The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-01-05

Tho full text OF the message Follows:
To the Honorable the General Assembly:
Previous to the amendment OF the con-
stitution, whereby the official term OF
the general officers was changed from
the last Tuesday in May to the first
Tuesday In January. the governor had
number of months between his assuming
Office and the meeting OF the general
snsembiy In the january session in which
to farniliaxizs himself with the affairs Of
xhs stats. and ne could therefore advise
on matters of public concern with per
sonal knowledge OF the existing condi-
tions. Under the present arrangement
all this Is changed. IAttle more can be ex-
peoted, thersfore, than that he should
present at this time recommendations
more or less general in character, re-
serving definite suggestions as to state
interests to later date, II he then sees
at 10 communicate them.
During this session or the general as
sembly reports will be presented from
those In charge OF the several depart
rnents of the state government, some OF
which are required by law and others
Of which are presented only I'm accord
snce with custom. All OF these should
he carefully considered by the members
OF the general assembly. From them can
be learned, not only the present condi-
tion OF the states affairs, but also the
probable necessities of the several de-
partments for the year 10 come. Especial
attention should be given the report OF
The general treasurer. The states finances
are reaching condition which requires
earlv attention and action by the general
assembly.
STATE EXPENDITURES.
During the fiscal year ending Dec. 81,
1904 the expenses OF the state government
exceeded the income by about sl75,OOo The
income Of the past year, with the small
balance in the treasury Jan. ], 1904, made
the funds at the service of the sttae about
s15Ss 900 This has not been suricient
10 meet the expenditures authorized by
the general assembly, and IL has therefore
been necessary for the general treasurer
TO borrow and expend about si75,0oo In ad-
ditlon which sum must he taken from
the income Of the present fiscal year II
the debt thereby incurred is 10 be paid.
These few figures are enough TO show
that the time has come for the general
assembly 10 give serious consideration 10
a subject which Is not new. and which
should not cause surprise. az IL Is only
the elimination Of conditions which have
been noted from year 10 year in the an
nual reports of the general treasurer.
n is estimated that the income of the
state for the current year. based upon the
present sources, will not exceed H,615,Oo0.
The ordinary running expenses for the
same period will be something more than
S.b00.e0 To these ordinary expenses
must be added such extraordinary ex-
penses as the debt OF $4,000 TO which
reference has already Deen made; bal
ance Of $4,000 Of an appropriation al
ready authorized for n new bridge across
the Sakonnet river. between Tiverton and
Portsmouth; and an appropriation for tho
taking Of "a census OF the population,
manufactures. agriculture fisheries. and
business Of the several towns which
must be done this year I'm accordance with
chapter 50 OF tho General Laws
This alone would show an excess of ex-
penses over income OF nearly 500, ooo. But
there are other expenses for which pro-
vision must also be made Tho state
Eanatorium IN course Of construction will
duire at least ie00no more for its com
pletion and occupancy; the state armory