Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1858-06-19
Special Message of MIR. SibIey.

ton Will therefore hold but one Convention
Special Message of MIR. SibIey.
To 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
judgement, will be most conducive to the
public interests.
Owing to the delay attendant upon the in
ducton into Office of the State officers elect,
made under the direction of the Auditor, has
not yet been commenced. The rolls have
been printed, and are ready for distribution
70 the Registers of Deeds of the several coun-
ties; but some weeks must elapse before
they can be placed in the hands of the town
ship assessors. l therefore suggest for your
consideration, that the time for the assess
ment 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 been
issued, are declared free from taxation, has
not been received here in an official form ;
but there seems to be little doubt that such
a decision has been made. In that case, a
very great diminuton will be the result in
the anticipated revenue of the State for taxes
the coming year, as ir the most Of the new,
and in some of the older counties, large tracts
Of land have been entered by pre-emption
but no patents have yet been issued therefor
| recommend that memorial be passed as
soon as practicable, by you, to the President
asking that patents be issued for all such
lands by the General Land Office, with the
utmost possible expedition, SO that they may
be included in the assessments for the comne
year.
1t will probably be found necessary, like
wise, to provide more specifically by statute
Tor separate assessments upon the improve
nents made on these lands, so that in case
the patents cannot be issued at sufficiently
early period to enable the assessors to place
the land itself on the rolls of the present
year, the burden of taxation may be as nearly
equalized throughout the State, as circun-
stances will permit. The man who holds the
duplicate of the land Office is really as much
the owner of his land as his ncighbor who
has received his patents, and mere techni-
caity should not shield him from sharing
equally with that neighbor, in supporting the
government which protects both alike in the
possession of their property. In the memo
rial to the President he might properly be
petitiOned to instruct the commissioner of the
General Land Office to cause to be transmit
ted to the Governor, to be filed in the office
of the State Auditor, a list of the patents is
sued, 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 ir his DOW
er to afford correct information to the asses
sors in the different counties, which they could
not readily obtain in any other manner.
In consequence of the depreciated value of
real estate every where, caused by the finan-
cial arrangements in the country, together
VIZ. Tue exemption from taxation OF so much
land, under the decision of the Supreme
Court re erred to, it would not be safe to base
an estimate upon the taxable property of the
State Of more than $35, 100000 or SAC, O,OOO,-
900. Should the next regular session of the
Legislature take place before The middle of
the year 1859, trust that by the exercise
of strict economy the expenses of the inter-
vcnng period may be met, even upon thatre-
duced basis Of calculation. To effect this,
however, it will be necessary for you to pass
a stringent law, to compel the collecting off
GERS in the different counties to pay into the
State Treasury, within fixed period in each
year, the amount for which such counties are
liable, for it is evident that the tax system
tolerated under the Territorial Government,
cannot be permitted to continue with safety
to the State. There is already due of unpaid
taxes from many of the counties between
$2G 900 and $4,000 which should also be
collected during the current year. 1t does
not appear from the books of the late Audit
or and Treasurer, that any money remains in
the treasury, and as the report of the LAT ter
officer, lately made to you, shows that nearly
all OF the $3.50, 900 has already been appro-
priated to meet Territorial and State liabil-
ties, leaving an amount only to meet the eX-
penses of your session and other necessary
demands, the appropriations for the support
OF the State Government, &c, must necessa-
rlly be in anticipation Of the revenue to be
derived from taxation. The constitution linn
its the State debt to $25O,0OO, so that no
further issue OF scrip or other evidences of
indebtedness 10y the State is allowable.
As the law authorizing the loan of $3.50,
600 imposed on the Governor and Treasurer
the duty of negotiating it, upon consultation
we deemed 1t most advantageous to receive
bids therefor, in the city of New York. and
measures have been taken to advertise for
proposals there until lst July next, in the
papers of that and other commercial cities.
l propose to meet the Treasurer in New
York On the 25th inst, it being advisable for
US to have personal interviews with leading
capitalists, before the expiration of the time
specified for receiving proposals. that we may
give such verbal explanations with regard to
the resources of the State, and particulars
connected with the contemplated loan, as
may be required. It is r.y intention also, to
visit Washington before my return, to urge
upon the President the necessity of causing
all the patents for lands in this State, which
have not yet been prepared, to be issued with
out delay.
The condition of the State Prison at Still
water, is such as to require the immediate
attention of the Legislature. A joint COM
mittee of the two Houses having been ap-
pointed with special reference to the subject,
you will doubtless be furnished with the
facts whereupon to base your action. The
institution should be placed under the imme
date supervision Of the State authorities, and