Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-01-13
ADMINISTRATION.

first elected to the office OF Governor in l84l,
when he succeeded Governor Woodbridge, and
meeting on his induction into office ruined
Treasury,an dsordered and unsatisfactory adj
ministration of the affairs Of the State His OPP
ponents boosted Of the barren victory which ell
evated him to the. Executive chair on the basis
of a bankrupt Treasury and dissatisfied peo-
pie. Gov Barrys energies were equal to the
task he was called upon to fulfill. He assumed
the discharge of his duties with an unfatering
hand and he carried at once into the Admins
tration of the State judicious economy ;--pru-
dent and careful advice, and in every respect an
earnest effort, unswayed alike by remonstrance
or by threats, to satisfy every class and section
of our infant commonwealth. That he had a
difficult work on hand, il did not require his en-
emes to inform him they were intrinsic in the
elements he was called upon to arrange and sys-
tematize. Order was to be brought out of cha
os. The works Of public Improvement were in
an embarrassed and Improbable condition; the
tax system, embracing an immense quantity OF
nonresident lands, was imperfect and onerous;
the banks, which had struggled for existence
through period of unparalleled pressure, last
ing for years, had exhibited those death strug-
giles which are so apt to derange the household,
and to put in jeopardy even the benevolent
minds, who thought by attention to ward off the
evil of general dissolution. The public debt
was large and the State had upon its hands
serious quarrel with her creditors, concerning
the validity Of the public bonds. Commercial
credit had sunken to that low condition in which
there was no confidence and scarcely any room
TO hope for honorable business in the future
The State had become a bye word and reproach
in the mouths of her sisters of the Confederacy.
W l. l. h., w
might 90 on still further aud the resident of
Michigan in lS4l, would attest to the truthful
ness of what we might say. At that time Gov.
Barry assumed the direction of the public Ad-
ministration; and although he was succeeded
four years after by Gov. Fech, and four years
ago by Gov Ransom, the line of policy pursu-
ed by him, so far as we know, was never chang
ed. Two years ago he was again reelected;
and so complete has been his work as Governor
of Mchigan,in every duty entrusted TO his hands,
that there are, literally, none to complain. The
strange spectacle is witnessed of the entire ST.
lence of the opponents of the Democratic party
on the subject of the State Administration and
it is remarkable fact that the officers elected
to fill the several places in the Government, are
so dscharging their duties as to leave no room
for individual or public remonstrance. Such a
triumph of the men Of the Democratic party in
the discharge of the high duties devoving upon
them in conducting the affairs of great State
great in its production, in its commerce, and
in its position among her sisters of the Repub-
lc-fnds no parallel in the history of this coun-
try; and that we are largely indebted for this to
the prudence, economy and integrity of Govern
or Barry, none will question.
We cannot close this notice without referring
in terms of commentator to the able and cour-
teous gentlemen who fill the State Offices In
the Hon. G. II. Taylor, Secretary Of State, we
find an able, earnest, and devoted public officer,
discharging every duty with ability; in whom
indeed the whole State has that entire conf
dence, which can alone spring from integrity,
and ability to discharge the duties he has assu-
med.
Hon B. c. Whittemore is the State Treasur-
er. Those who have been brought into contact
with Mr. Whittemore, in the discharge of his
public duties, need no assurance of his fitness
for the post he occupies A more obligng,
competent, and gentlemanly public officer can
not be found in the State; nor one who could
have commanded, at once, greater confidence.
Hon. John Swegles, Jr., the Auditor Gener-
al, is acknowledged by all as an indefatigable Of
ficer, in that most aborious and intricate Depart
ment. Perhaps there is no office in the State
requiring more untiring industry and more abil-
ity, than that of Auditor General. That Audit
or General Swegles, has so discharged his du-
ties as to leave none to complain, is compli-
ment of no ordinary character.
The office of Commissioner of the Land Of
flee has been ably and most satisfactorily filled
by Hon. Porter Kibbee; and if there are any
who question either his fitness or ability for the
discharge of the duties which devolve upon his
department, we have not heard of them We
have thus presented such officers as are and
have been more Immediately connected with the
Governor in conducting the public Administra-
ton; and we challenge comparison on the part
of any State in the Union with what has been
done elsewhere and at our own Capitol. Our
Wing friends are prone to complain when they
have the least cause; they do not complain
They have no heart to ask a change in the Ad- |
ministration of the State; and as long as the
ability, courtesy and impartiality, which now
our Administration shall continue,
so long will the Democracy control the public
offices of Michigan. Free Press.
It is reported that there is British fleet off |
Vera Cruz, prepared to blockade the ports of
Mexico and COMPEL that Government to pay
her obligations to British subjects. The Gov
eminent of Mexico is wholly bankrupt, and
pleads not her nnwillngness but her inability
to paw. Meantime John Bull anxious tn Uet