Democratic banner., 1849-01-22
EXTRACTS FROM GOV. EDWARDS
MESSAGE. '
BANK DEBT.

the Bank demanded payment before the ad-
journment of the last legislature, but toe
late in the session to render it advisable to
recommend any action upon the subject
This case forms an exception to the asser-
ton made in a preceding article, that oul
State generally makes timely arrangement.
to meetthe demands against her; and wheth.
er it IS proper even now to comply with
that demand or not is a matter left for youI
consideration. The State has made the
Bank and mainly owns it, and appoints near.
ly all the directors. Whether, then, the
Bank shall dictate to the State, or the State
to the Bank, is deemed a very proper mat.
ter for your consideration, and one for your
decision.
In the wisdom, prudence and patriotism
of the Bank, if we judge the future by the
past, but little confidence can be reposed.
This remark is made mainly in a~llusion to
the mother Bank. most of the branches hay-
ing been better and more proftably nanag-
ed, and some Of them with an eye more GER
tainly directed to the interest of the State.
SYSTEM OF LEASING TIKI PENITENrIARY.
The present system of leasing the peni-
Tertiary ought to be changed or abandoned.
The interests Of the State and the reforma.
ton Of the convicts both require an ~sltera-
ton. To save the executive M the exer-
else Of the p%ardoning power,-one Of his
most important and delicate duties-ap pow
er not unlike that exercised by our creator
towards ourselves-even the worst Of us
a change should be made. This change is
due to the lesseees. The present system Of
leasing gives the ~lessees the right TO all the
labor Of the convicts. This interests them
naturally in keeping the best men and most
valuable hands, and in aiding the liberation
of the worst aud least valuable. Every
exercise Of the paidoning power deprives
them Of the labor of some .hsnds, and usu-
ally the best ones go first. This brings the
executive and the ~lessees in collision, and
every effort is made to embarrass him in
the discharge Of tins important duty.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
As the State has now commenced paying
off her debts, and as the people were new
er in a more inurishing condition, by pur-
suing this policy steadily and iud~iclously,
we may soon discharge all our obligations.
In the meantime, the condition of our finan-
ces, the increasing wealth, population, agri-
cultural products and manufactures of the
country, will justify a preparation for the
prosecution Of system OF internal improve
meats.
We have several rivers that must become
subjects of improve ment as the population
of the cOuatry and the means at command
increase. The St. Francis, with improve
lnent, may become a good stream, Tor the
section CT country through which it flows.
As much Of it runs thrnuglI a flat country,
its waters are of course discharged slowly,
and where this is the case, q much smaller
volume of water makes ID stream navigable.
Black river is d stream of which but little
has ever been said in the legislature, yet it
well deserves attention among those Gnu
merated as objects Of Improvement. In its
character, it is more like the ST. Francis
than other rivers of the south and all such
rivers are more easily rendered navigable
than those havinga greater amount OF fall.
.Currant river in the south is a bold stream
and affords a large amount Of water, and
with locks and dams may be made naviga-
bic for steam boats high up in the State
This river would furnish a large amount Of
water power for manufacturing purposes.
North Grand River, although probably dis
ci,Arging-al less amount of water, has yet
1.-THE. appeararce OF being larger thsH Car