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MESSAGE RETURNING BY REQUEST SENATE

BILL 213

STATE OF NEW YORK

Executive Chamber

Albany, February 27, 1899

TO THE SENATE:

Pursuant to a concurrent resolution of the Senate and Assembly, I herewith return Senate bill No. 213, entitled "An Act to release to Michael Sullivan and Margaret Sullivan all the right, title and interest of the People of the State of New York in and to certain real estate in the borough (late city) of Brooklyn ".

This bill is recalled at my request because deemed unnecessary, as it appears that the Commissioners of the Land Office have authority to grant the relief sought, and I am informed they are ready to take the necessary action if an application be presented as required by the statute. I return this bill because it is the first of the kind that has come to me, but any similar unnecessary bills which come to me hereafter will be vetoed. It is most desirable to reduce the body of legislation. Frequently special laws are enacted to meet particular cases, where the relief sought could be obtained by the exercise of a little trouble under some general law, the aid of the legislature being invoked apparently because a legislative act is cheaper for the persons interested than are proceedings under the general law. No cast-iron rule can be laid down, but it is certainly of the utmost importance to make a serious effort to curtail the amount of this special legislation. It could be materially reduced if in the cases involving special legis

lation the Committees would defer action so as to bring up all cases of a like character together, and then to prepare a general bill covering the whole subject.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT

CERTIFICATION OF THE NECESSITY OF THE PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL INTRODUCTORY NO. 631, RELATIVE TO NOTARIES PUBLIC, NASSAU COUNTY.

STATE OF NEW YORK

TO THE LEGISLATURE:

Executive Chamber

It appearing to my satisfaction that the public interest requires it;

THEREFORE, in accordance with the provisions of section fifteen of article three of the Constitution and by virtue of the authority thereby conferred upon me I do hereby certify to the necessity of the immediate passage of Senate bill introductory number 631 entitled "An Act to amend the Public Officers Law in relation to the commissions of notaries public ".

GIVEN under my hand and the Privy Seal of the

State at the Capitol in the city of Albany this [LS] twenty-eighth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-nine.

By the Governor:

WM. J. YOUNGS

THEODORE ROOSEVELT

Secretary to the Governor

LETTER TO DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF HERKIMER COUNTY

STATE OF NEW YORK

Executive Chamber

Albany, March 7, 1899

Hon. ADAM J. SMITH, District Attorney, Herkimer, N. Y.:

SIR: A few days ago the Superintendent of Public Works of the State of New York found upon making an examination that the public service would be subserved by the removal of one Snyder, as a section superintendent of the Erie Canal in Herkimer County, he having apparently been guilty of falsifying payrolls and by such means stealing the public moneys. The information received by him upon which he based this determination is on file in this office, and he has sent a copy of the same to you for your examination.

I am credibly informed that affidavits substantially the same as the copies which have been sent you, have been for some time on file in your office. I now call your attention sharply to the commission of this crime, the perpetrator of which should be speedily punished; and I expect that you and all your officers and persons associated with you in the execution of the criminal law, will do their whole duty thoroughly and without fear or favor to secure conviction.

Every assistance that the Executive Department of the State government can afford you to accomplish the ends aforesaid will be at your command.

Yours very truly,

THEODORE ROOSEVELT

LETTER TO GENERAL FRANCIS V. GREENE RELATIVE TO CANAL EXPERTS

STATE OF NEW YORK

Executive Chamber

Albany, March 8, 1899

General FRANCIS V. GREENE, II Broadway, New York

City:

MY DEAR SIR: I am very desirous of seeing the canal policy of the State definitely formulated. As you know the nine million dollars designed to deepen the canals to the depth of nine feet has been practically expended, and it is reported that sixteen millions additional will be needed to carry this scheme through, while, at the same time, certain experts have said that the scheme, when carried through, will not be satisfactory. In short, there is much conflict of opinion as to what policy should be followed with reference to the canals, and even as to the proper terminus of the canal on the lakes.

I desire the opinion of a body of experts, who shall include in their number not merely high class engineers, but men of business, and especially men who have made a study of the problems of transportation, who know the relative advantages and disadvantages of ship canals, barge canals and ordinary shallow canals, who are acquainted with the history of canal transportation as affected by the competition of railroads, and who have the knowledge that will enable us to profit by the experience of other countries in these matters. I have decided to ask five of the citizens of New York, whose reputation stands highest in these respects, to act with the Superintendent of Public

Works, Colonel Partridge, and the State Engineer and Surveyor, Mr. Bond, to make the necessary investigations (and where necessary to call in the aid of special experts), to enable them to report to me, at as early a day as convenient, the proper course we should follow as regards this vital interest of the State of New York. I desire very much that you serve on this committee. The other four gentlemen will be Messrs. John N. Scatcherd, Frank S. Witherbee, George E. Greene, and Major Symonds.

Last year the questions which arose affecting the canals were really two-fold in character, namely: those affecting the actual administration of the canals; and those affecting the general canal scheme for the State.

As regards the former, the questions are now well on their way to solution. Three of the best qualified lawyers in the State have been retained to investigate and press home any charge of corruption against any canal official, which in their judgment can be sustained; and Colonel Partridge is so administering the office of Superintendent of Public Works as to guarantee the honest, efficient and economical management of the canals as they now are.

The broad question of the proper policy which the State should pursue in canal matters remains unsolved, and I ask you to help me reach the proper solution.

Very sincerely yours,

THEODORE ROOSEVELT

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