Litchfield enquirer., 1871-05-25
GOVERNOR JEWELS MESSAGE.
Mo. President and Gentlemen ef the Gene,a
 Assembly: as se

Having been again called by the suf- frages of the people to the executive chair, appear before you to give as required tas the General Assembly such information of the state of the government" as have been able to collect in the brief period that has elapsed since tbe question concerning the election of governor has been settled.
 We enter upon our duties under tue most favorable circumstances. Our coun- try is enjoying an uninterrupted season of peace and prosperity. Our mercantile, manufacturing and agricultural pursuits are fonrishing, and our financial condition is tending steadily towards tbat most de- sirable result. the resumption of specie payment. The national administration has made good its promise to honestly col
 lect the revenue and apply it to the ex- tinguishment of the public debt, having reduced the debt more than twa hundred millions in little over two years Most of the international questions which have fperplexed us bid fair to be satisfactorily adjusted at no distant day. A growing tendency toward proper respect for law and order is to be observed in the States lately in rebellion.
 The time Is near at hand, if not already here. when the irritations following the great civil war will have disappeared. and more fraternal intercourse exist between the different sections of our country Then we shall enter upon larger career of pros- perity. and more complete development of our unparalleled resources than at any time in our history.
 By reference to the report of the State Treasurer it will be seen that our finaneia! condition is very encouraging. The total ind o1rn Of ho fofn ktno ment of the present fiscal year, April 1st, less cash on hand. was $5 8O4, ,6lO 93 against SC, ,56O, BOA. 95 at the same time last year, showing reduction of the debt for the year of $755. .694 02 against $496. .994. 50 the previous year. In explanation of this very large reduction of the debt, it should be stated that there was paid into the treasury during the last year, as the result of suit commenced some years since, by Treasurer Coite, and others commenced last year by Ire asurer Pond. for all past due taxes due the State by mutual life insurance compa- nies and railroads, the sum of $289, ,390. 94. This leaves $466, ,303O O8 reduction of the State debt as the result of the current bnsi- ness of the year. a@2
 The entire revenue of the year from all sources was $1. 926. 9s3. .O9. of which $645.- 106,59 came from the two.mill tax, $372,- 692. 13 from savings banks, $S12, ,254. 60 from railroad corporations, $17l, 1869. 70 from mutual insurance companies for the past year, and $257, ,358.08 for previous years, $53, ,05O came from the communication tax, $30, ,628. 79 from non resident stock, and the balance from miscellaneous sources. Treasurer Pond has pursued the plan ins- tituted by his immediate predecessor, Treasurer Nichols, of obtaining interest from banks on the deposits for the benefit of the State, and has realized from tbis source SIS, ,274.9O. f f-.
 The total disbursements for the year were $1, ,871 .569.88. The sum of $750, ,0O0 was paid on the principal of the public debt, and $438, 8,045.05 for interest, $49, 800 for salaries, $77, ,404S7 for expenses of the General Assembly. $170, ,652. 72 for judicial, reform school, and kindred expenses, $8, 568, ,83 for the board of education. $64. 489.1 for public buildings and benevolent institutions, and $142, TIT. 03 for the main tainance of the orphan children of soldiers.
 think the present rate of taxation. two mills on the dollar on the grand list, should be continued, There are outstanding $1,. 284, 800 of the bonds of 1861, which are re- deemable at the pleasure of the General Assembly after ten years from their date, which time expires July 1st, 1871. Such action should be taken as will enable the treasurer to call them in at his convenience. Your attention is particularly called to that portion of the treasurer's report which treats of the mutual and other life insu- rance companies, and to the remarkable comparative table he publishes. It will be noticed that the report does not call atten- tion to the great amount of liability of life insurance companies, nor to the distinc- tion which may be drawn between compa- nies which are purely mutual and those which are conducted for the benefit of Q stock capital. Our companies should pre- serve uniformity in making out returns, which should be made out at the same time, and in the same manner for Connec- ticut as for other States. ...<e
 Q The views of the treasurer deserve your careful attention, and in his opinion that the salary of the treasurer ought more nearly to correspond with the duties and responsibilities of the position, most heartily concur. It appears that the New Haven and Northampton railroad company have brought suit against the late treasu- Ter individually, for the amount of exemp- tion they claim on account of canal rights. It is clear to my mind that he did only his duty in enforcing the tex, and for doing which he ought not to be subjected to the expense and trouble of defending himself at law personally, and I therefore recom- mend the passage of resolution directing the treasurer of the State to defend the suit in behalf of the State.
 Our school fund of $2.043. BYE. .62 is un- impaired, and is we'll looked after by the commissioner; $1, ,381, ,943. IS of it is loaned upon real estate security in this State, and $334. .303S0 in other States; SIS, 900 are invested in State bonds, and $2O9, ,812 61 in bank stocks. The number of children enumerated in this department is 128, ,668. an increase for the year of 2, ,999. The usual per capita dividend of one dollar has been made. m r,
 There are sixty six savings banks in the State, with an aggregate deposit of $55,- 297, ,705. 40, an increase during the year of $7, ,392, ,871. .29. being !$l, ,3S8, 900 more than our entire State debt, a most remarkable proof, of our thrift and Of the rapidly in. oreasing wealth of the State. Of the loans of the savings banks $32, IA, ,662. .59 are se- cured by mortgage of real estate in Con- necticut. The practice of making loans in this manner should be uniform throughout the State. It is not so now. Some banks charge seven per cent. semi-annually in advance. others six and three quarters not in advance, and others may have still diff ferent rules. Without suggesting as to the right amount to be charged, would re-