Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-01-15

The annual interest on the public
debt is 500, ,490; on bonded debt,
sos, 180; on school and seminary
certificates, S202.310. The governor
hopes the day when a reduction OF
taxation may be made will be before
the next general assembly is made.
He thinks the amount necessary to
carry on the state government for
1885 and 1886 will approximate
S,2,50O,000. The following portions
of the bonded debt will mature be.
fore the Thirty-fourth general Assem-.
bly, shall convene: 1885 So 900
1886, s2,129.000; 1887, 3,72O,O
total, S5,S52 900.
HANNIBAL AND ST. JOE RAILROAD.
The governor continues the history
of the controversy between the state
and this railroad, which is here omit.
ted. 1t is suggested that the retiring
attorney general, D. H. Mcintyre
be continued in the case, and an ap.
preparation for that purpose is rec
commended.
RAILROADS.
Gov. Crittenden quite elaborately
discusses the subject of railroads ant
advocates a reasonable and liberia
policy towards them. Fifteen coun
ties are without railroad accommoda
tions, which number will be reduced
to ten within the next year, and 40t
miles Of new road constructed. Th'
commissioners can accomplish mor'
in the interest of the patrons of tn
roads than can he done by legisla
ton. These officials should condemn
ohnoxious depots and the railroa,
managers and town officers shoul,
break up such nuisances.
STATE CLAIMS.
Hon. John T. Heard deposited Il
1.-THE treasury S234,594. less conimis
sion, in August, 1884. being tn
amount collected from the Unite,
States for war claims, since when h
prosecuted other claims, involving
over S1,OOO,OOO. Hon. John r
Walker has been appointed to sue
ceed Mr.. Heard, who resigned o
being elected to Congress.
THE PENITENTIARY
is in excellent condition, not costln
the state dollar in it's running ez
penses, except in the pay of its civ
list. showing S28.411 ~ on the crec
it side of the prison. The rebuilt
ing of workshops destroyed by FL
exhausted the appropriation, S155
900 before the work was completed
The number of prisoners Decembe
81, 1884. was $40. at a total Coz
per capita of 81 1-2 cents. III
health is excellent. death rate small
$40 per cent. A branch penitel
tlary is advocated. One hundre
and thirty five prisoners have bee
lpardoned during Gov. Crittenden
term. He suggests the penitential
committees recommend the pardt
of the old and broken down men
the hospitals, provided relations
friends will take them, and provit
lalso for several insane convicts wlo
Isentences have expired. In come
Ition with criminal matters the COVE
nor urges the erection of u reformat
! ry school.
INSANE CRIMINALS.
It's recommended that law
passed that where there is an acqu
tai of criminal offence on q
ground of insanity, a verdict 10 su
effect he returned, and thereupon t
accused be remanded to an asylu
until pronounced cured. The COVE
nor thinks where such law is
force, the plea of insanity will
much more rarely invoked, and juri
he less likely to inflict uRmeri,
punishment when the public can
protected by milsier measures. I
building Of criminal insane asylt
J within the walls of the penitentia
is recommended.
DOWNING LAW.
The following is the full text
the message on the subject of
Downing high license law: Isugg
that this law should either he repe
ed or so amended as to make it ,
pllcable in Its provisions to eve
part of the state alike. This law |
teen in part made imperative in
city of st. Louis hy the presum
existence and operation of the act
1857. am not inclined to that vie
but as it was so declared by a co
of adequate jurisdiction, the civil .
. thorities Of that city acquleseed
the ruling. suggest that the act
1857 he repealed. thus leaving
l..