authorizing and requiring the board to hear and adjust said claim, and award the amount thereof, or such sum as the board shall consider equitable and just, is very objectionable as a legislative determination that some compensation should be awarded to the claimant.

Senate bill No. 229, entitled "An act to amend chapter fifty-eight of the laws of eighteen hundred and eighty-two, entitled 'An act to amend chapter four hundred and eightytwo of the laws of eighteen hundred and seventy-five, entitled 'An act to confer additional powers of local legislation and administration and to regulate the compensation of supervisors,'" is here with returned without approval.

This bill purports to amend section 8 of chapter 482 of the laws of 1875; and I think its title should have so expressed its object.

But aside from this error or informality, a more serious objection is found in the fact that the amendment made by this bill to the law of 1875, excepts the county of Monroe from the provisions in said section contained, fixing the compensation of supervisors. All previous laws regulating such compensation are repealed, and I cannot find

that the pay of the supervisors of Monroe county is fixed by any other subsequent statute.

If, as I suppose, there is no such statute, the effect of the proposed legislation would be to except the supervisors of Monroe county from the operation of the only statute by virtue of which they are entitled to compensation for their services.

There are now no less than six counties excepted from the general statute of 1875, fixing the amount to be paid to supervisors, and special statutes have been passed on this subject applicable to such counties. I think no more should be excepted, unless good reasons exist therefor. Uniformity of laws touching this matter certainly is desirable, since it avoids uncertainty and confusion.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

VETO, ASSEMBLY BILL No. 186,

REQUIRING

ALBANY COUNTY CLERK TO FILE CERTAIN
CERTIFICATES WITH THE CITY ASSESSORS.

STATE OF NEW YORK.

EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,

To the Assembly:

ALBANY, May 2, 1883.)

Assembly bill No. 186, entitled "An act requiring the clerk of the county of Albany to file certificates of the sale and transfer of all real estate in the city of Albany with the assessors of said city," is herewith returned without approval.

This bill provides that for each certificate filed with the assessors as therein directed, the county clerk shall receive

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN LIBRARIES

the sum of twenty-five cents. The object of filing such certificates is to give the assessor better means of information as to the ownership of property upon which the taxes of the city are to be assessed. This purpose is a proper one, and the expense attending it, under the provisions of the proposed bill, would not be very great.

But the new charter of the city of Albany, which has taken effect since the introduction of this bill, increases the compensation of the assessors, and provides them with a clerk, who can easily and without additional expense procure by a daily examination at the clerk's office, the information for the use of the assessors, which is contemplated in the proposed bill.

Under such circumstances I am of the opinion that the bill is unnecessary, and the expenditure which it involves not justified.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

SPECIAL MESSAGE, RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER OF IMMIGRATION.

STATE OF NEW YORK.

EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,

To the Senate:

ALBANY, May 4, 1883.

I deem it my duty to remind you of the importance of giving effect to the law lately passed by the Legislature "to amend the law relating to alien immigrants, and to secure an improved administration of alien immigration."

This statute was the result of investigation which demonstrated that the present management of this very important department is a scandal and a reproach to civilization.

The money of the State is apparently expended with no regard to economy, the most disgraceful dissensions prevail among those having the matter in charge, barefaced jobbery has been permitted, and the poor emigrant who looks to the institution for protection, finds that his helplessness and forlorn condition afford the readily seized opportunity for imposition and swindling.

These facts lift the efforts to reform the management above partisan considerations, and make the cause one in which every right-minded man should be enlisted, and one in which those chosen to protect the rights and the honor of the people of the State should gladly co-operate.

The law lately passed, it is admitted, seeks in a practical way to remedy the evils referred to.

In the enforcement of this law, it became my duty to send to the Senate, for its confirmation, the name of a person who should act as commissioner, and who should. have charge of the important matters provided for.

This I have done. fortunate enough to be able to present the name of a citizen of the State, of conceded integrity, ability and administrative capacity, who enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him, and whose benevolent nature would insure the protection and kind care of the destitute and friendless strangers who should be put in his charge.

In the discharge of this duty I was

But the unmistakable indications are that in its closing hours the Senate will refuse to confirm his appointment and thus continue the present scandals and abuses.

Some of those now in charge of this department and their beneficiaries are on the ground and about the halls of legislation, seeking to retain their control and their abused advantages.

The refusal to confirm the appointee is not based upon any allegation of unfitness, nor has such a thing been suggested. It concededly and openly, as I understand the situation, has its rise in an overweening greed for the patronage which may attach to the place, and which will not be promised in advance, and in questionable partizanship, which is insisted on, at the expense of important interests.

There has not been a reason suggested why the name of the appointee should be withdrawn, and I should be unjust and derelict in my duty if I should pursue that course. The Senate is reminded, too, that the present situation of affairs precludes my submitting another

desired.

name if I

I am profoundly sensible of the absolute power and right of the Senate in the premises, and do not seek to question it even in this case. Every member knows the motives for his conduct, and must justify them to his constituents.

The fact remains, however, that a captious opposition to the execution of the best remedial law of the present session of the Legislature perpetuates the oppression of the immigrant and the practice of unblushing peculation. I have endeavored to co-operate with the Senate in supplementing the passage of the law, by putting the machinery in motion for its execution; and I may, perhaps, be allowed to express the hope that its operation may not be defeated. If it is, the responsibility must rest

where it belongs.

GROVER CLEVELAND.