The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-01-10

Gov. CrOswell's Message
to the Legislature.

HOUSE, OF REPRESENTATIVES, lou assemble
under circumstances of peculiar interest Yours
is the first Legislature to meet within the walls
of this new Capitol The erection and compile
ton of this building is not without significance.
IL marks the transformation which few years
have wrought i'm our social and political condi-
ton. II bespeaks the growth OF population, the
increase of wealth, the advancement of science
and art from the time of the rude cabin of the
pioneer to the completion of this imposing
structure, costing, all furnished, Sl,5W,OOO.
AS we devote il to the use for which II was con-
structed, let us hope that all the counsels and
deliberations to be held here may conduce to
the general welfare, and be instrumental in
promoting and perpetuating the blessings of
liberty and peace.
In the biennial period inst passed general
health has prevailed throughout our borders,
the earth has produced beautifully, and the
harvests have been abundant. We have grown
in the State within the past year more than 2S,-
600. 600 bushels of wheat and other cereals and
fruits in proportion. In the same time we have
produced 1885, 1884 barrels of salt, l25 go tons
of iron ore and copper, coal, plaster, and slate
in very large amounts, OF which have not full
statistics for the year. The production of ingot
copper in 1877 was IL, 3S5 tons.
as FINANCES.
The treasury presents satisfactory condition.
The cash on hand Sept 30, 1876, was 81 ,64,
COS. 80 The receipts from all sources for the
two years ending Sept. 30, 1873, aggregate s4,-
1874 TqO2 81 The total expenditures for the same
period amount TO 81, S5S, 404 10. The balance
in the treasury on Sept 30 last was S4OO, $40 30.
No part of this balance belongs to the general
fund, which has been overdrawn in the sum of
$l73,011.11.
The bonded debt of the State on Sept 80,
1876, was 81, 392, 1897. The policy of extin-
gushing this debt as rapidly as possible has
been steadily pursued, and am gratifed to in
form you that, in the two years ending Sept 30
last, it has been reduced in the sum of s43, coo,
leaving the total amount eff such indebtedness
now standing against the State 1859, 1897. OF
the bonds thus paid 600 were purchased be-
iore maturity at a premium of sl4, 476. 80 The
saving to the State in interest from this pur-
chase, after deducting the premium paid, will
be S10,693. 90
II being impossible to obtain more of the un-
matured bonds at a reasonable premium, the
reasurer was authorized by the Board of Fund
commissioners TO purchase $500, 900 in A. per
cent United States bonds, and hold them to be
applied, toward the payment of the debt This
amount, with the addition of the balance in the
s.nking fund, $31S, 25l. A and the $4,000 in
ga. .he canal fund, all set apart and applicable to
tne payment of the bonded debt, when deducted
70 the sum of $234, S9S So. Then if
we take into account Sill ,S21 As
od specific taxes unpaid Sept so,
100, and due ON call the State bonded debt,
less the funds applicable to its payment will be
further reduced to the sum of Sf23O7l .O5. 1t
, sinklng iund within the coming two years will
80 surncient to fully pay off the remainder of
Nne bonded debt We have thus abundant pro-
VISION Tor speedily freeing the State from all
ao,llues OF TINS character. The constitution
ereates the sinking fund and declares that the
surplus OF the specific taxes received after paw
nient OF interest upon the educational funds
alio sne extinguishment of the public debt, shall
oe aoded 10 and constitute part of the primary
school interest fund
III no chanUa 10 wall l.. AL.
soon as the bonded debt is provided for. the
school iund Will absorb the large surplus which
yearly thereafter will be received from specific
taxes IN the sinking fund. In many instances.
especially where the school districts are large
and the settlements sparse. the school funI al
ready provided is almost sufficient to maintain
the schools If it is doubled and further in
creased from year to year. as il will be if this
constitutional provision remains, many districts
VIII shortly have more school money than they
need, a result not likely to be beneficial to tbe
schools or to the public
therefore, deeming this enlargement of the
school fund not desirable, recommend an
amendment to the constitution carving this
surplus, when ascertained, into the general
fund.
The indebtedness of the State 70 the trust
funds on the 3Oth day of September. 1876. was
So,O'g,546. Il, and on the 30th of September
Ioto, So,o2l, lII.S2 an increase in two wears of
Ssto, fol ii. This indebtedness is now C IMPOSED
OIL the following funds and amounts:
Urinary school fund .................S2269 11415
rive per cent. primary school fund 49, 3f5. s36 IL
SmNerslty tund OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 1897. SIS
Normal school fund ~ ADJ 10
Agricultural-college fund. ...... 13O.1S4 -
""iioau anu other deposits. ......... 3.30B.72
Total: .;......................s 1924, ~. 50
While 1t Is cheering to know that the bonded
ueot OF the State is rapidly decreasing, and
through the operation Of ne sinking fund will will
soon disappear, 1t should not be forgotten that
the Indebtedness to the trust fund has been for
years steadily accommodating
III anouid also he remembered that the pres
ent condition of the treasury does not warrant
any lavish expenditure of the public MONEYS.
The maintaining of our Observation-Disclosures
state institutions, together with the cost of
heating, lighting, and caring for this new
'Capitol building, which necessarily will be very
mucn greater than Formerly, will considerably
ancrease the ordinary expenses of the State
Government
These considerations, taken in connection
with the fact that many of our municipalities
are carrying heavy burden of debt created for
local purposes, should lead Won 10 avoid any
schemes for additional taxation not of absolute
necessity.
MUNICIPAL INDEBTEDNESS AND AssEssNfFNrs
IL is a source of regret that we nave no
means through the State Offices. or in any
other manner readily accessible, of
ascertaining tho total indebtedness Of
the counties, cities, towns villages and
school districts of the State, or the s0greoat
amount levied each year in such locaIi2ieSo for
county, town, school and road taxes: sncb in.
formation would afford full knowledge Of the
complete public debt of the State and its snho
divisions, with the whole amount of taxes Inn
posed therein; il would enable legislators 70 oct
more understandingly than they can at present
IN making appropriations ard providing for inst
taxation; il would also advise the people moro
perfectly of the sources that draw means from
them by taxation, and, apprehend, would pro.
mote greater care and more equality i'm the i'm
position of burdens of this kind / would re-
spectfully suggest the propriety of providing.
10y proper enactment for such information %
The aggregate value of all the real aud per
sonal property of the State, as returned by the
assessors in 1876, was as follows:
EerSonal property ................ G,f21 1872. ~
iYal S3'4 SSl .t2S D
- ~ ls alleged, and have no doubt with truth,
tnat TINS valuation does not show much more
Sn&a one-thrd of the real worth of the property
assessed have no information of the aggre-
SSe amount of the assessments for 1877 and
100, nut have reason to believe that they are
made maae upon the same basis. A clause in our
Sea1e constitution which seems TO me man
uaVory, declares that all assessments upon
PIoperty shall be at its cash value. Icall atten-
Mon 70 TINS subject because, through the de-
S,s'ons OF courts in other States, recently made,
Psrues representing large property interests
IN aI..1 l.. 80 -.