East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1865-01-11

ufency ny paying ~ "o CO. MI the oIoihnIy
and incidental State expenses, and assuming the
responsibility and burden Of all expenditures
made by US, we shall be much more likely 10 ex-
anime carefully the character Of our appropria-
lions than though they were to be met nj the
present time by creating an Indebtedness to be
paid by the future. A rigid adherence TO this
policy win prcserye the credit and honor Of our
State; and her finances will never become de-
ranged or embarrassed BY the ordinary and i'm
cidental expenses Of the State, do not mean to
include any appropriations which IL may be
deemed advisable and necessary to make for the
payment Of war bounties, OF any other lurcly
war expenses.
The question of State bountios 10 volunteers
will, undoubtedly engage your attention; but,
as Il is more appropriately the daty of my pre-
decessor than Of myself, in connection with what
has already been done, 10 make specific recon-
mendatons In regard to this subject shall defer
an expression Of my own views to a subseqsent
communication, should l hereafter deem such
expression material and necessary.
REVISION on THE CONSTITUTION
The Legislature Of 1861 adopted an amend
ment to Article Xxx. Of the Constitution, in tho
following Section;
Sac. 2. At tho general election, 10 be hold in
the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty
six, and in each sixteenth year thereafter, and
also at such other times as the Legislature may
by law provide, the question Of the general re-
vision Of the Constitution shall be submitted TO
the electors qualified TO vote for members for the
Legislature; and in case majority Of tho cleo
tors 80 qualified voting Mt such election, shall de-
eide in favor Of a convention, for such purpose
the Legislature at the next session, shall provide
by law for the election Of such delegates to such
convention. All tho amendments shall take
effect at the commencement of the year after
their adoption"
The same having been voted upon and ratified
Il. Al - - Il
ber 1862, IL would seem TO be necessary that
some legislative provision be made 10 govern the
manner in which the question Of the general re-
vision shall be submitted 10 the electors, at tho
general election to be held in the year 1866. /
submit the matter to your consideration.
RESOURCES OF THE STATE.
The State Of Michigan, although having at the
present time population OF little less than ono
million, and an amount Of accumulated personal
wealth that will compare favorably with many
Of the older States, is, nevertheless, In her in
fancy. The area Of her Territory is moro than
s6, QUO square miles; being more than 10000
square miles larger than either Of the great
States Of New York or Pennsylvania and moro
than leoVo square miles larger &c anon ono, and
Whom as thickly settled as Massachusetts, now Is,
her population would reach nine million. Sur
rounded ON almost all sides by noble inland seas,
nnvigable waters. Her soil is varied, but rich and
fertile; and, notwithstanding the severity of our
climate, produces IN abundance OF every variety
Of fruit, grain and vegetable, belonging to this
latitude. Her agricultural resources are as yet
undeveloped, and have never been appreciated,
either at homo or abroad. Her immense forests
Of tho choicest timber are Of great value, giving
employment to large numbers Of hardy and ro-
bust men, in converting into lumber and convey
ing ii TO market, thereby creating q home de-
mand for much Of her surplus agricultural pro-
ducts. Her Fisheries, another important item In
the catalogue Of her resources, are OF too much
value to be overlooked, having reached, for the
year ending JuHe l, 1860, as appears by tho GEN.
sus returns, the sum Of $3.50, ,467 being amount
from this source only exceeded by four States in
the Union, viz Massachusetts, Maine, Connecti
cut and Rhode Island They, too, give employ
mcnt to n large number Of mon, and thus also in
crease the homo demand for our surplus pro.
ducts.
A large portion of the territory Of Michigan is
underlicd by vast beds Of minerals deposits; and
in this description of wealth sho is unsurpassed
by any State in the Union. Her copper is of
great purity, aud its mines-of unknown extent
have already, although in their infancy reach
ed an annual yield Of more than ten thousand
tons, equal in value, at the point OF shpmout, 10
d, 100000. Her iron mines are also Of great ex-
tent, and the ore is Of tbs finest quality; and al
though they have very recently been opened,
the first yield being only l447 tons in the year
1855, yet during the past year tho shipments
from Marquette have reached the aggregate Of
246, 900 gross tons, besides rs, 600 tons supplied
to the furnaces Of Marquette Of the aggregate
value Of moro than fro million dollars. The
immense increase exhibited here, In a commerce
but just begun, as Il were renders II futile TO at
tempt an estimate Of its future Importance. The
prospective worth OF these mines is, in truth, al
most incalculabe.
Michigan has also extensive fields Of coal con-
tanning quantity sufficient to feed the furnaces
of the world. Much Of il is Of good quality, and
all Of IL is valuable for manufa curing and other
purposes. In the absence Of manufactures, and
from tho abundance Of fuel incident 10 n new
woodland country, little attention has heretofore
been given TO this subject yet tho time is not far
distant when the coal fields Of Michigan will be
q source Of much wealth.
There are also extensive beds OF gypsum, of
unsurpassed richness and great value not only to
the farmer, MS fertilizer, but TO the State as an
article Of commerce.
Numerous springs Of saline watcr abound In
the Saginaw valley, as well rs in other sections
Of the State, which, il is believed, will yield an
inerhaustible supply of the strongest brine. To
aid In giving moro general idea Of great i'm
portance and value Of this interest, ] will state
briefly few facts In connection with the manu-
facturo Of salt in that valley for the year 1864:
Amount Of salt produced, bbls...... 4es, lS9
Amount of wood consumed, cords. l22, 2,047
Aggregate value of wood ....... 1885, l7S
Equal to land cleared, acres. 3,05l
Average number of men omployed.. TAI
Aggregate value of barrels used... s2l9695
Total amount Of capital invested. -. 100000
Average valuo Of salt Mt shipping
point, per bbl. bl................" s225
Aggregate value Of salt at shipping
point. ................... .-.,.... 81, ,O9S 425
have no doubt the intercSl of this great sta
pie would be materially benefited by the passage
of proper law for its inspection; and us those
engaged in this business will undoubtedly ask
for some law on tho subject, would recommend
such legislation rs will tho most cfectually pro-
mote tho interests Of the manufacturers, and at
.he same time, protect tho public from imposition
by the sale Of an inferior article.
IL is also balicvcd by many that rich and pro-
ductive springs of oil will yet DO discovered within
the limits Of the State, indications Of which are
found In many places; and to aid in a more
speedy settlement Of this question l would
suggest for your consideration the
passage Of hw authorizing the payment Of a
reasonable bounty oil-sukject, however, to
such restrictions as 10 duration and amount ms
wsuld prevent the same from becoming burden
some in the event Of success In the discovery
similar TO that Of salt in the Saginaw valley.
These are some Of the great natural resources
Of Michigan, and which, when properly developed
are destined TO make her one Of the most pros
porous and populcs. woll as one Of the rich
est States in the Union. Even now she 10 ad-
vancing rapidly in wealth and importance, and
must very soon-if wisely governed-occupy
proud position among her sister States. Her
geographical position and natural advantages
cannot fail 10 secure for her prosperous future.
/ commend these great interests 10 your fostering
care and tn your favorable consideration, and ash
that such special and local, as we'll as general
laws, may be enacted as will tend 10 secure their
IL n AMI To ffaft
this important object two things are essentially
neccsssry-the acquisition of iabr and the in
PRODUCTION Of capital; and 10 this ond slrceld leg
islation be directed.
IMnIGnATIor
A very small portion Of the State has as yet
been reclaimed and settled, and apprehend II Is
safo 10 calculate that nearly hve-sixths Of her
entire territory remains to-day a Wilderness
We uanf settlers. These vast tracts Of wood
land, however rich and fertile they may be, arc
OF no use TO us until cleared and improved; and
l..x IL a. -. ~ min NJ