The Georgetown news., 1856-01-17
Gov. BIsIer's Message.

SA~ASACA40)
it as an able and comprehensive document;
and, barring slight shade of pettifogging
in regard to the past course Of the Cover
nor, it is manly and liberal in its tone. We
have room only for a brief synopsis, for
which we are indebted to the Golden Era:
He opens by stating that there has never
been period when our State was more in
need Of judicious and honest legislation, and
expresses his entire confidence in the integ-
rity of the members of both branches of the
present Legislature.
He justifies the embarrassing financial
condition of the State by calling attention
to the disadvantages under which it has la
bored; the failure of Congress to provide
a territorial government, which imposed up
on it in its infancy, when without means
and without credit, the heavy expenses of a
State government; that the Legislature was
compelled to issue the three per cent. bonds,
the interest upon which soon amounted to
more than the principal; that this act forced
upon US the issuing of scrip, and the conse-
quent payment of two prices for every State
service and expense; that upon the organi-
zation of the State government, we were
without public buildings, for the erection of
which large appropriations had to be made
including 100000 for the support of the
sick and destitute; that the Constitution
provided for government too expensive
for our incipiency-a government which
even now exceeds the requirements of the
people and the condition of the treasury;
that our population was unsettled, and the
resources Of the State undeveloped But
that Notwithstanding all this, the credit of
the State has been well sustained abroad,
and that at this time its financial condition
will compare favorably with that of most
Of the Western States.
He recommends that ample means be
provided for the instruction of the young,
and cOngratulates the Legislature on the
condition Of the School Fund, which a
mounts to half million of dollars.
The whole number of State prisoners now
amounts to four hundred and twenty-seven.
Since the month of June they have been I'M
der the supervision of the State, and the be-
lief is expressed that henceforth escapes will
be less frequent, and the expenses of the in
stitution considerably diminished.
He recommends a more strict economy
in legislative expenses, and in the several
departments of the State government; also,
biennial sessions of the Legislature, instead
of annual, and such other changes in the
general administration as will harmonic
Herewith. He recommends amendments
to the Constitution, and calls attention to
the absence of a provision making all con-
stitutional amendments subject to the direct
ratification of the people by ballot.
The total amount of the civil indebted
ness of the State, exclusive of School Fund,
is $2,906,376 Al. From this deduct cash
in the treasury, $ll2,106 OIL, and other
credits, amounting in all to s48O,11O 70,
and it leaves the unprovided debt of the
State, S2,324,158 76.
He reiterates the unquestionable right of
the State to extend the water front of San
Francisco, which he believes can be done
without injury to the harbor, and recon-
mends that it be made the duty of State
Agent to keep watch over the water lots,
and prevent them from passing into the
hands of individuals.
He submits to the Legislature the follow
ing amendments to the Constitution, from
motives of economy: The abolition of the
Office of Superintendent Of Public Instruc-
tion, the duties to devolve upon the Secre-
tary of State. The assigning of the duties
of the Quarter-master General to the Depu-
ty Secretary of State. Also, the abolition
of the Board of State Prison Directors,
leaving the Warden, in connection with the
Governor, Secretary of State, State Comp
troller and State Treasurer, as Board of
Prison Inspectors, to manage all its affairs.
The number of miles of water bitches in
the State, for mining purposes, amounts to
1893 miles, which have been constructed at
a cost of S6,34l, 700. In addition to this,
one hundred and twelve canals and bitches
are in process of completion. The quartz
mills are put down at 80, which, during the
past year have crushed 222,O60 tons oi
rock, producing $4,82,1OO. Several coun.
ties are not included in the estimate.
OF agricultural products during the past
year, the value has been Sl2,697, ,l28; live
stock, $l5, ,744,692; fruit trees and grape
L 10 O4