The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-01-18
THE SHIP OF STATE.
Legislatures I'm session-Their Political
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Messages. state
Finances, Etc.


Pennsylvania, Maine, Maryland, Ohio, Massa-
chusetts, California, New Jersey, Kentucky,
Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Connecticut, Lou
isiana and Mississippi are now in session,
and the messages Of their respective Ex-
ecutives have been delivered. We present
below figures showing the political status Of
the several Legislatures. together with state
ment Of the finances of the States, as CLEANED
from the Governors messages:
Ne,o York--Senate, 10 Republicans and IS
Democrats House, GO Republicans, 81 Demo-
Gratis, Independent Republican majority on
joint ballot, 10. Gov. Robinson's message
shows the total debt of the State, after apply
ing the sinking fund.- to be So 707, 1858. The
actual reduction Of the debt during the year
by cancellation il $12, 35s ,843. The bounty
debt has been finally extinguished. The gross
canal tolls for the year were $3.50, 900, lower
amount Of receipts than has been known for
forty-fve years. The Legislature il urged TO
take a strict account of life-insurance compa-
MES and savings banks, and hold them to ex-
act accountability. The Governor favors the
resumption Of specie payments Jan. l, 1879.
Virginia. % Democrats, Repub-
lcans, Independent House, 102 Democrats,
8 Republicans, Il Independents Democratic
ma jority on Joint ballot, %. The new Govern
or, f. W. Holiday, III his inaugural address,
takes the strongest grounds for the mainten-
ance of the States credit making points that
the debt was created to provide improvements
which the State now possesses, and from which
it daily derives profit that the war effected no
change in the relations between the State and
its creditors that no one questions the obliga-
tons of the debt, and the laws under which il
was created, in the benefits conferred on the
State by the property its proceeds bought, and
hal L., a.
utmost efforts to the question how to pay. He
denounces the course Of those who seem to
strive how not to pay.
Pennsylvania. 81 Republicans and
10 Democrats House, 119 Republicans and so
Democrats Republican majority on joint bal
lot, 40. Gov. Hartranft's message shows the
State debt to be $22, 943, S14. The July riots
cost the State $500 900, and there is deficit in
the years receipts Of nearly VI, 900, for
which the Governor recommends that provision
be made by the diversion of the sinking fund
into the general fund, and by the
strictest economy in all departments OF the
State Government. The Governor declares
in favor Of a national postal savings bank,
Mdine.-Senate, q Republicans Demo
Gratis House, 81 Republicans, SO Democrats,
Greenbacker, Independent Republican ma
jority on joint ballot, Sc. Gov. Connor's mes
sage is devoted almost exclusively to local and
State matters. He deprecates the passage Of
the Silver bill, and urges the stimulation Of ag-
ricultural pursuits as one Of the most import
ant factors in the prosperity of the State. The
savings bank of the State have deposits Of $685.
092, 672-a decrease Of 81 $3.50, 298.
Maryland II Democrats, 7 Repub-
licans, Independents; House, 65 Democrats,
10 Republicans Democratic majority in joint
ballot, "a. The Governors message shows that
the net debt of the State for which interest
must be provided is 1896, 1922.
Ohio.-Senate, 25 Democrats, 10 Republic
cans House, 66 Democrats, Al Republicans, 3
Nationals Democratic majority on joint bal
lot, 81. Gov. Young's message shows among
other things that $4,000 has been paid on the
State debt during the past year. and the fund
ed debt now outstanding is $6,479,505. The
total Indebtedness aggregates $39 1926, $50, and
the irreducible debt is "a, 231, 404, making the
grand aggregate debt of the State $50, 030, AIS.
The total of the taxes levied in 1877 collect-
BILE in 1878 is S2a, 527,749. recommendation
is made that law be passed to temporarily
restore the levy for State tax to 80 mills, and
that the same remediate legislation be had to
enforce uniformity and equity in taxing prop
erty according to its true value in money.
Massdchusetts.-Se 80 Republicans, 5
Democrats House, III Republicans, IA Demo-
Gratis; Republican majority on joint ballot 1872.
Gov Rice in his message, recommends the con-
stitutional amendments TO prolong the tenure
of the executive and legislative officers of the
Government and also recommends biennial
sessions of the Legislature. The amount of
the State debt Jan. /, 1878, was $33, $50, 464-
a reduction during 1877 Of $33O,000.
California. % Democrats, II Re
publicans, / Independent House, 81 Demo-
Gratis, "a Republicans, 2 Independents DEM
ocratic majority ON joint ballot, 49, We have
seen no report of the Governors message.
Ne,o Jersey-Senate, IL Democrats, Q Re
publicans House, 33 Democrats, q Republi-
cans Democratic majority on joint ballot, 3.
| The Governors message shows the State
| finances to be in good condition. He says
| anticipate no embarrassment in combining the
ordinary State tax to l mill. That rate will
| produce $3.50, $50, which will be the only reve-
nue. raised directly from the people for ordinary
expenditure. The net earnings Of the State
prison last year were $40, 1919. The whole ex.
pense Of the State on account of the riots was
| sos, 900.
Rert,,cky.-Senate 80 Democrats, Repub-
licans House, SO Democrats ii Republicans
Democratic majority on joint ballot, 104. We
have not seen the Executive message.
Wisconsin. Senate, II Republicans 1:
Democrats; House, 4S Republicans, AZ Demo
Gratis, Greenbackers, Socialist Republican
majority on joint ballot, Z. From the message
of the incoming Gov. Smith we learn that the
| State Indebtedness remains as at the close oil
the preceding fiscal year. and is represented by
bonds outstanding, $4,000; currency certif
| Gates, $57 certificates OF indebtedness to trus
funds, 80, 238, 900 total, 81, 252. O57. In add
ton to this, the Secretary of State reports
| the total indebtedness of the counties, cities
towns villages and school districts in the Stat,
as amounting to 1858, 5i5.04, which, added Il
the State debt proper, makes the total publ,
indebtedness OF the people Of Wisconsin
Gil, 910, 602. 04 being somewhat less than 81.
per cent. OF the total assessed valuation"
Io,cd.-Senate, 38 Republicans, IL Demo
Gratis House, 70 Republicans, 25 Democrats,
Independents.
Minnesota. of the Senate, -
Speaker of the House, G. A. Gilman. Boil
branches are largely Republican. Tie Gov
ernor's message makes flattering exhibit O.
the States finances.
Connectic,a.-Th Legislature is Republican
by small majority. The Governors messag,
Is brief, and makes a favorable showing Of tn,
commonwealth finances.
Louisidnd.-The Democrats have a fai
working majority in both branches of the Leg
islature. From Gov. Nichols message W,
learn that the total consolidated interest-bear
ing debt is about s11 800, 900. In consequence
Of the abstraction Of the books from the Audi
tors Office, it is impossible TO learn the amour
of the floating debt. The Governor takes
hopeful view Of the future Of the State.
-. II