Smyrna times., 1877-01-03

THE Legislature met yesterday AMI pro- |
ceeded 10 business. Gov. Cochran handed |
in his message in the afternoon, and it was
read To the respective Houses. 1t is very
lenetlIy-coverS large pamphlet of 81
pages.
After several pages of reflective rhetoric
Ly way of an introduction the Governor
proceeds to the consideration of our State
finances. which lie thinks are in a very
healthy condition. Tiie present bonded
indebtedness j. 81 POI 900. which includes
the Sl.llO.OOO to discourage volunteering
duun. the war and the aid to the two rail
roads in Sussex. viz: the junction d Break
water and the Breakwatcr & Frankford.
1t nay he proper TO state here that
Delaware is the only State whose war debt
has rot been assumed 10y the Government,
simrv because it was not contracted to aid
tie Government in the prosecution of the
war. The revenues are now ample to meet
the expenditures, exclusive of the purchase
Of bonds against the State, soon to fall due.
The expenses now amount to about $l05.000
per year. and the income TO about $l95, 900,
thus securing an annual surplus of about
100000 applicable to the redemption fund.-
An effort has been made to Luy up some
Of the bonds. lut their enhanced value has
kept them out of.the market. What to do
with this surplus $4,000 is also a question
the Governor takes into consideration.
,;,,b
MUM before they are due. or convert 1t
into a sinking fund. securely invested, is a
question he leaves to the Legislature.
The next thing considered is the Cen.
tennial stock-SlO.OOO- by the
last Legislature. At least 25 per cent of
this will be refunded to the State out of the
profits of the Centennial, the Governor
thinks, but the $4,000 appropriated for our
State Commissioners was not enough to
cover their expenses, and this Legislature
will have to make up small deficiency.
Owing to the increase Of insurance
companies, the Governor suggests that a
Supervisor of Insurance be appointed for
the State, like most other States have done,
10 protect the reliable companies and peo-
pie alike.
He thinks. also. that in view of frequent
applications for information concerning
crimes, paupers, taxation, &c, that we
ought To have some means of furnishing
these statistics, like most States have. 1t
Is impossible now to answer such inquiries.
lie thinks the Legislature ought 10 take
some action TO abate the tramp nuisance
He Is opposed to granting pardons, and
has only granted two in the two past years
Ample arrangements are made for the
instruction OF our blind and deaf people.
The subject Of free schools Is next con
sidered, and the Governor warmly sustain,
the new School Law passed at the las
session. He thinks. however, it needs i'm
provements in detail lie also pays higl
and deserved compliment to Superinden
Groves.
The fishery question" still unsettled
between New Jersey and Delaware, i
motel. the Governor insistin. upon Drla
wares right to the twelve mile circl,
around New Castle"
Under the head of military" the Gov
ernor takes occasion to say that he hope
this spirit may be enhanced rather thai
discouraged in the State
He strongly opposes Stat" All t. ra.
roads and other internal improvement.
and seriously condemns "Gov"ru,aen' .:
roads" lie thinks if th"
undertakes to manage railroads, telegraph:
DC, it will import into our politics yer
dangerous power; create too many part
zans for the good of the country.
After putting in plea for retrenchmen
the Governor goes of on Federal Rel
tions." II is only necessary to state tha
he is a Democrat to give his ideas on th
point.
I6T tie smyrna TimeD