trenched upon the lucrative employments of the eastern farmers, until their incomes are small and uncertain, and their burdens almost oppressive. The farmer can never escape his taxes; whatever means of escape may be open to others are closed to him. And in the distribution of the load, this fact should be borne in mind, and the Legislature should so treat him as not only to encourage his industry, but to show also that the State is mindful that he, least of all among its citizens, finds exemption from the burden of taxation.

COMMERCE.

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I have been so impressed by this subject, in its relation to the State, that I communicate with you, not only for your co-operation, but in the hope of arousing the attention of those most closely in touch with the question and, therefore, best qualified to handle it. No man can contemplate the past history of New York without feelings of pride. Surrounded at the beginning like her sister commonwealths, with conditions which seemed almost without hope, she has in a few years attained the dimensions of an empire. This transformation has been wrought through the unexampled gifts of Nature, and the industry and skill of citizens protected by a wise and just government. If these reflections inspire pride only, without determination, their main value is lost. An inspiration that produces no result, is no better than an agreeable recollection. There must be some practical test of the effect of former achievements upon our present energy. This test will be found in the manner in which the people of this State deal with the subject of their commerce in its present situation. That situation is not as it ought to be. It is easily the best in the country, but it is not so much the best as it has been and can be made. The commerce of New York is not increasing as rapidly as that of other ports. Perhaps this is

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inevitable, for the first of yesterday may be the second to-day, and out of the race to-morrow. But it is not likely that New York is suffering from conditions which she cannot overcome. The conditions which hold her back seem to be neither natural nor general. It is said that the commerce tributary to New York city has been checked and discouraged by a too narrow policy prevailing there with reference to terminal facilities. If this is true, that policy should be corrected, no matter whether it is pursued by the city or by individuals. The facilities of New York belong not to the city or even to the State, but to the country. If by location she is the best point of shipment to foreign markets for western farmers, then her advantages should be open no more to a Broadway merchant than to a Kansas farmer. And the rights of the latter should not be abridged by restrictions or charges which would drive him to Galveston or New Orleans. Every citizen in this country has a right to get to the sea with his product, no matter whether he lives on the coast or not, and he should not be subjected when there, to unreasonable demands from those who have accommodations which he is obliged to employ. Some communities are so placed that their course not only interests, but largely affects others. To the extent in which this is true, just to that extent has the public the right to advise and direct those so situated. New York city is in this class. Her affairs are not local, but national, and this view receives constant recognition at the hands of the general government. Millions of money from the general treasury have been expended in New York with national sanction, and millions more should be expended now in the single project of deepening the approaches to her harbor. But this national aspect cannot be urged when her benefits are considered and denied when others claim theirs. This State should open such facilities in New York harbor as will

draw and accommodate every pound of commerce which would naturally come there. The desire on the part of individuals or of the city, for rapid accumulations should not prevent this result. The broadest and most liberal policy is the wisest. An outlay for such a purpose would be repaid ten-fold in pecuniary returns and in the growth and prestige of the State. Neglect or carelessness in dealing with this subject would put New York at a disadvantage with other ports in the United States, and might put the whole country at a disadvantage with Canada. The Canadians are just now discussing this subject, and are relying upon advantages afforded by the St. Lawrence river, to attract over that stream, the products of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Dakota and other western States, intended for foreign markets. This competition should be feared and met.

In order that this subject may be treated with that consideration and care which its magnitude demands, I recommend that a commission be created to examine into the commerce of New York, the cause of its decline, the means of its revival, and to report conclusions.

THE CAPITOL.

The plans of the Capitol at Albany have been changed so often they would hardly be recognized by the man who made them, nearly forty years ago. The last change was made and the present plans adopted by the Capitol Commission, February 11, 1896. There will be no further alteration.

The structure will be com

pleted, the sheds torn down and the walks laid out, before the first day of next October. There has not been a time in the last fifteen years that reasonable effort would not have accomplished these things in twenty-four months.

THE NATIONAL GUARD.

The National Guard still maintains the character which has long entitled it to general commendation. It would be better if it was removed farther from political control. If some practical method of doing this can be devised, which meets the approval of military men, I shall recommend it. The Guard and Naval Militia consist of about fourteen thousand of the finest

young men of the State. They serve without pay, and their reasonable demands should be complied with.

SCHOOLS.

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The schools of this State are unsurpassed by those of any other. We should not be satisfied with a system because it is the best in use, unless it is the best than can be devised. is little hope that public money will ever be prudently expended, but if that improbable result should ever be attained I should still be in favor, as I am now, of the greatest liberality in school appropriations. The character of the citizen is largely formed in his childhood, and if more were confined in schoolhouses in their youth, there would be fewer confined in other institutions in later life. The right of the State to compel the education of its children is as clear as its duty to protect or punish its citizens. We are spending millions of dollars every year for paupers, criminals and the insane. Whatever will reduce the number of these unfortunate classes should be done, and the means more effective than all others, is the instruction of children. The number of pupils in the public schools this year is 1,203,199, an increase of 27,125 over last year. To maintain these schools the State appropriated $4,981,858 last year, and will be called upon for as much more this. Attendance at school, if not voluntary,

should be compelled, for this enormous expenditure should be not only a recognition of the duty of the State to educate its citizens, but a declaration of its right to control them.

UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE.

New York has in her university an organization nearly as old as the State itself. Its work has established its reputation at home and abroad. Those who plan for the future of the State know that its greatness will depend no less upon its educational interests than upon its material prosperity. All admit the value of elementary education, but many fail to understand that higher education pays equally as well. The common school draws mainly from the State, but for higher institutions the field is boundless. Those who spend years in arduous training seek not the cheapest or the nearest, but the best, and if New York's schools are at the head they will be sought by students from other States. The recent administration of the University knows the methods of reaching desired results. Under it, new currents are setting toward New York. Its field is broadening every year. The best educators believe that system is nearest perfect, whose instruction does not end with the period of youth, but continues through the student's life. The library is a chief agency in this continuance. New York, the pioneer in many fields, was the first in this or any country to recognize by statute the efficiency of the public library as a part of its educational plan. We have over five hundred traveling libraries of the best books published. They are loaned for six months to any community requesting them. Other States have adopted this part of our system. Knowledge gained from good books means increased power and better citizenship. The University has seen