The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-01-15
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.


You have had conferred upon you and
YOU have accepted the duty of caring for
guarding, and promoting the interest o.
the State. This duty, at all times re.
sponsible, is at present much more than
ordinarily SO, for the reason that the Ma
ton of which We are a part is engaged in
Civil war, most wantonly and wickedly
thrust upon us by bad and designing men.
! doubt not you will address yourselves to
the discharge of this duty calmly and
earnestly, seeking wisdom and strength
fftem Him who is King of Kings and Lord
Of Lords.
The Constitution requires that shall
communicate to you the condition Of the
| State, and recommend such matters as
may deem expedient, and now proceed to
the performance of that duty,
REVENUE AND TAXATION.
The expenditures of the last two years
for all State purposes have been about
| $500 900, for each year. This includes
both ordinary and extraordinary expendi-
tures-the amounts expended for the In
sane Asylum, the Penitentiary, the Blind
Asylum at Vinton, the printing of the Re-
| vised Statutes, and other extraordinary
objects, as we'll as the amounts expended
in carrying on the ordinary operations of
the State Government. The expenditure
has not in any case been permitted to cx-
coed the appropriation, and is materially
| less beth for the PealteHtiary and Insane
Asylum, aud has in all cases that have
come under my obscryatit been carefully
and economically made. In my judgment.
there is not another State in the Union in
which the protection of Government is ex.
tended to as large population, so widely
scattered, more economically than in our
own. But while this is true, il is equally
true that our finances are not in healthy
condition. The Report of the Auditor Of
State diseleses the somewhat startling fact
that of the State tax for 1860 and prece-
/ dug years, there was at the date of his
Report {the 4th day of Nov, 1861 de-
linquent and unpaid the large sum OF
about 2400, O00--a sum more than suf-
6eient to cover the entire expenses of cur
State Government for one year. This
large delinquency has occurred mainly
within the last four years and the same
Report shows there we're at the same date
warrants drawn ON the Treasury to the
amount OF sl03,645, which were unpaid
/ for want of funds, most of which were
/ drawing interest at the rate of eight per
cent per annuin.
From these facts the following conclu-
sions are inevitable: lst., That during
the last four years there has been levied a
State tax larger by about 100000, than
the necessities of the State required. End
That this was rendered necessary by the
fact that only portion of our people paid
the tax due the State 3rd, That The
State has been compelled yearly to pay
large sums by way OF interest on variants
which need not have been paid had the
taxes been collected promptly and The
Treasury kept supplied with funds tc
meet all demands upon it. 4th., Tha,
the State, being compelled to purchase its
supplies with warrants, has had to pa,
higher prices than if i, had had the cash t
pay. 9TH, That the tax paying portion
of eur people have thus been compelled I,
pay not only their proper share of tn,
public burthens, but also the share o
those Who did not pay their taxes, increased
by interest and high prices. These thing
should not be SO, They reflect discredi
not only on those of our citizens who seel
to avoid their just share of those burden
which are imposed upon all for the benef
t of all, but also upon the laws which permi
them to do SO with impunity. therefor
very earnestly recommend to your atten
ton a careful examination Of our reyenu
laws for the purpose of ascertalning if the
can be made more effective in enforcin
the prompt payment of taxes.
| The leading features of q coed revenu
9 law in my judgment are: lst.. The in,
position of such penalty for the non pay
inent Of taxes when due as will make
Enthusiastically the interest Of every Ia
payer TO pay promptly. End, The assur
ance to the purchaser Of property at ta
!, sale of valid title at the expiration of
! fixed time. There is in my opinion niue
y misapprehension in the minds of man
persons on this subject. Some seem I
8 think they receive no value for the none
. paid ly them as taxes, and that they 81
J therefore not culpable in avoiding pay
!, ment if they can. Others. whilst they ae
. NIT there is some kind Of doubtful oblig,
! ton upon them TO pay their taxes, If cor
~ ycnlent. yet insist that any stringcncy
= the laws to compel paymen. would be VI
Just aid oppressive, aud slsss nv ,sc..a,
penalty should be imposed for non-pa
ment than the interest allowed BY law b
tween citizens These arc radical error
Every citizen is protected by the Stat
% in life. liberty and property, in all he b
as and all he may acquire, and in all b
ne honest efforts for further acquisition, al
T. in return, he is bound as good ci,iz,
or 10 render obedience to the laws To n.