The Nevada Democrat., 1858-01-13

of the payments Of interest on the State debt,
is given:
The expenditures for 1855, 81 427, SIT OF
The receipts for the same period were.... s9os4s 81
The excess Of expenditures for that year. s4S6s 20
The expenditures for 1856, we're. 81 O9O,912 1e
Receipts for the same year were. ......... Ss6023 As
Excess of expenditures for 1856. .... si44,sSs II
And during the past year. ending the 3lst Of
December 1857, the receipts 81 1852, 2S4 90
The expenditures for the period 699SOS "a
Excess of receipts for ls57......... S452, ,43O is
The cash in the Treasury on the 9th of Jan.
was $418,5 ,52l 48 and it is estimated that there
will be q surplus of at least four hundred thou
sand dollars in the treasury on the first of July
next, provided the sum expended by the present
Legislature does not exceed the amount of the
last; and the Governor very justly remarks that
the expenditures should be much less this year.
He recommends that the surplus on hand be
appropriated towards the payment Of the State
debt, after retaining in the treasury a sufficient
sum, which with the ordinary receipts will de-
fray tho expenses of the State Government
U nder our present revenue law, it is quite GER
tain that larger sum will be collected than is
necessary to meet the wants of the Government,
and in view of this fact. the Governor recon-
mends that the rate of taxation for State pur-
poses be reduced from seventy cents to tifty-fve
cents on tho hundred dollars. The rate of tax
alton provided in the State Debt Bill, for the
payment of interest on the funded debt which
is thirty cents on the hundred dollors will pro-
duce q sum not only sufficient for the payment
of the interest, but it will also yield consdera
bic surplus each year to be appropriated to-
wards the redemption Of the bonds.
The law of last winter legalizing the State
debt, which was endorsed by the people at the
late election, provides for the funding of S3,-
100000. The amount now authorized TO be
funded is $500, 1865 SO, which will leave a
surplus of $l97 ,634 Al. There are, however,
just claims against the State which the Cover
mends be audited and funded. This will leave
a surplus of S6,7O5 81, which will probably be
absorbed as many of the bonds will not be pre-
sented until after the date up to which interest
has been calculated.
The practical operation OF the revenue law,
go far as it relates to the collection of taxes is
found to meet the most favorable expectations,
and needs but few amendments The sum de-
rived frem poll tax is much less than it should
be, and if possible more stringent provisions
should be made for its collection.
The receipts for the stamp tax for the six
months ending Dec. 3lst. was $53,Oo3 21, and
the gross expenses 1882 2S. This involved
the cost of getting the law into operation, bat
as the business has now become systsmatized,
it is estimated that the total expense will not
hereafter exceed $500 per annum. AS the
collection of this tax is far less expensive than
any other, the Governor recommends that the
law be retained on the statute book, with such
amendments as experience have demonstrated
to be proper.
The Governor argues at some lengt that the
proposition for calling Constitutional Con-
venton was defeated, but recommends that the
proposition be again submitted to the people.
He also recommends that provision be made for
commencing the erection OF = State Capitol, at
an estimated cost OF s3OO,OO The erection of
such building, with proper regard for dura-
bility, will occupy three years-involving an
appropriation Of 100000 by the present and
each of the two succeeding Legislatures.
The attention Of the Legislature is directed
to the present condition of the State Prison, and
the deplOrable condition of the prisoners; and
Gov. johnson very justly remarks that although
these people are felons, and may be deserving
their sad fate, yet humanity dictates that they
should be treated as human beings. He sug-
gests that hereafter each county be made to
assume the expense and management of those
convicted in its courts, and that each county
Jail be made q branch of the State Prison, as in
that case the State would be saved heavy ex-
pense. He seems to have ignored the fact that
the several cOuntiesare over burdened with debt
and less able than the State to take charge of
c0nvicts. The labor Of convicts would never
remunerate the counties for taking charge of
them, as not one county in ten would think of
setting them to work.
The Governor recommends the establishment
of House Of Refuge, separate aud distinct
from the State Prison, for the punishment of
offenders under sixteen years of age that laws
be passed relating to apprentices, to prohibit the
carrying of concealed weapons, and defining the
qualifications Of druggists and physicians He
also recommends that the attachment law be
amended, making its provisions less severe !;
that the insolvent law be materially modified /;
that the homestead exemption law be amended
SO as to require the property claimed as home
stead to be recorded in the county in which it
is situated, and occupied as residence by the
family; that the law relating to sole traders be
SO amended as to restrict the wife to such busi-
ness as is suitable and becoming her sex; that
the divorce law be so modified as to require the
District Attorney to appear in opposition to all
such applications that the law relating to evil