The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-01-17
sOvERNOR,S MESSAGE.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.,
Minnesota Territory. :

N EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.,
Minnesota Territory.
Gentlemen of the Council and House Of Repre-
sentatiUes -
1t has pleased Divine Providence to per-
init you again to meet at the Capitol to con-
slider the measures necessary to be adopted
for the future welfare and general prosperity
of our Territory. The year which has just
closed has been one of most extraordinary
prosperity to Minnesota; every element OF
wealth has poured in upon us from the States
with such rich prOfusion as to astonish the
most hopeful in our future development. Ihe
agricultural products of the past year have
more than doubled those of any former one;
the increase of cash capital has more than
trebled; the quantity of land entered by act
ual settlers has far outstrpped that OF any
former year; and our population, the only
sure foundation of real wealth and greatness
has more than doubled. These and other
evidences of healthy and prosperous growth
are attributable to the goodness of KIND
Providence in blessing us with healttul cii-
mate, a good soil, and a remarkably intelll-
gent and enterprising population. 1t has al
so been the administrative policy of the Ter
ritory, to secure peace and quiet among the
people, and thus to avail ourselves OF the
capital enterprise and population, that would
otherwise have gone elsewhere in the great
West.
1t is but just to the dignified character and
standing of Minnesota to say, that her pros
perity has been greatly promoted by the care
full avoidance of internal strife about ques-
tons of National policy; and even in her own
internal affairs a free expression OF opinion
has been tolerated with forbearance and
good sense that may be pointed to with pride
and satisfaction in all time to come.
From sources deemed reliable, l am able
to state the population of the Territory at
about one hundred and eighty thousand souls.
and feel justified in saying that this is rath-
er under than over the estimate made by
many who have taken some pains to inform
themselves on the subject.
1t is proper to state that the taxable prop
erty in the Territory amounts to between
thirty and thirty-ive millions of dollars even
at the low rate of assessment made by the
officers appointed for that purpose. The re-
turns made by twenty-four counties, show
an assessment of twenty-four millions of dol
lars.
In view of our population and wealth, it
seems to be matter of necessity that steps
be taken to throw off our state of depend
ence on the National Government, and as
sumo the mantle of State sovereignty. Even
should the most speedy organization be made
to this end, our population must run up to
two hundred or two hundred and fifty thou
sand people, and our taxable property reach
fifty or sixty millions of dollars at least, be-
fore Congress will probably admit us into
the Union. 1t is necessary to examine this
question with some care, and to exercise that
prudent and sound judgment characteristic
of our intelligent fellow citizens. The only
advantage We derive from remaining politi-
cal ward of the National Government, is, the
annual appropriation made by Congress to
pay the expenses of Governor, Secretary,
three Judges, the Legislature, and the Incl
dental expenses thereof, amounting in all to
about thirty thousand dollars. The Marshal
and District Attorney will continue, under a
State Government, to be appointed and paid
as at present.
If, therefore, the present tax levied and
collected for Territorial purposes, of ten cents
on each one hundred dollars valuation, be
continued without the least increase, it will
raise fund of more than thirty thousand
dollars, enough to pay all the ordinary ex-
penses of State organization. 1t is mani
fest that our present tax of ten cents on each
one hundred dollars valuation is as high as
need be to support State government, il
the col Getting and disbursing officers faith
fully perform their duty, which, it is very
likely, they will be required to do, when the
people have to bear the evil and burden oil
their neglect. Then, the Legislator will be
held to strict and just accountability to his
constituents for every dollar he votes out OF
their pockets, and we shall thus secure more
rigid system Of economy in public expditures
In addition to this, we may fairly calculate
upon the increase of the value of taxable
property from year to year, and therefore
avoid any necessity for increasing the per
centage of tax to be levied for ordinary State
purposes.
| In this connection am forced to the ne
cessity of asking you to scrutinize the sub
ject Of Territorial taxes, and especially the
disposition which has been made of the funds
raised from year to year for Territorial pur-
poses. The last assessment amounted to
more than twenty-three millions, which will
yield fund of about twenty-three thousand
dollars at ten cents on each one hundred
dollars valuation, while every draft on tie
Treasury will not amount to eight thousand
dollars. This tax, under proper construc-
ton of the law, must be paid to the Collect
ors without deduction, and with very little
delinquency under our tax system.
Many counties seem to increase their in
debtedness from year to year without any
apparent canse. trust that all faithful rep
resentatives of the people will give this mat
ter their attention.
am satisfied that under State organiza-
ton, public economy will take the place OF
that seeming neglect, engendered especially
under system of government dependent on
foreign support.
1t is necessary to a proper understanding
OF this question, to inquire what hope there
is, that the Congress of the United States
will ever again make appropriations for our
support.
l consider myself authorized in saying that
there is great reluctance on the part of the
present Congress to grant us much further
aid as Territorial government, because we
have larger population and more internal
resources for self-support than any former
Territory at the time of its application for ad-
mission as State, and because it is expected
of every Territory to ask admission when its
population is sufficient to entitle it, if State
to one Representative in Congress. If ad-
mitted into the Union this day, we would be
entitled, according to the present ratio Of
Congressional representation, to at least two
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