The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1861-01-09
gRt cram gabtn Y.ns
Governor BIair's Inaugural Message

We have given the inaugural message,
from Gov. BLAu, hasty glance, and, in
the main, fed much 10 commend. There
Is peculiar distinctness in his suggos-
tons that give TO the whole message an
evidence Of its being the work Of deci-
dedly practical mind. So far as il relates
to national matters we can not feel to
sanction its ultraisms. But, Of course,
Michigan has not yet had quite enough of
the consequences of sectional strife to
make palatable more conservative tone,
and the closing part of Gov. BLAIR's in
augural is intended as sop 10 tickle the
party who have brought our country TO
the verge of ruin.
Whistle away, We black republicans,
and keep your courage up as We approach
your dooml You will need all the cour-
age that whistling and bluff will give you
in The fearful ordeal now at band
Our readers will remember how Gov.
BLAIR treated the defalcation Of MoKIs-
NEY, when making political speeches last
fall: .oa a- sI. .a fa"
"If you ask the democrats TO point TO
single instance of republican misman-
agement, they at once squeal out, John
Mckinney JOHN McKNSEY!! JOHN
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS That's their
whole stock in trade-when but $780,
900 90 can be shown rs wanting, and even
that is abundantly secured"
To-day we see by the journals that Nc
KINNEY has absconded withs134,0oo co.!
not accounted for and now hear sour
BLAIR" on this subject:
81 have not been able to see the report
of the late State Treasurer, if, indeed,
that officer has made any report. He
stands charged in the report Of the board
of State Auditors, whose duty it was an
nually to settle with him, and finally adj
Just all claims between him and the State,
with gross violations of law, and malad-
ministration Of his Office. There is rea-
son TO believe that the Treasurer is de-
faulter to the State in considerable
amount. For all the facts attending the
defalcation must refer you to my prede-
cessor. | earnestly recommend you to
make thorough and searching investiga-
ton into The condition and previous con-
duct Of the Treasury department, and il
any further legislation is necessary for the
security of the public monies, TO supply
tho same; to direct the Attorney Gene
raj Immediately to prosecute the official
bond of the late Treasurer, 10 which the
State looks primarily for its security, and
to use oil legal means within the power
of the State to recover The monies which
have been illegally withheld from the
Treasury. There ought to be no temper.
izing with defaulting public officer, but
the utmost rigor of the law ought TO be
applied to him. Officers in high places
Of trust who willfully misconduct them
selves, to the injury of the people, are
criminals of the highest grade. They de-
stroy public confidence, weaken the faith
Of men in the government and in each
other, and undermine the very foundations
of the public virtue" sa
Upon tho subject of the amount due
from the State to the new counties, and
upon which we said so much before the
election, in the hope that the voters o.
Ottawa County would act and vote like
rational men, and demand through the
ballot box the amount duo this county
from the State, Gov. BLAIR said before
election that "the amount due the new
counties was in taxes;" and so did other
wire pullers in our own county-for the
purpose of binding the voters and secu.
ring their votes for Freedom :" Now
hear the Governor in his message:
"The State is also largely in debt tc
the counties and immediate provision
should be made for its payment. rhes,
amounts are principally due to the new
counties, aud the natural and necessar,
harhships and cmbarrassments attending
new settlements, are largely increased by
their inability to realize the amounts du
them from the State 1t will be- shame
TO as if VIC allow this 10 continue"
On tho swamp land appropriation w
also tried to awaken the voters Of Ottaw
County 10 its management, so far as tn
Lake Shore Road is concerned; and no,
hear Gov. BLAIR on this subject:
g II is thought that there may be dan
ger, that among so largo a number c
Commissioners, the fund may be unncc
ossarily encroachcd upon by expenses G
J the commissions. ] recommend TO yol
TO consider whether the work might NO
be more economically, and still quite q
we'll done, either by a single Commission
or fol. each road, or by one or two commits
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