Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-01-14

ErOWsng out o. rash sBd incoustderste To-
slation Of this description cannot fail TO
address itself to the mind Of . prudent lee-
islator, and feel myself shut IN to IL
duty Of respectfully but earnsstly urging
npon you the correction Of this great evil.
need not say that - the sapreme law
giving power Of the State, you are charged
with IN important trust, which the public
welfare demands shall be executed with
wise caution, and faithfulness that shall
comport with the solemnity Of your CON-
mission.
DITUREs.
Your attention is invited to the reports
OF the Treasurer and Auditor Of the State.
pear that the liabilities of the State amount
to $3.50, 1929. This sum is made up Of
three amounts quite disimilar in their
character, and al Of which, with some con-
fusion of ideas, have been designated IS
State Indebtedness. The first consists Of
100000, borrowed by the State in the
winter Of 1858, upon her bonds, running
ten years 1T seven per cent. The second
outstanding warrants, amounting to $780,
1862, payable upon presentation. The
aggregate of these two sums-S23O, 81
constitute the entire present indebted
ness Of the State. The third sum of 1922
295.75, is part Of the school fund, which
belongs to the State, is held by the State
in trust for educational purposes. 1t is
true, the State pays interest on this amount,
not to creditor-for the relation of debtor
and creditor does not sxist-but to the
school fund itself, as upon . debt ; owner
ship is not indebtedness. This money is .
part Of the proceeds OF lands granted to the
State, and is IS much the property OF the
State IS the lands were 1t the time they
were granted. She has wisely dedicated
the interest upon this fund to the support
of system of common schools. In paying
this interest, she does not make herself Z
debtor, or divest herself Of the right to con-
troll this fund rs to her may seem best
She may At any time change her constitu.
ton and apply the five per cent fund and
the proceeds Of the 100000 acre grant t.
any other purpose. deemed this explana
ton due, for the reason the constitution
forbids State indebtedness above $3.50,
600, and If in the sense Of the constitution
the receiving and holding this fund is ,
debt, then has the State precluded hersel
from demanding and receiving about mil
lion of dollars due her from the Genera
Government, on the five per cent fund
Such is the amount and character of our Ii
abilities. 1t will be observed that but ,
small portion Of the same will mature anG
be required to be paid during the next two
years. In contrast with this, tho revenue
resources Of the State show that its finan
cial affairs are in q very satisfactory condi
ton, as it leaves large excess Of asset.
over liabilities.
The balance in the treasury, and in course
of payment through the banks, the dclin
quent taxes now due from the counties, ant
the State tax Of the year 1859, amount il
the aggregate to six hundred and eight
thousand six hundred and nine dollars ant
forty-eight cents.
The Auditor estimates the expenditure!
for the two fiscal years, commencing No
vember 7th, 1859, and ending the LIST Mon
day Of November, 1861, exclusive Of appro
prations for charitable institutions ant
other special purposes, at $4Ol ,7l9 Y
whilst the estimated resources Of the STATE
for the same period, exclusive Of the salin,
and school funds are put down at $858,
6O9.48. The above figures exhibit hand
some margin upon which the State may
prosecute to completion her various Chart
able and other institutions.
Tbs first great duty Of the State un
aoubtedly is, to administer its affairs in al
the departments OF the public service, upor
as economical a scale as possible, consistent
with the public good.
The expenditures for ordinary purposes
during the two fiscal years ending on the
eth OF Nov. last, amount to $500, 1857
whilst the extraordinary expenses for tho
same period, amount to S2l2, l57 AS ma
king an aggregate of $57S, 356.02. l have
no knowledge Of any State in the Unior
whose ordinary expenses, when viewed il
connection with the nature Of our pOlitica
organization, the extent Of our population
and territorial limits, will compare NOR,
favorably, or whose people pay lighter
State tax for the privileges they enjoy, thar
do ours. This fact, it is believed, will moi
escape the attention OF the emigrant who
is or may be seeking home in the grea'
valley Of the Mississippi.
BOARD OF EDUCATION.
Our Educational interest will claim your
special attention. On the 18th OF March
1858, the General Assembly passed an ac'
entitled, Gan act for the Public instruction
of the State Of Iowa" This act, with the
exception Of those portions Of it which pro
vided for levying taxes and appropriatine
money, was subsequently, declared uncon
stitutional by the Supreme Court. The
Board OF Education at its first session, hello
in December, 1858, were much perplcxeC
in determining the extent Of their jurisdic
ton, fearing on the one hand that they
might encroach upon the powers Of the
General Assembly, and on the other, that
they might fail to perform to the full ex
tent the duties required Of them under the
Constitution.
After much reflection and elaboration
with some slight alterations. 1t took effect
on the first day Of March last, and under i,
our school system has operated as success
fully as we could reasonably expect in view
Of y change from q system with which
they were familiar, to one materially differ
ent in its essential features. Objections
have been made to some Of its provisions
but in the main it appears to have given
satisfaction.
The Board at their recent session held
in December Of last year, made variety o.
amendments, which they believe will re-
move all valid objections.
Under the provisions Of the Constitution
all laws passed by tho Board Of Education
are subject to alteration, amendment or re.
peal by the General Assembly. Tho law
~ amended will BE- laid before you for your
consideration; and il is earnestly hoped that
you will only make such additions to it q
you may deem essentially necessary to give
it vitality without materially changing its