Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-01-08
GOV. BANKs's ADDREss.

The constitution of the Commonwealth
commands frequent sessions OF the Legisla-
ture, for redress of grievances, correcting,
Strengthening, and confirming the laws, and
for making new laws, as the common good
may require.
Assembled in obedience to this command,
we cannot fail to make humble acknowledge
ments for the signal mercies with which Di-
vine Providence has blessed our people.
The past year has been one of general health
and peace within our borders. 1t has en-
riched us with the profits and pleasures of
industry, and the varied treasures of earth
and sea and though unforeseen calamities
have for the moment.swept from US superhu-
GUS wealth, we have acquired wisdom and
new strength with which to reconstruct our
fortunes.
The ancient system of town representation
has disappeared. The honor and the institu-
tons of the State are inseparably identified
with men who have been trained to useful
and patriotic service in these little democra-
ces. 1t will be fortunate if the constituent
eies which have replaced them shall produce
as able and patriotic Legislators.
The funded debt of the Commonwealth is
| $l,3140O0. Provision has been made for
| $l,09S, 900 of this debt, leaving balance of
| $2l5,0O unprovided for.
|
its payment there is in Western Railroad
Stock Fund $2l7 900; State tax of 1856 and
| 1867, still unpaid, 1926, 900; and cash in the
treasury, $4,000; making the sum of $497,-
900 ; and leaving balance after the payment
| of the loan, of $l9l, 900, which can be ap-
| piled to current expenses whenever it shall
be received.
The current expenses of the last year
amounted to 81 1862, SOB. The receipts of the
| State from all sources were 81, 483, 1876, Of
| which $735, O4l were raised by State tax.
The receipts from ordinary resources this
| year are estimated at $702, 900. Unless the
ordinary expenses of the current year be re-
| duced below the standard of last year, there
will be deficit of 1868, 1903, to be paid by
| State tax equal to that amount.
| | make no question that the expenditures
| Of last year were necessary and proper The
continuance, however, of an annual expendi-
ture, for the ordinary business Of government,
OF 81, 1862 900. will not. in my judgment, adj
| NIT of justification or defence. | recommend,
| therefore, a rigorous retrenchment of expen-
| SEES, the discontnuance of commissions as far
| as practicable and reduction in the number
| of public officers, as far as it may be done
| without detriment to public service. l COM
mend to your consideration the inquiry
whether consolidation of the Courts of Pro-
| bate and of Insolvency may not be advanta-
| geously made, and also whether there may
not be made limitation in the salaries of Of
hcers now paid in fees.
The cost of the legislative and executive
service may be materially diminished, and
the annual sessions of the Legislature greatly
shortened. 1t is incredible that the people of
this State can require that one-half of the
year should be devoted to making new laws
a. AL..- L H. i
in my judgment, that the diminished num-
bers of the present Legislature will shorten
the session. 1t is not yet settled whether
large or small assemblies have a more fatal
facility in consumption of time or appropri-
ations of money. Nor will constitutional or
statute limitations OF the term remedy this
| difficulty. The experience of other States
| will show that, at the expiration OF the term,
| public business is unfinished or is hurried
through with dangerous and discreditsble
haste. There are no rules for the exclusion
of business that will relieve the session, for
public business that is excluded in one form
easily finds admission in another.
know of no remedy for the evil to which
l refer, but patient and persistent attention to
the business of the session.
To obtain this result, i recommend that fixed
and sufficient salaries be established for men,
in lieu of compensation in other forms, and
upon condition only of actual and constant at
tendance upon the sessions. In my judg-
ment, the State will be best served by the pay
ment of liberal salaries to legislative and
| judicial officers.
The people have right to call into service
| their ablest men, who, in their turn, should
| have right TO demand, not as high COM
| pensation as trade or professional pursuits
| would offer, but such, at least, as will be
| equal to their proper support while in public
| service.
The rules of deliberative assembly should
be framed upon the principle that members
| are in attendance, and not as is sometim els
the case,upon the idea that they are absent
| Very little is gained by any attempt to sup
| press discussion. Every measure should be
| thoroughly debated at its appropriate stage
and then determined. The frequent repetl-
ton of debates and test votes. upon the same
subject, invests result, oftentimes, with
many of the attributes of a chance decision,
! and detracts from the dignity of elaboration.
| A more general responsibility for the ex-
| penditure of money, would be obtained, by
including in proper appropriation bills, spe-
| cihc appropriations for specific objects. Ev-
cry member who is held responsible for pub
/
sent and dissent upon every item of appro-
! priation, as it regards the amount paid, the
party to whom paid, and the source from
| whence drawn. An immediate and general
responsibility thus obtained, will give pro-
lection to the Representative, and security to
the public.
Upon such principles of action, think it
| possible that the session may be brought to a
close in sixty days, and all the public bust
ness deliberately considered. So far as have
been able to examine the subject in the brief
| interval that has elapsed between one period
| of public service and another, l am of opin-
that there may be effected, with liberal regard
to the public service, retrenchment in ex.
| penditures Of nearly three hundred thousand
dollars, as compared with the expenses Of last
year and this with a change in the manner
of defraying the expenses of ons branch Of
service, to which | shall call your attention,
will reduce the deficit which appears to exist
upon comparing the current receipts with the
current expenditures, upon the basis of last
| year, from the sum OF $640,O00 to the sum
OF $267 900. And if to this deficit of S267.-
00D can be applied the balance of Sl9l 900
remaining after the payment of the Temporary
loan referred to, it will reduce the amount to
$66,000, to be met and paid by State tax
equal to that sum. Any conclusion of your
labors that approaches to such a result, will
probably be received with public favor.
A chief cause OF excessive legislation.
which is one of the evils of our times, is the
idea that legislative renown is to be obtained
only by personal identification with the sue
cess OF new measures Nothing can be farth-