Smyrna times., 1875-01-06

The GOVERNORS MEssAaE-Gov Ponder
sent his biennial message to the Legislature
yesterday. 1t is clever document, and would
occupy about four columns of the TINES
The Governor first calls attention to the fact
that there has been nothing to obstruct the
execution of law, and nowhere can greater
security for life and property be found
Crimes have been comparatively few, while we
have been entirely exempt from the disorders
witnessed in other communities.
He cautions the Legislature against too much
and too hasty legislation. He advises as little
change in existing laws as possible, and in the
case Of amended laws he suggests that, instead
of striking out words and inserting others, that
an entire new section be put in, embodying the
amendment proposed.
The State debt is figured at 81, ,462, 900.
$1,ll0,000 is the war debt and $352, 900 is the
railroad subsidy. The bonds falling due Jan.
lst, rs, have been cancelled, and the debt
reduced $3SS,O00. According to the report Of
the State Treasurer the whole amount of the
assets of the State, including investments
appropriated to the School Fund, amount to
81, 1913, l89. The amount of liabilities over all
is $l00,8ll, and over assets not appropriated
to the School Fund, $576, 1850. This latter
amount the Governor says, may properly be
regarded as the real debt of the State over
available assets.
While the Legislature has the power to
apply the school fund towards the State debt,
the Governor is opposed to it ever being done,
unless Congress should try to force mixed
schools upon us. Then he thinks the Legis-
lature would be compelled by public sentiment
to call in the investments set apart for common
schools and apply the same to the payment Of
the public debt
He is opposed to the granting Of State aid
to the construction of any more railroads OF
other works of internal improvement. More
than 100000 of the State money is now
invested in two railroads, and it would be very
iDjudicious to increase the amount.
The revenues, under existing laws, are
ample for any present or anticipated demand.
upon the Treasury The receipts from al
sources is about $2O7, 1872 &c. Expenditures, in
cluding $4,000 interest on the public debt
and an appropriation of $4,000 to Delaware
College, and one-half of the biennial expenses
OF the Legislature, about $llI, ,025.77. Excess
Of receipts over expenditures about S96, 6,S46. 62
The amount of expenditures above stated
does not include appropriations made by th,
Legislature to purchase the interest of Ken
County in the State House and for repairs OF
the same, or any other appropriation.
If the taxes can be reduced he thinks
reduction could be more properly effected b.
reducing the rate Of taxation imposed 70
State purposes from ten to FIVE cents in ever
hundred dollars Of assessable property than i
any other way.
He says the present mode of collecting take
is too expensive and thinks it ought to b
improved upon. y opposed to any increa.
OF the School Fund, aud sees no way to iu
prove our school system. lie recommend
that the Legislature ratify the Constitution;
Amendment proposed by the last Assembl
lie also endorses the Centennial celebration
and recommends the appointment Of Stat
Board to represent Delaware.
DE then goes off into National polite
which he views from Democratic standpoi
Of course.