The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-01-16
STATE LEGISLATURES.

.oe".eo convened recently. Inc tOl-
lowing brief summary of the messages
OF the Governors, showing the condition
OF their respective commonwealth will
be found of interest
Gov. John l.. Beveridge, in his mes
sage, reports the State institutions to
be satisfactorily managed, including
the Pen'tentiary. The Improvement of
the Illinois river is proceeding economi-
cally and successfully. The system of
State inspection of grain is approved,
az giving better satisfaction to the pro-
ducing classes than the old way. The
Governor thinks additional legislation
is needed for the public protection
against the use of false and fraudulent
warehouse receipts. In raising their
rates heavily, July l, 1873, the railroads
are Judged to have escaped the charges
of unjust discrimination, but to have
been guilty of extortion. If after the
18th of January, when the schedules
are in full force, they fail to comply
with the law, he recommends that it be
enforced with energy and rigor.
NEW YORK.
The General Assembly of New York
convened at Albany on the 9th. The
annual message of Gov. Dix is longer
than most Executive communications
sent to Legislative bodies. He says the
condition of the State is, under most of
its aspects, exceedingly gratifying. The
total debt of the State amounts to $780,,
$50, 466, from which maybe deducted
the amount of the permanent sinking
fund, SIG, 1874, 90l, in order to arrive at
the net Indebtedness. On the subject
of transportation the Governor says, if
all the locks in the Erie canal were
doubled, as it will be shortly, the capa-
city of the canal would no doubt be
sufficient for several years to come, and
when to the increased capacity steam,
as Il motive power, is added, the ability
of the Erie canal to compete success
fully with other routes cannot well be
questioned. He expresses himself
emphatically against any further inha-
ton of the currency. The Governor
calls attention to the protligate and, in
some instances, criminal management
of various railways in the State, and
suggests that there be legislation not
only for the protection of shippers and
passengers, but also for the stock and
bondholders of such offending cor
poration. One of the most significant
features of the message is in reference
to the new State Capitol being built Mt
Albany. The original estimated cost of
the work at the time the contracts were
let was $4,000,000, but there has al
ready been expended upon it 81, 96l 500,
and it is estimated that to complete it
will cost $13, 100000.
OHIO.
The annual message of Gov. Noyes,
of Ohio, is brief and pointed in its
statements. 1t shows the aggregate
debt of the State to be $32, 314 900,
having been reduced 1872 e4 during
the past year. The local indebtedness
of the State has been increased 81, 49,
557 during the year. The levy for State
purposes is less than one-sixth of the
entire taxation, and that for county and
local expenses more than fve-sixths.
Recommendation are made for the APP
preparation of So, 600 to erect Matching
h ouses for the propagation of fish, and
for inquiry into the manner of doing
business of fast freight and Transports
ton companies. On the subiectof con-
vict labor, the Governor suggests that
he is satisfied it would be more profit
able for the State to utilize and control
all the convict labor than to adhere to
the present contract system.
LOUISIANA.
The message OF Gov. Kellogg, of
Louisiana, presents discouraging pic
ture of the financial condition of the
State. The total debt is $24, 2S3, 1886,
some of which he says is of doubtful
legality. The State has tried to pay in
terest on the whole amount, and has
done SO up to date, but can do so no
longer without maintaining a rate of
taxation which would almost amount to
confiscation. As remedy, he proposes
the funding of the whole debt, at 60
cents on the dollar, in per cent. con-
soils, guaranteed by a constitutional
amendment, and an appropriation for
interest to be made perpetual-the debt
TO be limited at point to which it
would be reduced by this consolidation,
say 5000, 600.
COLORADO.
Gov. Ebert, of Colorado, in his mes
sage to the Legislature, says there is no
Territorial Indebtedness whatever, and
balance of SlS,179 in the Treasury.
The jumping" or stealing, of mines
is greatly deprecated, and stringent
law, providing remedy for the evil, is
much needed and if passed, as it ought
to be, will relieve the mining interest of
the Territory from much existing en-
barrassment. The yield of bullion for
the past year is estimated at So, 600, 900.
New and rich mining districts have re-
Gently been discovered, which present
great attraction for capital and labor.
Considerable space is given the subject
of the admission of Colorado as a State.
The Governor places the population at
1885, 900, and prophesies 10000 in one
year after admission. The progress of
the Territory in educational matters is
encouraging. There are $50 public
schools, with an attendance of 5000.
The value of school property is $500, 600.
MISSOURI.
The message of Gov. Woodman is a
voluminous document. He advocates a
Territorial Government for the Indian
Territory asks the Legislature to pro-
test the outrages committed ON the peo-
pie of Louisiana ; advocates the imme-
date improvement of the Mississippi
river and its great tributaries, and the
condemnation of tho Great Vaotar,, ool