The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1858-01-20

Total S23, 732 IS
The first item that strikes our attention is the Attor.
ney Generals bill. The disproportion between his salary
and his extra services is great. The first is but $3.50
the last 81, 173 10. We would like to see a bill of par.
ticulars for the extra services. If the Attorney Gen,
erals services are extensive he should have a salary pro-
portionase. If not, he should have no fixed salary at
sl. If he is paid a salary for wearing the dignity Of
the Office and doing nothing, and we'll paid besides fo'
all his extra services we would for one object to the
arrangement.
We would ask in the second place who the 'Commis-
sioners Of Emigration are, to whom 1915 is awarded
for one quarters salary. We have heard that some such
officer is to be found in the city Of New York,-but what
his duties are We know not. We certainly do know that
we have never in any way heard of any advantage be-
ing derived to the Territory by his existence. The Ter
ri:ory needs no such assistants. Men of intelligence
and means find their way here of themselves. and paup
ers we do not want. It lie time that all such extraordi.
nary causes of outlay should be abated. Fifteen hun
dred dollars a year can be saved by the abolition of this
Office, and the interests of the Territory served to that
amount.
We have also a total sum Of nearly $500 expended
in the translation of the Governors Message into differ.
ent languages. This we consider an unnecessary outlay,
and more a matter Of qualification to his Excellency
than Of advantage to the State. The language Of
this country is the English, and to this all ~emigrants
should be taught sooner or later to conform. The re-
tention Of different languages in the community, and
their recognition by our legislatures can only tend to cs-
tablish lines Of difference among our people, who should
be as one. Moreover where large bodies Of foreigners
exist in our State they have their own newspapers into
which any important public document finds its way
When our finances are, IS they are now, embarrassed.
every species of unnecessary outlay should be Topped off.
We are struck by the recital of sums of money paid
for the public printing. This sums up an enormous
total $l4,590 expended in one year for printing! That
sum it seems to US would buy out all the printing Offices
in 81. Paul. The celebrated J. r. Brown gets about
one half of the amount. We would much like to have
some information as to the details of all this outlay. 1t
will be noticed that the bills for printing make up near
ly uo-third Of the sum total of the amounts drawn
upon the Treasurer for the year. If this is an unneces-
sary leak in our financial Golfer it should be stopped at
once. 1t is certainly an enormous one.
The Treasures Report shows a rather crippled state
of the public affairs. 1t must be recollected that the
above sum Of $2S, 1872. As was not the amount pail our
by, but the sum dr"on on the Treasurer. The real
amount paid out was %, 1927, leaving a balance due
on these drafts Of $l4 1886 18. Besides this it seems
that the Treasurer sold the Bonds Of the State to the
amount of $1,000 with interest at the rate Of 20 per
cent per anuum to defray the expenses Of the extra
session of the Legislature; which sum makes with the
former amount . total of $27, 1886 Is owing By the State.
Of this amount S., 100 comes due in May next. Add
r Ahy 0Se 10 ~. -.
session Of the Legislature and the printing bill for the
year, make the 6rst $1,000, and the second $l4, 900,
and We have a total, Independent Of the salaries CT the
different Offices Of government, and other contingent ex,
penses Of ST ,385.l8. Apportion the salaries and con-
tiugent expenses upon the basis Of the statement of
drafts for this year, making an aggregate Of 81, $50 81,
which added &c the former amount makes a total of
$54,925.15.
1t d:nst likewise be recollected that hitherto we have
been in a state o. : ~.rupilage Or ~wardship and the United
States has paid many Of our e1 .rense'' snch as the 'ala'
ries Of our Governor, our Judges of the SUPP" eour''
&c. Now, however, in addition to all the foregoing vast
accumulation Of indebtedness we will have to foot the
salaries Of that numerous lit of officers we lately elected
This will add At least $40, 900 more to the amount above
mentioned, making a grand total Of indebtedness at the
close Of tho present year of at least $3.50
What have We to pay this with? The rhole amount
received BY tie Territory from tares during The gear
1857 ~as s8,746! We may therefore calculate upon
perhaps $S,746 at the end Of 1858 to pay an accumula-
ted debt Of SIS 900.
In view Of this state Of our finances there are two
things to be looked to. First, strict economy in the ad.
ministration Of the Government. Every unnecessary out.
! lay should be discountensnsed The Legislature should