The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-01-03
THE FINANCES OF THE STATE
ARE IN BEST CONDITION AND
STATE PROSPEROUS.
FEW LAMENTATIONS ARE
MADE TO LEGISLATURE.
In Leaving The Executive Office Elk.
Governor Osborn Gives Advice
In Scriptural Quota
ton.
December 81, 1912.

gan, and their Forty-Seventh Legis.
lature:
Section five Of Article six of the
Constitution of the State of Michigan,
relating to the duties of the Governor.
is as follows:
"He shall communicate by message
to the legislature, and at the close of
his official term TO the incoming legis-
lature, the condition of the state, and
recommend such measures as he may
deem eXpedient."
Obedient to that mandate Of the peo-
pie, / find satisfaction in reporting
TO you that, although the state had a
deficit two years ago to the amount
Of near a million dollars and was con-
| sequently in disgrace, it is now out
| Of debt and has surplus in the treas
ury of near a million dollars. The
rate OF taxation has been lowered and
should continue 10 lessen Hundreds
CT millions of dollars in property have
been added to the tax rolls. More
should be added at once. Conditions
throughout the state are good. In
stitutional and departmental efficiency
has increased. New economies are
being practiced and there are many
others that may Re resorted to. Pro.
gressive laws should be enacted com.
pretending more equal taxation and
the assessment CT porperty tangible
and intangible now escaping taxa
ton; insuring greater purity and hon
esty in elections and returns con-
serving the rights of the masses and
improving their conditions; divorcing
the organized liquor interests from
politics; practically and effectively
checking the devastation Of alcohol,
the too easy supply and consequent
excessive use OF which cause measure.
less misery; realizing the responsible
ity Of the strong to the weak, the
euties Of public brotherhood and OF the
state to all OF it's citizens; cnncen-
trating responsibility In visible on
.eials chosen by. votes, in wieldy, cleo. -
ton districts: and Keeping step with
the onward march of better public
ethics and pure morals. There Is
little danger that such new and need
full legislation will be created too rap
idly for practical adjustment to II Of
the life and affairs OF the state. but
heed to this may we'll be given. II
may also be remembered that the form
OF government is best tina. Is best adj
ministered.
I DO not need to urge You. as leg
isaltors. to whom has been delegated
all the power OF the people Of Michi-
gan whose average Of citizenship is
the highest in the world. to be true to
your trust, because have faith that
you Will be. I DO not need to sug-
sest to You that citizenship should
take procedure g; craftsmanship and
that the welfare Of the state is to be
thought OF before any consideration
is given to party politics, because you
are as well seized of these axioms as
am. I do not need to REQUEST your
respectful and patriotic cooperation
with the distinguished citizen who
has just been inaugurated Governor
of the State, because you will con-
tribute SUCH an attitude of your own
free will. And | do not need to OBJ |
trude a long message Of suggested |
legislation which would only tend to |
confuse the new order if remembered, |
and be OF no value II forgotten, be- |
cause | have conferred with Governor |
Ferris and he understands the needs |
of the state as I see them. My adj |
of affairs is my message |
10 the people.
Now permit me- in closing, to quote
the eighth verse Of the fourth chap
ter of the Epistle OF Paul the Apostle. |
to the Philippians, upon which may
safely be builded the strong and per-
manent structure .! state and in which
may be discovered safe rule of
guidance for every action:
FINALLY, brethren, whatsoever
things are true, whatsoever things
are honest, whatsoever things are Just.
whatsoever things are pure. whatso-
ever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are Of good report II there be
eny virtue, and II there be any praise.
think on these things"
Respectfully,