Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-01-25
River and Harbor improvements.

proper appropriations, and, Notwithstanding the
construction placed on portions of the late mes.
sage by certain class, we do not believe the
President will refuse his sanction to bill EN-.
bodying appropriations of that character only
although otherwise liberal in its provisions
President PIERCE is in favor of internal im-
provements, and until some better plan is de-
vised we see no valid grounds for the inference
that he will by an interposition of the veto pow;
err stop the progress, or prevent further under
taking under the present system of such works
as are truly national in their character.
REPORT OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL.-We
have been favored with copy of Auditor Gen.
eral SwEEGLEs' annual report, for 1863. 1t is
an able document, and gives a most gratifying
exhibit of the State finances. The total am
cunt of the funded and fundable debt not yet
due, on the first day of December, was $780,.
800 o. The amount due the trust funds
was $466,956 26. There was in the treasury
surplus amounting to $375,773 6S which
would doubtless soon be increased to over half
million. In this connection the Auditor Gen.
eral says:
Notwithstanding this encouraging exhibit
of the State finances, the present safe keeping,
and ultimate proper application OF so large a
surplus, must be a source of anxious solicitude.
With such unparalleled progress in individual
wealth and prosperity, an overhowing treasury,
and forgetfulness of the financial embarrass-
ments from which the State has just been extri-
| - g L. 49,
dent appropriations, if not into extravagant and
wasteful expenditures Of the public money. In
credit abroad and prosperity at home, in climate
and in soil, in her mineral resources and com.
mercial advantages, and above all, in her Educa-
tional interests, Michigan occupies high posi-
ton among her sisters of the Union Let not
imprudence, extravaganza or cupidity, again re-
duce her to financial embarrassment"
Of the present condition of the Swamp Land
Fund and the future disposition of the same,
which is coming to be a subject of eminent in
terest, the report contains the following:
"The expenditures on account of the Swamp
Land Fund are 5000 30, for maps, books, and
clerk hire, preparatory to the sales on the 18th
December. 1t is believed that at the sales, ut
least $4,000 will be received to the credit of
this Fund.
"The amount received into the Treasury, by
Act No. 1877, Laws of 1851, is loaned to the
State. The State is to pay interest on the am
cunt so received, and this interest also becomes
part of the fund aforesaid. When the swamp
lands in the northern districts of the Stale are
brought into market, the fund will be largely
increased. The final and proper disposition of
this fund, so that all may participate in its bene-
fits, is matter of great Importance to tina State.
1t is n question which should be taken into Sc
rious consideration by the people in the seec-
ton of their Representative to the next Legis-
lature; for by imprudent legislation, this prince
ly fund may be worse than squandered.
sit was evidently the design of the legisla-
tive committee, who had the bill in charge, in
1851, to ultimately appropriate the nett pro-
ceeds from the sale of these lands to education
al purposes. Such a disposition will be emf
nently just and proper-the whole people will
reap rich reward in the annual distribution of
the interest Of the fund, for the education of
the rising generation. And now, that this i'm
mense fund is within our grasp, il is to be hoped
that future legislators will act with equal pat
riotism, and frown upon any attempt by interest
ed parties to appropriate 1t for less important
purposes"
The first passenger train from Niagara river,
arrived at Windsor, opposite Detroit, on the 18th
inst. The day was made one of unbounded
ing at the "City of the Straits, and if we are to
Judge from the accounts given, it was celebra-
ted in manner commensurate with the magni-
tude of the OCCASION.
The Great Western Railway is two hundred
aud twenty-nine miles in length, and has been
since the early part of 1852. tits
the last link in the most direct line Of railroad
from the Mississippi river to the Atlantic Cities
and its completion marks the opening of new
era in the progress of the commercial metropolis
Of Michigan.
"a" We are under obligation to Mr.. EATON
for variety Of choice apples, received for the
benefit of the Times Office.
eTy- Dr. s. B. NOBLE, after an absence Of a
few days, will again visit our village on profess
ional business, this week.