1879-01-10; Clare County Press

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-#jfrvv /Croswcll's Message
"," to the Legislature.
ftwrcssMEs, oi\ tite Senate and op the
JBtdnM <>i" JiSPHEisEOT\nvE3: You assemble
■<W»W dwtnnBlaucosof peculiar interest Youra
<*} Eft* th-fjC Xcgialaturo to moot within tho walla
Subscription: $1.50 per Annum.
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CLABE, MICHIGAN, KB^Y, JANUARY 10,1879.
 . ,—i*%5#ip^ — - -—	
Single Copies: Five Cents,
of debt, and will come bofore, you with no defi- Bevoi-o, or tiia circumstances of rath a oharac-
oienciea in revenue to bo maelo up and provided j tor that both justice and morcy seemed to ro-
for.   Tho now policy has not disturbed tho | qniro my interposition,
.ItOB.   Jh bespeaks tho growtli of population, tbe
.,, „»      increase or wealth. tho advancement of science
- ■MS'wtfrointhe.umoDf tho rudo oabin of tbo
.'      '     ' piwirer to, tbo. completion of  this imposing
Jy.."**'. .    structuro,  costing,  all furnished, $1,500,000.
■   *■■*    .  -As *Q.di5voloit to the ubo for which it was con-
''.»   , dlrUcteO, let us hope that all the counsola and
daiiberatipiH to bo held hero may conduce to
y. .- Ihe general welfare, and1 bo instrumental in
■-•  '       .WamotiHg and perpotuatiug tho blessings of
fr :        liberty ana peace,
*-"-\' ^ " '■ICn u,a biennial period jnst passed general
;>j: '' .htallhhaa prevailed throughout our borders,
'■-?'" ^- tha oaitQi has produoed bountifullv, and the
v.j.*i hirvosts liayo been abundant We bavo grown
*'*Si.' \io tbo State within tbo past year moro than 28,-
■ ".-Sjj.- - IW.tXX) bushels of wheat, and other cereals and
}.'• -*.< .fruits in proportion. In the same time we have
L _ .?;oduc«d 1,885.8^1 baiTels of salt, 1,135,230 tons
P'^**,-. °siron ore, and coppoT, C4>al, plaster, and slato
[}'■',.»' ?,.* " itt very large amouuts, of which I have not full
ji ""-'fitatiBticB for tbo veai.   Tho prwlaction of ingot
' -"irvik-. c9Pl,er in ISTT was W,385 tons,
U»* *        'flio treasnr}' prcwr.ts a satisfaclory condition.
»■*■       «-Tbo cash on bam] Sept »>, INiO, was Sl.WH,-
.    005.80.   Tboreceipta from all sources for the
8fcf   two years ending Sept. :«), lS^, aggrcgato ?4,-
1W,TO0.21.   Tbe total expenditures for the same
'"--ponodamoiiut to S-ySS.-louii,   Tho balaneo
^ » in the treasury on Sept 80last was S400,:M0.35.
.    ^ No part of this balaneo belongs to tho general
fund, which has beeu overdrawn in the sum of
4173,011.11.
working of tho institutions, nor in any wiao
impairod their usefulness, and I hope it
may prevail in tho futnre. Tlioir management, taken as a whole, has boon good,
and generally they are in excellent order.
STATE PMSON.
Tho Slate prison continues to be overcrowded. Tho number of convlcta therein on the
!S0fh day of September last was 804, being 150
moro than tho establishment has cells to accommodate. Tho daily average for tho year was
K0S.    ™     - "■•      "-     ■•■■?.   .
$:-  -
17,01,,    nmvi.    ... _ 	
period to tho credit of tho prison of $4,702.01,
During tho past year tho disbursements havo
exceeded tho earnings in tbo sum of S831.70.
In most every instance tho action has been , Tho end sought to bQ attRinodaf'the insTruelion
branohos of learning, A lHfB*|S«imbor attend
school for only a brief perifMMtht$6 not a fow
avo growing up without ttWRbooliiig at all
- "-* ;od«r"--' v   "'
taken with tho approval of tho Judge who im- ; of oypry child ot tho Stale
posed tho penalty. That errors "will some
rimes occur in the determination of suoh cases .
a certain; but thay would bo fewer if complainants, prosocntors and intlueutial citizens, j
clamorous to get a criminal in prison, wore not:
equally clamorous in a short timo to get him i
out. !
KEFOnil 8CHOOT*
Tbo Itofonn School Had within its charge on J
to contract for the work of the prisoners at as
favorable rates as formerly.
But, in addition to this, a loss of 314.lfiiJ.32
suffered by tho prison in 187B and 1870 on a
contract for prison labor used in tbo manufacture of cigars, made with one Charles Hollings-
worth, appears as a deficit now, when, in fact,
it was a 1o»h then. In 1875 Hollingsworth
failed. His stock of cigars was taken by tho
Inspectors in December of that year by virtue
of the lien of tho State thereon, and not disposed of until after the annual report for 1870
was made, consequently the statement of the
loss docs not appear therein, as the goods had
not been Bold or tho amount of tho deficiency
ascertained. With this loss placod where it
should be, tbe prisuu accounts would not at any
time within tbo past two years have shown a
deficit. The addition to tlm east wing of the
prison and to tbe wagon shop, as well as the
extcnsiim of the engine room authorized by
the lost Legislature, have been built. The
stave shop and cooper shop have likewiso been
constructed, but no work has been dono on the
proposed extension of the priBon wall. Tbe
Inspectors represent tho general management
and discipline as satisfactory, and tho health of
the convicts good. I invite your attention to the
valuable statistical report of the Warden.
An embarrassing difficulty has arison in the
Tho bonded debt of tho State on Kept. SO, i aumi"ia,'j™'.1!™ of imprisonment which demands
1870. was Sl,:afi,140,'>t7. The policy of extii, ! X°»S ^'.n'1™- ,A'«>ma" ^convicted in
Slushing this debt as rapidly as poBsblolasi '""^"P"-"* Ccmrt of tbo city of Orand liapuls
iS, ,TJ??,?a"*ni,I"f\"'tov 4!'.° paBt two yPani»SS,ro ; B«Pt 30 l"«t 827 boys. This is an increase of
8aU,'J20.r)7, and the ordinary expenHM $200.- » 03 over last year, and 85 over 1K70. Tho
21I.U3. which sIiqwb a balaneo for tho whole ; suporintendeiico of the achool Socma to havo
period to tho credit of tho prison of *4,702.(M. ] been caroful and judicious, and tbo manago-
DuruiK tho past year tho disbursements havo ! ment good. Tho escapes havo Leen fow,
sxceedod the eamings in tbo sum of S831.70. : although tbo removal of Ws and bolts make    , „
This is largely duo to tho general depression in ; the opportunities many. Tho boys havo boon \ tlw Indians:
biiHlness, whOh haa greatly lessened tho do- ; organized into a military company and fur- ; Tecumsob. th
maud for convict labor, and mado it impossible . nisbed bv tho Hiato with amis and accouter-   tl10 struggle 1;
menls. 'Iliey drill regularly and well, enjoying
it with a keen relish. Tho Board of Control
estimate tho ordinary expenses for tho coming
two years at §38,150 per yoar. They al"o ttsk
a special appropriation of $S?,5ST.51, tho items
of which will bo found in their report.
r.EPorauTonv ron oiuls.
The subject of a reformatory for girls, to bo
placed exclusively under tho direction and control of women, lias engaged tho public att<?n-
studios, and success will no't
this ia an accomplished result,
tern of teacliing ia In Uifl
thoughtful observers dodinjo.
in thorbughnoBS.   OhildreaHJ
idly, and, as a "consonueng^.j
often    superficial   More' ,ffl
and    Stato    history,    if *-
might bo taught to  ady
abounds in romhnUo and ii%
ovory citizen of Michigan '^
with.   Tbo early oxploratioi
French U-adei-s, as they sidr
in their light canoes j tho y.eS;
tho Jesuit fathm-s in their
:   tho career • 01
[lose greatest of
.    ,„   between' Fttinai
the control ot our torrltoryj
with tho surronder ofJIullj
tho rivorltni^in, and tbo IM0
of Goa Harrison, as -\Voll "aw
triumphs, of    our   later
frequent 'instances   of
bravery and patriotism, ff
remembrance.
INSTTJCUTIOS rOIt TUB X)X
Tho institution for ediidiil
of   similar   iiirtimtions i "tnnb and tho blind containo
tion,   Tho   bucc^csb
founded in other
tion than one mi„    ... „ 	
vantage hero.   That it would be useful in sav-   Btatifict1 to inform you
i-r States has created a convic- ' °' beptamlwr last pui
ight bo established to good ad- • we;'° huuCL. and tho roniai!
 _„    That it would be useful in sav-   fitatiiicii to inform you tl
ing many girls who havo started on vicious , fral tone and condition ^<
coui«0H from lives of vice and immorality I can-' )>aB improved, its financial
j,iuuiMu[j   *u,a   vii-u,  un   i«|iuuj ur,   {luasiuai J1IU3
been steadily pursued, and I am gratified to in-
of tbe crime of arsnn, an! sentenced to tho
form you that, inthe two years ending Sept 30 ! "rf"£™^,;'!5„„
last, it has been reduced in the sum of «43S,UK1, ■ A*"" ?"**! :„ ,",K
leaving the total amount ef such indebtedness ' thp rp' *ntinn l,f
! State prison for the term of her natural life.
not doubt.
If you shall bo satisfied that the number of
dissolute girls in tbe State of a criminal tendency
is, or is likely to be, sufficient to make such an '■
institution a necessity, tlien stops, toward tho,
undertaking would seem wise.   X doubt, bow-
ever, the policy of creating such such establish-
ment with tho design of making it partly a refuge for indigent or truant girls who have no
criminal proclivities.   Experience shows thatj
institutions are not always tbo best placos for
tbo training of young persons.   Tbe tendency
is to destroyself-relianceandself-help,elements
of character neco eary to success in life.   Besides, tho mixing of these classes with tho de- ,
pravod and vicious would servo to corrupt them '
and result in more harm than good.   It is for
you to consider tbe subject in all its bearings,
f'   and, while caref nllv avoiding any needless mnl-
1,11 - *;»l:..»ti f   uj.t.   :..h.:^.»;.   i~ 1.~   » ,.
no suitable departmo!i'. n.i . ,. ,r    . .  .   ... .v    -.        , ,
the 'reception of female eonrieU1! conferred   "P"™!'"" "f,Sal,° mstitutions, to make such
.-    ,. .... „  -    with tlit>nnthnritira nflhnDeln.it 1lnnu« of Cnr      provision 08 shall bo found, OCtUttUv nOXSOSIMiry
now standing aganst the Stato Sffifl.HO.P/r.   Of !,ut |i">P»n">unnesoi tneuetroit iiouseore or- -,«„,„„.,„.„,
tho bonds thus uaid 800,000 w«ri> n irchased be-   Ttw-ii,m ?'ltt" a Tw ?.f r"-n"!,?t,,DK th,p.fi?t<'n^ "*" «'LTtJt:E-
fore maturity at a premium of Sl4.470.80.   The ' !" imprisonment in that institution, this having
saving to the State in interest from this purchase, after deducting tho premium paid, will
bo $10,033.20.
It being impossible to obtain more of the unmatured bonds at a reasonable premium, the
reMurer was authorized by tho Board of Fund,
Commissioners to purchase $300,iX>0 in 41' per
cent United States bonds, and hold them to be
appliod toward the payment of the debt. This
amount, with tho addition of the balance in the
sinking .fnnd, 3378,251,44 and the $40,000 in
tho canal fund, all set apart and applicable to
tho<pAymenl of tho liondeddebfc, when deducted
therefrom reduces the total amount thereof
to tho. sum of SJ34,V.*> 5J. Then if
wa ^.tako into account ?U1,S27.4S
Of      Bpoeific      tws      unpaid      Sept     "A\
that its resources havo
banded.   It cornea bcfoio-
quency, but for tho first tiii
aii overolus, to be covered
iirv.   Tlio Trustees seok.i
Sbl,!0i for current expon
to come, 80,300 Tor certain^
and improvements, the to!*!"
than tho amonut approprtaW.
think the Bum dosirod is noj*!)
the iiifiliiution and sbouldj I""
Tlio Trustoes likewiso r«
priatiou of 510,000 for
Eromiws a separata biiildiijg j
Uno,
Tlio t/nivoreity is. the'
educational institution in
history long and intimat
progress of tho State He
lessors havo been emiucj
acho ars. It has enrolled
number of men of Inilucno
been progressive in if*
holds high rank throughoui
educational inslituUons/it '
ducod ratos or rebate, I suggest whothor it is ' or donation. The law department contains tho
not doeirablo to prohibit by law any agent or i largost and best collection of law books m tho
servant of a railroad company from buying or , Stato, having tho American reports complete
selling any articles of merchandise as a business ! and the English nearly so, Tho Liorarian sug-
in competition with others to bo transported \ gosts an appropriation of $5,000 for the next
over its road, and also to provido agabist dis- • two years for the purchase of books,
c imination in favor of individuals.
During the last fow years there has been a
difficulty in enforcing tho law in regard to fencing upon railroads operated by receivers or
lOsBees, Our laws ovidontly uovor contemplated that Individuals would bo permitted to
operate railroads iu this Stato, and therefore
imposed no penalties upon sncii persona, while
thoy do upon corporations. In ma-y casos
remedy by penalty is inadequate to reach the
object dosirod, corporations or porsons operating tho roads being entirely irresponsible. I
would suggest whether it would not bo well to
amend tho law in this rogard so as to make it a
condition precedent to tho oontinuod operation
of a road that tbo fences through improved, and
cultivated lands should bo const rue tod within a
glvon timo, and thereafter maintained, and that
al porsons operating railroads Bhould bo mado
liablo to tbo Bamo ponalty.
Tbo offico of Commissioner of Itailroads was
established for tho purpose, among other tilings,
of arriving at an authentic report of tbo transactions of railroad corporations, w'ith a view to
'^legislation in regard to then- nghta and tho interests and protection ot tho public This system has also been adopted in many of our sistor
States, and is, without doubt, of very groat
I fliMik tbo appropriation should bo some-
' what largor thau heretofore, and that provision
should bo mado for additional help,   as tbo
1 present location will neeaBsitato it   I would ,
also suggest tbe propriety of having tho Li- I
brarian kee>p an account of lost or damagod j
- books, as woll as having an inventory taken j
v yearly. |
INSURANCE. j
The business of insurance, connected as it is J
! with nearly all our  commercial  and financial j
' trannactioiis,haB become one of gi-eatimportnnce.
The number of companies now authorized to
transact business in Michigan is 195.   Of these I
: 50 are incorporated under tbo laws of this Stato, ;
I viz.: One lifts insurance company, with aBeots
! amounting to over $090,000, and risks in force
' to tho amount $11,011,000; two stock tiro eom-
, panios, with an aggregato of $22,000,000 atri-ik;
, and 47 farmers' mutual fire companies, om-
• bracing almut 57,000  members and  risks in
force to tho amount of 8107,000,000.
The stock fire  companies of  other   States
' (102) and foreign Governments (15) now authorized number  117,  and during the  year
11877 wroto risks here to tbo amount of bver
$130,000,000.
From the year 1870 to 18"7, both inclusive,
value in
pOralions    ... .  ... _...  ,   	
tbo offico by tbo Commissioner of Itailroads,   lAnkx writun .".,...5l,aio,2Hi.-ai5.i)ii
and tlw subjects on which f neb returns shall   VrcmliimB rmiv,,1       Ik 1171,741 -tin
bo made, are quite specifically denned in our ■ I*"*™lnourml -.•■,■■;   •••       U,W7,i>KU»J
law.   But, asqultoannmborof railroads form      During tlio same period these companies have
ptrts of conUunous lines in other States, it has   paid into tbe Mate treasury aliout $500,000 m
been thought  desirable to adopt a uniform - »P«e'me taxt'H. 	
system of returns from tho railroad companies      In 'bo year IM) there were :«• life insurance
for each or such States: and, as tho authenticity   companion of other .StatoH doing Imsmess in this
' --■•--    • —.     -'—• ■ ,    -. >      -"    State,   Tins numm-r hafl been rcducod U)2H,
! No considerable loss has fallen upon our people
by reason of tho failure of lif insurance companies, except iu tho coso of tho (V>n
Imental of >\ew York. Tho number of life
nsurauco policies now in force upon tha
lives of citizens of this Stato is about
22,(KX), representing insurance to tbe amount
of $42,000,000.    Dnring tho eight years last
muilary forco,    I was subsequently a4vJt,o<I
that the parties engaged in tlio unlawful ;pr0«s '
ceedings had wholly wlinquialuxl, their cjesionft,/
and would no longer hinder  tho oorporaaoty
from tbo regular uaa of ita railway,  ?h& >
trouble was 6nd6d"foffuniitoTy"?'It^oul,,ttiij-dc-   ■;-
struction of a dollar's woi-th, of vtcwfi? oV
tbo loss of life,   In view of ibo'oxclteff stato tfi' »•
feeling that then pt-ovailod among railWi'J ops-     '
oratives all ovor tha country consoeiuonl? Xipon^-*'
a  reduction of wagos,  and   of tbo fciwA  ■
outbreaks that bad taken  place   eb#ffher6,",{(
the situation was ono of unusual grarlfe. au4'-.
tbo danger imminent A single ill-judgod-nijjvo   . z-
migbt have resulted in moBt foartul -cdifce'e-   >
qnonces.   That wo OBCapod a grotiriUsaisteidpl
in. my judgment largely duo to tbo oxool^e^*,--
coui-so pursued by tho authorities and citteoe* _,
of Jackson, to tho prudent measures: takop.*by
tho railroad officials to prevent a collision witu„*
tho strikers, as well as to the near presence of,     r
tbo military giving assurance that tho f ull power"
of tho Stato would bo employed, if necessary, to
provont violonco and maintain order.   It*is also       ■
croditable to tbo workingmen who ongagod in
the Btriko that they speedily took counsel of    r,
wisdom and abandoned their inconsiderate and     •*.
unlawful proceedings.   Tho military merit my ,'.'_
thanks for tho alacrity with which thoy ro-     '}
spondod to my call as well as for tholr oxcellont
bearing and good conduct while on duty.   S£-  -
porionco in this omergency demonstrates that
we muat rely chiefly upon our Stato military- to      ,
suppress riots or tumults arising in our midst
Tno policy of tlio General Governiuent aeema
to be to discourage tho employment of Federal
troops in Buch cases until it is apparent that
tha State alono is unable to ovorcomo tho disturbance.
In tbe outbreak referred to, if we had been
without a Stato forco, and had been obliged to
waituntil a formal anplieation could have been
made on the President and responded to by
Federal troops, the strike woulcf undoubtedly
have assumed much greater proportions. Tho
Unitod States mail, of which there was a largo
quantity on delayed trains, would have been
longer dotamod; wbilo tho criminal and vicious,
who seem to have mado such disturbances an
occasion for pillago and plunder, would havo ^
had greater opportunities to enable them to do
damage.
While not prepared to adviac an increase of
tho military force, I do recommend the adoption of meaKurcs to add to its efficiency. A *
stop in this direction baa already been taken by
tho Military Board in exchanging tho firearms
heretofore used for the latest pattern of Sharp's
breech-loading rifles, with which all of tbo
regiments are now equipped.
This   Hhould    bo    supplemented   by   the
*V
V-3
'&
enforcing tho laws against such cor- ; tho aggregato of business none in tliH Stato   purchase of   haversacks, blankets and
The returns from tbo companies to ' by stock fire insnrance companies is as fodows:   coats  to  bo stored with the   Quarter
    o      Alarge nnmberof fish bavo been hatched
, been the course previously pursued in cases of , and transplanted in tho different waters of tho
wtimcu similarly sentenced.   To mv snrpriso   State through the agency of tbe fish.hatcbmg
' the management of the establishmentdectiuod   establishments in Detroit and 1'okagon.  Tbo.     ,,,  t • .    i„,i ,,nn i£i,
to receive her, and arrangements bad to be   Commissioners claim that the work has proved   „r^mwHi lrriel^winir i
' - • - a success. Tho protection of fish is an import- ► °\ $$h,™'™$™AihV!$r
ant matter, and earnest exertions should be ™ " I „?,?"i,»w . ,w?««i
made to secure through Congress a uniform ^^^J^^S^u,
regulation to prevent the destruction wbidi S™ fnV?f?^t™iw™t
seams likely if pursued to wholly cleat- many of "'"vrablc, it is not snfilcienl
our waters of tbia choice article of food.
made for her temporary a •iximmodalion in thu ,
jail of Jackson county. Sln> has remained there
for several months under circumstances of in-
conveuii nee not tending to tbo imprownitntot
her morals m,r to securing that restraint
and labor iHintemplatesl by her sentence.
When the transfer of female convicts com
mencod from the Stato prison to the Detroit
House of Corn rtiuii, it sih ins to have been the
understanding that then-after none of this class
of convicts wi re to be kept in the prison, as no   pi
ari-angcment ViaK^prmnled fur Kit ping them   Jli
without aid from thcLcgii,
fore, that it may rocelve-
lavisb, but .idequalo to ito
xcnicoi/nm^i:
It aims to »    The AKricultural CoJ'
revent pauperism and crime by removing chil-   f'nV„uwTnU-rSts of III*
ren from the comiptnigaud coutaminaUng as- , {"".".'"J?h™H™ «,.»"*"
soeiationsof U,enoor-liousoand placuig. tl.em '■ *$£&?$%*§&
STATE ri'M-IO St'JIOOU
Tlio State Public School is a charity peculiar
to Michigan. In no other State is there au institution like it that I am aware of.
thus abn
Burp'ais of tbe specific taxef. received, after payment of interest upon the educational funds
and tho extinguishment of tho public dehtc shall
be added to and constitute a part of thopnmary
8 ;hool interest fund.
If no change is made in this proviBion, as
Boon as tbe bonded debt is nrovided for, tbe
school fund will absorb tin* large surplus which
yearly thereafter will bo received from specific
nndaut pro-! I may add that the managi'uj'nt claim that tho : run   ivithin    tho    appropriations,   and    ap- ' '}„ «;,,:-' „,,
f.-r of thew>prisoni rs was at the solicitation of with an addition of $10,100 for sum ry items   J, j,(
tho authorities of tho House nf ("nn-ectinn, and specified in the report   It also asks authority   llnj,
that tbe suggestion of pay fe,r keeping them is to buy some sixty acres of land for pasturage
nt very recent origin. and other purposes, and suggests that pnivi-
Tlu whole number of convi"t» in I be prisons sion Ik> made for tbo employment l>y the insti-
tif tho Stato, Sept 30, )N7^, was l,51',i, of whom tution of a visiting agent, whose ditty it shall
onlv 1!M were females. While this showing is
greatlv to tbo credit of the sex, it inertasts
rather than lesaeus tbe obligations of the State
taxes in the sinking fund. In many instances, : u> see that prisoners of this class are well and
especially where the school districts are largo i humanely eared fur, I submit the mat-
and tbo settlements sparse, the school fund al- ter to van, so that action may be taken to reme-
ready provided iH almost sufficient to maintain dv the* difficulty suggested its speedily as possi-
the schools.   If it is doubled and further in-   bio,
creased from year to year, as it will be if this state HtirnE of coi:r.E<Tios.
constitutional provision remains, many districts ^^ j-,aU, llmw <)f ^.rreetion was opened
will shortly have more school money tha-. they   f    tu ^.^^ of inmaU>H „n ti10 15th tlav of
necel, a resnlt r ''''—'■•'-'-" ' '—■ *- "- ' •
schools or to "
Therefore,
school fnnd    .
nmendmeut to tbe coiiHti ntinn carrying tbi*
surplus, when ascertained, iutj the general
fund.
Tho indebtedness of the Stite to the trust
funds on tbo 80th day of September, 1K70, was
$:>,070,:W0.711_and on the IKitb of September.
1H7K, S3,'.)24,777.82, an increase in two years or
$245,431.It. This indebtedness is nowc "mewed
of the following funds and amounts:
Primary sihnol funil... $2,?li:i.lM.ir>
>*ive per cent, prlinarj- H-hunl fiiiitl..
Vnivcrfity funtl	
Normal schnul fun,l	
Agricultural cnllcije furnt.	
Hailroad and other dcpuflitB	
Tital $;).:»I.777.NS
While it is cheering to ki ow that the bonded
debt of the State is rapidly decreasing, and
through the operation of the sinking fund will
soon disappear, it should not 1 c forgotten that
tho indebtedness to ihe trust fnnd has been for
years steadily accumulating.
It abould also be reniembr-red that the present condition of tlio treasury does not warrant
any lavish expenditure of tho public monevH.
Tho maintaining of our recntly-establiiliel
stato institutions, together with the cost of
heating,   lighting,  and caring for this new     . .
Capitol building, which necessarily will bo veiry I -1 •"'"•' rur"
much greater than formerly, will considerably 1 "' ""' "I'l
increase the ordinary expfusts of the State pu'l1,1"8'' e
Government ""
These considerations, taken in connection
with the fact that many of our municipalities
are carrying a heavy burden of debt created for
local purposes, should lead you to avoid any
schemes for additional taxation not of absolute)
necessity.
MtrarciPAI, INDEBTEDNESS AND ASSESSMENTS.
Jt is a Borneo of regret that we havo no
means through tho State offices, or in any
other , manner rcdily accessible, t>'f
, ascertaining the total indebtedness of
tbo comities, cities, towuj, villages, and
school districts of the State, or tb» nggregats
amount levied etch year in such loeMitiea for
ly adapted for the purposes ctuite mplated iu
their erection.   Tbe total cost of the construction thus  far  is   $25fi,ir,Si. 17.    Tim  Building
Commisfi'iners seem to bavo discharged their
dutif-H faithfullv and with lbleli*}- to the pub-
lic inter, sts.   The whole number of prisoners    up   to   and   including    the    30th   day
of    Siptemher    last    was    IM,   of    whom
131 had hi-cu transferred from the State prison
at Jackson, and 35:; received by sentence of
court.   Tho whole number of prisoners in tho
institution on said 3nth day of SeptenilHT, 1*78,
was 233.   The whole expense of  maintaining
the institution from the opening thereof tintU
: the3nfhday of SeptemlM-r last was $5*^:5.52,
I and the earnings $5,s',f2.5',i, h-aving au excess of
expenditures   of   $52,450.'.l3.     A   considerable
portion of the work on the buildings in progress
; of construction during the last year, as well oh
a  large  amount  of   grading  on  tbe  prison
grounds, has been done witb tbe labor of tho
i prisoners.   No tavorahle opportunity for con-
; trading the labor of the men has offered until
recently, when an arrangement was closed to
place !*KI to 200 of them on permanent, paying
work  i>om  Jan. 1,1WJ,   The' managers ask
■ a special appropriation of S^.l^l.Hii for certain
furnishing purposes detailed in their report,
y further solicit the privilege of using $,it000
propnationB heretofore made for the
of purchasing laud adjacent to the institution.
PAKDONR.
I    The whole number of persons discharged
- from the- prisons of the Stat j by {.anion wi bin
1 tho last two years was fotty-five.   The number .
] of commutitious for tho Bame period was three.
1 Of the pardoned convic s, two had Iwn eon-
I viete>d of murder, one of whom was released
lieeause   evidence  devclopod   after  the  trial >
teemed to establish innocence, and the other on
, the representation of ofiicia's that he was insane
whin tbe crime was committed, a<d had eon-
! tinned so during the whole term of imprison- I
ment   In the bHer case, although assured that
the period of violence bad lone passed, and the
lie t) seek out homes for the children and otherwise iook after their intoust The further
suggestion is mado that quite a number of the
children suffer from chronic disease and require medical treatment or Hiir.tical aid, and
tliat measures should be taken to have it furnished at tile State Hospital at Ann Arbor.
MR'Uiei.VN   ABYIAIM.
During tbe biennial period just passed tbo
Asvlnni for the In«aue at Kalamazoo has pro.
vidvd treatment for 1,133 patients. The daily
average for the same time4 has been 045. In
August la>t 222 were transferred to tbo Eastern
At-ymm. This transfer relieved tin* institution
from the crowded condition under which it had
been lalioring for a long timo previous. The-
whole numlier of patients nn the 1st day of October last was 407. The receipts from all sources during the two years havo Ik-ou $:;03,-
304.03, and the d sbursenu nts S20'.i, 100.23,1-av-
in the treasnrv, Kept. 30, $2,245.01.
Dr. E. H. Van Dewon, w ho has faithfully devoted many of the best years of bis life to the
manogemout of tbe asylum, baa resigned the
placo of Medical Superintendent und lias bee u
succeeded by Dr. George It Palmer, who has
served for many years as an assistant. Sometime since an action for falseinipriPonment wi>h
brought against the Superintendent of this
asylum by a person who had been taken and
kept for it time iu the institution by tbe direction of ono of the Superintendents having
charge of tho poor in a county of the State.
The ca«e involves important questions pertaining to tho determination Ot lunacy, the character of patients entitle 1 to be admitted to the
asylum, and the forms requisite to warrant
tlieir detention. It is now pending in tho Supreme Court, and ita decision may make some
revision of the law in this regard a necessity.
EASTEltN  ASYLUM.
port   Thoymrtlrti'oipiciniu appro
£ $13,000 for tha. construction of a
with a view to tho aemiission of fo-
tbe co-edncation of the sexes at tho
. the reasons for which will bo found
duly assigned.
STATE NOItMAl, BCHOOU
The Slato Normal School continues its useful
•work of training teachers for the common
schools. The whole number of students in attendance ui lK77was 0-IHj and in 1S78,008. Tlio
number graduated in both years, IS4. Tbe
estimated'current expenses for tbo payment of
eight professors and four teachers, with janitor, for each of the years 1H70 and 1HSO, is
S1V05, and for incidental expenses, $5,505.
The interest 011 the endowment fnna is estimated ai M,200, and the receipts from tuition
and for diilotnas at $1,80(1, leaving an appro
, ie elomonfary
5 complete untu
-".Wliil.a our sys-
ptifn. oscollont,
Jit-jt is wanting
Sffshed too rap-
Jwjujrernents Jive
EE^jir   jiational
^ik    to    mo,
St Tbo latter
[re events-that
^"bo familiar
if.ihc volatile
[the gro&t lakes
•Mjipruetfo and
ins to convert
'tintiao   and of
l"»gaobief tains;
\ 32nglAiid for
fiVar of 1812,
Massacre at
, |l Campaigns
ytirngglcs and
a,   furnish
endurance,
jFM- study and.
f AND DUMB.
|~tho (loaf and
■1 tho 80th day
;0f whom	
rtiouies, 'I am
rhlfo tbo  gen-
Ibe   institution
ing Indicates
"pwcfully hns-
V. with no delin-
t lis history with
' Into tlio treas-
.liroprialion of
(ttho two years
-wsaary repairs
tiic,h is not less
0 years agti.   I
»f 0 tho wauls of
j»!eeL
lCnd an appro-
ncling on the
the use of the
BTY,
V-;wd foremost
"?.*"",   '1,  ?, * i Resting that dui1 law in this regaril mav bo so
ihflKl with tbo   ?arm«lifi«l       "
few of its pro- ; ot Railroads
auibora ti.cl 1 venUou.
*<Jnc»t<xl a groat      T .
" mark,   it h»s   , .In nccord^co
|latnra,.ol ISu, l.«,^~v-.e» —,.v ^.^,  -.-»»,   p„rr„.i among companies
They have suffered somewhat in depression of business and in shrinkage of values,
in common with all other financial institutions,
but the ro appears no good reason for doubting
their ability to fulfill their contracts.
The laws relating to life, fire and marine insurance are believed to be adequate for the protection of the people and tbo companies, and
need no radical changes.    It might bo well r "'VJl"-7"!"°,'""^ *™1=?".7 m™'J»77i,7,.„i„>„„ n,™
to enact a law to more effectually punish in- ; J;°™°,m(hn"?°SS».n^ ff &j£h ,™n S
surance bv unauthorized agents ami companies. ' {» CJ »f "» ^°,?18'*'1 ™ 'ift uZ 1
At the last session ot the legislature an act was   ™»''«S ^"jS.'L^^JfTi^w^^^^^^
-- - -   passed intending to regulate the business of ■ &other thantho Iegitunateexpenso of main-
iitificd wiUi tho i fr6m-nib Straits of Mackinac to tha city of Mar- 1 plate-gbiss insuraneo by placing such compa- i ™S \ "'"find ig°no°. jovotod to supporfe
- " ' quotio.   Tliis valnablo land grant was deemed   nies under tho Bamq reqmrementa aa Ufo com-  ^"'^r^erv KosnitaliaXin the asvlum at
sWcient encouragement to. secure tbo early   panes.   Tlio  act fa quite indefinite and of ; *Ȥ-S^fatfmInQAZiaSolSfar"eXed
eomplotron   of   tfio proposed xvilro^Mni. , doubtfuleonBtituUonallty, and I rccommond its ! ^JC^^SfatiSXti^uriSe Urn War
w-ouH^iUK.uiaoubtVvb icobmpMsli^^this   repeal and tbo passage of a nwrospedflo law (ln. lJh° eXU1o™Jwhile LoUier Son fe re-
bjiOdmg   (brpughout the » mtES. " claims ot non-commissioned officers and muat-
fc'ST'*!"™11'      Kindred to tho subject of insurance is tho J elans 'of Iho Firth, Sixth and Seventh lte<d-
'***. f&W>. W^^Wy^.f^^. gn»t (WrtnxiElon of property Annually by fire, i ii-euts ot "Micliigan Infantry for scrvieeH it tht^
y.:-^ ^'**,*^""T'.ag;^;8»»«e ijcX-it thfai HUy.t»obUiM«i -t>t»af-.aie I Cimnyof Iiwtmcttfti
i"«d of UMOL'i'uiiJifS'i
and valno of such returns muat depend upon
tlio syslom of book keeping adopted by tbo several
companies, it has oIbo boon thought desirablo to
proscrflio a uniform system of book-kcoring for
railroad companies. A mooting for consnlta-
tion on this subject was held at Columbus, Ohio,
on tbo 12th of November last ttt which ten
states woro represented, and a*committeo was
j.ppohited to recommend a system of accounts
ind returns, and to report at an adjourned
meeting to behold in June next I call your
attention to this action for tho purpose of sug-
past, covering tbe period of the existence of the j     ,n
jnam'fim.A Ilt,rn.,i    n 1-,rrrA ntimlwii. nf Itnll,   \ifn     CffOOr.
General, and furnished to tho troops, from
time to time, for uso when required by tlio de-
; mandi, of the h'Tvice.
Companies should be obligee'i to have onrolletl
: tbo maximum number of able-bodied men, as
' ihere are always nomo who eannit do duty at
I call; they should ha>o omt.^rB of experience,
hold regular meetings for drill, and be subject
1 to freqnoiit and careful inspection.
With well-organized regmier tu of this char-
after, supported by tbo Buperor Gatling gun
recently procured of tho Genotal Government
, on tho amount standing to tho credit of this
Stato payable in arms, we may utilizo our Stato
military so that wo shall bavo an efficient forco
, always at command to assist the civil authorities in suppressing outbreaks and maintainbig
1 - **, I
*,**
Insurance Bureau, a large number of both life
and fire insurance companies have been sent
out of the Slate, or if-.fuflcd admittance on ae-
Tfie expense for tbe transportation, subsistence and services of tbo troops thus called out
during tbe strike amounted in the aggregate to
.<a*>-, ??110 i'^\      fn,A   ^.^nriv in   lt„,   milnnrv fnnd
ii1i'iULij!*oa^|^ ^f1 «J«oU"m of thtV  ^
iTu.il Us stnmtlos ' s'ato ft8alu«l  tbo Lako Shore and  Michigan
■"   U> v* « Bourco ! Southern'liallway Company for tho amount of
midst poi-nns > <!0rtJV"n Bpecifio taxes claimed to bo duo and
iuitoschiQvo-'"inP'''ia'
in all that con- j macjonac and MAitQUErrE baivvay.
lowmcnt is con- Tho Legislature ot 1675, impressed with the
irTy on luorork importancftof^mora intimately coiuieoting by
■ * ."}?l» '"O"5- ' railway oommnnicatiou tlio Upper Fcnuisula of
iropnations, not j tbe Stato with tlio Lower, rgsgrveel from sale
il nootU. j 1,320,005 acres of land to bo given to aoy«>m-
ixriG. ' pauy-who might procoed and conBtnict.Vitltiu
iw* in favor.   It t a specified time, a continuous lino of railroad
incurred, including the payment of officers anel
men, had to be deferred. Through the courtesy
of tho Auditor General and State Treasnror, tho
Military Board woro permitted to realize an ad-
. vauoo on the appropriation, with which they
were enabled to payoff tbo troops and discharge
such of tlieir indebtedness as could not well b'
delayed.   The whole snm of tho expense no\,
:*•£££*
Into & contract with ihe Marquotto, Stiilt Sto.
M^&rin and M^aekinaw Bailroad Company for tho
construction of this road, but nj immetliate
steps-were taken to build it On the 14th day of
May, IS77, tlio Legislature further continued
the*grant and extended the itimo for the completion of tho road until December 31, ltsTO,
Last winter the company with which tho con-
trae'   "" —---■- -•-•—--■' »- «    -       •-.!_, _..
arraii]
diate
W.
that . ...
the opening of navigation, work would commence at various points on the line, and lie
prosecuted rapidly until tlio railroad was in full
operation,
Tho board affordinl ever}- facility within its
have p»
Michigan within tbo last olght years.
According to tho most reliable data accessible, i nelfl"   Tlio subject ot changbig I
there were, during tho year 1NT7, in tlii-i country ! tho means ot such fund shall not bo aa largely «•
and Canada, 10,403 fires, or one in nearly every 1 absorbed for purposes not contemplated by the
fifty minutes.   Tbo value of property destroyed i original appropriation, is respectfully Buggeat-
by these fires amounted to nearly 5100,000,000. " od for your favorablo consideration.
Of that sum $IK,iXX>,000 was paitl by insurance j depaiitment clerks.
tgulat-
1 de-
laws
tthe
employed therein, in others the assent of "the Executive or Borao
board is requisite to an incieaso  of clerical
"**9WI*™^SSe^
7W|
t.riation of $ iR.:«X) for each of said years nm»- V?™ V ^t,1" ,ll'° 0,it?IrJ,nH0'„anf1) aPP" nte-d
iarv to meet the running expenses ol tbo school. J1""- John J.,Bagley and Ibran B. (..rostiy rt s-
Tl.,*. amount asked isbaboutthe same as haa , t'J™ b> receive auS d^^slmrse the ava Is of a v
1,,,-r.tnfnrn lmon nllnwed pledges or scenntics made upon the railroailand
' ■ 1 e last'T^diKmoPttated 8atl,(K» for ' UlK to obtain means for tie building thereof
the construction of an arfaitional building. T'"" I'T1"'1',' ,fof hlCO"™"t' «n.nf„, ', , ^
This has been put up at a cost, including archl ' ^'f^ liopofnl, but since, notwitlistandmg re.
tcets" eburges dud building supervision, of $32,- : I'rat«" assuraneoB have neen gi> en tb»v u,„ wort
11^211 Iu addition to this, steam-heating apparatus ban been purchased to the amount of 43,-
VM. tbe old building remodeled, and a tower
partly built in connection therewith at a oost of
"" '-'4t.8y, making a total expenditure of $43,-
wonld lie immediately commenced, not a blow
has lieen Btruck, and tlio Ixiard lxiing now satisfied that the parties concerned have not the
funds requisite to build it, and that there is no
reasonable probability of their being able to ob
tain 1110m ys for that purpose, have taken steps
" clare the contract forfeited, and to place
3-17.IS.   Of ;tliissum, $30,000 was paid by the , J--1"11
appropriation, $2,105.50 bvcontributionaof ciri- V <!'---     -    —.--. ., „„,.,,„ „ ■„-i„i,,.,- „„„
zei's of Ypsilanrf toward the construction of «'.'• la»>1 «!?nt™;tia\lm»- '^S^.'iiMffi
tbo tower, and tho remainder, $11,241.38, from »'*'« I,art"'8 1",1° ""^ ™<«"lct- to b»ll(' ««"
XTa^^iaS^rinVX^tSScL0^? ^-.construction of this railrea^1 is^ an^urgent
leaving no deficiency to be mado up bv appral ucwssity, demanded not onlyjto faciWata trade
prialion from tho Legislature.   T(ie boarei'ask 5«h  the  neb  mming_ regionsi_ot Jlie^t PJier
a special appropriation of $15,550 to bo expended In funiishing the tower, providing steam
Peninsula, but to secure to our people a fair
share of the commerce of that immense grain-
upon
panics.
The balance, Sl,50<i,00O, may fairly be considered as the net loss to tbis State each year by
lire. Many of these fires may bo attributed indirectly to the entire absenco or mn-enforco-
ment of building laws, and directly to defective
construction. After all probable innocent
causes are eliminated, the criminal records affirm that arson is not an infrequent agent in
tbe burning of property. This class of fires
may be set to hide crimo, gratify revenge, or to
force a sale to insurance) companies of over-
insured property. This subject is an important
one in view o'f'tho desirabih'y of saving the
wealth of the State and suppressing crime.
Within tbe last eight years, it appears from
the reiiortii of the several prosecuting attorneys
to the Attorney General, that tho numlier of
persons prneecilod against in this State for various offenses was 47.S24. Of these 313 were
charged with the crime of arson, but only forty-
two were convicted and punished. It would
seem that tbo laws are amplo for tbe punishment of tbis crime, and it is not apparent that
thiro is any lack of zeal on tbe part of prosecuting officers when proper  complaints   are
force, while in others the chief of tho bureau
acts wholly upon his own discretion and employs as many as he sees lit to. The position is
a desirable one to many persona and is eagerly
sought The result is that a great pressure is
brought to bear in behalf of applicants upon tho
head of a department having the matter wholly
in bis own bands, which tends constantly to an
enlargement of the force. The number
of clerks in the Auditor General's
office at time" during tbe year past
lias ranged as high as uini'ty. I have the best
of reason to believe that a smaller service thoroughly systematized would have aivoruplishi'd
the Bame results. I recommend that provision
Ik- made by law specifying the ntimbi r of clerks
to lie empfoved by the head of each department,
and providing that the Umit Fhall not lie exceeded save with tin- e-onsent and approval of
tbe Board of Auditors.
BONDS OV .STATE OFFICEUS.
The mouevs and moneyed securities on deposit with the State Ti-easti'-er average daily
more than a half a million of dollars in amount.
31
W
TW£
made.   I suggest whether the requirement of 1 The law provides that he shall give bond in the
eating apparatus for tho^ildh^ grading , atv^^nJS-rSlSe im"^ °f
ground'?, purehsing now furnihire, ami various
other items which will lie laid before you for
vour consideration and acrntuiy.
BATLnOADS.
We have forty corporations owning or operat
ing railroads.   They represent a railroad mile
It is well understood that this great lino of
railroad is yet to be built eastward from Dnlnth
t~   be boundary ot Michigan,  on  the  smith   I,,ch'ceilanJtios
•o of Lake Superior.    Now, with a short   m,cu ca""111"08-
Homo examination and report by competent
local officers into the eause of tbo lire, extent of
the loss, and amou.it of insurauce, would not
furnish valuable information, and. at the same
time, tend to constitute a protection against
age of 5,007 miles, of which 8,53'J miles are now
Tho Eastern Asvlnm for the insane is com- j entirely witl;~  ""  *     '     '
plotcd.   It is substantially built, and pleasantly ' State-   This
Superior.
, lino pro.
to Marquette, we shall bo able to tap it and to
.ision ot the lino projected from Mackinac
.11 Iv    	
county, town, Bchool and road taxes; tucbin- ' insanity assumed a harmless type, I required
formation would afford full knowledg of the i his friends hi bind themsoiven to care for him
complete public debt of tbo State and its sub-j during lifeiu such mann ras to prevent his
divisions, with the whole amount of tuxes im- | doing further barm. The whole number of
posed therein; it would enable legislate rs to act
more nnderstandingly than they can at present
in making appropriations ft' d providing for jnst
taxation; it would alBO advise tho people more
Serfectly of the sources that draw mea^is from
lem by taxation, and, I apprehend, would promote greater care and more equality in the imposition of bnrdens of this kind. I would respectfully fcnggest tbo propriety of providing,
by proper enactment, for such information.
Tho aggregato value of all tho real and personal property of tho State, as returned by the
ABaoasors in 1876, was as follows:
Beat estate $308,7B3,ft':6.74
Personal property     fiti,m,fl92.i!l
located near tbe city ot l'ontiac, and has capacity for-UKI lunatics.
It was ceinstructe'd at a cost at $4.4tf,401,3»,
and its arrangements and oqnipmenfr* are such
as to furnish the mo^t approved means and appliances for the, treatment of persons aftlictevi
w itb the terriblo disease of Insanity Tlio bnil'J-
ing reflects credit upon the Commissioners and
the Superintendent who have had its cou'ttruc-
tion iu charge.
I constitutx-d tbo (Vnnmissionors, with tho addition of e\-Oov. Baldwin, trustees for the
management of the asylum, and they selected
Dr. Henry M. Hurd, of Kalamazoo, aa Medical
Superintendent
It was opened for the reception of patients
on the 1st day of August las-t, and has received
by transfer from Kalamazoo 222, and from
other sources 01 inmates. With its well-
arranged conveniences, and its score of skilled
physicians, the institution must accomplish
•;nod results. The Board ot Trustees ask an
appropriation for 1S7<| and 1S-S0 aggregating
$53,:i3U42, full details of which may be founel
in their report
EDUCATION.
witbu, the erritoriillSto of tofa! "ivert 'a large portion of its travel* and trade
rb s toe of°rail"»yS toSSonM'- ; Jo this HWe.^nd thus o^ fto W tor d red
,tw1,nl!vint„olastfortvvc.ars    At the   intercourse with the vast extent of country it
ed almost wholly in the last forty years.   At the   .  ,   .,. .   .
close of the year 185$ we had, of completed   ia )ji"lt to trai erm..
road, 03 miles; in 1H48 we had 320 miles; in , T Communication   betweenJbo   Upper   and
is.-„s\ve- had 703 miles; in 1808 we had 1 124 : Lower Peninsula is now ,atrri« on for t rco-
miles; while now we have-as stated 3,530 miles. , fpairtlxs (if the. year by a circuitous rente
There was constructed in tlie ''-~L"         -
the last decade, from 1HCS to
ov nearly two-tbirds of our entire railroael milel
age. During the past five years there havo boon i     -r. .;■""",      ,n :...  m,.i «,.™,. ™
built and put in oporation only 287 miles, of   inette railroad would, 11is-greatmeasure, re-
whicb 41 were built-in 1817, and 84 in 1878. '        store to us this trade »nd bnng tho two,ponin-
Tho  companies that reported officially for   solas into nearer and more mtujattrelofao ns
the year 1^77 show an aggregate liability of,    »ut .important as the demand ia for_tha
fimded and unfunded debtof "$107,271,421.02, ' r(>i«". »t» apparent that withholding the lands
lie firat fi vo vears of ! through three other States, diverting the traffic t is to be re,
to 1874 •> l^Zu°J ■ of anlmportant socUon of this State elsewhere, r.rep»ratio
enUreranVoailmieL   and making it tribntan-to other interests.   ^ »   K *
sum of $150,000. It will be perceived that this
limit is entirely insufficient to cover oven one-
third of the whole amount of moneys at any ono
time iu bis bauds.
I, there-fore, recommend that the security bo
increaseel. At certain seasons of the year a
large amount of funds are paid into the offices
of the Auditor General and the. Commissioner
of tbe State Land Office. Sometimes tbis money
comes in more rapidly than receipts can lio
made to cover it into tho treasury; consequently
quite large sums remain for a brief period with
tliese officers. In view of this fact I suggest
for vour consideration whether it is not advis-
lim, in Mni to 11,r. orevention of disraie Tt ' able* to require from these officials bonds for tho
tion m reg.iitl.to.the prevention of disease. (M   f?ithfu, performance of their duties^ andfor
CIIAMTAIO-E AND HEALTH BOAIIDS.
The Board f< r the Supervision of Charitable
Institutions ban steadily pursued its work, and
I refer yon to 'Is report for many cxcellentBug-
gestions iu rc;ard to our system of charities and
orreetion.
Tlio reports of the Board of Health have attracted attention and contain valuable inforina-
The construction of" the Mackinac and Mar-
witb au aggregato capital stock of $145,527,-
001.70, or a total of stock and debt of $312,7(K),-
083.41. I have no accurate data from which to
determine tho precise amount of this capital
invested within this State.   If it could bo as
is to be regretted that great delay occurs in th
 ation and publication of tbo vital statis-
    It would seem  that  they lose much of
their value when brought out years after they
are taken,
THE EArUiOAD STU1KE AND THE MILITARY.
In July. 1877, a spirit of violence and disorder
was manifested iu some sections of the country
which resulted in serious disturbances with the
destruction of many lives and millions of dollars'
worth of property,' Combinations were formed,
railroad depots, wart-houses and shops seized,
from market in certain localitie s is retarding
settlement and preventing tbo development of
tho country.   Portions of the grant are heavily
timbered and other parts ot it are saiel to bo j freight and'passenger trains compelled to stop I pared with 1877 of $40,723.38.
valuable for agricultural   and  mineral  pur- ■ nlIming, aim a large part of the carrying busi- ]    It w-ill be se'en that the Stato has acquired a
the payment of such mouevs into tbe treasury.
STATE TA^ LANDS.
Tlio amount of this class of lands, i. r. on
Which redemption has expired and tho Stato
acquired a title, remaining unsold at the close
of the sale in October, 1878, was $2,289,500.33;
the amount unsold at the close of tho sale in
1877 was $1,850,243 44, showing an increase of
$433,352.8". The sales during tbo year 1878, at
the Auditor General's and county Treasurers'
officers, taken together, amounted to $08,421,
showing an increase of  Galea in 1878 as coni-
sumeii that it wouldbear its relative^ nronortion < Poses, and public interests seem to require that   n,.HSOr the country for UiotimolH<ingaiispen(led. 1 large amount of  lands of tbis character, and
--■■     - 'e-iJrn/vi     in Bome sections they should not he kept from      «.—•__ — >:-,,.. :...- „  ..:„.:i__           —..........,_, =-_    u!_.n	
Total $374,881,028.23
It is alleged, and I havo no doubt with truth,
that this valuation does not Bhow much more
than one-third of tbe real worth of the property
assessed. I have no information of the aggregato amount of tlio assessments for 1877 and
1878, but have reason to believe that they are
mado upon tho same basis. A clause in our
State constitution, which seems to me mandatory, declares that all assessments upon
property shall be at its cash value. I call attention to tbia subject because, through tho de
►cisions of courts in other States, recently made,
parties representing large property interests
have been enabled to ovado payment of their
taxes in consequent* of disregard of,similar
statutory provision by Assessors.
STATE INHTITimOXB.
I take great pleasure in informing you that,
iu almost every instance, the appropriations of
two years ago have not been exceeded. The
State institutions bavo lived within thoir means,
end, by prudently adhering to a determination
ta uso no more money thau could be paid with
tM ordinary appropjidtjons, tliey have Jsent put
So. of children between 5,
and 20 yearH of ago....}
No. of ciiiUlrcu pnroHeci!
in public schools j
Perccntnuo of attendance
on enrollment ,
Approximate No. not at
tending any school.....
Whole No. of school dis-1
tricts I
No. of graded schools...'
Whole   No.   of    school i
house-*..,.
pardons granted in lMiy w.is 10; in 1870,10; in
1S71, 20; in 1*72, 22; in 1ST!!, 37; in 1S74, 30; in
1875,33; in 1*70, 20; in 1x77,10; and in lS7x,
20. From this statement it will be perceived that the exercise of the pardoning
power has been less frequent under my
administration than foimerly, and the
difference will bo the more apparent
when it is remembered that the number of
convicts in UiojiriBons within cither of the lost
two years considerably exceeds the number imprisoned in any other year of the Berics, In
thus reducing tho excrciBo of the pardoning
power I have boon largoly governed by tho consideration that tho enactmeut of tho Legislature
of 1875, known as tho "good time law-," places
it within the powor of a convict, by diligence
and good behavior, to himself greatly lessen Ids
term of impriBonment   The allowanco of time
under this law for such conduct ranges on a  	
gradual scale, increasing from two months for I Whole No. of teachers em
tbe first year to six months for tlio twor,tieth 1 ,„v)Vci':••;;■••	
year. It puts a convict's release measurably in ro,!al c,ost ,0' instruction
bis own bands, and is itself a bberal grant of 'lr!irh,,"> WM?<""
pardon. It has worked well in practice, stimulating tlio convicts to conduct themselves iu an
obedient and orderly manner, and bos thus
proved of valuable aid in tho discipline of the
priaons.; I am further of the conviction that the
too frequent exercise of executive clemency
tends to defeat tho ends of justice, to rendor
punishment for crime uncertain, ami to make
prisoners restless usd nneasy.
I have, therefore, limited it to fewer cases
than formerly, and, before granting it, havo required a notice of tho application to bo published. Tho appeals and importunities for par-
donB are numerous. Four out of ovory five, on
examination, are declined. I havo endeavored
to confine those granted to cases where the conviction was erroneous, tjie sentence unusually
to the whole, it w onld then be about $187,000,
,000.
Thia immenso amount of capital engaged in
the transportation of passengers and merchandise! adds greatly to the wealth of tho Stato
j and to tho convenience of its citizens, and is
The Superintendent of Pulibc Instruction has ' entitled to your fostering care and protection,
furnished me with the following j It has been invested under rights and priv-
bchool statistics: i "leges granted by your predecessors and should
.-„.-..--r -.-.--.-•v.__iir., ._-.„ ,..—■_ .^.^.--- ' not be unjustly or unneoSsBanlyinterferedwitli.
I     l*"4 ]k?s.       , But in the oxerciso of jour control it is alike
S^yourdutytoseothattheinferestsof thopublicaro
474,(190 '"protected and that sum capital is restrainoel
,_, ,r i from any abuse of its franchises or infringo-
<J5,'''!o ! ment on tho rights ot oilers.   The stockholder
and tho bondholder, thtprodiicer and the ship-
4G'J,.I14
357,13!!
.70
103,347
5.M
2!0
G.H7R
18,(XH
.01
I per, are equally enhtlcdtp your protoctioa   Wo
,178 j l"1-™ uo causa of complunt in regard to the cost
W,
G,«H)
310
0,129 j
13,878
(teachers' wokck) ]$1 ,it)l,%0.8<i §1,774,013.72
Total cost for all public1,
eclioolH... I 3,17!i.97«.0«l &.9Kli,103.S()
INSriTLTK ITKM1,
No. o£ teachers' institutes held. 1
Total enrollment at teachers' in
stltntes -
Total expense for institutes	
Amount of connty-iuBtitutc fund
expended	
Aid from Slato treasury to itutl-
tntes	
744;       2,tlf-2
$1,(Hr,.(H|S5,4W.C3
411.00
1,603.78
8,uiC,03
1.515.00
It will be perceived tbat wo pay most tlboral-
ly for education, and yet with our great munificence wo fail to bring all our children under
tbe advantage of iiMruct'on, eveo in tbe lower
I of transporting passon^rs or freight Local
rates hayo been as low fotiot lower than in onr
neighboring States.   Btvas ono of tho States
' ovor whoso lines of rau-oad the immenso productions of tho West an transported to tbo seaboard, in the obtaining)f wliich there lias been
and still continues to btvery active competition
by railroad companiov ;thero is danger that
through freight may b< .carried at a loss, and
that such loss will bo aided to tho local rates
and thus increase tbo burdens of our own producers. I recommend'ibis subject for your
thougbtrul consi'Jcratioi/ trusting if you take
action thereon it will oily be after mature consideration and witb es-refiil regard for tbo
rights of all. .,
The railroad corpoauons in the Stato have
boon organized as comson carriers with a view
of providing equal faclilies to all, without discrimination in favor of my. This right can only
bo maintained by tho Ojporations themselves,
and their agents and sovante, at all times avoiding tho businoea of mrchosing articles for
transportation over ton- own roads, and refraining from giving ttauy individual special
pri,yilog» over others iW»r in tbe form of re.
sale and settlement while at the same time
there is no reasonable prospect that the purpose of the grant will be accomplished. 1 believe it wise policy to devote the lands sacredly
to the oliject contemplated, and I would not divert them to other purposes. If, however, it
shall be found necessary to open any of them
to Bale, I recommend tbat it bo upon condition
that thoy bo sold for cash and that tho proceeds
lie paid into the treasury and set apart as a
fund to be applied in aid of the enterprise for
which thoy were appropriated.
SAVINGS HANKS.
Having reliable information that a similar
danger was threatening the peace and good
order of this State, I deemed it my duty to tako
prompt and energetic measures to meet such
i emergency should it ari^e. I accordingly ordered ont the whole militiry force of the State
to be encamped where they might rapidly be
made available in case of need. To tbis call
the troops promptly responded, and the three
regiments were quickly m tho field ready for
active duty. On the 2(itb day of July a portion
of tho hands in tbo employ of thoMiehigan Central Hailroad Company at tbo city of Jackson
struck, and, compelling othors to abandon work
I renew the recommendation repeatedly maelo , alid join with them, proceeded to stop all trains
turthor , nluning over such  railway  to  or from  said
has no uncertain value, aiid.the probabilities are j taming peace and tho Blip)
that hereafter money will never command as   x further issued a pro'cla
by my immediato prodoccssor for some fii
provisions similar to thoso in tlio National
Banking law for tho more careful examination
and scrutiny of the savings banks of tbe State.
Theso batik's hold large amounts of money,
and, so far as I know, thoy have boon prudently managed But they are tho offspring of the
Legislature, and, in creating them, it fails m
ita duty if it -heglocts to guard tho rights of
depositors, many of whom aro laborers and
porsonB of moderate means.
Tlio rates of interest havo been steadily do-
creasing for some time past An abundance of
money can now be obtained on good security at
7 and 8 per cent   Real property in the Suite
citv. On being advised of this action
tho officers of the railway immediately
appealed to mo ttemanding tbo protection
of the State against tbis unlawful and violent
interference witb tho company's proporty.
Deeming it my duty to uso tbo military power
only as a last resort in aid of tho civil authorities when thoir efforts to restore order had
proved powerless, I at onco placed myself in I
communication with Hon. James O'Donnell,
Mavor ot the city, requesting him to keep me
advised of the situation, nud assuring him that
I would direct the military to promptly and
firmly support the local authorities iu main-
- ■ ....      of tb.o laws.
remacy
      „ ^     .. proclamation enjoining all
iiigii rates of interest as it has heretofore. As , persons to refrain from improperly and vlolent-
a result of this state of circumstances there | Jv molesting or interfering with tbo property of
scorns to be a demand for tho repeal of tbe pro- ■ others, and requiring local executive officers to
vhion authorizing contracts to bo matle at rates | i,e active and vigilant in their respective local-
iis high aa 10 percent 'Witb this accomplished,
tho uniform rate throughout tho Stato would bo
7 per cent
onitAivr.
Tho bound and unbound books on tbo sholvos
of tbo library number abont 40,000 volumes.
Of these, aonio 5,000 have been obtained within
tbe past- two years through purcflaee, e^cnange
itios for the maintenance of tbo public peace.
I was gratified in a short timo to bo assured
by tbo Mayor of Jacksou tbat tbo civil authorities, aided by tho citizens of tho place,
were doing all in thoir powor to quiet the disturbance and provide for the passago of trains,
with a fair prospect that snob result would be
speedily attained without resort jo tho use of
that they are constantly increasing. Similar accumulations have occurred in former years and
methods of relief have been devised by tho
Legislature. It ia very important to the interests of tbe Stnto that some provision bo mado
for the disposition of thepo land*.
The number of acres ot Und held by the
Stato September 30, 1*78, wos 2,737,038.21,
There bos been sold during the two years past
302.290.81 acres. There has been collected in
cash and notes on account of trespasseson pub-
lie lands, $8,854.05, at an expense of §3,303.62.
BONDS OF GEUTAIN LOCALITIES.
It haa been brought to my knowledge that m
some instances localities issuing bonds have
fail id to keep a record of the same and that
confusion has resulted thereby. In some States
all local bonds are required to bo registered
witb a designated State officer before thoy aro
delivered. Tbis proceeding is said to give them
bitter standing and to thus facilitate their sale.
l'EES OP OFFICERS.
It is complained that officers who are compensated wholly or partly by fees are, in many
instances, paid exorbitant rates, and that fro-
luonlly tlieir charges aro excessivo and abovo
tlie b'mit prescribed by law.
It la also alleged tbat criminal proceedings
for trivial offensea aro sometimes instituted,
and carried on even to imprisonment more to
enablo officers to obtain fe.C3 than to subserve
tho enda of justice, While every official should
have a fair allowanco for liia services, ft is
neither just nor proncr that extravagant perquisites should be given to those whoso employ- l
ment is merolv clerical, requiring neither ex-
trordinary Bkili, learning, or ability, The subject is worthy of your careful inauiry.
ANTD3TAM NATIONAL- CEMETEBY.
Tlio State of Maryland now holds tho title
tbo Antlotam National Ccmotery, as Trustee-
the several States which contributed toward ita
[Qgntlnueil on Jfoui'tll Pr-S$e>)
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