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

Exhibiting an increast none year III 'ho
MOTT results of our domestic industry OF
naartv 100 Der cent. Certainly, then, II
,r have not OF late doubled our numOers
annually, we have clearly acquired sound
er views Of domestic and poht'ctti econ
apy. ..--..-.....,
While reviewing the progress and i'm
movement Of the past year. ii ID httinS 10
s,eak vita proper conmeudation OF the
labcr of your immediate predecessors.
,s.Vhey reduced The number oil mem-
sers composing the Legislature near
~ e.haii, ami provided for The
submisslon to the people OF an a.
Uendment to the Constitution, limiting
phe sessions Of the Legislature 70 sixty
M,rs: which amendment, | am 6 lad to say,
was ratified by very large majo,ity.-
These Two me asures will eject reelection
in the Legislative expenses of at least
$4,000, over the average hitherto.
In rsuodeiling the system OF Town fna
County organization, their legislation has
been found to give to these corporations
both more efficient AMI cheaper govern
ments. ...-
They also, in many other respects, re
duced .he current expenses OF Tie State
Government and they wisely limited the
rate of allowable taxation by counties and
towns. Recognizing the fact hat The assess
ments of p.eyiona years were inaee con-
fes sedly at speculative and fancy rates,
and that there had been no limit assigned
by law and almost none found in praciice,to
the ruinous rates OF taxation which these
subordinate CORPORATIONS could impose,
they sbated theinterest upon the delinquent
taxes of previous Years, If paid before &
certain day. They had q double purpose
therein to relieve tue people, as far a.s
possible. against the effects Of Official ex
Iravagance of the past, and to pnt the
finances Of the State in sounder condition,
by calling in, if possible, the deiihquent
taxes, As The same reasons yet exist, |
uould recommend another attempt, by re-
,oittipe the interest due on delinquent
taxes levied under -the' old system of taxa
ton unlimited by law. if received prior to
a certain time: to secure tile payment of
the large arrears yet due the State. s'.''
The last Legislature en,cted a las reia:
ing to the assessment Of taxes, intended 20
secure the Just and equal valuation OF. the
property of the State, which IS believed
10 be worthy to remain lasting regula-
tion in that regard ,,,.na..s, ...a
1he election law Of the, same ses-
sion provides increased and ample pains
ani penalties for any attempt 10 tamper
with the independence ot'voters' or the
purity Of the ballot box. The provision
therein for tie registration Of voters,
changing as it does, the time and manner
of making the proof OF a right to vote,
while it adds'no new and unconstitutional
qualification Of such fight, should accom-
plish, in d great degree, that preventioa of
fraud which is better than any subsequent
punishment of tha perpetrators. .
Such is brief statement, by no means
exhaustive, of the labors and accomplish
ments for us, Of the year that. has just
closed. 1t explains and .iustjfies, the re-
newed confidence. and. increasing energy
and business activity, which, pIioiato she
late and now passing .esefits ef political
nsubordinatioh, began 10 De felt Through
out the community. ~
L believe we have every reason toen.
ticipate continuance of growth in pros
perity, if the various departments of GOV
ernment, in legislation and administration,
as well as the people in individual effort,
bear ever In mind the bright future, the
glorious destiny of our State, easy Of ac-
complishment if not inevitable, while act.