No. 87. IN ASSEMBLY, March 27, 1877. REPORT OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. IN SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, Mr. Graham, from the Sub-Committee of the Whole, to which was referred the Assembly bill No. 306, introductory No. 246, G. O. 315, entitled "An act authorizing and empowering the common council of the city of Rochester to construct a turn-table or swing-bridge over the Erie canal in Allen street, in the city of Rochester," reported in favor of the passage of the same without amendment. The bill was ordered to be reported by the following vote: Mr. Graham, from the Sub-Committee of the Whole, to which was referred the Assembly bill No. 323, intoductory No. 486, G. O. 333, entitled "An act to authorize the city of Rochester to acquire the title to land or other property for the use of water-works," reported in favor of the passage of the same without amendment. The bill was ordered to be reported by the following vote: Mr. Graham, from the Sub-Committee of the Whole, to which was referred the Assembly bill No. 284, introductory No. 668, G. O. 295, entitled "An act authorizing the commissioners of highways of the town of Glenville, Schenectady county, to appropriate a portion of the moneys received for commutation of highway labor to the payment of interest of investments of said town incurred in the purchase and rebuilding of the Mohawk and Schenectady Bridge Company's bridges, and for repairs of said bridges," reported in favor of the passage of the same without amendment. The bill was ordered to be reported by the following vote: Mr. Graham, from the Sub-Committee of the Whole, to which was referred the Assembly bill No. 351, introductory No. 520, G. O. 364, entitled "An act in relation to the appointment of town constables in the county of Ontario," reported in favor of the passage of the same with the following amendments: Strike out the words "day preceding," in line 2 of section 1, and insert the following: "First Monday succeeding." In the same section, line 5, strike out the words "the supervisor and," and insert after the word "such," in the same line, the following: "Supervisor and." In section 4, in line 2, after the word "constable" add: "In case of the death or removal of any of the constables so appointed, or a vacancy from any cause, such vacancy shall be filled in the manner herein before provided." The bill was ordered to be reported by the following vote: Mr. Graham, from the Sub-Committee of the Whole, to which was referred the Senate bill No. 47, introductory No. 83, G. O. 357, entitled "An act to authorize the treasurer of Monroe county to sell property for unpaid taxes," reported in favor of the passage of the same without amendment. The bill was ordered to be reported by the following vote: No. 88. IN ASSEMBLY, March 27, 1877. VETO MESSAGE OF THE GOVERNOR ON ASSEMBLY BILL No. 85, ENTITLED "AN ACT IN RELATION TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS." To the Assembly : STATE OF NEW YORK: } EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, ALBANY, March 26, 1876. ( I return without my approval Assembly Bill No. 85, entitled "An act in relation to the Superintendent of Public Works." The frauds and crimes in canal management brought to light within the last two years are well known. They imposed oppressive burdens alike upon tax-payers and the boatmen who navigate the canals. If they had not been arrested they would have covered the State with disgrace, and brought the canals to ruin. At the last election the people, by a majority of 451,321, adopted an amendment to the Constitution establishing an entirely new system of canal administration. It provides for the appointment by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, of one Superintendent of Public Works, who is to hold his office during the term of the Governor by whom he is nominated, and by whom he may be suspended or removed at any time without any action by the Senate. The Governor himself is thus made responsible to the People of the State for the faithful performance of the duties of the superintendent, whom he is bound to watch over and hold to a rigid accountability. The object of this provision is to hold the executive head of the State responsible for any further mismanagement of the canals. The superintendent is "charged [Assembly, No. 88.] 1 |