The dollar weekly bulletin. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1862-1864, 1863-12-17
NE E5 - "A O. II
GOVERNOR BRiMLE TrE..
General Assembly of Kentucky,
DECEMBER SESSION, 1868.
Gentlemen ofthe Senate and House of Repre-.
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We have reason to be thankful to q benei
cent Providence for the more favored auspices
under which you assemble than greeted your
immediate predecessors Our present exemp-
tion, and the strengthened hope of yet higher
security, from the danger of rebel invasions
and predatory incursions of guerrillas, togeth
er with the bounteous productions which have
rewarded the industry of our people, and the
| blessings of health and general prosperity, are
| the bestowments of "a divinity that shapes
/ our ends, which must attract our gratitude
and command our thanksgiving to Him
| whose ways are not as mans WAYS" s-,.-
The Constitution, in prescribing the powers
and duties of the Governor as Chief Execu-
| tiye requires that ''he shall from time to time,
I give to the General Assembly information of
| the state of the Commonwealth, and recon-
Elend to their consideration such measures as
he may deem expedient." In obeying this re
quirem ent, it affords me qualification to be able
to lay before you the condition of our Treas
ury, as shown by the reports of the Auditor
and Treasurer. Taking the last four years as
| an illustration, it appears that our Treasury is
in better condition than any previous period
of our history. The comparison presents the
following contrast, at the end of each fiscal
year, viz:
Balance in Treasury October 10, 1s6O...S 54s 81
Balance in Treasury October 10, 1S6l...2S0 Ill 65
Balance in Treasury October 10, 1662...4597OS 80
Balance in Treasury October 10, lS63..S0S, 1897 90
The interest upon our public debt has been
promptly paid.
This condition is the more gratifying, when
we consider the fact that many of our counties
have been so overrun by rebel invaders, and
desolated by guerrillas and marauders, that no
revenue could be collected within them. In
this connection, it is proper to suggest that re-
lief should be extended to the collectors of
revenue in those counties where collections
were impracticable, owing to the exposed con-
dition OF the country.
As connected with our finances, it is prop
er to bring before you the defalcation of the
late Auditor, Thos 5. Page An examina-
ton of his accounts from 1858 to 1859, al
though not thorough, has developed an en-
bezzlement of $50, 362 50, of which 81 $50 has
been paid, leaving $SS, 1872 62 against him.
Amongst the earliest acts of my Executive
duties was an order directing the Attorney
General to institute suits for the recovery of
the amounts composing such embezzement.
There is long period of years prior to this
investigation, for which this officer is respon-
sible, and during that period there has been
no inquiry into the accounts. | made an
effort to have an examination, but the short
time intervening your assembling did not ad
nat of it. 1t will require.a labor of some
months, by good accountants, to satisfactorily
explore the accounts. l recommend the ap-
pointment of two or more commissioners, to
investigate and report upon the condition of
the accounts of that officer, from the COM
mencement to the end of his services. If the
investigation be properly made, it will prob
ably enable the Commonwealth to secure a
large proportion of the sum found to be due
in the settlement of his estate in the hands of
trustees, which is now depending in the
Franklin Circuit Court The statute of limi
tations certainly releases the sureties anterior
to the year 1858, but does not interfere with
tho YrosaontiOp of tho claims tho do
faulting officer | recommend that you provide
for the appointment of commissioners to in
vestigate and ascertain the extent of the EN-
bezzement for each year from the commence
ment Of that officers services.
This case suggests the grave omission ofl
proper legislation in reference to such cases.
Except as to the Treasurer our penal code is
silent No penalties ere provided against any
other officer for embezzlement of public mon.
eys | therefore recommend that our penal
code be so amended to punish, criminallv,
all officers who may be guilty of embezze-
ment of public moneys.
The condition of our common schools will
be exhibited in the report of the Superintend-
ent of Public Instruction. The fund consecra-
ted to purposes of education has been presery-
ed inviolate. To give TO every child in the
Commonwealth substantial education, is a.
mongst the highest duties devolved upon the
law-givers. Every effort to increase the
IdCllIGleS Vi euuCdIlOui duu ID elevate Tue
grade of instruction, will have my hearty co,
operation. ..s..
The reports from our eleemosynary institu-
tions, which will be laid before you, will
inform you of their condition, progress and
wants.
The Lunatic Asylums at Lexington and
at Hopkinsvile the Deaf and Dumb Asylum
at Danville; the Blind Asylum at Louisville;
the Asylum for the Feeble Minded at Frank
fort, are noble monuments of the charities of
our Commonwealth. The reports, which will
be laid before you, from these institutions,
will set forth their wants and necessities.
, Ample provisions should be made to meet
them. That you will make suitable appropri
| ations to sustain these grand charities, such
, as becomes the charitable duty and just pride
! of the State do not entertain doubt
! Under the provisions of San act accepting
the donation of lands for endowment of Agri-
cultural Colleges" approved 9th January
| 1868, have received from the Federal Gov
ernment, through the Commissioner of the
General Land Office, United States land scrip
| for $4,000 acres of land. 1t will now be
necessary that you provide for the appoint
ment and compensation of an agent or agents
to dispose of this scrip; and further provide
| for founding the college, in order to obtain the
benefits of this munifcent donation This
scrip will raise fund for the endowment of
an institution which may be made an honor
to the Government, the pride of the State, and
blessing and bounty to the citizens of Ken
tucky. 1t is recommended that you adopt all
proper measures for securing the benefits of
5fd7of et1l . l.Jgb ttF $50 = s3'tu-sg Z -