Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1885-01-15

EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
Lansing, January 7, 1885.
GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE AND OF
THE House OF REPRESENTATIVES,:
Section eight of article five OF the
constitution of this state makes 10 the
duty of the governor AZ the close Of his
official term TO give to the next legisla-
ture information by message of the
condition of the state, and recommend
such measures to them as he shall deem
expedient.
FINANCES.
Our financial condition is very salts
factory, the balance in the treasury at
the close of the fiscal year being 81, l42,-
5000, and every Indebtedness of the
state provided for. The bonded in
debtednes3 is not due until 1890, which
can be more than met by the balance in
the sinking fund.
OUR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
After stating the needs of the Uni
versity, which will be more fully pre-
sentod by the Board of Regents, he
mention the Importance of providing
better accommodations for mechani-
cal laboratory. He depreciates the
practice of each legislature making APP
preparations to meet the current eX-
penses OF the university, but such ex-
penses should be met in manner more
consonant with the dignity of the insti-
tuition. The governor thinks this can
be done by increasing the LEO mill
tax to lilo or liz.
The demand for more room at the
Michigan state normal should be
met by the present Legislature. The
matter should be attended to at once,
as delay of two years would seriously
cripple the institution and retard its
growth. That the institution already
has a permanent and healthy growth is
evident from the increased attendance,
Notwithstanding much greater strin-
gency in the requirements for admission
He recommends TO the consideration
of the present Legislature tho needs OF
common schools of the state, and advo-
Gates reduction of the number of school
districts and officers in charge. To make
each township in the state q single
school district, he believes, will accrue
to the best interest of the state at large
in more effective and efficient system.
The progress and aims of the
Agricultural college will warrant gen.
erous appropriation by the present leg
islature.
WEATHER SERVICE.
As most of the operations OF agri.
culture are dependent on the weather
and a knowledge OF its impending
changes being of such great import
ance to this vast industry, state
weather service which. besides collect
ing and disseminating information in
regard to the meteorology of our state,
shall place itself in such relations to
the signal service on the one hand and
the railways and mail service ON the
other as to give the earliest possible in
formation in regard 10 impending
changes of the weather which threaten
agricultural interests, would repay a
hundred fold the cost Of It's lnainte-
nance. The grain grower, the hay
maker, the stock raiser, and fruit cul'
turist, are alike interested in such pre-
dlctiOns of the weather.
The governor believes tho state
weather service should be located at
the Agricultural college and associated
with its work and effort, and the college
should be the center for collecting and
disseminating information relating to
agriculture.
THE STATE LIBRARY
is in most satisfactory condition, and
the appropriation of 50 900 for the ears
1885 is very moderate.
DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTION.
From personal knowledge the gov
ernor heartily recommends the appro-
priations asked for tho maintenance of
this institution. Special appropriations
will be needed for defraying tho ex.
penses Uf new heating apparatus, and
for the purchase OF land.
SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND.
Tho governor thinks the reason for
the increase in cost per capita at this
institution al Lansing over that at Flint
should be Investigated before additional
appropriations are made. He can see
no reason tor erecting an addition 10
the buildings this year, and thinks it
would be better deferred until an in.
creased attendance shall make it neces-
sary.
INDUSTRIAL HOME FOR GIRLS.
He does not think any thing should
be expended in enlargDg this
institution in Adrian. Tie does
not think prolonged residence
in the institution is of any ad-
vantage to the inmates, and there
fore every effort should be made to Sc
cure homes in families as SOON as can
DO, as only by so doing is their reform
accomplished.
STATE REFORM SCHOOL.
Before appropriating the money with
which TO build an additional double
cottage, the governor thinks the wiser
plan would be 10 devise some method
by which the number of boys in the
school can be reduced. He says: /
join with the Board of Charities in re-
GREETING "that there is a seeming neces-
sIty for again increasing the capacity
OF the reform schools; that existing
agencies have failed 10 provide else
where for the considerable number of
boys unwisely and unnecessarily CON-
mited to the institution; and, that so few,
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