Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1852-01-16

to determine the policy which ought to be pur-
sued. We may claim division under the act of
separation, or renew the sales of land and timber
under the joint authority Of the two governments.
In either case, the mode of conducting the bust
ness is of the highest Importance.
The controversy with Rhode Island has re-
celved the attention of the Executive Department
OF the government during the past year; and the
Attorney General is engaged in The necessary
steps to obtain judicial decision by bill in equi-
ty IN the Supreme Court Of the United States
The importance of certain papers which could
only be obtained in England, led to some delay,
but the suit will be prosecuted with all practical
BILE Dispatch
Your predecessors recommended revision of
the Constitution of the State; but proposition
to assemble Convention for that purpose, was
rejected by vote of the people. The majority
against Convention was small, while a consde-
rable number of voters neglected TO express their
opinion upon the question 1t is also very gener-
ally agreed, thai important alterations in our form
OF government, are necessary, and therefore feel
at liberty TO recommend the subject anew to your
consideration The Constitution contemplates its
own amendment by the Legislature, but this pro-
vision manilesty relates TO those unimporant
changes which time might render necessary.
One OF the first political questions settled in Mas
sachusetts, was, that the power to propose and
establish form OF government was in the people
and not in the Legislature. Important changes
are now contemplated. 1t is not SO truly an
amendment a revision of the Constitution tina
Is desired. The members of the Legislature aret
not usually chosen with reference to fundamental
alterations 10 the government, while Convention
would accurately represent the views and judy
ment of the people.
Heretofore the representatives Of cities and
larUa have benn Gibson hv a cI,
This mode does not seem to be required by the
Constitution, and single districts more in har-
mony with the general character of our represen-
| tative system, whether State or national
The report of the Adjutant General presents
iatteling view of the condition of the militia of
the Commonwealth.
1t is not important to maintain large military
! force, but efficiency and discipline are necessary
! TO secure the objects for which the system was es-
! tablished.
Massachusetts has deferred claim of consider
able magnitude against the United States, for ser
vices rendered, and expenses incurred, in the
war of 1912. A portion of this claim was paid
in 1880: and in 1886 Congress instructed the Sc
cretary of War to re-examine the claim of Mas
sachusetts. This was done, and the further sum
| af 1922, ZIG, was declared to be due In con-
formlty with this decision the Senate made an APP
| preparation, in 1889, but it was rejected by the
| House of Representatives. Since 1910 there has
been no action by either government The JUS
tlce Of this claim has been admitted, and there
seems to be no reason why it should not be paid.
But it will not be paid, unless the subject is
fairly, earnestly, and consistently laid before the
National Legislature. 1t is with the expectation
that Congress will not allow claim, so long since
acknowledged to remain unpaid, that recon-
mend such action on your part as will lead 10 IA
new effort to obtain our just rights 1t is proper
to say that Maine is interested in this claim, to
the extent Of one third.
Excluding the balance in the Treasury on the
first Of January 1851 the ordinary receipts of
that sSh66- 432- 90 ~,9nA abe,rGg1i- ue-
ficit of $S75, 673 29'
Among the items are three Of an unusual char
acter, namely: the reception Of the President
the Valuation Committee, and the enlargement of
the State Prison; which, together, involved an
expenditure of more than tw enty-nin thousand
dollars.
In addition to this, the session Iof the Leg
stature of 1851 was of unusual length and cost.
The estimated receipts Tor the year 1852 are
$6l7 1000 and the estimated expenditures are
$568, 29l; showing balance in favor of the Trea-
sury of ,709.
Should you confirm the purchase of land for the
State Prison, and authorize the payment from the
general treasury, the balance will be reduced to
1000. This estimate Is based upon the sup
position that no extraordinary appropriations are
made, and that the session will not extend beyond
one hundred and twenty days Should YOU find
it convenient, as it is believed you may, 10 re-
duce the length of the session, this balance will
| be increased.
| Ii, however, contrary TO this estimate, the an.
! preparations and expenditures should exceed the
income of the year, | do not hesitate to recon-
mend direct tax to supply the deficit. This YOU
can determine previous to your separation. Ex
| penses should not be incurred and appropriations
made upon any other principle than that the people
are willing to meet them by direct taxation In the
| absence of other resources.
In view of the extraordinary appropriations which
the State must make for institutions Of char
| ity and humanity, the most rigid economy should
| be observed.
| The property ofthe Commonwealth consists Of,
Western Rail- DAD Stock, per cent? ,I76 400 90
rive per cent scrip. .5S4 O90 90
County, city and own scrip, Is per ct.).. 2698UO
Notes and Mortgages, per 1922 687 IS
Notes for land in Maine, PER cent 1876 636 So
Western Railroad Loan Sinking Fund
| Rights. .'.'... 253 sOa 90
Lyman State Reform School Fund 20 000 M
Natick lntan Fund 1876 Is
Casn on hand' .76,S22 80
Productive property 81, Os5,s69 81
| Lands in Maine unsold..... 1851 ,3OI So
| Massachusetts claim. ..........I6l,0 600 90
Real Estate &c.......'.. j 426, liz 49i
l bohOs anu mortgages OF rail-
roads. ....................5,0 49 555 Sc
- 7,2s7,969 81
$lOss3, 1888 70
| Debt Of the Commonwealth on its own ac-
count January !, 1852. 81 ,34l AS 90
! Scrip loaned to Railroads. ....5, O49,555 Sc
- 6,3sl,OsO Sc
Balance in favor of The Commonwealth, S3,992, 1903 %
| But of this balance not more than million of
| dollars is available for government purposes.
! NO State is more interested in the existence and
harmony of the American Union than Massachu-
setts. She sustains important relations to the fed
era government. Her industrial prosperity NAV
/ ho of hy ol,o /