The true Democrat., 1854-11-08
GOVERNORS MESSAGE
FelJoaO citizens of the Senate
 and Of he House of Representatires:

| information of the state of the government, and to recommend to your consideration such measures as are deemed expedient. This plea- sure is produced by that kind of confidence with winch one who earnestly seeks to render the State service, ever greets and conters with those known te be intelligent and patriotic CO., llborers for the public good.
 50 recently elected by the free suifrages of your constituents, before whom matters of deep interest had been discussed, you are doubtless prepared to reflect their will and to act with wisdom and promptitude in the discharge ofvour legislative duties. 50 that YOU might not be delayed in your action for the want of official information, the Executive has caused to be printed and will have laid before you, the va rious reports as well as other information con- nected with matters of public interest to which he will allude. To the reports and the other information so adopted as accompanying docu- ments to this message you are respectfully re- terred for intelligence in detail. The reports of the Auditor and Treasurer contain much valuable information relative to the fiscal affairs Of the State, and also recommendations worthy of your consideration.
 By these reports it will be seen that the State debt, for warrants issued by the Treasurer,
  which amounted to Sl757o1 A. was all paid during the last two fiscal years except $37l 76, and that on the first day of October 1854, there remained in the Treasury, subject to be used for ordinary expenses, a balance, ill specie, ot S29, ,514 29.
 The revenue from the assessment for the wear 1854. and which is now being collected, 1 will not be due from the sherlfs until the first day of May 1855; and payment may De defer red until the fifteenth day oi t, at month. The expeuses of the State from the first of October, 1 1854. to the 18th of May, 1855, will be much ! greater than the balance Ill the Treasury or ! the first day of October, 1854; and after the expenditure of the money III the Treasury, treasury warrants will again have to be is- sued until the shertfs make settlement.
 With prudence and economy in all the de- partments of our government, the present rave- nue laws will bring into the Treasury means amply sufficient, after the 18th day Of May, 1855, to doiIay the ordinary expenses Of the State in the constitutional currency of gold and silver.
 The whole amount of the internal improve ment fund distributed to and drawn by the several counties before the first iay of October ! 1854, was $246,9 ,934 82, and on that day ba- ] lance of this fund remained in the Treasury, in specie, amounting 10 %lS.886 21
 The entire amount of the seminary fund dis tributed 10 and drawn by the several counties before the lst dar of Dc ober, 1851 WAS c33,- 276 Ue; and on that day balance of this fund remained in the Treasury amounting to &7 ,567,- 48. The sum of SlO68 91, which arose from the sales Of Saline lands remained in the Trea- surv on the 1st oi October 1854
 The Executive has had printed and will cause to be laid before you the quarterly reports made to him by the late Auditor, (. c. Dauiey, as well as d certified transcript of the proceedings ' iu court t0 which t was necessary 10 resort be- fore they could be obtan d. It will be disco verei that these quarterly reporJs contain no information whatever of the amount of war ran;s drawn by the late Audicorupo the swamp land fund.
 sc. 5.. of chapt 23, Digest Of tic Sta tutcs of Arkansas" provides that '" l. shall he the duty of the Auditor to make quarterly re- ports to the Governor of the amount of mo- news in the hands of the Treasurer belonging to the State or any county.' The constitution of this St42 iu section 51ren oI article fre pro vdes that the Governor may require any in- formation, in writing, from the officers ot the Executive Department, on any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices"
 During the great so..ci-ule of many for the Governor to convene the general assembly ir extra session, he vas 4uX .ous to have published for the information of the people, all official report of tie condition of the Treasury, and as the late Auui.oc had never made to ann any report whatever, the Governor bv yrtue Of the authority vestei in hln by ta. coustit.t;or. made upon the late Auditor, at I tf1raut Ieroas. two written raqlsit:ons fur the information in writing which Loth the l3N and the constitution required him as au officer oi the Executive De- partmeut to furnish; but he raid no at.enJ.ol whatever to either Of thcs, written acquisitions. and refused wholly to make any retort a all until compelled by | persmp.ory manirmus granted against hlm by the court, as will be seen by the proceedings to which reference has been made.
 The Executive had supposed that lhe con- stitut;onal provision asd the prese { jaws were sufficient to insure to the Governor ali official report oi the condition Of the Treasury at any time when, in the discharge of his duties. he might need or require such information: but ! after this case, 1t Is deemed proper and Geces- ,arv to have alditiou1l legislation imposing ' heavy penalties on any officer of the Eyecu- tive Department, who shall hereafter refuse to 1 comply with the provision of the constitution | which has heen quoted. Occasions mGv arise when it might be of the utmost ;mpor.a7ce to the interest Of he State for the Governor to be officially informed of the condition of pub 1 lie affairs under the control of officers of the Executive Department The framers of the constitution seemed to have acted under such an impression, and it is believed, that YOU will not fail 10 consider maturely, and properly act upon the subject.
 The late Auditor resigned, ani. under the appointment ot the Governor William F. Mill Ter was commissioned and qualified onrhe 18th day oi Sept, 1854, only twentv-f0ur days be- fore the time fixed by law for the Auditor to dehver hls biennial report to the Governor. vet notwithstanding the shortness of the tinn ho prepared and rendered his report on tbe da1, designated by law. '
 Since the last session Of the general acso,, ply, the Executive of this State has d.mandod of the executive authorit es of other Stato, to which they had fled, the surrender of fonr teen fugitives from justice, who stood char,tod with committing crimes such as murder ar2o,' and forgery, and had fled beyond the inr,Sdin : tion of this State, before the present Execnrivo came into office.
 Of the fourteen SO demanded twelve were surrendered, brought back and delivered to the proper authorities of this State for trial. In