The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-01-12
MESSAGE
DAVID 4. JEROME,
Retiring Governor OF Michigan,
TO THE LEGISLATURE
JANUARY 3, 1888.

commend such measures as shall seem ex-
pedient
When the constitution was adopted, thirty
two years since the task thus imposed upon
the Governor was of easy performance COM
pared TO its present magnitude. Then the
population of the State was less than 400, 900.
The Michigan University and the State Nor
mai School, with an investment for the
former of 100000 and for the latter of $40
30, constituted the State educational institu-
tionS The asylum for the insane at Kala-
mazoo, and the institution for the deaf, the
dumb and the blind, at Flint, with an invest
ment for the former of $50. OF and for the
latter of $lSl5l, comprehended the State
charitable institutions, and the crude be-
ginning of a prison at Jackson, on which had
been expended $lO6, 237 "a, was the only
penal institution belonging to the State.
These constituted the institutions about
which information was to be given at the
date above referred to- The railroads
scarcely exceeded in length and capacity the
private railroads now used by Michigan lum-
bermen tor hauling their saw logs from
where the timber grows to floatable streams
The commerce on the surrounding lakes was
insignificant in comparison with its present
magnitude No communication had then
been opened with the Upper Peninsula ex-
cept in small way, by transhipment and
land carriage around the Sault. That PENN
sula, with the major part OF the north half
OF the Lower Peninsula, was then dense
wilderness, without inhabitants and only
partially explored The agricultural pro
ducts of the State were scarcely
sufficient for home consumption. Copper,
mon and salt were not produced in our
State for shipment, and there were few
factories TO give employment to our people.
We simply possessed the undeveloped, and,
60 great extent, unknown elements upon
which great States are founded
During the years that have since inter
vened, extraordinary progress has been
made, until, without ostentation and with
commendable pride, we can invite compari-
son with any State in the Union.
Our population has reached ! 10000,
1000 coo of which has been added within the
last twenty years. The finances the pri-
mary school system, the University the
State Normal School and the Agricultural
College, the three asylums for the insane,
the institution for the deaf and dumb, the
School for the Blind, and the State Public
School; the Reform Schools for boys and
girls, the State prison and the State House of
Correction and ReformatOry; the 100 miles
of railroad; the fisheries and State boards,
are among the prominent topics about
which | am called upon to give information
and to make suggestions. Ny aim will be to
discharge the duty imposed, with view OF
aiding you in performing your higher re-
probabilities to the State
STATE FINANCES.
The State is in admirable financial CON
lative practice more than twenty years since,
and which has been invariably adhered to in
conducting its financial affairs-"to pay as
you CO." or TO make provision for needed
means before their expenditure has been en-
tered upon-has resulted in numerous adj
vantages. The people who are called upon
TO pay taxes in advance, with which to make
improvements are more rigidly inclined to
weigh with care proposed enterprises and to
scrutinize the acts of officials charged with
the work Again, business conducted purely
on a cash basis has the same advantages in
public transactions as in those of private
nature. The wisdom of this policy has been
abundantly manifested in the economy with
which our public buildings have been con-
structed, and the results that have been ac-
complished with the very moderate taxes
levied for State purposes OF all the States
that defray their general expenses by taxes
levied on property other than corporations
paying specific taxes, and that discharge all
their obligations Michigan ranks the lowest.
The bonded debt made it necessary TO
provide means for it's extinguishment. The
constitution required the creation of q sink
ing fund for that purpose. This has been
complied with, and within the last thirty
years over 900 have been used for
that. purpose from revenues derived about
equally from direct taxation, from sales OF
educational lands, and from specific taxes
collected from corporations These funds
were constantly accommodating. Loans to
Sbanks would not yield the rate of interest
The bonds were bearing; prudence dictated
that bonds should be retired before maturity,
so far as practicable. This was done. The
surplus funds in the treasury that could
mot be so used were loaned at the best rate
of interest obtainable. While from the
uatter source the interest earnings have
nearly 500 600 they are small COM
Jpayed TO the benefits derived from paying
The bonds in advance of maturity.
In oil 70 fhnir atVilN 30 I.,
payment of the bonded debt, the revenues
From direct taxation and from the sales of
educational lands have betrayed the general
expenses of the State and have bnilt up its
institutions
The specific taxes collected from CORPORA
lions have not only contributed 60 the pay
ment of the principal and the interest of the
bonded debt, but have paid the interest on
the trust funds The latter interest pay
ments aggregate an amount exceeding the
entire trust funds
Again. from the surplus revenue from spe-
cific taxes over 81 100000 have been distrib-
uted among the primary schools, in addition
to the interest payments as above.
The expenditures pursuant TO appropria-
tions for lands and permanent improve
ments for State institutions are as follows
The University ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS l1,OO0.O0
State Normal School. ................. 90,742.53
Agriculture College. 2603I273
State Public School .................. 1852 . on
Michigan Asylum for Insane. ........ 6J2,l8.SO
New Asylum for Insane, Traverge City 5O,OOONO
Institution for the Deaf and Dumb. 3i3,39.95
School for the Blind ............... 5l,3O0.OO
State Prison ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 80 1924
formatory G,226.32
State Reform School ......... 21s, 1872. %
Reform School Tor Girls. ............. 1l7,55OOO
Capitol Building Including the old Liza, 90 81
$500, 02SOi
These achievements are the well-rounded
results of judicious laws enforced by faith
full administration in the various depart
ments of government
The condition of the treasury up to the
30th day of September last is as follows:
Bal nee I'm trca Jury Sept 80, 1880. sl,57s,6i3 OF
Receipts for fiscal year endin2 Sept. -. 49,
80, 1881 ZoV''@oo'V'
Total. ls5, 95l.Os
Disburseme pts FIR fiscal year ending
Sept. 30, Observation-Disclosures. 2J9i,oo9'ol
Balance. .sl,7e3, a62.CI
Receipts or tho Il cal year ending
sept 80 1882 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 2,elt, 70
Total ,7O9, 1902
Disbursements ter the fiscal year
ending Sept 30, 1882 ................ 95l,5i33l
Balance in treasury Sept. 30,
Add o. S 6oscs in sinsing fund. -. 9oooOO.ol
Total 49,; .......... SOY PIG ~