XXXVI REPORT OF THE

building without securing the foundation, would have been
unwise, and therefore the Board thought it indispensable
that this should be effectively done.

The work when commenced had of necessity to be completed,
at least so far a3 to provide for the occupation of the build-
ing, by the General Assembly, the Executive and the Court
of Appeals. The amount appropriated has been nearly all .
expended, and a large balance will be necessary to pay for
work already done. A new roof has been put on the build-
ing of slate, and a thorough heating apparatus has been
placed in the cellar, which was excavated for the purpose.

As is known to the General Assembly, the duties of the
Comptroller's Office, do not admit of the incumbent, devot-
ing much time to any work not transacted in his office, and
the Comptroller has therefore been able to give but little of
his attention to the details of these repairs. His Excellency
the Governor, has felt a very deep interest in the repairs, and
has taken the oversight of the details of repairing, ornament-
ing and furnishing the building. This kindness on his part,
has very much relieved the Comptroller, and to some extent
the Treasurer, the latter officer however, being able to devote
much more time to the supervision of the work, than was
within the power of the Comptroller.

The enhanced comfort of the legislative balls, and other
departments, will commend the work to the approbation of
the Legislature.

Upon the eve of retiring from the office, which I have
occupied for so long a time, it is proper that I should re-
new the request made to the Legislature of 1876, that the.
several items of expenditure and the vouchers therefor, should
be carefully examined and reported upon by a committee.—
Especially is this necessary as to all items of expenditure,
which have occurred since the examination and report made
by the committee of the last General Assembly. The impor-
tance of such action appears to have been appreciated by the
framers of the Constitution, the provisions of which require
the appointment of a joint committee for such purposes, by
the two houses at each, session. Justice to the Comptroller
also, requires that this duty should not be neglected.