Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-01-07

made within the limits of its authority.
With the knowledge of this grave respon-
sibility. / doubt not that il will he your
constant aim to leave behind you work
that will deserve from confiding CON
stituency the welcome plaudit: We'll
DONE"
The pcrpetuity of popular self-gov-
ernment is contingent upon the faith
fulness and disnterestedness of those in
authority, whether as legislators, judges,
or executive. The destinies of onr people
are largely in your hands. The honor
and respect of our sister States are in
your keeping. In word. you are fdu-
Charles of the highest degree. The de-
mands of private individuals, which have
for their real object the promotion of
private interest at the expense of the
general public, will doubtless he one of
the barriers that you will be called upon
TO surmount. To decline to grant a sell
fish request is no grievance to him who
makes it, but an asquescence in such de-
mands is oft-times a public injury that is
far-reaching and disastrous In its con
sequences. L. therefore. caution you that
you he not deceived by the adroitness and
cunning of experienced agents whose in
terest in the general welfare of the whole
people is not commensurate with the duty
incumbent upon you.
Although it is not for the executive
TO participate in the enactment of laws,
nor his wish TO interfere with You in
the discharge of your exclusive functions,
yet the constitution enjoins upon him the
duty of giving to you information of
affairs concerning the State, and of recon-
mending to your consideration such meas
ures as he shall deem expedient. With
Ix,sa n l,..l
ter upon the fulfilment of this obliga-
tion.
To intermeddle with the affairs of your
organization would be reprehensible, and
nothing is farther from my intention, but
| being possessed of a knpwledge-acluired
by experience and observationof the i'm
portance of great care and accuracy in
| the enrolment of bills, the irksomencss
entailed upon your body, most especially
upon your committee on enrolment, and
the onerous duties imposed upon the Secre-
| tary of State in his publication of the
laws. consequent upon the employment of
an incompetent person for the perform
ance of this most important part of your
work, | am induced with reluctance to
| direct your attention to this matter.
FINANCIAL.
| 1t is my privilege to report the finances
of the State to be in the same wholesome
condition that has characterized our
States credit for many years. By pru-
dent economy and faithful attention on the
! part of those who have the management
of our finances the lowest rates of interest
have been secured and maintained.
The following statement will exhibit the
States liabilities and assets respectfully:
LIABILITIES.
| Outstanding bonds bearing
per cent interest ........ S195, 10000
Outstanding bonds bearing
49, per cent interest ..... 35,00000
Outstanding bonds bearing 3
| per cent interest ........ 250,000.00
School Fund bonds bearing
6 per cent interest ...... 156, 10000
| Certificate of Indebtedness
to Delaware College, bear
ing per cent interest. -. s3,OOO.0O
Total liabilities ......... $T19, 10000
| ASSETS.
The assets belonging to the General
| Fund are as follows:
Mortgage of Junction &
Breakwater Railroad Co.,
balance of debt at 3 per
cent ........ ......... sls5,Ooo.oO
Mortgage of Breakwater &
Frankford Railroad Co.,
principal at 3 per cent. -. 200000.00
1878 shares of Farmers
Bank stock at S65 ...... S2,S75.0O
20 shares of National Bank
of Delaware stock at $500, 100000
Total investment General
Fund S1TI, ,SI5.OO
Tk. .,,,,n ,te fsaut SC he