The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-01-12

ence TO the condition of the Treasury and
the management of the financial affairs of
the State, | respectfully refer you to the
Reports of the Auditor General and
State Treasurer, in which the whole OPP
erations of those departments are given
in detail.
About eighty-fve thousand dollars was
levied last year for the support Of the
State government, by direct tax. This
is at the rate of 4s-lO0ths of mill upon
the dollar of valuation, and about ten or
twelve cents to the person Of our popula-
ton.
1t will not fail TO attract your attention,
that the expenditures for the operations of
the State government exceed its fixed aud
ordinary income, and TO avoid taxation,
resort has been had, to meet the appro-
priations of the Legislature, TO the prin-
cipal of the University, Common School
and Swamp Lands, commonly known as
the Trust Funds, and upon which the
State pays the annual interest. l res
pectfully submit for your consideration,
whether sound economy and correct
craftsmanship, does not require that the
revenues Of the State should meet its or
dinary disbursements, and whether it will
not be necessary, to accomplish that OBJ
ject, to increase the rate of taxation. A
State, like an individual, would feel far
more independent and able TO accomplish
much greater amount of public good, if
she were entirely relieved from debt. A
vigorous effort in theright direction, would
soon relieve us of burden which reyives
q painful recollection of youthful folly in
incurring debt of more than two mill
ions, from which we have derived little or
no benefit.
j respectfully refer you TO the report
of the Superintendent of Public Instruc-
ton. for detailed statement in relation
TO the condition of the various Education
al Institutions of the State. The Uni
versity, the Agricultural College, the
Normal School, and that still more use
ful institution the Common School, are
all in flourishing md satisfactory cou-
dition, each Indispensable, and endearcd
still more and more in the hearts of the
people. 1t is believed that no State of
the same age and population with ours,
has exhibited the same liberality in the
construction of commodious school edi-
fees, and voluntary taxation of great Sc
verify for the support Of teachers and the
construction of School buildings, is no
uncommon thing among our people,
Wise and liberal appropriations, on your
part, to sustain such institutions rs rely
upon your fostering care, will be, there
fore, sure to receive the appreciation of
discriminating and enlightened constit-
uency.
The Revised Constitution of 1850 con-
templated the establishment of an Agri-
cultural College, and the Legislature of
1855 took the initiative in an enterprise,
which, trust, will accomplish much for
the welfare of the State in the improve
ment and elevation of It's most valuable
class of citizens. The idea of combining
mental with physical training, and apply
ing them to that great branch of labor
which produces our food, and which sup
ports and sustains all other classes, is
worthy Of the progressive spirit of the
age in which we live; and, if it succeeds,
we cannot estimate the benifcial results
which will flow from it.
The College was organized upon new
farm, year ago last May, and, although
it has encountered unpropitious seasons
and other embarrasments, yet its success
has fully equaled the expectations of
those who had its management and con-
troll. II has been constantly filled by
class of young men of industrious habits
and correct department, and whose rapid
advance in literary attainments, it is be-
lieved, are not exceled in any other in
stitution. A bill passed the lower House
in Congress, at the last session, making
a liberal grant of the public lands for the
endowment of Agricultural Colleges
trust you will lend your influence to Sc
cure its passage through the other branch
of Congress at its present session. In n
few years, when the Agricultural Farm is
brought under cultivation and improve
ment, it is believed that it will be nearly
or quite self-sustaining, but at present it
will need your support.
The number of children taught in our
Common Schools the last year was, one
hundred and seventy-three thousand FIVE
hundred and fifty.nine; two thousand
three hundred and twcnty-three male
teachers were employed, and four thous-
and eight hundred and ninety-three fe-
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