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

. H.. .r..... f3,s99,pV
Exhibiting an sincrease inone year IN tho
nett results of our domestic industry OF
nearly 100 per cent. Certainly, then, II
,,a ltsye not of late doubled OUR numbers
annually, we have clearly acquired. sound
er views Of domestic and pottlcai econ
Gpy. 49, .,....I.g AZ, -,
movement Of the past year, II 10 httips 70
seak with proper commendation Oh the
abor. OF your iInmediate predecessors. s'
x.They reduced The number oil mem
Srers composing the Legislature near
" .one.haii and provided for The
Submission to the people 4 OF an "a
oendmeut to the Constitution, limiting
Phe sessions of the Legislature 'to sixty
Mrs: which amendment am glad to say,
was ratified by very large majority. =
These TWO measures will eiact reelection
in the Legislative expenses Of at least
sa7 600. over the average hitherto.
In ramodetling the system OF Town ana
County organization, their legislation has
been found to give to these corporations
both more efficient and cheaper govern
ments. - ".-Ey ..",, af '- I'''4.'.
They also, in many other respects, re-
duced the current expenses OF the state
Goyerument and they wisely limited the
rate of allowable taxation by counties and
towns. Recognizing the fact that the assess
mepts of previous years weEo made con-
fessedly at speculative and fancy rates,
and that there had been no limit assigned
by law and almost none found IN practice,to
the ruinons rates Of taxation which these
subordinate c6rporation5 could impose,
thev abated theintereSt upon the delinquent
taxes of previous years, if paid before a
certain day. They had a double purpose
therein to relieve the people, as far a.s
possible. against tie effects Of Official ex
Irayagance Of the past, and to pnt the
finances of the State, in sounder condition,
by calling in, if possible, the Delinquent
taxes. As The same reasons yet exist, /
would recommend another attempt, by re-
,oittinp 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 the payment of
the large arrears yet due the State aa2t.
The last Legislature enacted q las rela.
ing to the assessment Of taxes, Intended 10
secure the Just and equal valuation OF. the
property Of the State, which IS believed
TO be. worthy TO remain lasting regula-
ton in that regard ,..-. A.ssua.ar, .n.t
1he election law of the same ses-.
sion provides increased and ample pains
ani penalties for any attempt to tamper
with the independence ot'yoters' 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 great degree, that prevention of
fraud which is better than any subsequent
punishment of tina perpetrators. ~. y
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 ljustjfies, the sere-
newed confidence and increasiag energy
and business activity, which, Tplioiste9 she
;ate and now passing .esehts efopolitisal
nsubordinatioh, began 10 De felt Through
cut the community. ~
/ believe we have every reason, toen
tieipate continuance of growth in pros
perity, if the various departments of gov
ernment, in legislation and administrator,
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.