Morning journal and courier., 1885-01-09
Friday, January 9, 1885.
GOVERNOR HARRIsON,s MESSAGE

GOVERNOR HI A Es RISON'S MESSAGE, The first message" of Governor Harrison delivered to the legislature yesterday, will
 receive more attention than the messages of
 some governors have received, and it will be
 found well worth reading. It is clear, direct
 and forcble
 After some earnest words at the beginning
 of the message the Governor reviews the
 financial condition Of the State. He says
 that in view of the large amount of money
 annually expended by the State, and the
 great variety of purposes to which the ex-
 penditure must be applied, it has become
 highly important that the different appropri- ations from the treasury should DO longer be made without any systematic reference to each other, but that they should be regulated in their respective amounts by a clear and comprehensive understanding of the relative importance and necessities of their various objects, and that the total amount appropria- ted for any given year should be kept within the limit of the income for that year. The act of 1884, providing for annual appropri- ations for State expenditures" is expected to regulate this matter we'll, and it is to be hoped that it will, for it needs regulating.
 The National Guard and the schools of the State are next spoken of, and then the State prison receives attention. The Cover nor points out that something must be done, and done soon, to remedy the growing evils " llich necessarily result from the inadequacy of the present prison to meet the purposes for which it was designed. In regard to graduates from the State Reform school un- der the age of 21, the sensible suggestion is made that they be required, after leasi ing the school, to follow some regular employ ment, under proper oversight and control, until they become familiar with some indus try that will prepare them for useful citizen ship.
 A e-enactment of the statute of 1873 which provided for the establishment of labor bureau in this State is recommended. If we could have such a labor bureau they have in Massachusetts it would be well worth having.
 very important part of the message is that which relates to the ballot. The act of 1877 relating to elections certainly needs ''in such manner as to give full effect to every honest ballot, while main aiming at the same time, under rigorous re- yulations, the freedom of every elector to ;ast, in absolute secrecy, such ballot as he may have right to cast, and see it to cast, at every election" We have lad trouble enough with 'black ballots,' and an attempt should be made to do away with the danger of any more such trouble.
 The Governor recommends the passage of an act providing that every judge of the Supreme Court of Errors or of the Superior court who shall cease to be judge after hay ng served two full terms, or who shall cease % be judge by arriving at the age of seventy years during his second term, shall receive annually during his life, such moderate and reasonable sum as the act shall specify. There can be no fair objection to he passage of such an act.
 The Governor thinks that the General As 'embly will be justified in passing all appro- oriate resolution, respectfully but earnestly, n the name and behalf of the State, re- luesting Congress to enact, without unneces- sary delay, some suitable law regulating the and counting of the votes of 5he Presidential electors. This is very important matter and one in which all the people are deeply interested.
 Other and minor matters receive due at ention in the message, which as whole is very complete and comprehensive docu- nent.