Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-01-08
Els LAST MESSAGE
Governor BiS6S' Views Upon the
Affairs Of State.
LIVE ISSUES DISCUSSED
Both Houses of the LegisIa-
ture Organized.
WHAT THE MESSAGE CONTAINS
THE MESSAGE.

muntcatiOn TO the Legislature To-day.
Both Houses Organized.
Special Correspondence OF Gazette ana journal
DOVER, Jan. 6.-Both houses met at II
a. M, to-day and organized by electing the
caucus nominees of last night.
In the Senate the Republican members
voted for John Pilling for speaker, Beniah
Watson for clerk, w. McHearn for ser.
geant-at-arms.
In the House the vote stood Speaker,
.sirman, ~ Smith, 8; John O. Higgins, /;
blank, l; clerk, Dunn, 49, Conrad, 7; ser
geant-at arms. Phillips, 16; no opposition;
page, Novel; McGonigal 13Irvin Thomas,
Z; chaplain, A. w. Green, no opposition.
The organization occupied one hour. AT
1880 Secretary of State Salisbury pre-.
scented the governors message and the ac-
companying papers, and the message was
ordered read. 1t is as follows.
Gentlemen Of the Senate aud House of Rem
reSontdtigcs: The biennial meeting Of the
Legislature is deemed an appropriate oc-
casion for the governor to give to the Cen
eral Assembly such information as he NAV
possess, relative to affairs of public
character in the State, and to make such
suggestions and recommendations as he
may think proper, touching matters that
may require legislative action during the
session.
The General Assembly, under orr Con
stitution, is vested with the whole legisla-
tive power of the State, and is only re-
stricted in the exercise of that power by
such limitations imposed thereon as NAV
be found in the Constitution of the State
and the constitution of the United States,
and the laws OF Congress made in pur-
suance thereof
The governor has no veto power as in
many states, and can in no way interfere
with the exercise of the legislative power
vested in the General Assembly. His duty
is to see that the laws enacted by the Leg
lslatiYe department are respected and
uheved, whatever may be his opinion of
the wisdom of such laws or the want Of
constitutional authority for their enact
nent; Nor can the judiciary of the State
Interfere with the legislative will as ex-
pressed in the statutes enacted except
when found in cases brought before the
courts to be in conflict with the limitations
imposed upon the authority of the Legis-
lature
The possession by the General Assembly
OF the entire legislative power of the State,
creates corresponding obligation to ex-
ercise the power conferred with due DELHI
Grafton and a strict regard to the public in
terests. Entrusted by your fellow-citizens
with the responsible duty of legislators /
doubt not it will be your highest aim to
meet the just expectations Of your constit-
uents, and promote by your action the vel
fare of the people of the whole State.
deem it not inappropriate to call your
attention to the large increase of private
matters brought of late years before the
Legislature. Perhaps fully one-half of
the sessions for some years past has been
consumed in the consideration Of business
Of private nature in which the public
has no interest, and much Of which is
cognlzable in the courts, and could be
more properly disposed of in those tri-
bunals than by the Legislature.
II cannot be doubted that business of
tins character is sometimes brought before
the Legislature in order to avoid the in
vestigation to which it would be subjected
in the courts, and which would not be
likely. to secure favorable consideration
anywhere i its true character was under
stood. Without specifying particularly
the various classes of business which the
Legislature would do well to refuse consid-
Grafton, | may be allowed to refer 60 the
large increase Of late in the applications
to the Legislature for divorces. The atten-
ton given such applications is becoming
reproach to legislation in this and other
states and the facility with which divorces
are obtained it is believed, largely aug
ments the number of such applications
and exerts baneful influence upon
marital relations.
Desiringto have the State and her people
escape the reproach that attaches to such
legislations, | recommend to the Iepisla
ture such extension of the Jurisdiction If
the, courts as will give ample power to hear
and determine all questions Of divorce
and to remit the parties who may seek lep-
latlNe and IN such matters to the tribunals |
thus clothed with power to hear them.
since my last biennial message TO the
al AEsta il liz, - l.
disturb the good order that has usually |
prevailed in this State, or to diminish that
sense OF security and protection which is |
inspired by proper enforcement of the |
laws. Offenders against the law have been |
apprehended and punished, and the Grim |
inal laws administered by the courts and |
those charged with that duty with that |
impartiality and fidelity which has always
distinguished the administration of Justice |
in this State. While in some portions IF |
the country lawless and riototis assem-
nlages OF unruly persons, threatening to |
life and property, has required the inter. |
Vention of executive authority the ortli- |
nary police force in this State has been |
able to maintain the public peace. and |
afford due protection to our citizens III tile |
pursuit OF their ordinary avocations.
STATUTE LAWS AND AMENDMENTS THERETO.
Repeated changes in the statute laws of
the state are often attended with inconven |
fence TO the people, unless great care il |
taken to define, specifically, the law that /
is 70 be amended Not unfrequently acts |
OF Assembly are passed which are eonched /
N ambiguous language susceptible of more /
than one construction. The object and in |
tent of every statute should be rendered MS
obvious as possible, 50 us 10 preclude the /
possibility of being misinterpreted There
fore, | beg leave to suggest that in the |
of laws, which you may sep
proper to enact, that you use every pre-
caution to make the provision plain and
expllclt, Of being understood by
the people.
FINANCES.
had not at hand sufficient data, when
the message was prepared to present 10 |
YOU detailed statement of tie States
finances. This has been done BY the State
Treasurer in the report herewith presented /
for your consideration. 1t is sufficient for
me TO say That our finances are in favor
able condition. The state investment en-
coed her liabilities, while the revenues have
been more than sufficient to meet every
legitimate demand upon the treasury If
the state and leave large surplus in the
hands of the Treasurer, which should be-
scrupulously guarded for the payment of
bonds OF the state, shortly becoming due
and payable,
STATE MORTGAGE.
ms inuTlStge IDr SAuD,uuD held by the
state against the Junction & Breakwater
Railroad Company matured on the first
lay Of January, 1880 The principal
thereof remains unpaid, but the company
has regularly and promptly paid the fnterr.
est thereon since that date. It deyolyes
upon the General Assembly to take such
action in the premises az will best promote
The interests Of the State, and preserve the
security Of the debt thereby evidenced.
COUNTY TAXES.
The system of collecting county taxes Il
expensive and not at all satisfactory to the
people. Laws could be easily framed that