Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1893-01-13
HIS PARTING WORDS.
GOV. WiNANS' LAST MESSAGE
TO THE STATE LEGISLATURES
High Praise for state Boards OF Charities
and Corrections and tho state Schools,
ReformatorIes and Asylums-state
Geological survey-Better Roads.

Lansing, January 4.-The following is
the message OF the retiring Governor.
Edwin b. Winans:
Gentlemen OF the Senate and House or
Representatives:
am required, at the close of my Off
eial term, to submit by message to the IN IN,
condition or the state, and TO recommend
such measures as seem to me expedient.
The general condition OF our people for
the past two years has been prosperous,
and peace and quietness have prevailed
throughout our territory.
FINANCES.
The financial condition of the state is
excellent. The Treasurer reports large
amount OF money on hand, and as we
have no bonded debt to be paid, IL would
seem that our people should be free from
no large expenditures for public buildings
are needed, and the revenue from the
growth OF corporate wealth should In
crease with coming years
BY constitutional provision specific tax
es must either be applied TO pay the In,
terest on our bonded debt, or be credited
TO the primary school interest fund. AS
we have no bonded debt, the entire spe-
oi1c tax goes to the primary schools. At
amount received In specific taxes was
comparatively small, but IL now amounts
to about s10O0.OOo annually, and will con-
tinue to increase In many school dis
tricts the money received from the appor-
tionment of specific taxes, together with
the proceeds OF the mill tax, is sufficient
to maintain the schools. In other dis
tricts the money received from these
sources exceeds the necessary expendi-
ture, and results In a surplus. Every dis
trict is authorized TO meet any deficiency
by a district tax, and II would therefore
seem that the time has arrived when
some limit should be fixed to the appor-
tionment OF specific taxes among the
primary schools, and all above a certain
amount be applied for the reduction of
policy involves an amendment TO the con-
stitution, but the disposition of the pres
ent and prospective increase in specific
taxes should receive serious consdera-
ton.
STATE INSTITUTIONS.
The. public institutions OF the state
are all In admirable condition. The build
tngs and grounds are well kept, the in
dustries pursued AFFORD good returns, and
good order, discipline and economy pre-
special report from each institution. No
serious epidemics OF disease or losses by
fire or otherwise have occurred in the
past two years except by the fire in the
Eastern Asylum, by which no lives were
lost and no property DESTROYED aside
stored with many improvements by the
use OF the surplus funds OF the asylum.
PENAL AND REFORMATORY INSTI-
TUTIONS.
Our penal and reformatory institutions
were placed by the last Legislature un-
der the control OF a single non-partisan
board. and the wisdom OF the action has
been fully INDICATED by the results /
ask sour special attention to the reports
OF the State Board OF Inspection and of
the several wardens and superintendent.
They afford most gratifying showing
of economy in expenditures and increased
earnings to the state. while the mainte-
nance, discipline and comfort of the in
mates have received careful attention.
The successful management oL these large
interests requires business men and bus
mess methods, and the policy of those
w Nfan fnN 20 tnGf AN.Nt
a means to reward party zeal, or who
view them as existing for the benefit OF
the towns in which they are located,
should no longer be tolerated. The six
institutions controlled by the State Board
OF Inspectors are similar in character,
though varying in the age. sex and de-
success which attends them is largely
due to the business ability and expert
ence or the board, who survey the
whole field OF operations. and compare
suggest and direct for the best interests
Of each institution. Such general over
Client service. and discourages time serv-
ing and favoritism. The beneficial effects
Of the acts of consolidation will be more
apparent as time is afforded for their
full development, but some additional
power should be given the Board OF In
spectors to grade, classify and transfer
inmates from one prison to another as
occasion may require. The promiscuous
mingling of young offenders. susceptible
hardened and professional criminals, is
directly against the interests OF society.
Experience has shown that the courts
institutions, and the board should be
empowered to separate them.
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
The State Public School at Coldwater,
the School for the Blind and the School
for the Deaf have also been placed un-
der the supervision of a central board of
control. The substitution Of one board for
three has resulted In a substantial saving
of expense. and these institutions are in
admirable condition and are model chari-
ties OF their Kind. The opportunities az
forded single board OF using the knowl-
edge and experience gained in one school
Tor the advantage of each of the others
are manifest, and comparison of methods
and prices OF supplies assists in reducing
expenses and promoting efficiency. The
poncy OF uniting similar public institu-
lions under one management will as sure
ly be for the interest OF each as the union
OF great private interests results In a
common benefit This policy having been
adopted with good results should be con-
unued and extended
STATE UNIVERSITY.
Our State University is first In import
ance among our institutions. The high
standing IL has attained among the great
schools Of the land, and the SUPERIOR AL
vantages afforded by it's faculty and
courses OF study, result each year in an
increased number of students from ali
parts Of the country. III attendance has
Increased from 1850 in 1856 to 2, 400 i'm 1880
and nearly 1900 at the present time Trhe
question presents itself shall the atten ,le
ance DE limited to the present capacity of
the university or shall accommodations be
provided for all who may desire to come?
L believe the latter course TO be the wise
one and that you cannot be too liberal
In granting the appropriations asked by
the board OF regents. Their management
mas been careful and conservative in the
past and am confident that every dollar
you may grant will be wisely used to pro-
mote the usefulness Of the university
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE
The Agricultural College at Lansing Is
now school OF greater value and import
Rnce than is generally known even to our
OWN people. In its early days. STRUGGLING
under many disadvantages, the impress
uon got abroad, especially among farm
ers, that the school was of little value 10
the class particularly interested in agri-
culture. At present no reason for such an
impression exists. The college has stead
ny progressed and expanded until II
stands at the head OF this class of insti-
tutlors and ~ one OF fhe most practical
and useful OF our public schools. / COM
mend It's interests TO your favorable con-
Flderation.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
The State Normal School at YpsIanti
maintains its high reputation for its
special work. The school Is well man.
4 l. A..