The Old And New

Senators and Gentlemen of the House of Jtepreunkttíves: The constitution makes it niy duty to give to the Legislature Information of tlic condition of the State, and recommeud sueh measurcg as shall seem expedient. Whcn the constitution was adopted, thirtytivn ycars sime, the task thus imposed upon the Governor was of easy performance compared to its present magnitude. Then the population of the state was less thau 400,000. The Michigan University and the State Normal School, with an investmeut for the former of $100,000 and for the latter of $470.30, constituted the state educational institutions. The asylum for the insar. e at Kalamazoo, and the institution for the deaf, the dumb, and the blind, at Flint, with an investment for the forraer of $36.O2 and for the latter of $181.51, comprehended the state charitable institutions, and the crude beginning of a prison at Jaekson on which had been expended $100,337.94, was the only penal institution belonging to the state. Thtse constitutcd the institutions about which information was to be given at the date above referred to. The railroads scarcely exceeded in leugth and eapacity the private" railroads now used by Michigan lumbernien for hauling their saw logs from where the timber grows to floatable streams. Tbc eommerce on the surrounding lakes was iusigniflcant in comparison with its present magnitude. No communication had then been opened with the Upper Península except in a small way, by transhipment and land carriage a round ihe Sault. That Peuinsula, with the major part of the north half of the Lower Península, was then a dense wilderness, without inhabitants and only partially expioreü. rne agncuiturai prouuets 01 tne state were searcely sufücieut for home consumption. Copper, iron, and salt were not producid in our state for shipmcnt, and there were few faetorics to give employment to our pcople. We simply possessed the undeveloped, and, to a great extent, unknown elements upon which great states are founded. During the years that have since intcrvened, extraordinary progrcss has been made, until, without ostentation and with commcndable jride, we ean invite comparison with any state n the Union. üur population has reached ons and threeluarter millions, one million of which has )een added within the last twenty years. The 'manees, the primary school syetem, the University, the Slate Normal School and the As;ricultural College ; the three asylums for the nsane, the institution for the deaf and dumb, ,he school for the blind, and the Slatc Public School ; the reform schools for boys and girls, .Ue State prison and the State house of correction and reformatory ; the 4,500 miles of railroad ; the fisheries and state boards, are among lie prominent topic(5 abont which 1 am called upon to give information and to make suggestions. JÍv aim will be to discharsre the dutv mposcd, witli a view of aidiug 3'ou in performng your higher responsibilities'to the state. STATE FIXAXCF.S. Tlie State is in admirable financial conditicn. The poliey engraited upon its lfgislative prac,ice more'than twenty years aince, and which las been invariably adhered to in condueting ta financial aflairs, "to pay as you go," or to Tnake provisions for needed means before their ■xpenditure is eutered upon, has resulted in numerous advantages. ?"he people who are ealled upon to pay taxes in advance with which o make improvements, are more rigidly inclinrl tr ríiorVi i-itVi carpiivnnnapd UTitcrnriiPa qtiíI to scrutinize the acts of officials eharged with the work. Again, business conducted purely on a cash basis, lias the same advantaifes in public transactions as in those of a private nature. The wisdom of this policy has been abundantly manifested in the economy with which our publie buildings have been eonstructed, and the results that have been accomplished with the vcry moderate taxes levied for State mrposes. üf all the States that defray their general expenses by taxes levied on property other than corporations paying specific taxes, and that discharge all their obiigations, Michigan ranks the lowest. The bonded debt made it nceessary to provide means for its extinguishmont. The constitution equired the creation of a sinking fund for that mrpose. This has been complied with, and vithin the last thirty years over five milliou dollars have been used for that purpose from evenues derived about equally from direct axation, from sales of educational lands, and rom specific taxes collected from eorporations. ?hese fuuds were constantly accuraulating. joans to banks would not yiela the rate of intrest the bonds were bearing ; prudence dicated that bonds should be retired before. ma-urity, so far as practicable. This was doue. The surplus funds in the treasury that could not be so used were loaned at the best rate of interest obtainablc. While from the lal.ter scource the interest earnings have reached neary $700,000 they are small compared to the benefats derived from paying the bonds in advance of maturitv. In additiou to their eontributions to the payment of the bonded debt, the revenues from direct taxation and from the sales of educational lands have delrayed the general expenses of he state and have built ud its institutions. The speciflc taxes collected from eorporations ïave not only contributed to the payment of the rincipal and the interest of the bonded debt, ut have paid the interest on the trust funds. Phe latter interest payments aggregaie an amount exceeding the entire trust funds. Aimirt. frnrrw the filirnlllfi revpTine i'rom ie taxes over a million dollars have been distrimtcd among the priinary schools, in addition o the interest cavments aa above. The expenditures pursuant to appropriations or lands and permanent improvements for tate institutions are as follows : The University $411,000 00 State Normal School 90,742 53 Agricultural College 265,872 73 State Public School 175,965 00 ïastern Asylum for Insane 569,459 00 Jichigan Asylum for Insane 893,739 00 cw Asylum for Insane, Traverse City 50,000 00 Institution for the Deaf and Dumb 343,319 95 School for the Blind 51,300 00 State Prison 525,362 94 State House of Correetion and Reformatory 310,226 32 State Reform School 218,133 23 Reform Schoei f or Girls 117,550 00 Capítol Building(including the old) 1,614,858 31 $5,6-42,028 01 These achievements are the well rounded reults of judieious laws enforced by faithful administration in the various departments of govcrnment. The condition of the Treasury up to the 30th day of September last is as f ollows : ialance in Treasury Sept. 30, 1880 $1,578,643 01 teceipts f oí fiscal ycar ending Sept 30, 1881 2,607,2S8 07 Total $4,185,931 08 Jisbursemcnts for fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 1881 2,393,569 01 Balance $1,793,362 07 leeeipts for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 1882 2,916,084 45 Total $4,709,44(1 52 iisbursements for the fiscal year Bnding Sept. 30, 1882 2,951,513 31 Bal. in Treasury Sept. 30, 1882 $1,757,933 21 Add 0. S. bonds In sinj&ng fund. 300,000 (X) Total 12,057,938 21 This money belonge to the following funds : General fund - appllcable to the appropriations heretoforc made and the current expenses of the State accrued and accruing $650,920 91 Normal School interest fund 725 SS University interest fund 8,548 60 Primary School iutercBt fund 423,394 03 Sinking fund- cash 588,000 00 United States Bouds 300,000 00 St. Mary's Falls Ship Canal fund. 68,924 12 Warfund 11,703 39 Sundiy deposita 5,516 28 $2,057,933 21 The amount of specifïe appropriations unpaid Sept. 30, 1882, ia $ 391,277 90 The bondcd debt of the State has been redueed during the past two years as f ollows : Two million loan bonds, 1S83 $1,000 00 War bounty bonds 1,000 00 Adjusted bonds 3,000 00 Total $5,000 00 BOXDED DEBT. The iunded and fundable debt ot the State Spt. 80, 1883, wat as ïollsws : Interest Bearing Bond. Two million loan bonds bearing 0 pereent, interest, due Jan. 1, 1883 $590,000 00 AVar bountv loan bonds, bearing 7' per cent. interest, due May 1, ÏS90 298,000 00 Total interest bearing bonds. . . $8S8,O0O 00 Non-Interest Bearing Bonds. $21,000 part-paid Ove million loan, adjustable at $578.57 per $1,000 $12,149 97 Total bonded debt $900,149 87 I li i t ,.1 _ i - 4 lui pjrviMi. ii i.ni ï.ki 1 k1 ,i 4 f- i I i j t t il' iir-ii iii 1:1 : j i , t -i I 1 ] , j i j ij il .1 ' ) i ' iii' bonded debt is as follows : Sinking fund, Sent. 30, 1880 $908,895 27 United States bond 300,000 00 $1,208,895 27 Credltt Sinee Interest on U. S. bonds $3,375 00 Transfer from specific tax fund ÍO0 00 $1,212,470 27 Debits Since - Paymeuts - Bonds pur chased twomillion lo'n boude oí '83$l,000 00 War bounty bond .". 1,000 (KI Premium on War bounty bonds ....'. 300 M Transfers - To primary school i nt'r'stf'ndí30o,39r) 27 T o general fund. . ..... .16,875 00 $5SS,ST0 2T Cash in staking fund Sep.30.'82S58S,0O0 0O U.S.bondsin h'ds of f'nd eom'rs... 300,000 00 $888,000 00 %2m_ 27 The money for the payment of eral fund, in accorance with law $12,148 37 Railroad and other depo6its subject to draft $5,510 38 The trust debt of the State ia eomposed of the following funds and amounts received from sales of landa donated by the United States to the State for edueational purposes : The primary school fund, 7 per et. $2,924,334 17 Primary school fund, 5 per cent. . 337,996 54 Univeróity fund, 7 per cent 485, (01 80 Agricultural College fund, 7 per et 224,868 15 Normal School fund, 6 per cent. . . 60,075 45 Total $4,032,897 1 1 The State pays an annual interest of seven per cent on the primary school, University and Agricultural College funds, six per cent on the Normal School fund, and five per cent on the primary school five per cent fund. ItEVENUES OF THE STATE. The revenucs of the State are principally derived from - First. The sale of public lands granted to ;hc State for edueational purposes by the United States. Second. From taxes assessed upon the taxable property of the State, denominated State ;axes. Third. From pecifie taxes colleetc.d from corporatlons. The funds received from the sale of lands lave been used towards the pavment of the onded debt and for the general purposes of the State. Interest thereon must be paid perpetually under the following provisión of the Jonstitution : "The proceeds from the sale of all lands that ïave been or hereaftcr may be granted by the United States to the State, for edueational purposes, and the proceeds of all lands or other propertv givcn by individuals, or appropriated )y the State for like purposes, shall be and remain a perpetual fund, the interest and income f which, together with the rents of all such ands as may remata unsold, shall be inviolably appropriated and annually applied lo the speeific object of the original gift, grant, or appropriation." State taxes must be levied, eollected and dismrsed under the following provisión of the Constitution : ■'The Legislatura shall provide for an annual ax, 6ufncient, with other resources, to pay the estimated expenses of the State Government, ihe interest of the State debt, and sueh deficieney as may occur in the resources." This provisión is mandatory and must be complica with. The spccific taxes collected f roin eorporations are imposed in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, as follows : "The Legislatura may provide for the collection of specifie taxes írom banking, railroad, }lank road, and other corporations hereafter crcated." The moneys so collected are used in aceordanee with ttíe following provisión of the Constitution : "AH specifle taxes, except those received 'rom the mining companies of the Upper Peninsula, shall be applied in paying the interest upon the primary school, University, and other educational fundís, and the interest and principal of the State debt, in the order aérelo ecited, until the extinguishment of the State debt other than the amounts due to educational funds, when such speeific taxes shall be added to and constitute a part of the primary school interest f umi." Under the latter constitutional provisión the pecific taxes heretofore collected have been applied up to 1S80, in paving the interest on Primary School and Educational Funds, and the payment of the interest and the principal of the State bonded debt until the lal-ter was provided for by placing in the sinking fund au amount equal to the bonds then outstanding and unmaturcd. When the sinking fund became equal to the outstanding bonds, the wholc amount of specifle taxes were applied to educational purposes, and will continue to be so applied exclusively. This class of taxes is large and steadily increasing. Fortheyear 1882 tbey reachedthe sum of $724, 982.6:3j and for the last flve yeara are shown by the following table : For 1878 $483,032 03 " 1879 512,873 77 " 1880 568,354 00 " 1881 7;i3,244 14 " 1882 724,983 62 The larger part of this revenue is derived from railroad corporations. The annual payments for flve years are shown by the table following, taken from the report of the 1S77 $376,769 31 1878 410,453 00 1879 6,849 80 1880 521,513 34 1881 .' 575,936 88 The incrcase in the coustruction of railroads and the increwe of taxes incident to inereased trafflc, if continued in the same ratio as during the past, and irader the same rule of taxation, warrant the estímate that within five years the annual revenues from this source alone will rcaeh $900,000. The time is substantily at hand when the spceilic taxes from corporations would defray the entire expenses of the State if used for that purpose, and therety render unnecessary any f urther direct levy of State taxes for the ordinarycurrent expensesof the Stategovernment. This would of course take from the educational institutions and primary schools this large item of their support, and would rcsult in other means having to be devised to make good the amount so diverted. If the people prefor to put the hurden of the maintenanee of the primary schools upon the difttricta where they are located, and use a hole or a part of the specific taxes for curreut expenses of the State, it can only be done by eonstitutional amendment. Such a chango would rcsult in redueing the large balances now necessarily carried in the State Treasury, and were the burden of more fully supportiug the primary schools placed upou the tax-payers of each district it would quicken and keep strong their sense of aceountability in school management. FI11E HEI.IEP. I called the attention of the last Legislature, at its special session held in February and March, to the disastrous forest fires whirt lor the secoud time in ten years had devastatcd, In the month of SeDtember previous, the llurou península. Three thousand buildings had been destroyed, cighteen thousand persons had been deprived of the means ol support, and between two and three hundred lives had been swept away in this awful caJamtty. Only the benevolence and cooperation oL the public at large had prevented death by starvation. Cornmittees had been oreanized in Detroit. Port J 1 nr on, Flint, East Sagiuaw, Saginaw, and Bay City to gather and distribute supplies, and they had been aided in obtaining eontributioiis by those of other places. It became evident, uöwever, that a central head had become a necessity, and at the request of the committees representing the places above named, I designated a State Commission to act aa a central rgalaatio, consisting of ei-Uovrnor U. P. Baldwin, chairman, United States Senator Omar D. Conger, Hon. Charles T. Oorliam, General F. W. Swift, Alcixander H. Dey, D. C. Whltewood, aid George C. Codd, Esquires. Immediately after tiiis action toe local committees, with ono exceptlon, beeame subordínate to the üommisslon in tbeir work, or turned over t.heir funds to be distributed by the central head, as is shown by the detailed reports submitted by theni, and made a part of the report oí the Commission. The Fort Huron commlttee continued to act independcritly, and was active in the distribution of large amonnt of money and many suppliêa intrustcd to it by the donors. Of thefr action I have no report. I issued an appeal to the people of the Cr.iled States, statiug the magnitude of the disaster, the appointment oí the Commission, and requesting aid. In response to this, and the appeals made very geawally through the press, most liberal contribaMonB continued to be made from not only the people in our own State, but from almost evy state and territory in the Union. Contributions siso carne from Canada, from üreat Britain, from Franco, and from South America. While all were liberal, those made by the eities of New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Cleveland, Hartford, Newark, Alb.iiiy, Baltimore, Rochester, Lancaster, and Charieston, (S. C), were muuifleent. The Commission ennt.inued the wirk with rare energy aud discretion, andwith the means contribuid the sufïercrs were cared for fairly well. In the lapt days ol January, 1882, it beeame apparent that their wants could not be met by private methode until the harvest ivould bi ing relief. Alter f uil consultatiou with many citizcns J deeided to eonvene the Legislatura in extraordinary session, to consider the situation and to proviue mcan.s to relieve these suflerers, and for ether important State matters. On the 33d of February the Legislature eonvened, and after considering the faets presented as to the neceisities of these people, an appropriat;on was made of $350,000, or so muchas might beneeded, and $15,000 additional for the rebuilding of the school houses destroyed. The distribution of the appropriated funds was placed in the hands of the gentlemen composingthe State Commission as above. The Coaimission received and disbursed eontributions in eash amounting to $410,736.72, and in merehandise estimated at $200,000. Of the amount appropriated by the State $178,900 has been used for supplies, leaving in the State Treasury undrawn of the appropriation $71,100. The f 15,000 appropriated for school houses has been drawn and is substantially exhausted. It will all be used for the purpose for whleh it was appropriated. The aid thus rendered by contributions and by the State sustained these sufEerers until the late harvest was gathered, whlch, from its abundante, placed them again in an independent condition, with a bright and prosperous future bsfore them. Alter the above appropriation was made I issued a proelamation thanking the generous donors in behali of the State, aud adding that provisión having boen made for the future, individual contributions vere no longer neeessary. The t"ansportation free of donated goods by most of the railroads, the name generous action on the part of express eompanies, and the free use of tl wirea of the Western Union Telegraph Oompany, as well as the genarous and efficiënt ictlon on the part of the press in earrying on the great work of affordiug relief, cali for kindly remembrance and acknowledgnient. jeknoiedgments are also due to the gentlemen coniposinsr the State Fire Relief Commisslon for the gratuitous, long-continucd, and laboriuus task performed. Referenee is made to the very complete report of the Commission JIIIILIU lil pitlltpUJl-L MM 111. IMMH1RATI0X. The establishment of the bureau oí immigration two years ago has been a success. Of the painphlet "Michigan and lts Resources" 37,000 copies have been printed aud distributeu Ip6ides 7,000 copies in the Dutch and Germán anguaes. The entire expense of the bureau s aboui 115,500. The sales of unoccupied 'arminj; lande have exeecded in quanüty those of any former year. This, as weil as the procuring the appbintment of the tax law commission, by which the tax laws of the state were so ■cvisrii that hereafter the taxes will probably be all collected, and in cases vvhere property is sold for non-payment, the state will be able to ;lve a good title thereto, thegovernov modesty claims the credit for. KEVISION OP THE TAX LAWS. The tax laws of the state were Tery complex, riiev had been so added to and amended as to cave little certainty as to the construction to 3e put apon thelr various provisions. A 'ecommendation was made for the appointment of a commiesion for the purpose of a general revisión, whieh commendation vas adopted, ■rad a cmninission appointed. The work of this commlssion has been well and thoroughly Jone, the bilis reportcd by it beingenaetedinto aws, without material modjflcation. SffiMP LANDS. The amount of swamp lands still belonging ;o the state in tlie lower península is 35,688 acres. Ai 6ome oL these may be worthless, the board of eontrol has resolved to make no more contract for constructiug roads and ditches payable in lands till the remaining lands can be examined as to valué. There are 1,714,587 acres duo the ptate from the general government which have not yet been patented. Four years labor has been" given to preparing fuH statements of the claim, and it is cxpeeted as soon as a settlement can be had that the property or its equivaletn in cash will be made over. THE IXSANE ASYLCMS. LeglalttJon is recommended enabling Ilannah, 'Lay & Co. to transfer to the new asylum Vi acresoi adjacent land desirable íor its" use, a legal difflculty havlng artsen from Mr. Ilannah 'bi'ing one of the commlssloners of the aaylum. The Kalamazoo asylum has been fitted with niw heating apparatus at a cost of $40,000, wherebv the consumptiou of coal has been reduced from 5,000 tons to 3,000. Numerous other improvements have been made, making it equal to the best. H has 7-10 patiënte though intencM only for 550. lts expenses for support of pat ent s f or two years have been $300,110. A $12,000 eontaglous hospital building is needcd. The eastern asylum was originally designed for 400 patiënt s." During the past two years two new wings have been added, iuereasing the capacitT to 550. The number at the close of Noveracer was 577 and the cost of care per patiënt is $3Ü4 per year. A separate asylum for iacurably inaane Lllilll'Jilin IS OULgCOlCU THE DEAF, DVMl) AND I1I.GD. Tbc deaf and dumb iustitution ia in good conditiou. lts capacity is 350 pupils, bnt it uow has 260. For currcnt expenses and improveinents for 1888 and 1884, $95,650 ivill be required. Enlargement of the institution is also r commended. The oost of the blind scliool property at Lansing was $10,0u0, and $40,000 has been mlded in improvements. The estimated ottrrent expenses are $49,000 for the coming two years. It aceommodates 76 pupils - less th&n half the number entitled to admission. Additional wings increasing the capacity 148 pupils are recommended. THE STATE CIIAKITIES. The state public school at Coldwater cost $200,500, embraces a farm of 72 acres with a central building and nine cottages, and has a capacitv for 800 children. An appropriation of $88,400 Is reqnired for the next two years. THE STATE I-IBHAKl'. The libnirvhas inereased 4,082 volumes at a cost of L5,0?,), aml $6,000 isrecomniended to be expended for books in the next two years. Four thousand copies of "Michigan and the War" have been applied for by Michigan soldiers. EDUCATIOXAI-. Thcre are slill 357,917 acres of school lands to be sold at $4 per acre, and ivhcn sold the state primar; school fund will amount to $5,051,031. The total university fund is $540,770; 1,534 studints are in atleudanee, of whom 184 are women. An eve and jcar iniinnary and a school of politica! science have been added. Approprlations are recommended. The 'Agricultural College reeeived 285,978 acres of land [rom ' lio government, aud l(X),!(tí acres have been sold. The college property ;!.s;.: are asked. The total number of graduates up to the present time are S72, of whom nore tlian one-half are engaged in farcning. The addition to the State Normal School luis been eompleted. An appropriation of $4S,100 ire nskeil fur the next two years. STATE TÜOOI'S. The total number of state troops is 1,960, organized into three regiments and two battaliods; 5,1.100 men have received ilrill and Instrucción, mul would be iiseiul in case of an emergencv. OEOLOOICAL The geological survey has been coniined to the iron región, b'.it the eopper district is now to be worked. The eost for two years bas been Í9j485. The Balt región of the State covers 16,000 square mi!es,and the manufaeturing eapaelty is 3,590,000 barrels. IiEFOUMATORIES. The state reform school Is more tAp full and enjbarrassment i feit to flud cmpljrment for the boys. The approprlations wanted are $90,000 for two years' current expenses and $40, 000 for building improvements. The reform school for eirls, at Adrián, was opeued August 1, 1881. It now has 85inmates. The board want the name changed to the "Industrial Home. " The iustitution has cost $117,550 for permanent improvements and $12,880 for curreut expenses. Appropriationa of $86,755 are asked. THE PKISONS. The management of Ionia prison is now harmonious, and the institution in flrat class sanitary coudition. The prison is over crowdcd, by reason of thelawallowiug ustices of the peace to send petty criminal!, for a short time. Kecommendation is made that the law be repealed and only courts of record be empowered to sentenee to the state prisons. Jackson prison is in good condition. The mnnber of convicta at present is G3fl. RAILROADS. There are 4,545 miles of road in Michigan- an increase of 1,723 miles in 10 years and 721 miles in the past two years. The roads are well managed, and as business increases rates are gradually beiug reduced. Twenty miles of the Ontonagon & Brule River road have been completed and accepted and so rnuch of the land grant saved. The St. Mary's Falls ship canal has been duly transferred to the United States government : ruo,tf ueiongiug 10 tne canal luna wiu oe turned over whenever the government shall provide for the building of a dry dock in eonnectlon wlth a canal. MISCELLAJÏEOCS. The oil inspection has in %% years produced a surplus of $30,000. As this inspection is for protection rather than an increase of raremie, a reduction of the feo is recommended. The fish commissioners are in trouble and are unable to make a report. The board asks an appropriation of $15,500 for the next two years. As to insuranee, the public are now well protected, the insurance department having weedcd out all poor companies. The governor closee with a general congratulation on the grandeur and prosperity of the commonwealth and a commending of a continuance of the past record of economical and prudent administration of state affairs. BEGOLE'S .TIIiSSAfiE. Gentkmm of the fienate and of the Boom of Hepresentatives: We have assumed the duties assigned us by the sovereign people of the State of Michigan- you to serve them as Legislators and I -as the Chief Executive. The terms Senator and Representative indícate somewhat the duties with which you are entrusted, but the word Governor 6eems Imrsli and inappropriate. A designation that would more ncarly define my real position, as a principal servant, would be more agreeable. I have had but little opportunity to examine specially and in detail the many interests for which legislation or appropriations may be required, and must leave detailed statements of funds and management tomy predecessor, who uae iiau mu cars expenence ana iaminanty witli the worldngs of the State government and the needs of its institution9. What I say must be soniewhat general, and such as ruight suggest itself to any intelligent eitizen. Nd political organization is to be held responsible for my views on any subject. The candidato of two political parties, and elected by the votes of men of all parties, I cannot afford, nor do I desire, to speak from a merely partisan etandpoint, but rather as a citizenï desiring, first and supremely, the prosperity of the State and the welfare and happiness of its inhabitants. CIVIL SEBVICE REFOKM. The results of the recent elections in the several states have called the attention of men of all parties to the need of a reform in the civil service that Bhall place the holding of office on a firmer basis and divest it of its present strietly partisau character. BowJng to the popular will in this regard, the leaders of the two great parties in Congress have engaged in a struggle as to which shall be foremost in this reform. To inaugúrate a civil service reform in Michigan by perpetuating in office the men of one party, appointed under a system which even thelr own party leaders denounce, would not be in accordance with the popular will, as indicated by the results of the elections. Vnile no remováis shall be made for opinion's sake, I shall, as terms of office expire, endeavor to nomínate good men for the positions thus made Y'sinnnt. rpcrnrrlino thpir npmnnfil rhnraotor fnr integrity and their fitness for tbe place as of more importance thau their services in bebalf of any party or candidato. HUMANE ISSTITÜTIONS. Ouitiumane institutions compare favorably wlth those of any otber state, and will, I feel assured, be liberally dealt with by you. I believe the state should care most tenderly fo# her unfortunate children, following, however, the example of the Master, who, though able to supply the wants of the people by miraeulous power, was carcfulof the fragments, "that nothing be lost." The Trustees of the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb at Flint, and of the School for the Blind at Lansing will present their usual reports and ask appropriations. STATE PUBLIC SCHOOL. The State Public School, at Coldwater, is a tcmporary home for the uncared for children of the poor, as yet untaiuted by crime. Most of them, irom their neglected condition and unfavorable surroundiugs, would probably have beeome tomates of our poor houses, reform schools, or jails, so that the State Public School is not so much a charity as an economy ou the part of the state. The children receive an education, are taught habits of industry, and retained in the school only till homes can be procured for them in respectable families. Since its opening in 1S74, 1,831 children have been admitted, of whom 311 rmaio. It has always been a source of gratifleation to me that as a member of the Sonate of 1871 1 assisted in organizine; this school. Since its opening I have watelied its progress with especial interest, and have been gratified with the resulte. From the biennial report of ite Board you will obtain an interesting summary of its operations aüd needs. STATE REFOhM SCHOOL KOK GIBLS. The Michigan State Reform School for girls meets a long feit want, and I can, from personal observation, commend its general features. The cottage system bas its advantages in permitting a gradiiig of the inmates, and yct i uouoi very mueu me propneiy 01 comïnitt ing youthf ui prostitutes picked up f rom the stiects of our cities ia the same institution with homeless girls convicted of petty larceny. I eannot belleve that the latter will be lmproved hy contact wlth the former elass, and while iu favor of caring for both, think it fhould be done in separate institutions. 1 am satisiied that there is much in a name, and that the term Reform School is associated iu the popular mind with crime und disgrace. As it is the object of this institutlon to train vip its inmates to become respectable women, it would be a point gained to prevent, as far as possible, any stigma attaching itself to them on account of their former residence in a Reform School. I would therefore reeommend that the name of this institutioo be changed to 'The State ladustrial School for Girls." THE STATE REFOliM SCHOOI.. Among the various state institutions I hare occasionall; vlslted, there is none in which I have feit deeper interest than the State Reform School at Lansing. I was delighted when its promlrent prison features were abolishcd, and it assumed more the form of au educational institution. While 1 can most heartily endorse its present management, it seems to me that better provisión should be made for teaching the boys common and uscful trades. I know it is urgêd that such a manufacturing establishment eannot be made to pay expenses ; but neither does the common. school education it afford8 briug a cash return, or "pay expenses," except as it tends to help them toward a noble nmnliood. The kuowledge of a good trade, with the independence which it affords, may tend quite as much to save the youths trained in this institution from evil associations and tros) falling into old habits, as arithmetic or grammar. I think therefore that a trade as wcU as an education should be provided lor. The same cousidcrations that iuduced me to favor a chango in the name of the school at Adrián, lead ase to recommend that the name of this infctitution be changed to "The State Industrial School for Boys." ASÏLCMS FOR THE IXSASE. The Michigan Asylum at Kalamazoo and the Eastern Asylum alPontiac are admirably managed institutions, creditable alike to the State and to the intelligent gentlemen who compuse thcir boards of trustees. Each has a corps of competent physicians and attendants, devoted to the humane .work of caring for the insane, and I believe conscientously discharging their dutie8 to the unfortunate ones under their care and to the State. The reports containing the estimatcs for these institutious will be laid before you, and no doubt receivs your favorubly consideration. The report of the commissioners for the Northern Asylum for the Insane shows that a site hi.s been seleeted near Traverse City. One of the commissioners having an interest in a part of the land to be purehased, and, from the general plan of the grounds, essential to their completeness, legislation is asked to permit the purehase, and is, under the eireumstances, recommendrd. It appears from the report that the amount appropriated for the building is $400,000, ar.d that in 1873 a similar ram was appropriated for the erection of the Eastern Asylum at Pontiae. From this the Commissioners have "inferred that a building of the substantial character, eapacity, and general design, as to the complete faeilities for treatment and number of classiflcations, of that eonstructed at Pontiae under a similar act, and for the same sum was intended." This has enabled them to draw a furtber conclusión, that the Legislatura will, as in the case of the Pontiae Asylum, appropriate $07,000 more for warming and ventilating apparatus, and plumbing and furnishing. In other words the Commissioners seem to have reasoned themselves into a belief that the Legislatura having appropriated $400,000 for the Northern Asylum, tiiev are authorized to duplícate the Pontiae building regardless of CO8t. Such logic would fail to satisfy a business flrm, and I cali your attention to it that a proper understanding of the intention of the Legislature may be arrived at. INSANE CRIMINÁIS. I think that in the vicinity of one of our asylums for the insane, but separated from it, there should be erected an asylum for insane crimináis. Of these there are two classes; first, those who having been convieted of crime, become insane while undergoing punishment; and second, those who seek acquital, or have been legally acquitted of crime on the ground of insauity. Of the flrst class quite a number are eonfined in the State Prison at Jaekson. But neither there or at Ionia is there any suitable provisión for them. It is of eourse improper that they should be forced to labor with the others, or even allowed to be at liberty among them, and nothing remains but confinement in an institution which has only punishment for its object, and where faeilities for the proper care of insane persons are wanting. It may be that very many of the second class - those who seek acquittal or have been legally acquitted of crime on the ground of insauitv - do uot need medical treatment, but some method sbould be devised to prevent men-slayers from belng let loosc on boclety. Experts, Q T"T"Ï TfiVl til C J Jn 11 iïfl ï pm 4 I i i i v knm-í r 1 nnn ujpaiLuuij niriuiitu iii.'in tiltil JSöLBMUg ICE knowledge than the average citizen, are ready to testify in the interest of the party that brings them into court, and hypotheticai qucstions and conflieting decisions and precedente render an intelligent decisión of the question of sanity diilicult if not impossible. If in cases of homicide the plea of ineanity was barred by statute, unless when made before the examining Justice, who should in that case commit the offender to the Criminal Asjium to await trial, an opportunity would be afforded its offlcers of observlng theconduet of the accused, and forming an intelligent opinión as to his mental condition. The acquittel by a jury on the gronnd of insanity Bhould bê accepted as prima facie evidence of incapacity, and the respondent at once assigned to the Criminal Asylum. The safety of the public demandg this, for in the case of those who have eommitted nomicide there is danger of a return of the homieidal tendency. The question of the release of Insane crimínala rnight be safely eommitted to a board eonsisting of the Governor, Attorney General, and the Superintendents of all the State Asylums for the Insane. I earnestly rceommend that a special Asylum be provided for insane eriniinals. EBUCATIOX. The common schools of the State are supported wholly by the public. The taxatiou of a citizen for the" education of . the children of others finds its justifleation in the fact that under our republican form of government a certain amount of education is necessary for an intelligent exereise of the elective franchise. TEXT BOOKS. Of the cxerescences that have been forced on our educational system. one of the most annoving is the variety and multiplicity of ever ehanging text books. While au eüforcement of the present lavv against too frequent change may do soinething towards establishing a sort of statu quo in the present confusión, might not a more radical measure in the interest of uniformity and economy be adoptedí I am aware of the difficulties in the way, and of the powerful influence of the publiáhing trade, which would be exerted tu defeat or render inoperative such a law. If in your wisdom you can devise any means to remedy existing evile, it shall have my hearty approval. STATE NORMAL, SCHOOL. The State Normal School seems to be prosperous as regards numbers and the excellence of its corps of teachers. In so far as it makes prominent its peculiar work of "teaching how o teach," it is a valuable institution. AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. TL e Agrieultural College is so near the Capifíl tloí' Trïi ii'ill wi' Innlt vioít Í+ QTifi lnorn II ui lll.: l uut u lll, nu L1UI1UL, VISlb IL, U1IU 1VHI U its needs. I can most hoartilv endorse its present management. THE UXIVEll-SITÏ. The last year has been one of great prosperity to the State University. Under wise administration it has grown iñ 6trengtli aud usefulness with a rapidity perhaps uneijualled in the history of similar iiibtitutions. lts work and its schblars are meutioni'd with honor wherever sound learning is respected. lts elevating and stimulatiiif; intiueuco has been feit through the intelleetual life of the state, and espccially through our whole educational System. The new fire-proof library building is approaching completion, and the authorities of the University deern it very desirable t luit a large addition be made to their collection oí books. They justly say that a University cannot suceessfully do Hs work without a good library. Tbey think that a considerable sum should be expended soou in the purchase of books, and I commend their request to your favorable eonsideration. Other needs of the University the Regente will make known tc you during the session. 0 STATE LIBRARY. The report of the State Librarían for the years 1S81 and 1882 is an Intelligent statement of the present eondit ion and needs ol the Library, and the appropriation of $3,000 asked for eaeh of the years 18S3and 1 884 is recommended. MILITARY. Our position as a border state, as wel! as the painful experiences of the civil war, indícate that the militan' spirits should be foetered among as. A large standing armj would be dangerous to the flberties ol the people and repugnant to our free institutions, but the eonstitution of the United States recognlzes the tact that a "wcll rcgulatcd military" is "necessary to the security of a free state." Our state militia is composcd largely of our worthieet and most cnergetic young men - men in whom we may safely confiae In case of war, and itli whom the best of us may be proud to assoeiate in time of peace. I desire that our militia mav be kept in the highcst state oí efficiency, ann. to this end, ask that their wants riceive duc consideration at yonr hands. I have visited and inspected the Military Academv at (Jrchard Lakc, incorporated in 18T7 under the laws of this State. I fouml there one huudrcd and twclvccadets whese ages range from twelve to twcnty, and represcntiug twelve States and territories. In addition to the studies pursued in our best high schools and academies, they are taught miliitary seience and tactics by an otüccr of tbe regular army, who is detailcd by the President of the United States ior that' purpose. The War dcpirtment furnishcs a liberal supply of arms auu aniuuniou, This school fillsa place heretofore unoceupied in the edueational system of oor State, and, in order that its fljld of usefulness rnay be widened and perpetuated, I recouimend that snch subetantial aid may be extended to it as you may deern ivise. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS. To amend the constitution of the State it is neeeseary that the proposed amendment be submitted to a popular vote for adoption or rejeetion. Such amendment cannot hrsosubmitted unless it is agroed to by two-thlrda ol the members elected to each house. In aceepting the nomination for Governor I said: "I cannot see how, in a republican goveroment like ours, there should be any hesitatiim in submittinir questions whicli concern the interMjts ol the State and the wellbelng of itsiuhabuauts to a popular vote." I, certainly, for one, am willing to submit any andallquestlons which concern the voten of this State to themselves for thoir detcrnúnation and abide by the result." I still think that "personal libcrty" and the "freedora of the citizcn"' demand that the voters of the State have an opportunity of expressing their views on all questions in wbich thcy are interested. I also believe that opposition oflered in the Legislatura to such dubmission, when it is asked for by any considerable number of voters, will Injure tlie party or cause it is intended to benefit. KAII.HOAl) ACCIDKNTS. The last report of the Commissioner of Kailroads show that during the year 18S1 ther ■ere 331 easualties to raüroad emDloyes in thif State, of which 61 resulted fatallyi The numbr of employé killd was on for every ÍS6, and of iujured, but not killed, one for each 71 I would recommend such additional legislatioii as may tend to preserve from injury railroad employés in this State. Tbis may be done by requiring the use of such meehaaical appliancea as shall be found neeessary for the prevention of accidenta, and by holding to a striet responsibility the railroad companies, making thera liable to the injured or their families for all damages, except where the injury was caused by the .relessness of the injured party The companies might aleo be required to set apart a small per centage of their earnings for the relief of dependent families of employés killed in the performance of duty. IJTSPECTION OF OILS. The latest report of the State inspector of ïlluminating oils, shows that during the year 1881 the fees colleeted for inspeetion amouñted to $28,261.75, hile the total cost of inspeetion was but $17,218.34, leaving a surplus of $11 - 043.41 to be placed in the State treasury. The collection of this surplus by the State is practically in the imposition of a tax on illuminating oils, and should be redueed to the actual cost and a system of fees adopted which shall afford inspeetors who travel considerable distances to inspect a few barrels as mach compensation as those who merely step out of their offices a few minutes to test hundrea barrel tanks. EMIGRAMOS. The Commissioner of Emigration is by law under the direction of the Governor, and the expenditures of nis office are under the Governor's control. I am satisfied that the office, as managed, is a success, and justifles its creation by the Legislature. It has not only secured a very large number of intelligent emigiants from other States, but its valuable array of facts and figures, wisely distributed throughout the State, is eminently ealculated to convinee our enterprising and ambitious young people that Michigan is undoubtedly the least desirable State in the Union from whlch to emigrate. TAXATIOX. I have received many letters from intelligent citizens calling my attention to supponed defects in the new tax law, and it would seem that some of its material provisions fail to meet the general approval. I have ni,t been able to give such attention to the subject as would warrant me in recommending material changes in a law on whlch so much labor has been expended, at great eost to the State, and which Is as vet untried. Huverusing oí lax saies snouicl oe condueted on business piinciples, and given to the lowest bidder. The recent advertising of State tax lands has been generalij' condemned as an unnecessary expense. CONVICT LABOXi. The matter of selling to contractors the labor of convicta in our prisons, should receive your attention. I do not think the state can aflford to conduct these establibhments in a way that will injure the industries of the state. Manuíacturers, with large capital invested in build inga and real estáte, and who employ self-respecting mechanics and laborera, should not be forced into a rninous competition with eonvict labor controlled by eontractors. The prisoners ehould, I think, be employed under the prison management, and the goods manufacturad sold to tho trade at fair market rates. If a percentage of the proflts was eredited to well-behaved prisoners, to be paid them on their discharge, it would be a motive to willing labor and good conduct, and furnish them means to begin life anew with when their terms expire. COMMISSIONERS OF LABOR. Railroads and insurance, correctioas and oharities, cducation, agrieulture, and health, have been eommitted to state boards, whose valnablc statistics and suggestions form a basis for legislation. Paupers and crimináis, the flsh that swim in our rivers and lakes, and the cattle that graze in our fields, are cared ior by commissioners appointed by the state. A large class of our cltizens, and "who are seldom found in our halls of legislation to speak for themselves, have no one whose especial duty it isto investígate their condition, and report what legislation is neeessary for the protection of their interests. I refer to the laboring class. The state of Massachusetts has a Labor Bureau whose reports and statistics are eagerly sought for by all who would study the labor question, and has been the means of reforming numerous abuses. I would recomend the appointment of three commissioners to be known as CommisMoners of Labor, with authority to emplov a at the expense of the state. I teel assured it would be the means of placing much valuable information before the next Legislature,and become an important element in determining question as to the rights of labor that must sooner or later be settled bv legislation. THE DISSECTION BILL. I would call your attention to a law requiring superiutendents of the poor to forward the remains of deceased persons who would otherwise be buried at the public expense, to Ann Arbor for the purpose of dissection. In the hour of our breavement, when human sympathy flnds its truest expression in flowers, and loving hands bring their floral tributes to deck the dear remains, should a dray hearing a coffin-shaped box marked "Ann Arbor" stop at our door, and an oillcer armed with the authority of the 6tate claim that loved form, - would we not resist even to death the enforcement of the cruel statute '. I have yet to learn that the inabilitv to pay for a funeral indicates a lack of natural f eeling. i cuuimou su ugie aainst auverse lonunc mav have served to cement ties of affcetion. and the wood cross or simple rose bush expresa as true devotion as was ever chiseled in the purest marble. In the poor house in my own county are two agcd couples whose path to the unkuown ia brighteued by their eonfidenee that the good Superintendent wil] be more humane than the law, aud that their reraains will find a resting place in mother earth, and sidc by flide. I recommend that if the state must continue to Bupply subjeets for dissection the selections be maiie on other grounds than that of proverty . EAKI.T I.EGISLATION. My experience in the State Senate and iu Congress leads me to ask you to begin the work of enacting laws at an early day. There is mach lees dauger of ineonsiderate legislation by eo doing than by leaving important measure6 tobe crowded thröugh in the last days of the session. FREE PASSEP. The acceptance of free passes on the raiirosdi by membeis of the Legislature is of doubtful proprlety. I do not say that the vote of any member would be influenced thereby when legislating on the subject of railroads; out at least one party has flenounced the praetice in lts platform, and good men of all parties regard it witli disfavor. lts practical effect is to materially prolong the session. So long as members can go home weekly, not only without expense, but with a reduction of their board bilis, Saterday and Monday will be almost wasted, and the session prolonged bj Beveral weeks. ArPKOPRIATIONS. Let not a f alse economy induce you to cripple any interest of the state. This" Legislature, composed of intelligent and practical men, will not, I feel assured, adopt a 'penny wiae and pound foolish" system of appropriations. The growing State of Michigan, with many of its industries yet in their infancy, cannot afford to adopt the methods and economies of some of the older States. Remember that with the State, as with the individual, the. best is the cheapest. Let us, however, sce to it that every dollar appropriated is honestly and judiciously expended, holding all public servantsto a striet accountability. and making instant removal from office the penalty of neglect of duty. CONCLUSIÓN. A few days after my election, I was amused to see a statement in one of the papers, that when I reached Lansing I would find a Senate and House opposed to me. I am satisfied that it is not true, but that the most kindly feellngs are entertained toward me by the party in the majority in both houses. There shali be nothing lacking on mv part to maintain the frieudly relations. I trust the only rivalry between ' us will be as to who shall labor most earnestly and snccessfully for the general good. I enter upon the duties of my ofllee distrusting my own ability and wisdom," but determined to do my duty as best I inay, and humblv trusting in Almighty God, whose" divine protection and guidance Ipray for,all branches of the government and all iuterests of the State. JOSIAH W. BEGOLE, Execi'tive Office, [ Lnnsiny, Jemuary 3, 1SS3. )