony of our official intercourse and to the welfare of those we represent. It may be regarded as a fortunate occurrence that the two great political parties in the state are represented with so near an approach to equality in both branches of the legislature; and if differences of opinion shall manifest themselves on questions of which our party divisions aro the growth, I look to both with the same confidence for pure and patriotic action on all matters affecting the good name of the state and the welfare of the people. In this assurance and trust I tender you a cordial welcome to the halls of legislation.

JOHN A. DIX.

Ordered, That said message be laid upon the table and printed. A message from the Senate was received and read, requesting the concurrence of the Assembly to the bill entitled as follows:

"An act for the relief of John George Milburn," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on the judiciary.

Mr. Speaker presented the annual report of the Canal Commissioners, which was laid upon the table and ordered printed.

(See Doc. No. 6.)

On motion of Mr. Goss, Resolved, That when this House adjourns to-day, it does so to meet again at four o'clock P. M., and that when so convened the members proceed to draw for seats in the usual manner; that previous to the drawing the chamber be cleared of all persons except members and officers, and that the members retire to the lobby and cloak room and remain until their names are drawn and called.

By unanimous consent, Mr. Batcheller introduced a bill entitled "An act making further appropriations for the enlargement of the Champlain canal," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second time, and referred to the committee on canals.

Mr. Goss offered for the consideration of the House a resolution in the words following:

Resolved (if the Senate concur), That when this Legislature adjourns to-morrow (Wednesday), it be to meet on Tuesday morning, January 13th, at eleven o'clock.

Said resolution being concurrent,

Ordered, That the same be laid upon the table.

On motion of Mr. Griffin, at 2 o'clock and 15 minutes, the House took a recess until 4 o'clock.

The House again met.

FOUR O'CLOCK. ·

Mr. Speaker stated the order of business to be the drawing of seats, in accordance with the previous resolution of the House.

Mr. Alberger then moved that Mr. Nice, of Erie, and Mr. Thorp, of Otsego, be allowed to select their seats on account of deafness.

Mr. Prince then moved to amend said resolution by including the names of Mr. Griffin, of Delaware, Mr. Gregory, of Schuyler, and Mr. Persons, of Jefferson.

Mr. Speaker put the question whether the House would agree to said motion of Mr. Prince, and it was determined in the negative.

Mr. Speaker then put the question whether the House would agree to said resolution, and it was determined in the affirmative.

On motion of Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Alvord was allowed to select a seat. On motion of Mr. Batcheller, Mr. Griffin, of Delaware, Mr. Gregory, of Schuyler, and Mr. Persons, of Jefferson, were allowed to select their seats on the front row of seats.

Mr. Speaker then appointed Henry A. Glidden, Clerk of the Senate, to draw the ballots.

The drawing then proceeded with the following result: