The Yale expositor., 1897-01-15
MICH
THE RETIRING GOVERNOR SAID
A Summary of Ex-Gov. Rich's Message
to the Michigan Legislature.

review Oh state many
recommendations were made. Among
other things he called attention to the
financial affairs and says that while the
state is in better condition than at the
close of the year for the last three years
the funds in the state treasury being
practically exhausted will necessitate the
borrowing of considerable money to pay
the expenses of the legislature and other
expenses of the state government until
the levy of 1895 can be collected.
December 81, 1893, the state had borrow
ed money and obtained advances TO the
amount Of $780,, 1854; i'm 1894, $251, Si0.18; in
1885 the borrowed money and advances
amounted to S,257 5ll.06, and in 1896 the
advances amounted TO 60,56S.29. The esti-
mates furnished the legislature of 1895 by
the auditor general contemplated that
the amount would be sufficient to pay up
arrearages and the current expenses of
the state government until the tax levy OF
1896 should become available.
In anticipation of increased revenues
from railroads, which were never
realized by the failure of the
finance committee struck out 100000 from
the estimates. The increased cost OF the
insane, and other expenses over the es-
Inmates, made the deficiency December 81,
1895, considerably more than was expected.
The cost of the state government for the
year 1886 exceeded the estimates in the
cost OF the insane, in the allowances by
board Of state auditors, cost of collection
OF taxes, advances of money to counties
10 pay expenses of troops on duty, and in
other expenses not anticipated.
That the state institutions are becom-
ing a greater expense year by year to the
people and If. the state constitution were
amended so IS to permit specific taxes to
be placed in the general fund an amount
sutiictent 10 provide for the wants Of the
state government could be raised much
more equitable and Jess burdensome to
the people than by the present method.
The question of taxation of railroads has
agitated the public mind ever since rail-
roads have been in operation Under the
present system the taxes are collected
with minimum of expense. They can be
increased or diminished as may seem
equitable or desirable by simply changing
the rate of taxation on the earnings.
The prisons of Michigan continue to
show improved results in discipline, refor-
nation and cost of maintenance.
The parole law has been in effect but a
little over a year. during which time II
convicts have received its benefits. The
results indicate that so far the law has
fulfilled the expectations of its most ar
dent advocates
THE act of 1895 requiring judges to re-
port TO the executive various facts in re-
Iation to the character and surroundings
of persons sent to prison has also in every
way fulfilled the expectations of its
friends.
In regard to private corporations the
franchise law should also be amended so
as TO nitro effectually reach foreign cor
porat!Ons. There is reputed to be from
SIXTY to seventy-five thousand dollars
due tho state for franchise fees from
foreign corporations. Some provision
should be made for collecting this, and
taking care of similar corporations in the
future. The act of the legislature two
years ago authorizing the secretary OF
state 10 examine into the affairs of build
ing and loan associations under certain
circumstances was step in the right di-
rection but the law has proven made
quate Tor the purpose intended. There is
even greater need that mutual and fra
.SrhaI beneht associations should be
'laced under state supervision.
ne condition OF the Michigan National
Suard has very materially improved dur
ing the past two years. 1t is better
equipped and better clothed than ever
peIore, me trops show great improve
ment IN discipline, and the camp of 1896.
especially, showed an observance of order
Whlch would be creditable to the regular
army under the most rigid discipline.
while there are many things greatly de-
sired in the way of equipments, the state
mllltary board is out of debt having paid
az an JUS bilis, besides an Indebtedness of
SlS,VVO which existed four years ago.
me Michigan Naval Brigade has shown
Hsell worthy OF the support II has re-
celVed at the hands of the state From
lhe report CT the secretary of navy. II is
S eear,i that our naval brigade stands
nearly II not quite, in the front rank of
fne naval militia in the United States.
The plan adopted by the legislatures Of
1873 Tor the relief of the supreme court,
ana required them to reside in Lansing.
Whlle II has accomplished all that was eX-
p peae,r OF It, gives evidence that further
changes In the law and FOR additional APP
preparations are recommended for the
STATE board of health and for the collec-
ZION OF vital statistics. A moderate appro-
prlation looking to some plan for esfab-
ilshing forestry department of the state
is also worthy of consideration.
or i,esg eoioglcal survey, the commissioner
commissioner of labor dairy and food
coiiirnlsSioner, state inspector of oils, of
all show much Improvement and give evil
dence OF their right to exist
Inc Michigan University should require
students from other states. to pay an
amount IN tuition equal, at least, to the
cost OF their instruction. A change is
needed in the form of appropriation for
inc Michigan mining school. Radical
changes have been made in the Agricul-
tural college which promise TO increase its
usefulness. The people of Mt. Pleasant,
VINO nave borne the expense of the Cent
raj Michigan Normal school incident to
its management up TO January /, 1897, ex-
pect the state to bear all further ex-
The economy of administration of the
soldiers home cannot be too highly COM
menced. No improvements in the way OF
building annexes should be considered for
fore have been made for the home and the
woman annex separately, there is no
reason why the appropriation should not
be made In gross, so as to cover both in
situations.
Buildings and improvements are much
needed for the school fox feeble minded
and epileptics, for the building of three
cottages for the upper peninsular hospital
for insane and for an acute hospital at
Kalamazoo.
The management of state institutions by
separate boards. the members of which
are appointed for long terms and serve
for the honor and not for the compen-
sation, has proved a very satisfactory
method. There have been no defalcations,
no moneys lost, and very rarely indeed
any misappropriations made, while the
duties devolving upon some of these
boards have become so large and intricate
that 1t may be well in, the near future
10 provide more definitely what their
duties shall be.
In closing his message ex-Gov. Rich
says that the history of the state shows
that in all its departments its affairs have
been well managed as a rule.
Oscar Johnson, a prominent mer-
chant of Utica Ind was qored by q