STATE OF NEW JERSEY, OFFICE OF BUREAU OF STATISTICS OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIES, TRENTON, October 31st, 1885. To His Excellency, Leon Abbett, Governor : SIR-I have the honor to submit to the Senate and General Assembly, through you, the Eighth Annual Report of the Bureau of Statistics of Labor and Industries. JAMES BISHOP, Chief. INTRODUCTION. In the introduction to the Seventh Annual Report of this Bureau, reference was made to the fire which occurred at the State House on the morning of March 21st, 1885. The following message, sent by His Excellency, Governor Abbett, to the State Legislature, then in session, will present briefly the facts connected with that fire; and the communication made to the Governor by the Chief of the Bureau of Statistics will show its disastrous effects upon that department: To the Assembly: On Saturday morning, March 21st, a portion of the State House was destroyed by fire. The foundations of the building have been undermined by water and the walls affected by the fire so that the entire northern portion of the State Capitol will have to be rebuilt. Temporary offices have been secured by the Secretary of State, Treasurer, Quartermaster-General, Clerk in Chancery, Chief of the Bureau of Statistics of Labor, and Supreme Court Clerk. The public records and securities in the vaults of the several departments were saved, although, in some instances, partially injured by water. The highest praise is due to the members of the fire department of the city of Trenton, whose bravery and exertions, under the most trying circumstances, prevented the total destruction of the State House. At one time when it appeared as though it was impossible to save the building, the Comptroller, who was present, made arrangements for the removal of the records and property in his and adjoining departments, but fortunately the fire was arrested before it reached the offices south of the rotunda. The Clerk of the Supreme Court, Secretary of State, and Treasurer were enabled to save nearly everything of value in their respective departments. The vaults and safes in their offices were not seriously damaged. It is a source of great pleasure to the Executive to announce that the Adjutant-General, assisted by the firemen and many old veterans, rescued all the battle flags of the New Jersey regiments under circumstances of great peril. The employes of the various departments were early upon the ground, and rendered valuable aid in saving the property of the State. The Legislature should take immediate steps to provide for rebuilding the State House. There is an insurance of $175,000 on the State House, which is probably sufficient to pay any loss on the building occasioned by the fire. There is also an insurance of $5,000 on the furniture and fixtures in the offices, which will partially, if not completely, cover this loss. After consideration with other State officers and in view of the fact that there was not sufficient accommodation in the State House previous to the fire for the various State officers, and that one of the most important boards (the State Board of Assessors) has been obliged to use rooms outside of the building, I deem it proper to suggest that the northern portion of the State House, when rebuilt, be enlarged so as to accommodate, fully, all the State departments, not only for the present, but also for the future. The work should be commenced at once. It can be done most advantageously for the State by the selection of a Commission of State officers. They can supervise the work without expense to the State for their services. I have consulted with the Comptroller with reference to providing the necessary means for securing the money to make the enlargement of the State House, and he has suggested a plan which meets with my approval. It is one which will secure the result without imposing additional taxes on the people of the State. Notification has been sent to each of the insurance companies affected by the fire, and the experts have been employed to make the proper estimates and investigation preparatory to filing proofs for loss. I have secured reports from the different State officers whose departments have been affected by the fire, as far as possible, and submit them herewith. The Legislature should take immediate action in the premises. Respectfully, LEON ABBETT, Governor. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Trenton, March 23d, 1885. STATE OF NEW JERSEY, To His Excellency, Leon Abbett, Governor : SIR-In compliance with a request contained in a note from the Executive Department, of the 21st inst., I will state that everything in the office of the Bureau of Statistics of Labor and Industries was consumed by the fire which occurred at the State House on Saturday morning last. All the records of the office, the accumulation of seven years, consisting of the books of account, together with the vouchers of bills |