USA > New York > Gazetteer of the State of New York: embracing a comprehensive view of the geography, geology, and general history of the State, and a complete history and description of every county, city, town, village, and locality, Part 1 > Part 8
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CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY .- Two DISTRICTS.
1. Bnsti, Chautauqua, Clymer, Ellery, French Creek, Harmony, Mina, Portland, Ripley, Shorman, Stockton, and Westfield.
2. Arkwright, Carroll, Charlotte, Cherry Creek, Ellicott, Elling- ton, Gerry, Hanover, Kiantone, Poland, Pomfret, Sheridan, and Villenova.
CHENANGO COUNTY .- TWO DISTRICTS.
1. Columbus, Lineklaen, New Berlin, North Norwich, Norwich, Otselie, Pharsalia, Pitcher, Plymouth, Sherburne, and Smyrna.
2. Afton, Bainbridge, Coventry, German, Guilford, Greene, Mc- Donough, Oxford, Preston, and Smithville.
COLUMBIA COUNTY .- TWO DISTRICTS.
1. Ancram, Clayerack, Clermont, Copake, Gallatin, German- town, Greenport, Hudson City, Livingston, and Tagh- kanick.
2. Austerlitz, Canaan, Chatham, Ghent, Hillsdale, Kinder- hook, New Lebanon, Stockport, and Stuyvesant.
DELAWARE COUNTY .- TWO DISTRICTS.
1. Colchester, Delhi, Franklin, IIamden, Hancock, Masonville, Sidney, Tompkins, and Walton.
2. Andes, Bovina, Davenport, Harpersfield, Kortright, Mere- dith, Middleton, Roxbury, and Stamford.
DUTCHIESS COUNTY .- TWO DISTRICTS.
1. Amenia, Beekman, Dover, East Fishkill, La Grange, North- east, Pawling, Pine Plains, Stanford, Union Vale, and Washington.
2. Clinton, llyde Park, Milan, Pleasant Valley, Poughkeepsie, City of Poughkeepsie, Red Hook, aud Rhineheek.
ERIE COUNTY .- FOUR DISTRICTS.
1. 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, and 13th Wards of Buffalo.
2. 6th, 7th, 8tl1, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th Wards of Buffalo.
3. Alden, Amherst, Cbicktawauga, Clarence, Elma, Grand Island, Hamburgh, Lancaster, Marilla, Newstcad, Tona- wanda, and West Seneca.
4. Aurora, Boston, Brandt, Colden, Collins, Concord, East Ilamburgh, Eden, Evans, Holland, North Collins, Sardinia, and Wales.
HIERKIMER COUNTY .- TWO DISTRICTS.
1. Fairfield, Herkimer, Little Falls, Manheim, Newport, Nor- way, Ohio, Russia, Salisbury, and Wilmurt.
2. Columbia, Danube, Frankfort, German Flats, Litchfield, Schuyler, Stark, Warren, and Winfield.
JEFFERSON COUNTY .- THREE DISTRICT8.
1. Adams, Brownville, Ellisburgh, Henderson, Hounsfield, Lor- raine, Rodinan, and Worth.
2. Antwerp, Champion, Le Ray, Philadelphia, Rutland, Water- town, and Wilna.
3. Alexandria, Capo Vincent, Clayton, Lyme, Orleans, Pamelia, aud Theresa.
KINGS COUNTY .- SEVEN DISTRICTS.
1. Flatbushı, Flatlands, Gravesend, New Lota, New Utrecht, and tho 8th, 17th, and 18th Wards of Brooklyn.
2. lat, 6tlı, and 12th Wards of Brooklyn.
3. 4th and 10th Wards of Brooklyn.
4. 2d, 3d, and 5th Wards of Brooklyn.
5. 9thi and 1Ithi Wards of Brooklyn.
6. 13th, 14th, and part of 19th Wards of Brooklyn.
7. 7th, 15th, 16th, and part of 19th Wards of Brooklyn.
LIVINGSTON COUNTY .- Two DISTRICTS.
1. Avon, Caledonia, Conesus, Genesco, Groveland, Leicester, Lima, Livonia, and York.
2. Mount Morris, North Dansville, Nunda, Ossian, Portage, Sparta, Springwater, and West Sparta.
MADISON COUNTY .- Two DISTRICTS.
1. Brookfield, De Ruyter, Eaton, Georgetown, Hamilton, Leba- non, Madison, and Nelson.
2. Cazenovia, Fenner, Lenox, Smithfield, Stockbridge, and Sullivan.
MONROE COUNTY .- THREE DISTRICTS.
1. Brighton, Henrietta, Irondequoit, Mendon, Penfield, Perin- ton, Pittsford, Rush, and Webster.
2. The City of Rochester.
3. Chili, Clarkson, Gates, Greece, Ogden, Parma, Riga, Sweden, Union, and Wheatland.
NEW YORK CITY AND COUNTY .- SEVENTEEN DISTRICTS. 17 districts, corresponding to Aldermanic districts. NIAGARA COUNTY .- Two DISTRICTS.
1. Lockport, Pendleton, Royalton, and Wheatfield.
2. Cambria, Hartland, Lewiston, Newfane, Niagara, Porter, Somerset, and Wilson.
ONEIDA COUNTY .- FOUR DISTRICTS.
1. Deerfield, City of Utica, and Whitestown.
2. Augusta. Bridgewater, Kirkland, Marshall, New Hartford, Paris, Sangerfield, Vernon, and Westmoreland.
3. Camden, Florence, Rome, Verona, and Vienna.
4. Amesville, Ava, Brownville, Floyd, Lee, Marey, Remsen, Steuben, Trenton, and Western.
ONONDAGA COUNTY .- THREE DISTRICTS.
1. Camillus, Clay, Elbridge, Lysander, Marcellus, Skaneateles, Spafford, and Van Buren.
2. Cicero, Saliua, and Syracuse.
3. De Witt, Fabine, Geddes, La Fayotte, Manlius, Onondaga, Otisco, Pompey, and Tully.
ONTARIO COUNTY .- Two DISTRICTS.
1. Farmington, Gorham, Hopewell, Manchester, Phelps, and Seneca.
2. Bristol, Canadice, Canandaigua, East Bloomfield, Naples, Richmond, South Bristol, Victor, and West Bloomfield.
ORANGE COUNTY .- Two DISTRICTS.
1. Blooming Grove, Chester, Cornwall, Monroe, Montgomery, Newburgh, and New Windsor.
2. Crawford, Deerpark, Ooshen, Greenville, Hamptonburgh, Minieink, Mount Hope, Walkill, Warwick, and Waway- anda.
OSWEGO COUNTY .- THREE DISTRICTS.
1. City of Oswego, Hannibal, Oswego, and Scriba.
2. Constantia, Granby, Hastings, Palermo, Schroeppel, Volney, and West Monroe.
3. Albion, Amhoy. Boyleston, Mexico, Orwell. Parish, Redfield, Richland, Sandy Creek, New Haven, and Williamstown.
OTSEGO COUNTY .- Two DISTRICTS.
1. Cherry Valley, Decatur, Exeter, Maryland, Middlefield, Gtsego, Plainfiehl, Richfield, Roseboom, Springfield, West- ford, and Worcester.
2. Unadilla, Burlington, Butternuts, Edmeston, Hartwick, Laurens, Milford, Morris, New Lisbon, Otego, Oneonta, and Pittsfield.
QUEENS COUNTY .- TWO DISTRICTS.
1. Flushing, North Hempstead, and Oyster Bay.
2. Hempstead, Jamaica, and Newtown.
RENSSELAER COUNTY .- THALE DISTRICTS.
1. City of Troy.
2. Berlin, Grafton, Hoosick, Lansinghurgh, Petersburglı, Pitts- town, and Schaghticoke.
3. Brunswick, Clinton, Greenbush, Nassau, North Greenhush, Poestenkill, Sand Lake, Schodack, and Stephentown.
ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY .- THREE DISTRICTS.
1. De Kalb, De Peyster, Fine, Fowler, Gouverneur, Macomb, Morristown, Oswegatchie. Pitcairn, and Rossie.
2. Canton, Colton, Edwards, Ilerinon, Lisbon, Madrid, Norfolk, Pierrepont, and Russell.
3. Brasher, Hopkinton. Lawrence, Louisville, Massena, Parish- ville, Potsdam, and Stockholnı.
SARATOGA COUNTY .- Two DISTRICTS.
1. Ballston, Charlton, Clifton Park, Galway, Halfmoon, Malta, Milton, Stillwater. and Waterford.
2. Corinth, Day, Edinburgh, Greenfield, Hadley. Moreau, North- umberland, Providence, Saratoga, Saratoga Springs, and Wilton.
30
NEW YORK STATE GAZETTEER.
passed by both, and receive the signature of the Governor,-or, if vetoed by him, the votes of two- thirds of both houses,-to become laws. The original laws of the Legislature, bearing the signa- tures of the presiding officer of each house and of tlic Governor and Secretary of State, are bound, and preserved in the Secretary's office. All general laws are published in such newspapers in each county as may be designated by the Board of Supervisors.
Besides the State Legislature, a limited power of enacting laws is possessed by the boards of supervisors in the several countics, by the common councils of citics, and by citizens generally assembled in town and school district meetings.
The Board of Supervisors mects annually at the county seat, on the week following the general election, to canvass the votes for State and county officers; it may hold special meetings at any time. It has power to appoint a clerk of the board, a county scaler of weights and measures, special commissioners for laying out roads, printers for publishing the general laws, inspectors of turn- pike and plank roads, and, in some counties, the Superintendent of the Poor, and other officers, and to fix the salaries of the county Judge and Surrogate, and of School Commissioners, (above $500, allowed by law,) and, in some counties, the salary of the District Attorney ; to establish the bounds of assembly and school commissioner districts, to fix upon town meeting days,1 to make orders concerning property owned by the county, and to repair or rebuild the county buildings; to audit and settle charges against the county, and the accounts of town officers ; to equalize assessments and levy taxes to meet county expenses, and for such special purposes as may be directed by law. It also has power to alter the bounds of towns, and to erect new towns; to change the location of the county seat and purchase sites for the erection of new buildings; and to examine annually the securities held by loan commis- sioners. It may pass laws for the preservation of game or fish, and for the destruction of noxious animals, and perform such other duties as may be from time to time authorized by law.
STEUBEN COUNTY .- THREE DISTRICTS.
1. Avoca, Bath, Bradford, Conhocton, Prattsburgh, Pulteney, Urbana, Wayne, and Wheeler.
2. Addison, Cameron, Campbell, Caton. Corning, Erwin, Hornby, Lindley, Ratlibone, Thurston, and Woodhull.
3. Canisteo, Dansville, Fremont, Greenwood, fornellsville, Howard. Hartsville, Jasper, Troupsburgh, West Union, and Wayland.
SUFFOLK COUNTY .- TWO DISTRICTS.
1. East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southampton, and Sonthold.
2. Brookhaven, Huntington, Islip, and Smithtown.
ULSTER COUNTY .- THREE DISTRICTS.
1. Hurley, Kingston, and Sangerties.
2. Esopus, Gardiner, Lloyd, Marbletown, Marlborough, New Paltz, Plattekill, Rosendale, and Shawaugunk.
3. Denning, HIardeuburgh, Olive, Rochester, Shandaken, Wa- warsing, and Woodstock.
WASHINGTON COUNTY .- Two DISTRICTS.
1. Argyle, Cambridge. Easton, Fort Edward, Greenwich, Jack- sou, Salen, and White Creek.
2. Dresden, Fort Anu, Granville, Hampton, Hartford, Ilebron, Kingsbury, Putnam, and Whitehall.
WAYNE COUNTY .- Two DISTRICTS.
1. Butler, Galen, 1Iuron, Lyons, Rose, Savannah, Sodus, and Wolcott.
2. Arcadia, Macedon, Marion, Ontario, Palmyra, Walworth, and Williamson.
WESTCHESTER COUNTY .- THREE DISTRICTS.
1. East Chester, Morrisania, Westchester, West Farms, and Yonkers.
2. Greenburgh, IIarrison, Mamaroneck, Mount Pleasant, New Rochelle, North Castle, Pelham, Pouudridge, Rye, Scars- dale, and White Plains.
3. Bedford, Cortlandt, Lewisboro, New Castle, North Salem, Ossining, Somers, and Yorktown.
1 TOWN MEETINGS.
Town meetings are held on the same day throughout the county ; and the time may be changed onre in 3 years. The town meetings must come between the let day of Feb. and the 1st of Mny. They are at present all held on Tuesdays, as follows :-
COUNTIES.
Tuesdays upon which Town Meetings are helt.
COUNTIES.
Tuesdays upon which Town Meetings are held.
COUNTIES.
Tuesdays upon which Town Meetings are held.
Albany .. ...
2d in April.
Herkimer.
1st in March.
Richmond
2d in Frb.
Allegany. ...
2d in March.
Jefferson
3d in Feb.
Rockland ..
2d in April.
Broome ...
2d in Feb.
Kings
1st in April.
St. Lawrence
2d in Feb.
Cattaraugus
Last in Feb.
Lewie .
3dl in Feb.
Saratoga .
Ist in March.
Cayuga .
1st after 1st Mon. in Mar.
Livingston ...
Ist in April.
Schenectady
lst in April.
Chautauqua
3d in Feb.
Madison
Ist in March.
Schoharie ...
3d in Feb.
Chemung .... Chenango ... Clinton ...
1st in March.
Montgomery New York ...
2d in Feb.
Seneca
2d in March.
Columbia ....
Ist in March.
Niagara
2d in April.
Suffolk ...
1st in April.
Cortland
3d in Feb.
Oncida ..
Ist in March.
Sullivan ..
1st after 1st Mon. in Mar.
Delaware ....
2d in Feb.
Onondaga ..
3d in Feb.
Tioga
Ist in Feb.
Dutchess
2d in March.
Ontarlo
Ist after 1st Mon. in April.
Tompkins .
let in April.
Erie
1st in March.
Orange ..
Ist in March.
UIster.
1st in March.
Essex
Ist in March.
Orleans
Ist in April.
Warren
1st in April.
Franklin ..
1st in Feb.
Oswego.
Ist in March.
Washingtou
1st in March.
Fulton.
2d in Feb.
Otsego.
1st in March.
Wayne.
1st in March.
Genesce.
1st in March.
Putnam
1st after 1st Mon. in April.
Westchester
Last in March.
Greene.
1st in Feb.
Queene.
Ist in April.
Wyoming ....
Last in Feb.
Ilamilton ...
Ist in Feb.
Rensselaer ...
Ist iu March.
Yates ...
Last iu Feb.
2d after 1st Mon. in Feb.
Monroe ..
Ist after Ist Mon. in Mar.
Schuyler
2d in Feb.
Ist in March.
Steuben
2d in Feb.
At these meetings are elected, by ballot, a supervisor, town clerk. 4 justices, (with exceptions named on page 34, 3 assess- ors, (for 3 years, 1 annually.) a collector, 1 or 2 overseers of poor. (at the option of the town. excepting Montgomery and Kings com. that are not included in the general law.) 1 or 3 com- missioners of highways. (if 3, one elected annually for 3 years.) not more than 5 constables and 2 inspectors of election for
| cach election district, a third being appointed by the pre- siding officer of the town meetings from the two having the next highest vote. The town of Manlins elects 7 con- stables. Each town at its annual meeting also eleets by ayes and noes. or otherwise. as many overseers of highways as there are road districts, and as many pound wasters as the electores may determine.
31
STATE GOVERNMENT.
The Common Council in each of the cities has jurisdiction over municipal affairs within limits fixed by law, and observes the usual formalities of legislative bodies in its proceedings. Two aldermen are generally elected from each ward, who, with the mayor, constitute the Common Couneil; but the organization of no two cities is in this respect exactly alike.1 The enactments of the Common Council are usually termed "ordinances," and have the force of law. The council usually has the appointment of a large class of minor city officers, including the keepers of parks and public buildings, inspectors of various kinds, and in some instances the officers and membors of the police and fire departments. These appointments are usually held at the pleasure of the appointing power.
Town Meetings may pass laws regulating roads and bridges, the height of fences, the support of the poor, the range of animals, the destruction of noxious weeds, the preservation of town pro- perty, and for such other purposes as may be directed by special acts. Every town is a corporate body, may sue and be sued, may hold and convey lands within its limits for purposes specified by law, and may appropriate moneys for public objects within the town.
School Districts, at regular meetings, may pass rules concerning the support of schools, employment of teachers, repairs, supplies, and similar affairs, which have the force of law.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
The Governor is elected once in two years.2 He is commander- in-chief of the military and naval forces of the State, and possesses the sole power of granting pardons and commutations of sentence 10 after conviction.3 He issues requisitions for the return of crimi- nals in other States, and he is authorized to offer rewards for the arrest of criminals within this State. He annually communicates to the Legislature, at the commencement of each session, a state- ment of the condition of the public departments, and such other matters as he may deem necessary. On extraordinary occasions he may convene the Senate or Legislature.4 Within ten days after its passage by the Legislature, he may veto any act, by returning it to the house in which it originated, with his objections; and such act can become a law only by the concurrence of two-thirds of both houses.5
The Governor nominates, for appointment by the Senate, a large class of State and county and a few military officers,6 and may fill vacancies occurring in these offices during the recess of the Senate. Some other classes of officers are appointed by the Governor alone,-generally for specific terms, but in some cases during pleasure. He may also fill vacancies occurring in elective offices, and
1 In New York. the Common Council consists of two branches .- the Board of Aldermen, consisting of 17 members, chosen for 2 years; and the Board of Councilmen, consisting of 24 members, chosen annually, 6 from each senatorial district. Each of these branches elects one of its own number president; and the mayor possesses a veto power upon their laws analogous to that of the Governor npon those of the State Legislature.
2 To be eligible to the office of Governor a person must be a citizen of the U. S., a resident of the State for the last 5 years previous to election. and must have attained the age of 30 years. The colonial governors of N. Y. were appointed by the crown. Under the Constitution of 1777 they were elected for 3 years and were required to be freeholders. Under the Constitution of 1822, the governor was elected for 2 years. and, in addition to the pre- sent qualifications, was required to be a native of the U. S. and a trecholder.
Under the first State Constitution electors were classified. and only those owning freehold property worth $250 aud upward were allowed to vote for Senators and Governor. The aggregate of the several classes at different periods has heen as follows :-
YEARS.
Worth $250 and
upward.
Worth $50 to
$250.
Not Freeholders,
but renting tene-
ments worth $5.
Other electors.
Total
1790.
19.369
23.425
14.674
138
57.600
1795.
36.338
4,838
22.598
243
64.017
1801
52.058
5,264
28,522
63
85.907
1807
71.159
5,800
44.330
88
121.289
1814
87.491
5.231
59.104
20
151.846
1821.
100,490
8,985
93,035
20
202.510
8 In cases of treason and impeachment the Governor can only suspend sentence until the next session of the Legislature, that body alone possessing the pardoning power in such cases. Under the Constitution of 1777, the same restriction was applied in cases of murder.
+ He also possessed under the Constitution of 1777 the power to prorogue the Legislature for a period not exceeding 60 days in one year. This was once done by Gov. Tompkins, to defeat the passage of a bank charter, but without success.
5 The first court created a council of revision. consisting of the Governor, Chancellor, and judges of the Supreme Court, who sat with closed doors and observed the usual formalities of legis- Iative proceedings. During the continuance of this council it rejected 144 bills, several of which became laws notwithstanding. 6 The following officers are appointed by the Governor and Senate: 1 Superintendent of Bank Department, 1 Auditor of Canal Department, 3 Canal Appraisers, 1 Superintendent of Onondaga Salt Springs. 6 Commissioners of Emigration. 5 Com- missioners of Metropolitan Police, 11 Harbor Masters, 9 Wardens of the Port of N. Y., 2 Special Wardens to reside at Quarantine, 1 Harhor Master at Albany, 1 Ilealth Officer at Quarantine, 1 Physician of Marine Hospital and not less than 4 assistants. 1 Resident Physician and 1 Health Commissioner for the city of New York, 1 Agent for the Onondaga Nation, 1 Attorney to Seneca Nation, directors in certain banks of which the State holds stock according to the amount held, as many Hellgate pilota as the Board of Wardens may recommend, 5 trustees of the Idiot Asylnm, 9 trustees of State Lunatic Asylum, 2 com- missioners in each co. for loaning mioneys of the United States, BA many notaries public as the law may allow or the Governor determine, and such other officers and special commissioners as are required from time to time by law. Ile appoints field officers of regiments and generals of brigades, when such regi- ments and brigades are not fully organized. Under the first constitution, almost every civil and military office was filled by the Council of Appointment, consisting of the Governor and 4 Senators, chosen annually by the Assembly. In 1821, 8,287
32
NEW YORK STATE GAZETTEER.
may remove, under limitations prescribed by statute, most State and county officers.1 He has a private secretary, with a salary of $2000, a elerk and a doorkeeper.
The Lieutenant Governor is elected at the same time as the Governor, and must possess the same qualifications. He discharges the duties of Governor when a vacancy oceurs in that office. He is President of the Senate, having the easting vote in that body, a Commissioner of the Canal Fund and of the Land Office, a member of the Canal Board, a trustee of the Idiot Asylum and of Union College, a Regent of the University, and a trustee of the Capitol and State Hall.
The Secretary of State2 is keeper of the State archives ; SE is a Regent of the University, a Commissioner of the Land Office and of the Canal Fund, a member of the Canal Board and of the E Board of State Canvassers, a trustee of the State Idiot Asylum, of Union College, of the Capitol, and of the State Hall. He has TARIF'S speeifie duties in relation to the publication and distribution of the laws; the issuing of patents for land, of commissions, par- dons, and peddlers' lieenses ; the filing of the declarations of aliens, and the articles of association of eompanics under gene- ral laws; issuing notices of elections, receiving and reporting statisties of pauperism and erime from sheriffs and county elerks, and furnishing certified copies of laws and other doeu- ments in his office. He administers the oath of office to members of the Assembly, and other State officers. His deputy is ex officio Clerk of the Commissioners of the Land Office.
The Comptroller' is the auditor of the publie accounts, LER excepting those payable from the Canal and Bank Funds ; a Com- missioner of the Land Office and of the Canal Fund; a member of the Canal Board and of the Board of State Canvassers, and a trustee of the Idiot Asylum, of Union College, of the Capitol, and State IFall. He has responsible duties in relation to the payment of appropriations made by the Legislature, the collection of taxes, and sale of lands sold for taxes, the management of funds, supervision of fire and life insurance companies, loaning of QUID moncys, and other duties connected with the finances of the State. 0 Ile reports annually to the Legislature the condition of the public funds, the receipts and expenses of the State, the condition of insurance companies, and upon such other matters as he may from time to time be called upon by the Legislature for information. Ile has a deputy, an accountant, and about a dozen clerks.
The Treasurer receives all moneys paid into the treasury, and pays all warrants of the Comp- troller, Auditor of the Canal Department, Superintendent of the Bank Department, and Superintendent of Publie Instruction. Hc is a Commissioner of the Land Office and of the Canal Fund, a member of the Canal Board and of the Board of State Canvassers, and a trustee of Union College. Hc has a deputy, and two or three clerks.
The Attorney General is the legal prosecutor and adviser in behalf of the State. He is a
military and 6,663 civil officers held under this appointment, | century, the defalcation of a Treasurer occasioned a revision of and most of them at will. From 1822 to 1846, the Governor and Senate appointed, in addition to most of those it now appoints, all judicial officers, except justices, Masters and Examiners in Chancery, Supreme Court Commissioners, inspectors for com- mercial purposes, Commissioners of Deeds, several city officers, and State Prison Inspectors.
1 Representatives in Congress and members of the State Legis- lature can be elected only. The Governor appoints, on his own authority, Commissioners for taking acknowledgments of Deeds in other States and countries, wreck masters, and certain com- missioners directed to be appointed for special purposes.
2 The Secretary of State was formerly Clerk of the Council of Appointment and of the Council of Revision, and from 1823 to 1854 was Superintendent of Schools. In colonial times he was appointed by the crown: from 1777 to 1822, by the Council of Appointment ; and from 1822 to 1846, by the Legislature.
This office was created in 1797, in place of that of Auditor General, formed by the Provincial Convention; but it was not perinanently organized nntil 1812. The Comptroller was ap- pointed by the Council of Appointment until 1822, when the appointing power was changed to the Legislature and the tenure of the office fixed at 3 years.
4 The office of Treasurer. under the colonial government and early years of State government. was a very important one; and for many years after 1777, the Treasurer was appointed by spe- cial act from year to year. About the beginning of the preseut
the law creating the department ; and, from his being the prin- cipal financial officer of the government, the Treasurer became the most unimportant, and his powers were narrowed down to the payment of the drafts of other officers. For many years previous to 1822 he was appointed by the Council of Revision : and from 1822 to 1846, by tho Legislati re. The accounts of the Treasurer are annually compared with those of the Comptroller, Superintendent of Bank Department, and Anditor of the Canal Department, by a commissioner appointed for the purpose ; and these officors thus become a check upon each other. The Trea- surer may be suspended for cause, by the Governor, in tho recees of the Legislature.
5 'T'his office has existed almost from the beginning of the Colonial Government. It was filled by the Council of Appoint- ment from 1777 to 1822, and by the Legislature, with a term of 3 years, from 1822 to 1846. The Attorney General originally attended tho circuits of Oyer and Terminer. as prosecutor in criminal suits, until 1706, when the State was divided into 8 districts, to each of which an assistant Attorney General was appointed, except in New York, where the head officer officiated personally. In 1818 each co, was made a separate district, and a District Attorney was appointed in each. Tho Attorney General still occasionally attends npon important criminal trials ; but his time is chiefly occupied in civil suits in which the State is a party.
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