Research

The New York State Public Service Corporations Law (Laws of 1907, Chapter 424) established the Public Service Commissions to provide for the efficient regulation of common carriers, railroads, street railways, gas and electric corporations, and the construction of subways in New York City. Subsequent amendments to the law added the regulations of certain telephone, telegraph, and steam heating corporations to the Commission's authority.

The Division, created in 1906, absorbed the advisory and investigative functions of the Bureau of Epidemics and Infectious Diseases and the case-recording functions previously handled by the Bureau of Instruction and Publication. For most communicable disease, the Division handled case-reporting, analysis of case statistics, epidemiological investigations, and research on the use of new methods of disease control.

The Court of Probates originated in the late seventeenth century as the British authorities established a centralized probate system in the colony. It declined in importence during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries as a decentralized probate system based on local courts evolved. During the period of Dutch administrations (ca. 1617-1664), wills were generally written out and read before the testator and two witnesses by a notary, ship captain, or magistrate. The will was signed by the testator, the witnesses, and the official, who recorded it in his record book.

In 1867, the legislature established the Board of State Commissioners of Public Charities to inspect and report to the legislature all publicly funded charitable and custodial institutions. Legislation in 1873 replaced this board with a new State Board of Charities, mandated licensing of public and private institutions for the mentally ill, and created the office of state commissioner in lunacy. This commissioner's office was abolished in 1889 and replaced by an independent State Commission in Lunacy consisting of three gubernatorial appointees.

The Thomas Asylum for Orphan and Destitute Indian Children was incorporated as a private institution receiving some state aid in 1855 (Chapter 233). The asylum was located within the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation in Erie County and was charged to receive destitute and orphaned children from all Indian reservations in the state. It was named for Philip E. Thomas, a benefactor of New York's Indians and early financial backer of the asylum.

The colonial courts of vice admiralty were branches of the High Court of Admiralty in London. The New York court covered New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The governor was commissioned as vice admiral but he appointed the presiding judge and other officers of the court. Jurisdiction of the court included all litigation relating to maritime commerce, though certain types of cases could be tried either in this court or in the regular common law courts.

The first board for the "examination and licensing of all druggists...and prescription clerks" was established by law in 1871 (Chapter 202). The board's jurisdiction was limited to New York City and its members were appointed by the mayor. Prior to this law the practice of pharmacy in New York City was regulated by the New York College of Pharmacy under authority granted by an 1832 law (Chapter 326). In 1872 the board established the previous year was reorganized as the New York City Board of Pharmacy (Chapter 817).

In 1919, the New York State Legislature established the Joint Legislative Committee to Investigate Seditious Activities (Concurrent Resolution, March 26, 1919). This committee was given broad authority to investigate individuals and organizations in the state who were suspected of promoting the overthrow of the American government in violation of the criminal anarchy articles of the state's Penal Code.

The State's supervision of adult education began with the appointment in 1917 of the first supervisor of immigrant education. The focus of the State's program was to provide immigrants over the age of 16 with instruction in English, American history, civics, and other topics promoting "good citizenship." This work was carried out by the Division of Vocational and Extension Education within which a Bureau of Adult Education was established during school year 1928-1929.

The school was originally established as the New York State Institution for the Blind by Chapter 587 of the Laws of 1865. Under that law the governor appointed commissioners to select a site, to contract for construction of school buildings, and to lease a building temporarily until construction was completed. Initially repairs were made to a former seminary in Binghamton, New York, but opening of the new school was delayed.