The Placer herald., 1859-01-08
Governor's Message.
-Hsspmb/Unien.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
n1rNro IanlnrY Sd 1853

,..,o,ors and :Assemblynen:
Se!'no SendIW1 been officially Informed that both
,incbes n" of the Legislature have organized,
to dseharse son Of the oy
by .nI ranrds me sincere pleasure to say that our
~ anS " are in a much more prosperous condition
flah0t onv other period since the organization
thaI, &C State. The interest upon the public debt
OF n0;no tni promptly paid, and our bonds rank as
Is Il. - p' in the market rs our sister States. Inc
nnassacaton by the people OF the unconstltutlonal
ratlo" M ""reoted by their reckless and eXtravagant
deb., d., hos done much both at home and abroad,
a8en a8:nsrro confidence in our integrity. Although
10 of our property has been shamefully squan-
much no have still ample means to lquidate this
dcleI' Lsore # becomes due. Let these means be
ueuvf u."fullv husbanded and provision made for the
cant nayment of the interest, and the prejudice
pP;thnrto entertained against us IN some quarters
hl.rVts aao, he removed. Economy and integrity in
WIN iiouaoement of public affairs are indispensa-
tne m" hMt trust you, gentlemen of the Senate
Die; ,o,blv who have been invested with the
anu A''o ~ LEGISLATION by the people, will prove,
power vou Close your labors, that these virtues
pevru orn and control your actions. The day has at
sot st comc when the people have found time to
atob m, the actions of their public agents; ana the
officer cannot expect to escape the con
unl"; unn"t;on Of a betrayed constituency. AS much
denh denuo ia now taken than formerly in the
lnVio of LEGISLATORS it is not doubted that all
e ,Do, come here with high and laudable ambl-
" t'o to do everything in your power TO advance
o .o' interests of the State, and promote the pros
nerity of the people.
Snecal legislation has hitherto done much TO
..:p.o ope' Tho State. Acts have sometimes found
i,9o.o nnon the statute book which were only
.soi .ner to aograndize individuals; and outside
onts have frequently controlled legislation.-
49, doom it nv duty to direct your attention
- ono Of the evils which has existed in California
oe wru as elsewhere, since the foundation OF the
Ctotn Government-I refer to the influence eXer-
c;sod ever legislation by those who are usually
o,Iled 81 ,ohby Members" Gentlemen ofinHuence
au, nd nostion are frequently found at the Seat of
Cnvornmnnt during the session of the Legisa
t,re selling ont their services to secure the pas
soao of laws Caring but little for the merits
of the measure they are ready for consdera-
ton to undertake its passage. If, as it is said is
generally the case, the fee is contingent their
energies and integrity are constantly taxed, and
means are used which sometimes throw suspicion
mnon the integrity of the legislator himself 1t
need not be said that when legislation is transfer
red from the Chamber and Hall to the "Lobby."
ths public treasury will soon he plundered.-
When the Legislature is used for the purpose of
passing bills concocted by SPECTATORS public
confidence must soon he destroyed and tie legis-
lative power brought into contempt.
Treasurtr's Report-The report of this Off
balance of s522.07O 26 in the Treasury. Our
indebtedness may thus be stated:
Bonds issued under the Act of 25th
April, 1857, ratified by the peo-
pie. $4,000 600 90
Bonds and Controllers Warrants
outstanding. for the payment of
which no provision has been made l43,4SJ G3
Making in the aggregate. 4.043,4S5 G3
The annual interest upon the debt as ratified
by the people S273.O00.
1t is quite probable that there are other de-
mands OF Just and equitable character against
the State which will swell the amount of actua!
Indebtedness to s4.l50.000 This will leave q
debt OF some $3.50 900 for which no provision has
been made. That portion of the debt which ac-
crucd prior to the first day of January 1857. I'M
der the view which | take of the question, will
require vote of the people before it can be paid
In this statement. the bonds issued ON account
Of Indian hostilitics are not included because
they show upon their face that they are to BE no
charge on the State Treasury. 1t is hoped. how
ever. that the Legislature will urge upon our
Senators and Representatives in Congress the
necessity of securing. if possible. at the present
session, the payment of these just demands of
our citizens, amounting in the aggregate to
$j45374.
1t will also be seen from the report that a
fraud was practiccd on the treasury to the
amount of S2225l. 1t was the custom of the
Treasurer, when bonds of warrants were pre-
sented for funding, to examine his books care.
iully and ascertain whether they had been prop
"rly registered and issued. The Fund Commits
sioners would then meet, from time to time, at
ms Office pass upon their genuineness. and see
mat they were correctly indorscd and cancelled
All the claims presented. of every character and
description, were closely examined by the Board
"eiore tney were funded. Some weeks after
'ieW ponds had been issued upon the stolen war
rants, list of those for the payment of which
MI. McMeans the former Treasurer had re-
ceved credit; was placed in our hands Steps
were Immediately taken by the Treasurer to Sc
cure the State, if possible against loss. The
question Is now before the Courts, and will
shortly be disposed of. The amount of out
Standing warrants which have never been pre-
%h'gd' and which must have been stolen from
!he treasury. amounting to S13623 20, making
IN the aggregate, S35s74 20. These warrants
were meie all properly registered, and there was no
wv Iolue1ce or mark whatever upon them that they
@ u"u ever been paid The thirteenth section of
arc Act OF July 3lst, 1850 prescribing the mode
g.. .ieceVlng. keeping and paying out the public
,hnuS hn makes 1T the duty of the Treasurer, son
nG payment OF any warrant drawn by the Con
Noller on him, he shall tahe the receiDt of the
Person to rhom the monev is paid. on the bork
.l me mo'rant, and carefully file away and pre-
thereof" 'n0iooh 'hc haiioer
fanS sae ne treasurer had complied with the law,
n,aaa "uu vi thls character could never have been
Io;roeG' Ion. u Again, on the I'd of February, 1856
nro "v ooliinttee was appointed by the Legisa-
Jonrral JONI, a"aer the following resolution (Senate
'oqfha page 2OS):
inc TTGavea' Th'' by the Assembly. the Senate concur
memhans hns' "a JOINT Committee, composed of three
Senato S's 81 vi the Assembly and two members of the
thn SNa oe appointed to examine and report upon
men of III" e transactions of the Treasury Depart
late 'nT State during the term of office of the
fnr I o'ate Treasurer, and that said Committee be
canco1aa a1unorlzed and empowered to cancel all un-
Send fou vouchers pertaining to the same, and to
If IF tha lor persons and papers. if necessary.
them 'he he committee had exercised the power given
cnld oy .ne Legislature, of course these warrants
lido nnt ntver s nave been gotten into circulation
Tro.' ' uouDt That they were stolen from the