Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-01-14
GOVERNORS MESSAGE,
FelloU Citizens of the Senate, and House Of
ReDreSentakiUeS:

'SoSssssSSSSvs
Representing the Executive Chair, it be-
comes my duty, under the constitution, to
to the General Assembly, the
condition of the affairs Of the State, as ad-
mnistered in its several departments, and
to recommend such measures, as to me shall
seem expedient for your action.
The period that has elapsed since your
last biennial session, has been one of great
causes and anxious solicitude to
all classes of our citizens.
The first year Of this period was visited
with heavy and continuous rains, which re-
duced the measure Of our field crops below
one-ha,f the usual products, whilst the
financial revulsion which commenced upon
the Atlantic, in the fall Of 81, did not
reach its climax for evil in our borders, un-
til the year just past.
You need not be informed Of the disas-
trous effects produced by these two causes,
upon the hopes and condition Of our people.
Overtaken suddenly and Unexpectedly in
this misfortune, with heavy individual liza
bilities, with no facilities for obtaining
money, their property reduced to nominal
value, and no demand for it at any price,
thousands there are who feel that their
homes and their fortunes are in great peril;
and that this is so, would be worse than
idle to disguise. In this aspect Of affairs,
you may reasonably expect that strong APP
peals will be made to you for remedial leg
islation and doubt not that their expos
tulations will receive your very considerable
attention, and prompt you to put forth, in
your sovereign capacity, such powers as you
possess, to secure to them indemnity against
unreasonable and unjust sacrifices, yet in q
manner that shall guard and protect the
rights Of all parties interested.
would not, however, suppress the i'm
portant fact that the condition and affairs
of our people are taking favorable turn,
since the commencement Of the late none
tary crisis; large amount of individual in
debtedness has been liquidated-a rigid
system of rctrcnchment has been observed
liz the social ana domestic relations aud ex-
penditures of our people-but few liabilities
have been crcatcd--no malignant epidemic
has prevailed-the industry Of the people,
the last year, has been very well rewarded
with a fair harvest-cmigration is again
flowing in-the social condition of our peo-
pie is improving, and we have abundant
reason for devout and grateful acknowledge
ments to Him, VI hose goodness knows no
bounds, that we are once more being placed
in q condition Of advancement and pros
pcrity.
CENSUS OF 1859.
You will have before you neat print Of
the census Of the past year, taken in the
mode prescribed by the act that authorized
the same, at al expense only Of about
$6l8.7l. 1t fixed the population OF the
State at GAG $50, being la, l6S more than
the population, when the census was taken
in the year 1856, and will in all probability
reach 700, 700 by the time the Federal GER
sus is taken during the present year. The
agricultural statistics contained in the pres
cnt census, refer to the year 1858, and do
the field culture Of the State very great in
Justice. On account Of the heavy and pro-
tracted rains Of that year, it is concededcd
that our crops fell below half their usual
amount. Yet, as result Of our industry,
we had in cultivation over three millions Of
acres. And unfavorablc as was the season,
we cut over SOC, 600 tons Of hay-harvested
over 100000 bushels Of wheat-cribbcd
oyor % 600, 900 bushels Of corn-l SOC, 600
bushels Of potatoes-n manufactured near :
half million gallons 0fmolasses from sorghum
sold beef cattle and hogs to an amount
exceeding five millions Of dollars, and cx-
ported wool and lead, to the value u ;
million and quarter, &c.
But it is believed by the best judges, that
the year just past, would exhibit very
different table Of statistics that the beet,
pork, and wool crops have given IN excess
OF 20 or 25 per cent over the census year Of
'58, whilst the corn crop cannot fall short
Of fifty millions Of bushels, and the value Of
the sorghum molasses would reach the fig
urc Of 100000.
One or two more such crops accompanied
in other respects with the smiles Of > pro-
pitious Heaven, and adhcring to our resent
system Of domestic economy, will not only
re- assure but restore our people to their
wonted prosperity, and place them IN =
condition to grant rather than ask lavors OF
those Atlantic States and cities, which
have been heaping obloquy upon US because
Of our endorsements, which had its ORR
gin a much with them - with Us.
u.sry LEGISLATION TO BE AVOIDED.
Seventy. one Of the laws, covering 263
nacrs. we're passed the day and night pre-
cedinc tho adjournment Of the last Genera!
Assembly. 1t would be arrange. indeed, i
the enprossing and enrolling clerks could
copy and compare al these enactments, Tor
the siena ture Of the president Of the Sen
Ate and the sneaker OF the House, without
committine grave errors. It Is known, i'm
nortant Omissions and mistakes did occur,
while some very important bills had been
IN tm ,ed At tho cost OF much time, labor,
snd expense, failed Of their passage, for the
49, I H. hnnra time The mischief