The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-01-13
BIENNIAL MESSAGE


OF JOHN S. PILLSBURY.
Delivered before the Minnesota Legislature
January s. 1881.
Gentlemen Of tho Senate and House Of Represen-
l gladly welcome you to the first of the biennial
amended constitution. With a single execution,
there has not before been interval exceeding one
year between legislative sessions since the organi
cation of our State government. The longer period
now afforded for testing the wisdom Of legislative
acter necessarily derived from longer experience OF
their practical operation WILL it is hoped, insure
more Intelligent apprehension, both Of their merits
receives and more cautious changes in all measures
looking to tho public welfare, For this
and larger interests which decade Of remarkable
progress has confided to your charge, the legisa-
ton you now propose, will claim your most
elapsed since your last assemDlage have witnessed
continued and accelerated revival of industrial
prosperity. undated progress in the construction
ton, a constant accession of population and
steady absorption and cultivation Of the pub
lie domain. To these causes of encouragement
may be added the satisfactory condition of our
various public institutions and the general health
comfort and contentment prevalent among the peo-
pie at large. Is perhaps scarcely less source Of
of experience regarding our mistaken system Of
agriculture continue. seemingly, to be emphasized
by the kindly forces Of nature a% For three
crops have been produced in lavish abundance, tho
single cereal to which two-thirds Of our cultivated
area ia devoted has alone suffered such diminished
yields in the greater part of the State Is scarcely to
have covered the cost OF production.
The result of persists, ce in this course mnst be
obvious. But am glad to believe that the costly
and reiterated warning is at last beginning to be
needed The crying need of our agriculture is that
Its products should be diversified and that its varied
resources should not be restricted, but enlarged.
There is no reason why industry, wisely directed,
should not be even more surely rewarded in hus
bandry than in other pursuits, and it is especially
desirable that that primary culture of the soil.
which is necessarily the foundation OF public
wealth, should not be shorn of reasonable
profit to the cultivators by msdirection of effort
This error corrected, there Is little to impede our
healthful progress.
Indeed, the signs of tho times are au-
spcious. Indications multiply that the coun
try is entering upon new era OF prosperity. The
financial policy Of the government is wisely assured
New credit is quickening the pusations Of industry
in all branches, while sound currency will contrib
ute to their heathful regularity These are the hope
full prospects, nevertheless, which apt olure
indulgence of those extravagant expenditures which
rpen sooner or later into financial disaster. Indeed
there unhappily evidences already of a renewal
Of these lavish habits Of personal indulgence which
have SO Oft IN ended in general ruin. ] have before
taken occasion to derrecate this tendency, and
deem 1t OF the highest Importance that our san
guine people should receive warning against
repeating the mistakes Of the past. Since our ex-
istence a State We have experienced most OF the
alterations of fortune to which individuals COM
munites are subject; we have felt the calamities of
war and the blessings of peace we have realized the
pinchngs of poverty and the exuberance of plenty,
and between these have fluctuated the
deceptive promises of hope and the
depressing dread of adversely. As the out
come of all to-day condition Of
affairs IN my judgment sounGer in basis and richer
in promise than has ever before been presented to
the people of our State nation. Approaching
our blessings, if we shall now learn from the past
how to use wisely our present advantages, we may
Thus admonished and encouraged, with profound
gratitude for all the favoring and Christening dis
pensations of Almighty God, let US address our
selves to the discharge Of the duties before us, with
earnest purpose to meet the larger demands anG
Rravcr responsibilities now involved in the consid.
Grafton of public affairs
The reports of the several departments and State
institutions which will be laid before you will &C.
quaint you in detail with the condition of the vari
Gus public matters requiring your attention.
STATE FINANCES.
A comprehensive exhibit of the financial situa-
ton is afforded by the report of the state auditor
from which is obtained the following general state
meut:
RECEIPTS.
1879. 1890
Cash balances November 80. .$4s 400 20 $122O29 II
State taxes .5S2,977 90 380.905 So