Columbia gazette., 1854-01-14
$37l,7OO

1871, ZOO
| A general curtailrnent of legislative
expen:i ures, ard especially that por-
ton of them Incl 'ent to the clerical du-
ties performed, would also seem to be
absolutely necessary.
The enormous sum Of one hundred
and eighty-two thousand four hundred
and twenty-seven dollars and forty-three
cents has been paid for clerk hire and
to the officers Of the two Houses, during
the sessions Of 1852 and 1853. The
amount paid last session to officers and
clerks alone, was one hundred and six
thousand an9 ninety-three dollars and
seventy cents. 1t is true, that the Ex-
ecutiye has no control over the action of
either House, so far as the employment
Of clerks and officers is concerned, and
that both in this matter are as indepen-
dent Of the Governor as they are of each
other; but as W, have recently seen an
effort made to hold the Executive re-
sponsible for every expenditure of pub
lie money, may be permitted to direct
your attention to the pres, ration of State
credit.
The people of California not only
anticipate that provision will be made
during the present session for the pay
ment Of the existing State debt, but
they also expect that you will, by redu-
cling the salaries of Office generally, so
far lessen the expenditures of govern
ment that they will not. as heretofore.
exceed the receipts into the Treasury,
and that hereafter it may not be necessa-
ry to seek market for the sale Of de-
preciated evidences Of State indebted
ness. The great Importance Of these
measures | trust, will secure your early
nd favorable action.
In connection with suggestions, re-
lative to economy and reform, permit
me to remind you ofthe fact, that the
| Constitution restricts the action of the
Executive in these matters, to simple
recommendation. l have now therefore
exhausted my power. Ihave performed
all, in the premises, authorized by the
Constitution, and should my recommen-
dations not meet with your approval,
hope some other equally efficent plan
will be adopted for the relief of the State.
Recommendations similar to those now
urged werepres ,nted for the consideration
of the last Legislature; but most of them
were passed over, ,unheedcd or neglected
and great dissatisfaction has, during the
year, been manifested by our common
constituents, who confidently expected
that thorough system of reform would
be matured and adopted, aud a conse-
quent reduction of taxation justified.
feel called upon to again direct your
attention to our Revenue Laws, COM
plants against some portions of which,
especially the license system, ,hav reach
ed me during the recess, and the ques-
ton Of taxation is, therefore, presented
as one deserving Of careful examination.
In the revision Of the system, / am a.
ware that circumstances must to some
extent, control your action, but the well
settled principles that taxation shall not
be burthensome-that greater amount
shall not be levied than is required to
defray the the expenses of an economi-
cally administered Government-that
S: all not be imposed to protect one in
terest at the expense Of another-and
that it shall be so assessed, as to operate
as equally and uniformly upon all as
possible, ought not, in any degree be
departed from in your legislation on the
subject.
The agricultural interest Of California
though but partially developed, is now
one of conceded importance, and should
as far as it can, consistently with the
Constitution, be fostered by judicious
legislation. The development Of our
agricultural resources, it is true cannot
be said to have advanced as rapidly as
other of the great interests Of the State.
But, in view Of many formidable exis-
ting obstacles to its rapid development,
it is matter Of surprise that so large a
portion of our enterprising citizens have