The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1886-10-29
INAUGURAL MESSAGE
Gov. EbeneZer J. Ormsbee,

Gov. EbeneZer j. Ormsbee,
Gentlemen of the Senate and House O.
represent tires, IN Joint assembly con
vened:
We are assembled. in accordance with
the provisions OF the constitution, as the
chosen representatives of the freemen OF
partments of State gOvernment-each
and all by our several oaths of office
bound to faithfully do and perform ev-
cry duty. In aid and furtherance of
our individual determination to sacred
ly keep those oaths, let us ever re-
member that in and of ourselves only
our best endeavOrs are liable to come to
naught; that abiding strength and un-
erring guidance come only from Him
who rules the Universe.
The people, whose servants we are,
demand of us prompt and efficient action
in whatever comes to us to do or consid-
err as their representatives. The time
and money spent here iii their service is
theirs, not ours. Duly impressed with
correct views of duty, let us proceed to
performance of it with as much dis
patch as is consistent with candid con-
sideration and safe and wise conclusions.
The biennial reports of the several
State officers as to matters under their
charge, will be before you. To these
you will look for details and itemized ac-
counts of current State affairs, and also,
for information and light as to how we'll
or i'll the affairs pertaining to the welfare
of the State have been. and are being
performed by your selected and trusted
servants-fOr the State officers are but
the servants of the people, and their re-
ports an account of their stewardship.
1t Is part of the duty of these re-
spective officers, by their reports, to make
suggestions and recommendations. and
coming from persons most cOnyersant
with the details, and more familiar than
most Of us with the workings, as well as
the needs, of their respective depart
ments, such suggestions and recommen-
datiOns are entitled to, and doubtless will
have, your careful attention and consid-
Grafton.
The report of the Treasurer presents
an itemized statement of the financial
affairs and condition Of the State. The
subject of the finances of the State u.s.
ually does, and always should have, the
most rigid and careful scrutiny, and the
public does and should require this.
TREAsURER'S REPORT.
From this report it appears that at the
close Of the last fiscal year, July 81,
1886, the State liabilities were as follows,
viz:
Due towns, U. S. Surplus Fund.-. $l3,397 81
Due soldiers, unpaid balances. 1851 46
Due Agricultural College Fund.-. l35,5OO 90
Balance due on appropriation tor
STATE Library. ...................... 22,7O6 55
Balance due on appropriation for
bridge, from North Hero to AL
Dnrgh.. 1902 90
$l992A 10
and the resources were as follows, viz.
Cash on hand and in banks. O974 81
Estimated amount of tax from COR
porations for 1886. zoe, 900 90
Estimated proceeds from sale OF
balance OF Huntington Fund Secu.
rltleS...... OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 10000 OO
$375,974 81
Of the items making up the liabilities,
the following are not subject to call, and
no present provision is required to meet
them, viz:
U. s. Surplus Fund. 1891 81
Balance due soldiers. ...:"........ s,557 AZ
Agricultural College Fund......"... l355oO 90
Amounting to...... 1857 ,455 OS
which sum deducted from the total La
bilities leaves subject to be paid present
ly $4l, 769.O5, showing an excess OF re-
sources over current liabilities of 1884,
205.92. This excess of available re-
sources is about equal to the expenses OF
the State in session year when no ex-
traordinary appropriations are made or
unusual expenses incurred.
STATE EXPENSES.
This subject has received much atten-
ton and consideration at the hands of
the Legislature within the last decade;
many abuses have been remedied; many
sources and avenues of unnecessary ex-
pense have been effectually closed; i'm
portant streams of revenue that had
ceased to flow, partially or wholly. have
been made to pour again their hidden or
diverted contents into the State Treasury.
This is just cause for congratulatiOn
and thankfulness. That so much has
been accomplished, my predecessors. in
their biennial messages have uniformly
given much credit to the faithful and in
telhgent service of our present Auditor
of Accounts, and take this opportunity
to express like sentiments. not as COM
pliment merely. but to give public and
official recognition and appreciation of
faithful and intelligent performance of
duty.
Trru;ucr fo tho Doport of tho A ,u.1;tor