Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1848-01-12
GOVERNORS
MESSAGE,
Feno,c Citizens cfshe Senate

people, to the Office of Chief Executive Magls-
trate of our young, but rapidly growing state,
and having assumed the high obligations and
responsibilities of that elevated station, by TAX
ing the oath prescribed by the constitutional am
required to communicate to you, as the represen-
tatives of the people, the condition Of the state,
and to recommend for your consideration such
matters as may deem expedient.
With the importance of the trust confded to
me, am deeply impressed, and of my ability to
perform the arduous duties it imposes, am fear
fully distrustful.
NY predecessors, in accordance with Gus
tom, adopted at the organization of our state
government, have, on bing indicted into office,
preceded their executive communications by an
avowai of their opinions, upon the general prin-
.ciples of governments the peculiar character of
: our institutions and laws, or such other topics
Of general interest. seemed,at the time, most
to engage the public mind.
This custom is certainly harmless, bit it is, |
think, as certainly, without practical utility,and
as it seems best to comport with the republican
simplicity of our sy stem of government, to dis
pense with all unnecessary and useless ceremo-
MES, have deemed it proper, on the present
occasion, to communicate with you, only in the
mode required by the constitution.
The assembling of the year, furnished suit
able occasi IN for retrospect Of that which has
pa ssed.
In reviewing the year that has now just closed
upon us forever, we discover abundant cause
for congratulation. No severe sickness has
visited the people, but general health has pre-
vailed through the breadth and length vi the
land.
An unexampled degree of prosperity has at
tended every branch of business-the enterprise
and activity of the commercial and mercantile
classes have Eever secured for them, richer re-
turns-those engaged i'm the mercantile and
other industrial pursuits have found uninterrup-
ted employment, and receive ample coBpensa-
tion for their labour.
Although the crop of our agricultural staple,
las not, in some sections of the State, been as
great, as may have been anticipated. yet in 9th
ers, it was never more abundant. The harvest
of other farm products, has been every where
pIenteous. All kinds of produce have been in
demand, meeting a ready sale. at fair and renu-
merating prices, so that upon the whole, the
labors of our husbandmen have rewarded with
a buontiful return. For these manifold bless
ings received from the benefcent hard of Him
who ruleth the nations, we ought to render tr
butte of unfegned and fervent gratitude.
The reports of the Auditor General and State
Treasurer furnish detailed statement of the
transactions of their respective departsmentS.
during the past fiscal year, and Of the general
condition of the finances of the siatc-an cxhi
tion of our pecuniary affairs. which cannot but
be gratifying to our creditors, and q source of
pride ~ our ci.izens-I take great pleasure in
presenting i: to you, and through YOU. 20 the
people.
The receipts into the treasury within The
wear 10 the credit IF the general fund, amount
to 1856. 3I,4G. and the disbursements for the
same period, have hcen Sl65, 30G,03, the re-;
ceipts exceeding the expenditures by @l9,s2e,-
Al. The balance in the treasury, on the 30th
November 1917. including the balance on hand
at the close Of the previous year, was Sj4, 49,
35-the whole of which was in current raoney.
The amount available fer the uses and r0r-
poses of the general fund, is $i4,l45, II, which
during the present month, will be increased to
$50, 1888, SO, by receipts from the Primary school
interest fund, and the University interest fund,
for over drafts, which will be repaid from those
funds, out of the proceeds Of the annual tax to
/. be received from the Central and Southern Rail
Road Companies.
The laws providing for the assessment of a
certain tax upon all ratable property, for the
support of the state government, were repealed
by the Revised Statutes of 1876 and no subti-
tnte for them incorporated therein: nor was any
law enacted, for similar purpose by the legis
ture of 1917.
The omission was doubtless unintentiona
and its cause is probably, correctly stated in the
various counties, not been uniform, npon this
. subject. In some, the usual state tax has been
assessed: in others, no such assessment has
] been made. This subject will, therefore, COM
mend itself to the early consideration of the
Legislature, and its exigency will demand the
enactment of law, which shall give validity to
the assessment already made, and provide for
the future assessment Of the state tax in the
counties where 1T has been omitted. If such |
remedy be promptly provided, it is believed that
no serious embarrassment in the collection of
the revenue from this source, will be encoun-
tered.
The aggregate valuation of the taxab'e pro-
perty of the State, according to the returns for
'f847, is s27, ST., 240,13. A state tax of %
mills on the dollar, the rate established by the
law in force, prior to the adoption of the late
revision, assessed on such valuation, would pro-
'duce an annual revenue of 69,043, l0-S4,-
sc less than the total assessment for the
previous year.
The debt of the General Fund amounts to
the sum of 1926, l69 o6, and includes 81 90, 900
for bonds ehargeabIe upon that fund,and falling
due in lS56-$60,000 for PenitentIary bonds,
due in 1859 and 1860, and liability to the
School Fund of ssl29,SSO 81, which is in the
condition of a permanent loan to the State, the
annual interest of which is to be paid out of the
proceeds of the proceeds of the specific tax i'm
posed on the capital stock of the Central and
Southern Rail road companies.
The resources of this fund, as staled, amount
to 1896, 62l ,95, besi1es the annual state tax,
and other assets. These are considered amply
sufficient for the payment of all the immediate
liabilities of the fund, and it is believed they
will be made available in the redemption of the
4 IL L
~. Tho receipts to the credit of the Internal
Improvement fund during the year, amount to
s4s3, 1858, and consist principally of pay
ments into the treasury on account of the sale
Of the Central and Southern Rail Roads.
The debit and Liabilities of the same fund, dur
ing the same period, amount to 9i29,l9S,79,
and are comprised, chiefly, in the evidences of
State Indebtedness paid on account OF said sales,