The Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1869-1872, 1871-01-07
Go~srnor's Message.

The massage of YGoYernor Blasdel was deg
ivered to the Legislature on Tuesday. 1t IL
says the Carson Register, rather n lengthy
document, and is Fegarded as q very able
State paper, and the adoption of the recom-
mendations generally contained therein would
prove salutary TO the interests OF the State.
The total State debt is about is about $780,
600, of which about $50, 900 is the floating
debt, consisting of warrants aud claims against
the State Prison, Capitol Building and Gen
eral Funds, and $500. 900 of the bonded debt,
bearing interest Mt 10 per cent. per annum,
which will be due on the LIST of March, 1879.
The amount OH hand, exclusive Of the bonds
held by the Irreducible School Fund, is about
The amount of the Treasurer's defalcation
is stated to be about $lO6. 600; and as the State
| assumed the Territorial Indebtedness of $780,
600, and has expended about $3.50, 600 for the
Prison, Orphans Home and Capitol, these
with the amount on hand, shows that during
the past SIX years the receipts have exceeded
the ordinary public expenditures ...'
The first duty of the Legislature will be to
provide for the payment of the $500, 600
bonded debt, due IN little over a year from
this time. The Governor thinks this can be
done by the issuance and sale of bonds for
the same amount to run for ten years. ...
The Governor thinks the State revenue can
be increased nearly $50, 900 per annum by
amending the revenue law so AS to include in
the definition of Real Estate" lands held
by grant of the Federal Government which
would cover railroad lands. He thinks the
law should be amended SO as to tax ores at
their actual value when they first reach the
surface-this value to be obtained by deduct
ing from the gross yield the actual cost of
transportation and reducing; the Assessor to
| fix the value quarterly. He recommends the
severance Of tho duties now imposed upon the
Lieot. Governor as Warden of the State PMS
| Ill a
pointed by the Board of Prison Commission.
! ers. He denounces in strong terms tie act of
1869, providing for interest bearing warrants
to Senators and Representatives and employees
| in payment of their mileage and per diem,
and says the Constitution provides for SO per
| day and no more. ...... ... D.. ......... ....
A State Board of Equalization is recon-
mended for the equalization of taxes in the
various counties. In one county improved
land Is taxed $50 per acre, and in another
only $40. The railroad is taxed i'll Washoe
county Mt $4,000 per mile, while in others il
| Is valued at only $1,000. .. .. . .-.
new hnd law Is recommended bY the
J Governor, requiring the immeCiinte selection
of all lands belonging to the State classifying
| prices, and providing for the preservation of
timber against trespass from the time of selec-
| ton until sold by the State. .....
| The State School Fund has lost $50, 900 by
I the defalcation of the late State Treasurer
| men, bnt when and what amount will be real
| lied is extremely prOblematical. He recon-
mends that the amount be placed in the fund
/ from other funds, in accordance with the Con-
stitution, and that additional safeguards be
thrown around the Treasury, making it felony
| for any person to loan money to tho Treasurer
for the purpose Of being counted by the Board
/ of Examiners. ...
In the matter of the States claims against
the General Government for expenditures
made by the late Territory OF Nevada in pro-
yldin8 e4tra pay for volunteers, the papers
/ were laid before the Committee on Claims in
| the Senate, since when nothing has been
| heard from them. They amonnt to Sl25 SO7
Nothing has been done with ,he humboldt
| county cbIims.
| The appeal Of the gambling Law is advocated
and she enactment ~ y Sunday lNw, also one
| to prevent bribery in elections.
! The prepayment Of poll tax MS a preimi.
| nary requisite for voting is vigorously de.
nUupced. .... -..' -. 49, ...