The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-01-02
GOVERNORS INAUGURAL MESSAGE

Feocttzs,s Of the Seaate and House of Representatives.
After a period of years during which the Legislative
body has assembled meet charged with the duty
examining the laws and institutions Of the State correct
far may the of the past in the light Of experience
and provide wisely for the exigeries of the f
No higher trust than this, be reposed in citizen
As the Representatives, OF the people diligence and patriotism
will become An earnest regard for their rights
and liberties, is a solemn obligation upon
have the highest satisfaction in being able congratulate
you upon the general good order and prosperity of the
The past year has been OF great truitiulness
Bonnti harvest have put famine and distress far away
our doors No pesence has afflicted the people of the
but general good health has prevailed among them The laws
have been ceerfy obeyed by the Of the people, and
their ntracton by the criminal has been promptly punished by
wise and patriotic Judiciary The State has advanced rapid
N in wealth and population The census of 1860 taken under
the laws of the United States shows the population the
10 be- round numbers hundred and fifty thousand
Our soils rich and of great variety producing in abund
all the crops which belong to this latitude The State
possess forests of valuable timber which already
source of great increasing wealth In minerals Michigan
without rival Her mines Of copper and of the
very finest quality and thus far to be measureess
Coal also Of good quality is proved be abund
While the explorations for saline in the Valleys Of
the Saginaw and Grand Rivers have been entirely successful
Possessing great of territory surrounded three sides
by the greatest chain Of lakes the Continent furnishing
cheap and easy outlet the and the markets of the
world Michigan has all the elements of empire within her
SELF We have be thankful to that good providence
which is rapidly guiding in the Of great free and
happy commonwealth
The people Of the State have adopted with great unanmty
the amendment the Constitution proposed by the last Le
aure respect 10 the sessions of your body By that amend
men the limitation the length Of your session substantially
swept away Experience which is the of all nstitu
tonas proved that biennial sessions of forty days
always if ever sufficient enable the Legislature accom-
Ip work properly Under that system, somewhat care
less&te took the place Of that calm deberaton which is
absolutely essential the Of wise laws The only
limitation which remains the prohibition to Introduce any
bill into either House after the first fifty days Oh the SEES
sion shall have expired" And though this might be easily
evaded have doubt you VIII observe 1t IN good aith as
binding obligation upon you You will also remember that the
original limitation forty days was enacted IN accordance
with the almost universal demand Of the people at the time
and 10 correct what deemed great abuse No future
occasion trust will renew, among the people
desire to restore the limitation
1t becomes your duty under Section Article A. of the Con
stituon re-arange the Senate Districts and appoon
anew Representatives among the counties and districts
according the number Of white inhabitants, and civilized
persons of Indian descent members Of any tribe
1t will also be your duty divide the State into SIX Congress
sonal districts pursuant ratio of population fixed by the
act of Congress on that subject
In the construction Of these districts will be obvious,
Just and wise consider the fact that the regions
the State will population much rapidly thai
the older and the great inequalities likely to in tn