Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1858-06-19
eceived can be used for that object, without

az appropriation for the purpose. The price
charged by the Express Company is 81 80
per SlOOO, which is 81 less per thousand
than the ordinary rates for the transportation
OF specie. l recommend also, that means be
provided for supplying the Auditor with a
fire-proof sale, for the protection of The
vouchers and other important papers Of the
State and that small appropriation be made
to purchase, Tor the office Of the Attorney
General, suitable furniture, and to meet the
necessary contingent expenses of that office.
The sums required for these different OBJ
jjects, are Indispensable to enable the State
officers properly to discharge their duties.
and if the appropriations are made, most of
the funds can be paid, after the treasury shall
have been replenished by the receipt of taxes
No law has been passed authorizing the
employment by the Governor of a Private
Secretary, and [ ask an appropriation of $500
for the payment of such an officer. for the
current year.
The Constitution requires that laws shall
be passed at the first session to rry out the
provisions of the Article on the Executive
department. The duties of such of the State
officers shall be defined as infinitely as posi-
bic, SO as to ensure unity of action among
them. The Statutes of other States afford a
guide which may safely be followed in your
legislation, with reference to these particulars
The amendment to the Constitution, adopt
ed by the people on the 18th of A pril last,
authorizing a loan of the State credit to the
vides for additional legislation, and recon-
be plain and guarded in its phraseology, SO
that there may be no misapprehension as to
its requirements. An appropriation of mon
ey will be requisite for the engraving and
printing of bonds, &c. 1t is questionable if
banking associations will be formed under the
law as it now stands, and if it is not your OBJ
ect to discourage the organization of such
institutions, it will be necessary to change
at least, the feature relating to the payment of
the Bank Comptroller. If but one bank be
created, it must pay the salary of that officer
and all other expenses attendant upon the is
sue of nllls, &C., and if several should be or
ganized at different periods, it will be almost
impossible to make a fair pro rata distribu-
ton of the expenses among them. For this
and some other reasons, among others, the
small rate of interest they are authorized to
charge banks, under the existing condition OF
things, will probably not be put in operation
in this State, before a favorable change shall
occur in the finances of the country.
The Treasurer of the State has not yet
given bonds for the faithful discharge of his
duties as required by the constitution, no
law having yet been passed to give effect to
the provisions of the article on that subject.
| ask your early attention to them.
The act creating Il township organization
is defective in many of its details, ard should
undergo an entire revision. 1t is desirable to
simplify it, so that while all the essential pro-
visions be retained, it may be easily under
stood and carried into operation. The pow
ers of County Commissioners which are to
a certain extent, devolved upon the Chairman
of the Board of Supervisors in the townships.
who are required to meet at stated periods for
the discharge of such duties, might be lim
ted, with advantage and economy, to much
smaller number of individuals.
The appointment of State Engineer would
be of much benefit to the public interests, in
aiding the Governor to decide properly upon
the questions, which will doubtless arise un-
der the loan amendment. between the State
authorities and the Railroad Companies, with
regard to the character and extent of the
work to be performed by the latter, to entitle
them to receive the State bonds, recommend
that such an office be created
On the 25th day of May last, authorized
the Secretary of State, in an official commu-
nication, to apply the Territorial Seal as the
Great Seal Of the State, for the authentica-
ton of documents. 1t will continue to be
so used and regarded, until provision is made
for the permanent Seal of the State
In my opinion, the number of Senators
and Representatives might be much dimin
lshed, so as to decrease the expenses of Leg
isative sessions. | therefore suggest for
your consideration, that there be a law passed
for changing the election districts, and for
the reducing the number Of Senators to not
more than twenty five, and of members of
the House of Representatives to fifty. Be-
lieving that Congress has no constitutional
power to require q State to be divided inte
Congressional districts, refrain from recon-
mendng that such action should be taken bv
you. That question is one Of policy, which
concerns the State alone, and which is not
properly within the control of Congress. If,
therefore, you deem it for the advantage of
the State to divide it into Congressional dis
tricts, then it should be done, but not other
wise.
With reference to the time for the meet
ing OF the next Legislature, to which | have
already advertcd, | recommend that it be
fixed for July or August, 1859. The state
of the finances demands rctrenchment in ev-
cry department, and there is no good reason
why all legislation Necessary for year or
two to come, may not be accomplished at
the present session. If any exigency of suf-
ficient importance should arise to Justify
special session, the Governor has the power
to convene the Legislature by proclamation.
Some measures should be taken by the
Legislature to promote immigration to our
State, We now labor under the dlsadvan-
tage of having our interests unrcpresented
at those cities in the East from which emf
grafton is principally directed to particular
States and Territories. If it should be
made the interest of some Of the great COM
mercial firms in New York, which have
branches in the principal cities in Europe,
as well as in this country and which are
connected 'Ii;h Agencies for the encourage
ment and protection Of emigration, to use
their efforts and influence in favor of our
State, by the diffusion of statistical and
other information abroad, much will have
been done to add to our population. l leave
it to your wisdom to devise some plan where
ny we may be placed on an equality with
other States, which are employing men and
means to induce immigration to their own
soil.
Your attention having been called to sew
eral other measures of much public impor-
tance in the Annual Message, it is not requi-
site that should recapituiate them here
They will doubtless receive from you due
HENRY Ii. S1BLEy.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, st. Paul, Min, June
18th, 1858.