The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-01-12

lNAUUUkAL ADDRESS
Governor John S. Piilsbury.
Delivered Before the minnesot. 1.e.ts.
lature, Friday, Jan. It'll. 1876.
dESrLEAES OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES,:
In making, for the first time, that commu-
State, which both the constitution and invao
riabie custom enjoin upon the Executive, l de-
sire 20 express my deep sense of the RESPONSE
lllty have assumed, and to invoke YOUR aid
and cooperation in the faithful performance
OF the duties which the people have deyolyed
alike upon ms.
Tie period we have reached in the devel-
for congratulation and for warning. We can
not but indulge feelings of pride and gratitude
when we reflect that where, quarter of
century ago, there was an unbroken wilder
ness, inhabited only by wild beasts and savage
men, there exists to-day a vigorous young
commonwealth of 60O, 900 people, blest with
az a. the appliances and comforts Of civilized
planted by illimitable grain fields; that idle
rivers have been bound to the myriad uses of
productive industry; that the young State,
winch, upon her admission to the Union.
imported breadstufs to feed the spectators
IN her unproductive lands, is, in her eigh-
teenth year, the first wheat State of the Sis
t tern that where fourteen years ago there
was not one mile of completed railroad, 1000
miles are now taxed to their utmost to carry
on the surplus products and that everywhere
throughout the State, church and school
house., thriving cities and busy industries,
mark the abode of a prosperous, energetic and
happy people.
For progress SO unexampled and prosperity
SO bountltul, our grateful thanks are due to
us IN adversely and brought us in His own
good time and way to the verge of great op-
Portunities; but while thankful for such
blessings, We should mot be unmindful of those
opportunities nor of the responsibilities which
they impose.
For an active people, released from the
strain OF the great civil war that closed ten
years ago, the pursuits of peace naturally pos
prostration Of that dire conflict, the country,
under the stimulus of redundant currency.
embarked in productive enterprises with an
energy and success wholly unparalleled With
an augmented volume Of currency advancing
the cost of commodities, and an abnormal
activity in all branches of industry resulting
~ uuASe!sal OVeipIOuucuOnsl Inc maj result
was inevitable. A spirit of wild speculation,
the lust for sudden wealth, and reckless ex-
travagance and disregard for the adoption of
means to ends, seized the hearts of the people
and shaped the aims Of all classes and condi-
tons of men. Patient toll, with its modest
rewards, was second in the race, for quick re-
suits, and All unsubstantial prosperity with
gauge of their resources and liabilities. The
elimination was reached, as we all know, in
the financial collapse Of two years ago, from
the effects of which the industries of the
country have since languished; and al
though i'll our favored State, owing to the
primary connection of the people with the soil
and its bountiful products, We have been
measurably exempt from the extreme depres-
sion elsewhere prevalent; yet the people of
Minnesota, especially in the chief centres of
population, share the inevitable suffering re-
sulting from an unwarranted expansion of
credit and a continued extravaganza in bust
ness and household affairs. which, if persisted
in, can lead to but one result.
BONDS OF TAXATION.
It is against habits and influences which thus
concur in leading to inevitable disaster that
wise communities will promptly take warn
ing. In keeping with, and growing out of
this state of things, the readiness of the peo-
pie to burden themselves with municipal,
county and township debt, is perhaps the
strongest tendency threatening the public
good. Of the total taxation for all purposes
but small fraction in any community is con-
tributed to the support Of the State govern
local objects in most instances, willie it is not
unfrequently augmented by the extravagant
and corrupt management of local affairs. A
full statement of such Indebtedness would
doubtless afford a startling exhibit. With
few exceptions it would probably be found
that in the face of recent and multiplied warn
i 1g there has been steady accumulation Of
constantly increasing taxes through out our
State, especially in the larger municipal cor
porations.
From official reports it appears that the ag-
gregate bonded debt of four of the leading
cities OF the State amounts to 1854, 72O,
which is an increase of more than so per cent.
during the past five years, while the combined
tax levy Of these cities for municipal purpo-
ses exceeds $500, 900 for 1875, being an increase
of about S. per cent. for the same period.
There would be less discouragement in this
exhibit if either by reason of the heavy tax
levy the debt was being decreased, or if be-
cause of an increase of debt the present bur
dens were lightened by the funding of float |
ing debts, but the simultaneous increase OF
b h debt and taxation affords little ground
IL consolatory reflection. 1t is doubtless true
prosecution Of local Improvements of dur |
able character incidental to legitimate growth,
and especially for the erection of those impos- |
ing educational structures for which the peo-
pie delight to tax themselves. But it IS obvl- |
Gus that such an expansion of credit for what
ever cause is too great for healthful progress, |
and is full of public danger.
There are few sources of mischief in an en-
terprising community moro specious or seduc- |
tive than the facility with which the people |
avert present burden by the issue OF bonds
certainly be- far less prosecution of premature
enterprises, if present rather than future pay
ments were required for them. In view Of the