Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-01-12

Gentlemen Of Me Senate.

md House IF Representatives.
Assembled for the FIRST time under
our biennial system Of Legislation, We
find causes for mutual eongrvtulation,
in the circumstances BY which we are
surrounded. AZ
During the past two years. the peo-
pie Of Indiana have enjoyed the ines
Unable blessings of peace. and Of
civil and religious liberty Although
in the course of the year through
which we have Just passed, some por-
tons of our State have been visited by
a fatal epidemic, and although, in
some districts, the earth failed 10 yield
its usual bountiful returns, to reward
the labors of the husbandmen: vet.
general health now prevails among
our large population: and the cultiva-
tors of the soil have gathered the
fruits Of the earth in sufficient quaint.
ties to meet the demands Of the home
market, and to furnish large surplus
for expectation.
notwithstanding the temporary Il.
nancial cmbarrassments, which unfort-
unately press around the commercial
and manufacturing interests of the
country, our great agricultural inter
est is in prosperous condition: the
farmer finds, a ready market and good
prices for his surplus products; The
rlaborer receives fair remunerationfor
his toll; the State holds position Of
great and increasing power among her
sisters of the Union: and the strong,
steady, and impartial protection of
our laws extends over Ill the inhabit.
ants within our borders. In such
circumstances, it becomes our duty,
as grateful people, 10 offer our thanks
to Almighty God, and TO acknowledge
our obligations to him for the nnu-
merable blessings which we enjoy.
In compliance with that clause Of
the Constitution which requires that
your chief executive officer rshall
from time to time, give TO the General
Assembly information touching the
condition of the State, and recommend
such measures as no shall Judge to be
cxpedient," invite your attention 10
several subjects, each Of which win,
no doubt. receive from you. before the
termination Of your present session,
all the consideration that its import.
ance demands.
Among the subjects Of legislative
consideration. the financial condition
Of the State demands your special al.
lention. II Is TO your action alone,
that the people must look for the pro-
lection Of their credit. the preservation
of their faith. and an exemption from
unnecessary burdens.
II affords me pleasure to say that
the fiscal affairs OF the State are still
improving. Economy has been OBJ
served in the public expenditures; and
whilei the interest on the public debt
has been promptly paid, the reduction
Of the principal has not been neglect
ed.
The amount Of the ordinary expen-
ses Of the state government, as'audit.
ed. and paid by the Treasurer. for the
year ending October 81. 1854, is
s54, 26l, a. which Is $49, 669, "A
less than the amount paid for the year
ending Oct. 81, 1853. This sum. rs
the ordinary expenses Of govern
ment composed ofa million and n quo
ter Of inhabitants. will compare very
favorably with tho ordinary annual
expenditures ofany State in the Union
being, per capita. four and one
third cents for each individual.
0n'the first day Of November, 1854,
the state debtof Indiana amounted to
S7.03i, 003.5o OF this sum the State
has liquidated the amount Of 2e7, e6q,
so, leaving. Of the public debt, the
sum Of 6,803, 1879. Of which sum
l 1863, iS9 is bearing two and half
per cent. interest, and the balance
5,040, 000,--i bearing five per cent.
The aforesaid sum Of 227,864, 80
having been paid by the State. under
The net Of the General Assembly Gre
ating the Sinking Fnnd, these stocks
remain on the books Of tho Agency,
the interest credited and applied annu.
ally to the reduction of the principal
Of the public debt. Hence, so far as
the interest is concerned. the stock be-
longing to the State is still considered
outstanding.
Satisfactory evidences Of the strength
Of the financial resources Of he State
may be seen in what we have accom-
pIishcd in the last ten years. During
this period, without estimating what
are called the ordinary expenses of
the State, there have been by taxation,
levied. collected and applied, the fol.
lowing sums, namely:
For The redemption Of principal and
interest Of scrip-2, ga, 6O5,o. Inter
est on the public debt. including the
payment Of the interest for January,
| l855-l, 79e,4l2.0. Payment upon
the principal Of the public debt
227, 864,5. Payments to The three
Benevolent Institutions - 6o3, 5O3,3.
Expenditures on the State prison
| 7l,4e, e-Making. 5.065, $3.50
| If to this we add the ordinary ex-
penses Of the State government for
the same period, amounting to 945,
1873. GO, we have the sum Of COIL.
o93,l8, equal to about eight ninths OF
the present State debt: raised from onr
people by taxation. at rate exceeding
| 500, 900 annually; five-sixths Of which
has been annually applied to the pay
ment of interest, and TO other objects
not included among the ordinary ex-
penses OF the State.
The exhibit heremade of the amount
49, r -