Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-10-24
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GOVERNORS MESSAGE
Gentlemen Of The Senate and House Of Repre-
sentdtiUes:
1t was a great disappointment to me to be
disabled BY sickness from entering upon my
official duties at the opening Of the session of
the Legislature. Rising so recently from
an attack of Illness, without the opportunity
or physical strength to investigate to any
considerable extent the public requirements
Of the State, | cannot make this commu-
nication so practical in detail, or complete in
statement, as might perhaps under other cir
cumstances have been realized. The deficiency,
however, is of little const quence, inasmuch as
Vefmontcrs arc proverbial for their goo man.
agemcnt of public affairs, and a quick sense of
the prophecies Of things in all public transac-
tons.
The returning autumnal season has again
brought together the General Assembly to con-
suit for the public welfare, and enact laws to
promote the same. Looking abroad over the
State we observe that the bounties of Provi.
dence have been most generously dispensed,
and we are surrounded with the evidences of
plenty in mart in field, flock and herd that
the people have prospered in their undertakings
of industry; that VIC have been exempt from
pestilence or the ravages Of wasting sickness,
and that the domestic security Of society has
been undisturbed. For these and other bless.
ings, our public Acknowledgements are eminent
ly due, and should be gratefully expressed, to
the Lawgivcr of the Universe.
The inhabitants of Vermont have doubtless
preserved as much of our early American
character, and of the simplicity and purity of
free institutions, as those Of any State. They
are nowhere excced for the blessings of Just
and equal laws, by general intelligence well adj
minstered, and for a remarkable equal distri-
button of property, accompanied by that fru-
| gality and thrift which ensures comfortable
homes and substantial independence to large
proportion of the population. Our somewhat
| stubborn, but strong and retcntive soil our
| bracing climate, and the necessity which nature
here imposes for industrious, persistent labor,
| combine to train people capable of much phvsi-
| cal endurance and of heroic and manly deeds {:
and the influences of climate, of mountain scene.
ry, and the aspects of physical nature generally,
stimulate the Imagination, refine the scnsibili
tics, and exalt the mind. Freedom and Uni
| ty" is their motto, and they drink in the spirit
of liberty with the air they breathe.
From statement by the Treasurer, pub
lishcd in the Report of the Auditor of Accounts,
gather the following facts in regard to the
standing of the State Finances on the 4th Of
September, 1861
RESOURCES.
Balance in Treasury and due from
Banks, s36,jl7, 80
| Due on Taxes voted be
fore 1860, S2.d5S.S7
| Due on Tax of 1860 26,12l 20 - 28,SS0 | 9
" payable Oct. 10, 1861, 90,645,97
| Balance due from II. VI. Bates, 4S,431, "a
S20i,475, 10
LIABILITIES.
Due Banks for contributions to
Safety Fund, $l3,l25, 90
Balance due Towns for U. s. Sur
plus money, 5,l63,O4
Loan of 1857, due Nov. |, 1862. 100000 90
Loan of 1859, due Nov. 81, 1864, 100000
DO 1860, due July l. 1862, 100000
" 1860, due July |, 1861, 100000
S20S, 2SS, O4
The Treasurer states that it will be necessary
to provide means for the payment OF the loan
of 1857, of SlOO,OOOOO, at the present session
of the Legislature.
In his recent vaedictory address, my prede-
cessor states that up to and including the 4tt
of Oct. 1861. the amount of warrants drawn
| by him upon the Treasurer is S5l2,362, 80
The Treasurer nformes me that since
the 4th Of October last warrants
have been drawn in addition to the
above to the amount of 5S,904 2;
Amount thus far expended in recruit
ing and fitting out regiments for
the service, S57l,266,S4
From this may be Il Quoted the
amount reimbursed by the Secre-
tary of the United States Treas
ury, which my predecessor states
is 100000
Leaving the sum of 44S,266,S4
70 this may be added the extra pay
of 800 per month thus far dis
bursed by the Treasurer, 2S,02O,3f
And the amount disburscd on Gov
ernor's warrants in aid Of soldiers
families, 1856, Il
sl79Oj3 3;
There are other liabilities outstanding incur
red for military purposes, the amount OF which
cannot now he definitely stated.
In attempting to make an approximate est.
mate of the military expenses of the current
year, remar! that each Soldier of Vermont
in the service of the United States, by the au-
thority of the State is to receive from this State
the sum of 800 per month, or $4,000 annu-
ally. The amount to be paid them the current
year will be about as follows:
Five regiments of infantry, manly ID, 3D.,
4th, 9TH and 9th regiments, supposed to aver
age about 1000 men each at SSi,O 90 each, the
year, $420,000,00. The regiment Of cavalry
recruited by Colonel Platt under commission
from the War Department, if by act of the
Legislature authorized to come under the pro-
visions of the act for raising six regiments fnl
the service, passed at the special session III
April last and thus counted as part of the quo
ia of roops to We furnished by Vermont, vii
add about 1000 men, at SS4 90 each, SS4 0O0,-
90. If in order to make up the States quota,
two more regiments should be authorized there
will be about 2000 men thus added, at SS1, 0C
each, Sl6sOO0,O0. Also, the expenses of re-
cruitng furnishing and fully preparing them
for service. say about $l00,000,00 for each reg
iment, $200,000,00. Making total military
outlay of about $S72000,00. To the above
may be added the States quota OF the United
States tax on incomes and real estate imposed
by Congress in August last, S2ll,06S,00
Making an estimated total expenditure for the
current year, above the ordinary expenses o.
the State, of about 81 ,0S3, 06S,00.
The above expenses may be lightened by fur
thor reimbursements from the United State,
Treasury. In offset, Congress may impose al
additional tax at its coming session. OF these
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