The Empire County argus., 1854-01-14

10 increased con-
sidcration in making disbursements from the ma
tional Golfers.
The amount OF revenue collected at the sever
al ports within the State during the fiscal year en-
ding June 3Oth, exceeds two millions three hum
dred and fifty thousand dollars an amount equal to
onc-sxteenth of the whole sum heretofore annually
required to defray the expenses of the National
government And the receipts of the first quar-
ter have been so much increased, as to warrant the
belief that the present fiscal year the revenue col
lected at the different ports in California must con-
sidcrably exceed three millions, being equal to an
annual tax of eleven dollars and thirty-four cents
upon each man, woman and child within the limits
of California. The amount thus indirectly collected
in the other State of the Union averages only two
dollars and thirteen cents to each man. woman
and child
1t will be seen from the report of the Comptroller
of State, that he estimates the expenditures for the
fiscal year ending the 30th day of June 1854 as
S964,45O 81. This estimate though regarded at
sufficiently high, is in the aggregate, only equal to
one-third the amount annually contributed by the
people OF California for the support of the National
Government, and is an average tax of only 50 63
on each man. woman and child within the State
Whilst State taxation is the subject of general COM
plant as being exhorbitant and oppressive ON our
people, not murmur is heard in relation to the
indirect exactions of the General Government
though three fold greater than the amount collected
for State purposes.
Total amount of exports from other States in
1852 was Sl54,931, 147.
Amount of gold dust shipped from California in
1853, $4,000, 800 A.
In reference to an amendment of the Constu-
tiOn, the Governor says:
With view to lessen the expenditures of Gov
ernmcnt, | respectfully and earnestly invoke your
attention to the recommendations made in my last
annual message in relation to amendments to the
Constitution Of the State and now suggest two 9TH
ers, which regard as highly important.
The first, in order that the instrument may the
more perfectly conform to the spirit of popular
form of government: the second, as conducive to
simplicity and economy in the administration of its
affairs.
The second section of article TENTH which pro-
vides for the calling of convention, as the mode of
= revising or changing the Constitution contains
provision requiring the convention, after closing
its labors to submit the Constitution framed to a
vote of the people of the Sta, AZ general elec-
ton.
This is certainly radical defect, and one which
should be remedied before clothing any body of men
with the power to revise or change the Constitu-
ton.
The Constitution, after having been framed and
adopted by convention permit me here to suggest
should be placed within the reach of every voter,
and ample time given to examine carefully its
principles its provisions, and its limitations, before
called upon by vote, to sanction and give effect to 1t
fundamental and paramount law. | therefore
respectfully recommend that this section be So
amended as require the convention to submit the
Constitution, after framed. to vote OF the people
the same to have no effect until adopted by ma
iority of the legal voters of the State at general
election.
In engrafting on The Constitution these highly
important amendments | recommend the mode
prescribed in the first section of the Tenth Article
of that instrument. BY adopting this mode of
amendment. the expense of a convention, and the
excitement incident. will be avoided, and the requl-
red changes to free the Constitution ofobjeconablc
features secured in shorter period Of time than by
the other mode provided in the second section OF
the same article.
The remaining reforms RECOMMENDED in my last
annual message with the exception of those fnally
disposed of by the last Legislature are also again
recommended to your favorable consideration.
By adopting the reform proposed it is believed
that an annual saving will be effected to the State
of three hundred and seventy-one thousand and sev
en- hundred dollars as follows, viz
Surveyor General, 81 900; Superintendent o
Public Instruction $500; Biennial Sessions 81 l..
600 reduction of pay to eight dollars per day
mileage one-half $4,000; limiting sessions tC
ninety days S43 200; reducing transportation o.
prisoners from one dollar to fifty cents per mile
5000 Governors salary to $4,000 $4,000: salary
of Supreme Court Judges to $4,000, SO 600; salary
of District Attorney of San Francisco, $4,000; to
tai, $37l 100.
A general curtailment of Legislative expcndi
lures, and especially that portion of them inciden
to the clerical duties performed would also seem t(
be absolutely necessary
The enormous sum of one hundred and clghty-tw(
thousand four hundred and twenty-seven dollars
and forty-hree cents has been paid for clerk hire
and to the officers of the two Houses during the
sessions of 1852 and 1858. The amount paid las
session to officers and clerks alone, one hundred
and six thousand and ninety-three dollars and sew
enty cents"
Particular attention to the Reveue Laws is recon-
mended and system of equal and uniform appll
cation.
Agricultural interests arc commended to the los
tering care of the legislature JudiciOus Legislation
of bona-fde settlers is declared to be absolutely
necessary lust and proper donation OF tho
public domain in California; in limited quantities
to actual settlers as in Oregon, is suggested to th'
Legislature as worthy their attention and effort tt
obtain bv passage of IA law by Congress The in
Justice of discrimination against us is pointed out
But if Congress cannot be induced to change III
policy, and donate the public domain to settlers II
California, and if the present act to remain II
force it certainly ought to be so amended as to ez
tend at least another year, the time allowed tol
pre-empton upon unSurUeyed lands. If tins amend
ment be not made and pre-emption upon unsurvey
ed lands prohibited after March next, the growtf
and improvement of the State must be greatly re
tardcd and the interests of our people very lnJu
riously affected"
For the purpose of reclamng the swamp anc