Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-01-27
XIIITH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
GOVERNOR MERRILL,
Delivered 10 both Houses Of the General
Assembly, on Tuesday, Jan. I1th,
at Des MOines. Iowa.
BIENTIAL MESSAGE

Assembly, on Tuesday, Jan. I1th,
at Des MOines. Iowa.
Gentlemen Of the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatiues:
In accordance with the requirements of the
Constitution, it becomes my duty to present
for your consideration a succinct accoun,
of the condition OF the State, and o.
the institutions under its care, with such re-
CONVERSATIONS and suggestions as may seem
to be called for
FINANCES.
The condition of the finances is fully shown
in the report of the Auditor of State, which is
before you, and in that of the Treasurer OF
State, herewith submitted.
During the fiscal term ending October 3lst,
1869, the period covered by those reports, there
was received into the treasury, on account OF
the general revenue, inclusive of So, ia ,4S ON
hand November LIST, 1867, the sum of 81 ,S39,
66S.12; the expenditures amounted to sl,553,
5O7 SO, leaving balance in the treasury OF
1886, 16O.16. The above mentioned reports
show the sources Of this revenue, and the OBJ
iects of these expenditures. This balance. it
is proper to state includes the sum OF S9,5l9.
GO, paid out an account of losses by fire at the
Penitentiary, for which the Treasurer holds the
Warden's receipt. This amount deducted,
there is an actual cash balance Of s,16 Csc. SO III
the treasury. This large amount is partly due
to the payment by the general Government OF
the sum of $229, S27. 80 on account Of claims for
expenditures by the State during the war, and
the further sum Of SIS, III to reimburse outlay
for the defense of the northern border OF the
State, subsequent to the massacre at Spirit
Lake in 1857.
This balance is the largest ever reported at
the close OF any fiscal term, and indicates a
condition of financial soundness, which, il is
believed, few of the States enjoy. There should
be, at all times, sufficient surplus in the
treasury with which to cash all warrants
promptly ON demand. Such has been the case
in the main with us for several years, and du-
ring the term just closed the State Treasurer
paid every warrant on presentation; and there
are now no outstanding warrants drawing IN
terest.
The receipts during the fiscal term on which
we have just entered, including balance of gen
eral revenue in the treasury November LIST
1869, are estimated at s., 3os $685. and the ex
penditures at 81, l07, $500, to which sum must
be added such special appropriations as TIT
General Assembly, in its wisdom, may see tit u
make.
The long experience Of the Auditor of State
both as county and State official, and the faith
10 Of that officer
of the Treasurer of State, in their respectiv
departments, entitle the suggestions in thei
reports, on matters of vat Importance to us, t.
your favorable and careful consideration
INDEBTEDNESS.
The bonds issued in 1853 for 100000 cease
to draw interest on the first of January, looc
Prior to that time as stated by lny predecesso
in his message to the last General Assembly
the amout CT Sll4,O00 ha d been paid The re
mainder of these bonds have since been re
deemed. Our vX.sting Indebtedness, therefore
consists of the war ana defense bonds OF May
1861, amounting to 800, 900, and drawing Z pc
cent interest These bonds are not due till 1881
Iwould recommend, however, that the Treasure
of State be authorized to use surplus funds
the treasury for the purchase and canceiiatio
of these bonds, whenever they may be obtaine
at par, and when, in the opinion OF that ofhce
and of the Auditor of State, the condition G
the finances will allow it.
THE CENSUS.
The Census Of 1869, being the eleventh enni
meration of its inhabitants made under the all
thorityof the State of Iowa, showsa contlnuou
increase in the population and resources OF III
State. The report of this Census, CAREFUL
prepared by the Secretary OF State, is beior
you II will be found to contain vast amour
of information in addition TO That comprehend
ed in the Census proper. Two counties ant
one township failed to report for these nav
adopted the figures of the Census OF 1867, al
though u closer approximation to accurac.
would be attained by the substitution OF hishe
figures.
The total population of the State, according
to this report, with the additions mentioned, i
lo42.SO7, an increase during the two year,
since the last previous enumeration OF 1000
or IL GO per cent-an average of 80 per cen
per annum: about two and a-half times the av
erage annual increase OF the United States dur
ing each decennldl peTlou. vi 'hio ppm"
< 345 were persons of color, an increase oi only
$50. or 10 80 per cent. The srnailness OF thi'
eain-it being less, both absolutely ana rela
lively. than is reported in any previous Diem
NAL period since the first enumeration OF thi'
class of population--tends to demonstrate the
correctness of the views, long entertained by
leading statesmen, that with the abolition OF
slavery this race would incline to settle IL
warmer climates.
The population of the State to the square
mile, in lS47, was 81; in 1850, 3.4; in 1896, %
In 1850, 1872; in 1855, 1877; in 1857, 1914; ane
in 1869, 1879.
Not only is the increase OF our population
satisfactory, but it's permanent Character Il
demonstrated in the greater proporuonate III
crease of dwelling houses. In 1867 there ~er'
1868 of these, or 100 to every $50 souls no"
there are 1879, 92l, or 100 to every 500 souls.
The returns Of agricultural labor continue u
show steady and vigorous development OF thi
prime source of wealth. There were produces
in the State during the year 1866, 1862 S'
bushels of wheat, 56,92S,93S OF corn, ant
17.552O 64 of all other grains; and in 1900
17,963,555 bushels of wheat, 76,50,o7o bushei
of corn, and 20, 237, 426 bushels OF all othe
grains. Other articles of produce show simila
advancement. But in nothing are the natura
resources of the State being developed NOR
u y ..-a1