St. Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1861-01-11

d. . q -
Exhibiting an, ,increase inone year ln1hso 1ho
mott results of our domestic industry OF
nearly 100 per cent. Certainly, then, II
we have not of late doubled our nutn6ers
annually, we have clearly acquired sound
er views Of domestic and pohtlcai econ
mny. - - @,.,r.,,t az, O.,
While reviewing the progress and inn
movement Of the past year. it ID lifting to
sneak with. proper commendation OF, the
labnr Of Your Immediate predecessors. '.r'
.r.Tbey reduced the number oil MEM
s,ers composing the Legislature near
" .one-halL l and provided for The
Submission to the people Z OF an .a-
,mendment to the Constitution, limiting
Me sessions Of the Legislature TO sixty
HSys which amendment, | am glad to say,
Was ratified by a very large majority =
These two measures will eject a rcddction
in the Legislative expenses Of at least
$4,000, over the average hitherto. ~ :. =. =
In renodefling the system of Town and
County organization, their legislation has
been found to give to these 'corpofations
both more efficient and cheaper govern
ments. 80 '..EU .laWtE<l y CJtsGCa
duced the current expenses of the State
Government; and they wisely limited the
rate of allowable taxation by counties and
towns. Recognizing the fact that the assess
ments of preyionsyears weFo made con-
fessedly at speculative and fancy rates,
and that there had been no limit assigned.
by law. and almost none found in practlce.to
the ruinons rates Of taxation which these
subordinate corporations copla impose,
they abated theinterest upon the delinquent
taxes of previous years, if paid before q
certain day. They had a double purpose
therein to relieve the people, as far IS
possible. against tie effects Of official ex:,
trayagance of the past, and to put the
finances Of the State in sounderN = condition,
by calling, in, if possible, the delnqpeQt
taxes. As The same reasons, yet exist, |
would recommend another attempt, by re-
hitting the interest due on delinquent
taxes levied under She' old system of taxa
tion unlimited by law if received prior to.
a certain tirneg to sepursL the payment of
the large arrears yet due the State. a'FTfso
The last Legislature enacted a Law rela.
ing to the assessment Of taxes, intended 10
secure the Just and equal valuation Of. the
property Of the State, which is belieyyed
TO be. worthy TO .remain lasting regulaa-
ton in that regard ,,,.sl. ks.o,a..y.. ,rj.
o1he, election law of the same ses-
sion provides increased and ample, pains
ani penalties for any attempt to tamper
with the independence of'voterss or the
purity Of the ballot box: '~qhe provision
therein for. tie registration Of voters, I
changing as it does, the time and manner
of making the proof Of right to vote,
while it addsno new and unconstitutional
qualification of such fight, should accom-.
plish, in great degree, that preventioa of
fraud which is better than any subsequent
punishment Of tina perpetrators. vi 80
Such is a brief statement, by no means
exhaustive, of the labors and accomplish
ments for us, Of the year that, has just
closed 1t explains and ljustjfes thessre
newed confidence. and increasing energy
and business activity, whichsv vptiosstc the
;ste and now passing 1esefits efspolitisAl
nsubordinatioh, began 10 be fslt thrdughsl
out the community. Ebl
Il believe. we haye every, reason to-en.
ticipate . continuance of growth 10 pros /
perity, if the various departments of gov
ernment, In legislation and administrator, |
ss well a. the people in individual effort
bearsever 80 mind the bright future, the
sl0riouS destiny of our State, easy or ac-
codnpiinhnsnt u not inevitable, while acts:.