The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-06-17
special Message Of the Governor.
10 the Senate and House Of Representatives.

10 the Senate and House Of Representatives. ,
feel it to.be my duty to transmit to you,
information relative to the affairs OF the
State, and to recommend such action, as, in
my Judgment, will be most conducive TO the
public interests
Owing to the delay attendant upon the
induction into Office OF the State officers
elect, the assessment of property required to
be made under the direction Of the Auditor,
has not yet been commenced. The rolls have
been printed, and are ready for distribution
to the Registers Of Deeds Of the several
counties but some weeks Liust elapse be-
fore they can be placed in the hands Of the
township assessors. therefore suggest for
your consideration, that the time for the AS
sessment Of property be extended to the 18th
Of August.
The late decision Of the Supreme Court
Of the United States, by which lands owned
by individuals, for which patents have not
issued, arc declared free from taxation. has
not been received here in an official form ;
but there seems to be little doubt that such
decision has been made. In that case, a
very great diminution will be the result in
the anticipated revenue OF the State for taxes
the coming year, as in most Of the new, and
in some OF the older counties, large tracts OF
land have been entered by prc-emption, bu,
no patents have yet been issued therefor.
recommend that memorial be passed as
soon as practicable, by you, to the Presi.
dent, asking that patents be issued for all
such lands by the General Land Office. with
the utmost possible expedition, 40 that they
may he included in the assessments for the
coming year.
twill probably be found necessary, like
wise to provide more specifically by statute
for separate assessments upon the improve
ments made on these lands, so that in case
the patents cannot be issued AT IA sufficiently
early period to enable the ASSESSORS to place
the land Itself Oh the rolls Of the present
year, the burden OF taxation may be as near
ly equalized throughout the State as cir.
cumstances will permit. The man who holds
the duplicate Of the land Office is really as
much the owner of his land AZ his neighbor
who has received his patents, and a mere
technicality should not shield him from shar.
ing equally with that neighbor in support.
ing the government which protects both
alike in the possession Of their property. In
the memorial to the President he might
properly be petitioned to instruct the com.
missioner OF the General Land OfIice to cause
10 be transmitted TO the Governor, TO b..
filed in the Office OF the State Auditor, a list
OF the patents issued, with description OF
the land therein contained, in this State.
at the expiration Of each three months If
this could be- done, the Auditor would have
the means in his power TO afford correct in.
formation to the assessors in the dfcren,
counties, which they could not readily obtain
in any other manner.
In consequence Of the deprecated value
OF real estate every where, caused 10y the e.
nancial arrangements in the country, togeth-
or with the exemption from taxation of so
much land, under the decision Of the !Su.
preme Court referred to, il would not be safe
TO base an estimate upon the taxable property
OF the State, Of more than $4,000 900 or
S40,000,000 Should the next regular ses-
ion Of the Legislature take place before the
middle Of the year 1859, trust that by the
exercise Of strict economy, the expense Of
the intervening period may be met, even
upon that reduced basis OF calculation. To
effect this, however, il will he necessary for
you " pass a stringent law, TO compel the
collecting officer in the different counties TO
pay into the State Treasury. within a fxed
period in each year, the amount Tor which
such counties are liable. for it il evident that
the tax system tolerated under the Terrific
rial Government, cannot be permitted 20
continue with safety 10 the State There j.
already due Of unpaid taxes from many Of
the counties, between s25 900 and $50, 900
which should also De cOllectel during the
current year. II dos not appear from the
books OF the late Auditor and Treasurer
that any money remains in the treasury. and
as the repor, Of the latter officer, lately made
70 you, shows that pearly all Of the $3.50
600 has already been appropriated 10 mee,
Territorial and State liabilities, leaving al
amount only TO meet tbe egpenSs OF your
session and other necessary demands. the ap-
preparations for the support Of the State
Government. &c, must necessarily te 10 an.
tlcipation Of the revenue 10 b. derived from
taxation The constitution limits the State
debt To S25OOO0. % that no further issue oi
scrip or other evidences Of indebtedness by
the State l. allowable.
A the law authorizing the loan Of $780,
900 imposd On the Governor and Treasurer
the duty Of negotiating it, upon consultation
we deemed 1t most advantageous 70 receive
bids ,hsrefor, in the city Of New York, and
MEASURES have t,een taken TO advertise for
proposals. there until IL, July next, IN the
parsrs Of that and other commercial cities
prupoe 10 NEST the Treasurer in New
York Oh the 18th mt, it beng sdvaAbe
for us to have personal interviews with lead-
ing csEatsists. betose the erpiratioo Of the
time specified fN reoiving proposals, tbs,
Ne may give sseh yerbal explanations With
regArd ~ The rs,.grcs Of the state, and