The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-01-07
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE

Governor Palmer's message to the
general assembly Of this state Is 'e'' "a
tensive document, and shows mucn cat'
snd study of .finaacial statements. Lac
language thereof lie very me, the thongh'
expressed have the recommendation OF oeins
psr,lv original. end the subhead and 6gurei
are N their proper places, and that's all.
Some articles of the new constitution give
him entire satisfaction, others do not stanc
the test OF his scathing inspection. de
favors minority representation simply
because j, is exactly whh. the people wan
aod be desires to appear on the popuis.
side; Of the merits Of il he savs little. he
thinks the election laws of the state med
reform and reconstruction, and denounces
the corrupt system of bribing. He should
have though. this, but as he has given utter
ance to il. of course his party will have to
overlook it. he speaks feelingly OF the
former purity OF the ballot box, we presume
he alludes to the period when John "
Palmer wss elected Governor. We GIG
pleased to have cur doubts about tbs Parry
canvass Of mis- removed, Honest 'enh' Ike
saws that GA the 24th of Screen Der last, he
issued proclamation gang oook coun's
6neep representative aud that three days
Inter be issued rroclsmstion No.2 giving
that county twenty-five representatives, and
,h., tho ,s.t proclamation was an emanasion
from the ponderous brain Of the Attorney
General. \ very influential and powerful
al; is the Attorney General. He thinks
that all public officers should be paid BY
fixed salaries, and allowed to have no fees
or perquisl.es, when the Governor himself is
so restricted. This of course won't sui: radical
office holders. This reminds US OF the dog
and tho msncer. He thinks that the Incl
dental expenses Of the last assembly we're
TOO large, and recommends moderation in
this regard BY the present one. This re-
commentator will Of course fad favor IN
the eyes of the radical crew, and viii IN
doubtedly be carried oct. Also that there
should be lees laws enacted in the future:
tha, he considers it doubtful If any sueh
mass Of dangerous legislation was ever be.
fore infictedl on any people, as the laws
passed BY the last radical assembly of this
state. Nothing that be could have said would
have gone straiQhter 10 the mark than this
confession, which is an exceedingly open
one. Upon the railroad question he takes
a decided etand in favor of the control Of
railroad corporations by the state, and in
favor of compelling each railway
10 have al Office ia the state for the
necessary business t-anssctiors OF the
corporation, and 20 issue their reports from.
We entirely agree with him on this point.
Railroads are public carriers and public
servants, and should be controlled
and governed by the public laws Of the
state. On the subject of the right of the
state to take private property for its use, be
thinks that the proper compensation for
property thus taken, should be fixed by the
General Assembly, aud calls for law to
tina; effect. he does not favor the interior
enca Of citizens in the edminissra-
ton of criminal justice. Yet he has grant
ed lGS psrdons to criminals in two years.
BY al means leave the interference to the
Governor, he certainly attends well to it.
The state debt, he says, amounts to but the
trjAiug sum oftwo millions, as set forth in
the carefully prepared statements of the
4 uditor and Treasurer. We think the
statements are very carefully prepared, and
may be consideded as within the neigh
borhood Of another two millions of being
reliable. He calls for repeal OF the state
railroad funding law, lest it conflict with the
constitution. He fsvors equality of taxa
rs means OF revenue. Also the restric-
tions placed upon the General Assembly by
the new constitution in regard TO the relief
of any county, city, township or town from
taxation for state purposes. he calls atten-
ton to the repor; Superintendent Batemen
which, he says, affords full information in
regard to the management Of the important
interests confded to him. Probably he has
overlooked the slight sum ola million and .
his private pockets. The omission is so
tritling, however, "a to receive no comment
from the Governor. The state educational
institutions he declares to be in state of
prosperity. albeit they are rivals. He recon
mends restriction upon both, SO as to
prevent rivalry. He thinks Mr.. Campbell
has got himself into trouble by contracting
to build the Southern Normal University,
and refuses to assist him. The state insti-
buttons for the blind, the deaf and dumb,
feeble minded children, the orphans's home,
the charitable, and other institutions, are
reported to be in a Aourishing condition by
their managers, and that is all he can ssy
of them. Of course, the managers are
strictly upright and honorable, ask for nc
unnecessary appropriations, ETC., all this is
taken for granted, because he has appoint
ed them. Blu. VS. think their actions will
receive light scrutiny by the RAIDS, else
might something be discovered to their
detriment He recommends Eppro
prie.ions to all the state institutions, bu
Notwithstanding the valuable services rem
dered pratuitously By the Soldiers College
at Fulton, and the Chicago Eye and Ear
Infrmsry, refuses them his aid. Very con
sistent, indeed. The Board of Commission.
ers ofpublic charities have his hearty thanks
for services rendered. This Board is very
useful in one way, they travel at the country .
expense, make reports which no one believes
and also report on appropriations. They
are very useful body to the man
ayers Of state institutions.
OF the condition of the state peniteu,iary
he haE considerable to say. He Gays tina.
he found the institution in such condition