For the forty years from 1840 to 1880 the Comptroller's office was one of difficulty. During the first half of that period there was seldom a year when the expenditures did not exceed the appropriations, and when the Comptroller was not obliged to report a deficit at the end of the year. There was also during that same period a rapidly-increasing canal debt, and the Comptroller was in duty bound to find a market for bonds and the means to meet the interest when it became due. In the latter half of this period it was the Comptroller's duty to see that the means were at hand to pay the principal of this and other bonded debts, and the increased expenditures caused by the war. [Illustration: Robert Denniston (signature) _18th COMPTROLLER_] Mr. Fuller was succeeded January 1, 1852, by John C. Wright, a Democrat and lawyer, of Schenectady. He had been County Judge of Schoharie county from 1833 to 1838, and State Senator from the third district in 1843, 1844, 1845 and 1846. He was an opponent of the Albany Regency during his senatorial career. He was a ready debater but of impulsive temper, and at one time engaged in a personal rencounter with Colonel Young on the floor of the Senate chamber. His administration was unmarked by any peculiar enlargement of the official power, or by distinguished executive ability. That things run so smoothly that no attention is attracted is oftentimes strong evidence of a successful working machinery. By an act of the Legislature of 1851 the Comptroller was authorized to borrow three millions per year for three years for the completion of the canal enlargement. Mr. Wright served one term, and was succeeded, January 1, 1854, by James M. Cook, a lawyer and a Whig, of Ballston. Mr. Cook was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1846, Senator from the thirteenth district for 1848, 1849, 1850 and 1851, and from the fifteenth district in 1864 and 1865. He served as State Treasurer during the years 1852 and 1853, and was Bank Superintendent from January 30, 1856, to January 11, 1861. He was thus continuously in the service of the State from 1848 to 1861, a period of thirteen years. In 1854 the Comptroller was authorized to appoint three commissioners to investigate the State prisons and report on their financial condition, and also upon such laws as they deemed proper for their better regulation. Under this abuses were corrected, and the Comptroller was given closer supervision of the prisons. For a short time in 1858 the Whig leaders had under favorable consideration the nomination of Mr. Cook for Governor, but circumstances forced a change, and E. D. Morgan was nominated and elected. [Illustration: L. Robinson (signature) _19th COMPTROLLER_]