Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-01-02
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
EfNlsmeg II the Senate

people Connected with you, TO some extent by the
Constitution in your duties and labors, promise you
my hearty cooperation in all that is calculated to adj
vance the welfare of our beloved State.
During the past year, the nation has been called to
norm the decease of its Chief Magistrate. Zachary
TayOr was a brave and sturdy soldier true patriot
Death suddenly ended his cvcntuI career the midst
of the commissions of COngess consequent upon the ag
taton and settlement Of Subjects the completely and
importance Of which, are unparalleled in our history
His official mantle fell quietly upon another. The
Iesty OF the Constitution and Laws, and the wisdom
thereof, We're submely manifested. They supplied the
place which death had made vacant. The Executive
functions Of twenty millions of ireemen, passed in a sin
gle day, into hands vet the change great it
only served to ciasten agaton, instead of adding
the public connection. Emotions of general sorrow
In view OF the national bereavement were predominant
and the result exhibited alike the patriotic sympathies
Of the people, the strength and grandeur Of form of
government and its efficiency to meet every emergen
cy and crisis which can arise.
During the last year have enjoyed within Dor
ders the blessings Of general health In some parts of
the State visited with that terrible disease the
Cholera, which, in other portions of the country has
carried off thousands Yet, through the mercies of an
overriding Providence, but few among fell victims to
the destroyer With this exception, the past year has
been Of health. happiness, and general prosperity.
Nothing has tTanspired since your adjournment to in
terrup the regular action of all the departments 90
vernment The laws have been aithully administered,
respected, and ol,eyed.
sraticd in being able say, that the necessary
to meet January interest," has been promptly
advanced by leowcitizenS through the energy OF
county Collectors without borrowing OF the banks.
For the promptness with which collectors have
spoaded to the call Of the State Treasurer il is right
that you auhorise the Auditor and Treasurer make
them some compensation.
The financial condition Of the State is still improving
The ordinary expenses Of the State Government for
the fiscal year ending the 3lst day of October, 1885,
were So, SIS 10.
The expenditures for the ensuing year. exclusive of
the expenses of the Convcnon,) estimated by the
Auditor of State, at $4,000.
The whole amount of revenue paid into the State
Treasury during the past year, all accounts was
$3.50 43l 70, which exceeds the amount of the previous
year, SIS, 1877 90.
The total value Of taxable property returned for
1859, IS S137, 443 800 which is increase over the
previous year Of 81 Ola 504.
The nuIahor Of polls returned for 1880 is 149 1885, be-
ing increase Oycr last wear Of 6.266.
concur fully with the Auditor of State, in ear
nesty calling yOar attention to the Of improve
meat in the system.
While the property of the man of moderate means
the farmer the mechanic and the day laborer is from
its very character exposed to the eye OF the Assessor
and is such as to enable him to estimate its value with
accuracy. it cannot be doubted that large amount Of
Invisible property, consisting of corporation stocks
eys and credits, entirely escapes taxation.
The whole amount of corporation stock assessed in
the State for the year. S2S6 SIG; when ia
king into consideration numerous Plank Roads, Rail
Roads River improvements, Insurance companies and
Manufactures is safe eSfmate the value this de-
serPton Of property at not less than three millions Of
dollars.
In many cases, the property when assessed for
municipal purposes is returned at much higher rate
OF valuation. than when listed by the county Assessor
In New Albany, the city exceeds the coun-
~ assessment in the of $500 900; in Nadisan by
the sum Of 500 ,407; and in Indianapolis S657 800
making total excess in these three cities alone of more
than and a half millions of dollars
Individual instances of erroneous assessment are "a.
Iniar to all. has been brought the attention
Of the Executive where the properly of citizen
valued by the county Assessor at the of SO 525
and upon his death, the property was valued, in
the settlement o his estate. nj S256 9l7.
There Is also great inequality in the assessment oil
lands in contiguous counties; to recy which, only
be accurately done by State Board Of cquazaon on
by Boards in the several Congressional districts.
The true remedy for this state Of things is the adop
ton OF system to assess, at It's cash value spe
eies Of real and personal estate such one as in sin
Gle year, in sister State, Ohio. increased the ag.
gTegate amount Of the taxabes of that State from
hundred and fly millions four hundred and ten millions
OF dollars. Let the Assessor furnish each taxpayer
biaRk lorm be filed up by himself, with
ton Of his property be verified by oath on afirma
ton and refusal, authorize the Assessor to add to
the valuation such per be deemed necessary
Under such q system we shall net only equalize tic
burdens OF the people Of the State, but swell total
Of taxabes TO least hundred millions of dollars
thereby enabling TO reduce the present rate Of taxa
ton Property and wealth the true basis of taxa.
ton, and the public burdens should upon them.
Owing 10 the construction OF various works of Inter
nal Improvement and other causes, the value of real
estate constantly changing and frequent assessments
under any system, Will be necessary The last valGa-
ton Of real estate in 1896 and secure an equa
cation Of the burdens Of the State re-aPprasement
mperativcIy required.
As the Assessors have right to commence making
the first Of January, if it is designed to
change the present system it suggested that steps be
Immediately taken to postpone such assessment until the
first Of March ensuing.
Through the politencss OF Mr.. Meredith u. S. Mar.
shall. am this moment advised though the returns
com piete that entire population is about 93S
O0o being increase, since 1870 of upwards of
hundred Thousand. The total valuation Of real estate
farming rpcEcnts andlive stock exclusive Of other per-
sona property. returned by the Marshal, is about
two hundred miloHs Of dollars, being sxty-three mil
added other descriptions of personal property
entire valuation could be less than two hundred and
fifty millions Of dollars.
know Of no higher duty that a citizen ia the
institutions Of his country thaR that OF being just
only his negbors but N the government that shields
and protects him. No good will refuse pay for
tie support Of bis government. When he paws he
should pay in proportion what he has-accordng to
his wealth; and he viii occasion refuse declare
or affirm what that wealth IS
trust before ron return to constituents, yoa
will pass an efficient and practical system for the assess
rnent and collection Of revenue by which you vii
obtain the just proportion levied upon the entire wealth
OF the State.
There is no subject that people take interest
in than that Of the reduction and final payment Of
State debt They desire some practical system that
will annually reduce their debt
It viii be time enough 10 provide sinking fund
when we have means 70 appropriate in that way
AMI when we shall have fully assessed and collected the
revenue levied upon the entire wealth and property o
che State VIC shall have something TO set apart Tor that
purpose
As 4 Will however require time to perfect system
Il Is proper lbst you enter upon I've consideration OF THIS