Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-01-11

| VII NP'huou bdtanC' III tIO Otite lfc1SufY
on the first day Of the present ar as xhi6it d
ny tho Trasury port was $27l30 6S-l00.
The curr mt expenditures, for the ordinary
purposes of tho Government for the year 1896,
were $50,3Ol 20 100. As yet. no state tax
has been collect d and paid into the Treasury
ny. The act of March l2th 1886, lovying tax
for state purposes, has not been 9 fully rried
into effect, by the supervisors of the several coun.
ties, as might hive bocn expected. Every effort
ms however been m lda TO remedy the neglect
and TO secure prompt fhlfillment of tn. prov,s-
ions OF the law, by the first Of March next Tho
revenue derived from this source, will, it is
| thought, be ampls for all tn, current demands Of
the State Turing the present probationary in
the expenditures of tho Government must how
ever, b, substituted for taxation, and this can in
no wise be SO cff,ctually accomplished as by a
prompt discharge Of their duties by the officers of
| the people.
Short sessions Of the legislature so far as is
consistent with due attention TO the public in
ter SITS, should be observed, and an avoidance
OF all extravagant and unnecessary cxpendi-
lures, is absolutely demanded by our constitu.
| ents.
In tn, event, that Michigan should receive on
deposit, that portion OF the surplus revenue of tho
Government of the United States, which is so
Justly due her under tbs act of Congress- it will
become your duty to provide by law for its safe
and prudent disposition. BY the provisions of
the law, that portion of this revenue which will
probably b, assign ID TO Michg IN becomes de-
post with the state, liable to recall in whole or in
part VIII ,never the wants Of the General Govern
ment may dem,nd il. The f it'll of the State is
pledged for its return, and il docs not become us
under these crcurnst noes to lculate upon tho
| chances of this demand never being made.
IL is our duty to be prepared, TO perform our
part of the agreement in good it'll, and for this
purpose two modes are suggested, by which the
State may at any time command the funds neces-
10 hnr IN. ,f 60
| General Government when directed.
Fnst, would suggest for consideration the
proprgty of authorizing the executive, by the pas.
sage of n law for the purpose, TO issue a state
stock, upon which the necessary funds TO meet
C III by the authoriti of the United States for
any portion of this surplus, may be readily reais.
ed. This call when made, by provision of tho
act of Congress, must be preceded by duo notes,
which would enable the state To meet the emcr.
| q ncy by sale of her stock. The second mode
suggested, and the one which / deem preferable,
| is that tho whole amount of revenue received
from the United States, be lolned on good Sc.
curty to such banks or other institutions as the
legislature may designate, subj ct to recall by tho
state in whole or in part at such periods would
meet the denands Of tn, general government.
| The interest aCcruing to the state on these de-
postes, might be appropriated to the current ex.
p nses of the Government or be applied to such
Other purpos the legi. turs may direct, or it
|
ton and payment of interest on such loans,
the state may hereafter contract for internal inn
provements or other purposes.
In compliance with joint resolution of tho
Senate and House Of r representatives., / have
submitted TO each riil.road company within tho
stnte, the proposition of transferring to the state,
their respective charters. As vet tn Detroit
and st. Jos PHI, and the st. Clair and Romeo
rail road compani s, have alone responded to tho
proposal of this resolution. The President of tho
first n1mei company has commune ted to mo
; their decision, informing me that tn, company
will readily ndor to the state IN stock up.
: on thu rep yment Of the sum advanced, under
such an arr ing ment, as will secure the compile.
ton of the work within a reasonable period.
, The proposition is liberal one AMI this impor.
Z tncs of tbs contemplated Improvement is such as
should induce It's prompt acceptance by the
STATE The latter company will surrender thoir
charter condition, that the state will paw to
, thon the sums which shall have been expended at
the time the transfer shall be required, and that
D the state engage to complete the road within six
we RS from tbs first of nuary next, to some point
S on Lake Michigan or Grand River. If however,
: tha Legislature should dctl rhine not to receive
the Exclusive charge of public works Of the above
char cter. would aglin sugg st, that the state
S take such an amount of stock in the chief routes
r which We or m y be ordsrod, as will secure to
7 the people controlling influence over them.
2 The importance of this suggestion if not admit.
tod now will be acknowledged hereafter, when
all the great avenues of the state are found in the
j hands of private companies.
In my last annual comm lcation to the legis.
. lature, lendeavorcd TO urge upon the considers.
ton, the import ince of maturing without delay,
. rmInent and judicious system for the dir C.
ton of our internal improvements. The consti-
tuition enjoins this duty upon you and earnestly
C commend it to your most serious attention. The
first measure to be adopted in carrying into
| FL. a. b.,,, Is OF. H. =
: tho immediate organization of board of internal
c Improvement. Undor the direction of this board
/ the surveys essential in egisaing safely with re.
J. fer snce to contemplated works of Improvement
r should be made during the present year, so tina,
at the next session OF The egisl iture, measures
y may b, adopted for the immediate comnienc ament
: of such canals, rail roads or other public works
j. as may then be sanctioned md designated. Com.
r p tent engineers should be employed under the
Il direction of the state board, and without the
evidcnc, for their estimates and investigations no
Il important work of improvement should ever be
ordered by tn, legislature III this plan Is not
v adopted the state will be constantly liable to the
!. h .avy charge OF extravagant, Improbable, and
@ us / IS expenditure. The State 10 amply com.
i p5tent to the construction of her own internal
4 improvements, aud by wise and economics ex.
|. pendture of the means which may b. pl-ccd in
n your hands, you may in great measure, super
. sodc the nee ssty of plicing all these resources
VI WOdltu III Tue HalluS Oh prlVdtc COinpdnl s.
whilst every cton of the state, is equally entitled
: to your liberal ind encouraging ,gIslation, may
u b. permitted to suggest general surveys, which
II may be or Tered during your present session
l. Tbs prdcticaJilty of uniting the waters OF Lake
/ Michigan with those of the eAsiern part of the
!. State has baen long conceded. 1t is impossible
,s however without previous surveys TO determine
,, which is the most pr ,ctcable Of tho many routes
}, which have BEEN sugg sted. In casting glanc,
|. over tho map of the State diff rent communities
s. tons will readily occur to you seemingly pric
Il tcablc The h al waters of the Grand River
flowing into Like Michigan, il is believed, might
j. % connected with tho watsrs flowing into Lake
Huron or the Black River OF ST. Cir and
% am credibly informed that canal fourteen miles
d in length would unite the hsadwatcrs of the Look
v ing Gl river with the head waters OF the tribu
IF taries of the Shiawassse again It may be foun'
D. upon survey that this communication may be con
O. tinued by canal to the Detroit River or down tn
n Shiawassee to the mouth Of the S gnaw tn
@. Huron it is thought my b. connect d with tn
10 X Cedar; and the Raisin with the head water
o. of the st. Joseph, kal lmazoo. These sur
a. vcys be made, and then the legislature may
n. select for construction, ose route or mores
H. found practicable or il justified by the means
the 1T lie. In the event however, that sumcicns
al water for canal purposes cannot 10 ootaincd q
ar the summit level between Lake Michigan an
Id Like Erie, the state viii DO compelled to drec
Id all her energi and resouro 20 the constructio
IN OF Rail and Micadamzed roads, or roadslai wit
ne wood and TO the Improvement of tho navigation
NJ of her inland streams.
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