The Empire County argus., 1854-01-14

confederacy certainly entities her to increased con-
sidcratlOn 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 30th, exceeds two millions three hun
drcd and fifty thousand dollars an amount equal to
onc-sixteenth of the whole sum heretofore annually
required to dciray the expenses Of the National
Government. And the receipts of the first quar-
ter have been much increased, as to warrant the
belief that the present fiscal year the revenue col
lected at the different ports in California must con-
sideraby 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 3Oth day of June, 1854, as
S964450 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 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 S154,931 HI
Amount of gold dust shipped from California in
1853, $50, 800, 800 ~.
In reference to amendment of the Constitu-
ton, the Governor says:
''With a 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 the mode of
revising or changing the Constitution" contains
no provision requiring the convention, after closing
its labors, to submit the Constitution framed to a
vote of the people of the Sta, AZ general cleo
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 Consttu-
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 it
as fundamental and paramount law. | therefore
respectfully recommend that this section be SO
amended as TO require the convention to submit the
Constitution, after framed, to vote of the people
the same to have effect until adopted by ma
iory of the legal voters of the State, at general
election.
In engrafting On the Constitution these highly
important amendments | recommend the mode
bod e Arta
Of that instrument By adopting this mode of
amendment, the expense of "a convention, and the
excitement incident, will be avoided and the requ-
red changes to free the Constitution Of Objectionable
features secured in shorter period ftime 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 finally
disposed of by the last Legislature, also again
recommended to your favorable consideration.
BY adopting the reform proposed, it is believed
that annual saving will be effected to the State
of three hundred and seventy-onc thousand and sew
en- hundred dollars, as follows, viz
Surveyor General, 81 1000; Superintendent of
Public Instruction, 81 800; Biennial Sessions. Sill,
600 reduction Of pay to eight dollars per day
mileage one-half $4,000; limiting sessions to
ninety days. $I3 200 reducing transportation of
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 900; salary
of District Attorney of San Francisco, $4,000; to-
tal $37l,700.
A general curtailment of Legislative expcndi-
lures, and especially that portion of them incident
to the clerical duties performed would also seem to
be absolutely necessary
The enormous sum of one hundred and eighty 1.-TWO
thousand four hundred and twenty-seven dollars
and fortythree 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 last
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 a system of equal and uniform arpli-
cation.
Agricultural interests arc commended to the fos-
tering care of the Legislature Judicious legislation
of bona-fde settlers is declared to be absolutely
necessary lust and proper. a donation OF the
public domain in California, IN limited quantities,
to actual settlers in Oregon, Is suggested to the
Legislature as worthy their attention and effort to
obtain by passage of IL law by Congress The In
Justice of discrimination against us is pointed out.
But if Congress cannot be induced to change It's
policy and donate the public domain to settlers IN
California, and if the present act Is to remain In
force it certainly ought to be 50 amended as to ex-
tend, at least another year, the time allowed tor
pre-emption upon unSurueyed lands. If tins amend
ment be not made, and pre-emptiOn upon unsurvey-
ed lands prohibited after March next, the growth
and Improvement of the State must be greatly re-
tardcd and the interests of our people very inju-
riously affected"
For the purpose of recaiming the swamp and
overhowinp lands the Governor saws: g therefore