Year: 1860

very burdensome, and more Oncrous on &C


count Of the large amount of taxable prop


erty that escapes the vigilance of the asses


sors. The laws should be more searching


so as to subject all the nOn-exempt prop


erty. of whatever description, to its JUS


proportion of the burdens of taxation.


| respectfully suggest the cxpediency o


thorough revision of the laws relating t


this entire subject and particularly of thos,


more directly affecting our local govern


ments. to the end not only of limiting thu


amount, but of better defining the scope ant


purpose for which taxes may be levied. t.


which may be added. the requiring mort


specific publication of the pnblic expendi.
! lures in our cities.


Laws cannot be too explicit in defining


and enforcing a proper accountability ol


all persons acting in public capacity.


respectfully recommend, that as part Of
any law you may enact on this subject


provision be made regulating public con-


tracts, to apply as well to local as to State


administration.


The appropriating public money by a
public officer to his private use, should be
visited with the most exemplary punish
ment 1t should avail nothing in what
form it may be done, whether by means ol
loaning, depositing. or otherwise. The
gist of the offence should be the expecta-


tion or hope of the officer of receiving a
private benefit from the act He should


be prohibited from tampering with the pub
lie funds in any way, and restricted in their
use. to the demands of his official Duties
All perquisites should he denied him. II
the salary be inadequate to the response


bility or labors of the particular office, let
it be increased to compensatory maximum.
Leave no pretext for an abuse Of his trust.
The sacredness of private and public prop
erty is the life of republican forms of gov
ernment and one of the very highest du-
ties of the legislator, is to surround it with
all the necessary safeguards of law.


The disposition of the Public Works of
the State will doubtless attract your at
tention. These Works are no longer self
sustaining. They are an annual charge
upon the Treasury Why this is 50, whcth-
er because of radical defects iu the laws
relating to their management-to. an un-
wise system Of tolls-to the want of a
proper economy in their repairs, or to a
damaging competition Of the more improv-
cd means Of transportation, l viii not now
inquire.


That the question of the disposition of
the Public Works may receive that careful
attention and revision which the interests
involved demand, respectfully suggest to
you. the passage Of joint resolution au-
thorizing the commission of three gentle
men of enlarged experience and capacity,
whose special duty it shall be to make a
thorough and detailed examination of the
entire subject, and that they report to the
Governor at the earliest practicable period,
such changes and notifications in our canal
laws, as in their judgment are desirable t.
lessen the expenses, or to. increase the in
come. 50 as at least to make our canals full
ly selfSustaining.


If a thorough experience shall demon
strate, that they cannot be made self sus-
tanning. constant agitation must lie expect
cd of the proposition to sell or lease them.
50 IS to have the State relieved of their
support.


| suggest the appointment of this Com
mission, because of my apprehension. and
the Legislature have not the time, nor the
means within their reach, during Session,
with so many other demands upon their at
tention, to give so complicated and impor-
tant a subject, that systematic, detailed and
thorough investigation which the interests
involved, seem to me to require


Among the topics commanding the atten-
tion of our sister States, and worthy of
your present consideration, is the measure
of encouragement which State should
hold out to her organized and disciplined
militia. The last two General Assemblies
enacted laws and directed the preparation
of regulations. in order to perfect the frame
work Of the State militia organization, and
develop a symctrical and well ordered sys-
ten, which has been so far realized, as to
leave little to be done but for you to deter
mine, in your wisdom, whether the State
shall endorse that system by its direct aid.


The Reports from the proper officers
show, that through the want of such a sys-
TEN heretofore, the State has lost more than
S 100000 in value Of the arms received
from the United States. A proper State
Arsenal, and such direct aid to the citizen
soldier, under stringent limitations, as would
practically defray the actual expense Of,
keeping the arms in the manner required
by law, would. it is believed. prevent sim
liar sacrifices in the future, and be econo-
mical to the State 1t would also COM
mand a small and well disciplined force.
large to give weight to the sane
tions of law. and prove sufficient nucleus
for any necessary increase.


Other States have embraced tie plan
and the counsels of the Fathers
Of the Republic. unite with the concurrent
action of the majority of the State Lcgis-
latures, to pronounce a well regulated
militia, which is from and of the people, to
be one of the suress safeguards for the en-
forcemcnt of law, the maintenance of order.
and the perpetuatiOn of those personal rights
which are our chief reliance and dear to
every American citizen.


Every other State in the Union. except
Florida, has completed, or has in progress,
a geological survey of her territory; and |
would recommend to your early considera-
tion, the completion of the geological sur
vey of this State, which has been too long
doubt not its Importance to
the agricultural and mining interests of the
State. and to the advancement of science.
will fully justify an appropriation for its
vigorous prosecution.


By the constitution, it is made the duty
Of the Legislature to propose such amend
ments of that instrument as in its Judgment
the public welfare demands.


Sufficient time has not elapsed since the
adoption Of the Constitution to determine
from its practical workings of all the mod
ifcations which the public interests may
require. Various changes have been pro-
posed, but owing to causes to which l need
not refer, none of them have been approved
IN the manner prescribed by the COnstitu-