The Nevada Democrat., 1858-05-26
NEVADA CALIFORNIA, WEDNESDAY MORNING, MAY 2e 1858

tdres which may not be unlnterestlng TO the
people of California.
When retired from Office on the 9th Of JAN
uary 1856, the civil debt of the State, inclu-
ding the school fund, amounted to the sum of
S3,264 ,269 46, and we now have the assurance
Of Governor johnson that the total of our State
Indebtedness may be estimated at $3,900,000,
thus admitting that during his term of Office
1.-TWO years. the debt of the State has increased
the sum of $635,740 54. This statement, it
should be borne in mind, is based upon Gov.
Jehnson's own estimate Of the amount OF State
indebtedness and leave it to his successor
and history to determine how far short of the
actual fact his estimate will eventually prove
to be.
When assumed the duties of Executive on
the Sth OF January, 1852, tho State of Califor-
mia had not erected and did not own public
building Of any kind whatever, aud there was
not in the Treasury q single dollar of school
fund. During the four years was in office, n
school fund amounting to about $450,000 was
realized from the sale of public lands, and the
interest to be set apart and applied to the sup
port of common schools. A State Prison build
ing and prison wall were erected, and State
Insane Asylum was also projected, built, and
comfortably furnished.
In the erection of the above named public
buildings, and other similar objects which form
no part in the ordinary expenses of the State
government the following amounts were ex-
pended under the direction of the State Legis-
lature, viz For the relief Of the sick, about
81, zoe, 900, all of which, with the exception Of
1886, 900, was expended under and by virtue Of
laws passed before l came into office; Size, 900
for the census of 1852, taken in compliance
with constitutional requirement and in accord
ance with an act passed by the Legislature /;
$350,000 in the erection of the State Prison
and walls; $l50,000 in the erection of the In
sane Asylum at Stockton, and the purchase of
necessary furniture for the same. The con-
tracts for the erection of the prison building
and Insane Asylum were made by persons Sc
lected by the Legislature and not be the Gov
ernor.
The sum of SAG, ,O3l was paid to Sheriffs for
guarding State prisoners before the erection Of
the prison.
These several items, in the aggregate, amount
to the sum of $l,S66,03l.
At the time, the large appropriations made
for hospital purposes and for the relief of the
sick and destitute, were regarded as indispensa-
bly, necessary under the peculiar circumstances,
and those who voted for them were applauded
by their constituents for so doing The census
was taken at time when the services of COM
petent men could not be obtained for less than
sic per diem, and of course the enumeration
cost, perhaps, double the sum that would be re-
qured for similar services now.
The State Prison and Insane Asylum were
also erected before any considerable reduction
had taken place in the prices of labor and ma
terials But these improvements were at the
time regarded as necessary, and but few, under
the circumstances advocated postponement or
delay.
For these so highly necessary objects, the
large sum OF 81 1856, ,031 was expended during
the four years in which had the honor to 90
tha Guh atn al chair md al af IL was
over and above the amount required to defray
the ordinary expenses Of the State government.
1t should alse be borne in mind that during
the years 1928 and '54, the salaries of officers
and employees, the per diem Of members of the
Legislature, and rates demanded for all services
performed and materials furnished, were ex-
ceedingly high. Reform in these particulars
when it could be justly accomplished at all,
could only be inaugurated by the Legislature,
to which they were again aud again urged by
me, as the'records prove.
But irrespective of this consideration, main
tain that exclusive of the sum Of Sl,SG6,03l, ex-
pended as above stated for Hospital purposes,
for the census of 1852; for the State Prison
building and wall, the Insane Asylum building
and furniture-to Sheriff's for guarding State
cOnvicts, Notwithstanding the exhorbitant pri-
ces which had to be paid for services rendered
as well as for every article purchased by the
State, can with the records oil tne otate before
me, demonstrate to the satisfaction of all, that
the State debt Of California was not increased,
as much during tho four years was in office as
it has been during the past two years.
By reference to the public records, messages
of the Governor, annual and special, it will be
seen that have repeatedly urged upon success
sive Legislatures reform in matters of expen-
dtures, and pointed out the reasons, whereby
upwards of three hundred and fifty thousand
dollars could be annually saved to the State
without, in any manner materially interfering
with the public business.
have deemed thus much due to myself and
the history Of the times.
With q grateful remembrance of past favors
on the part OF my fellow citizens in California
and a deep and abiding interest in the welfare
and continued prosperity Of the State of my
adoption, remain your obedient servant,
JOHN BIGLER.