CONTENTS. 2. Auditor General's Annual Report. 3. Annual Report of the State Treasurer. Commissioner of the State Land Office. STATE OF MICHIGAN. No. 1. LEGISLATURE, 1853. GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE. Fellow citizens of the Senate, and House of Representatives: During the past year, the people of this State have been most signally blessed with the enjoyment of an unusual degree of prosperity. For this, our profound gratitude is due to the Great Ruler of the Universe, who so wisely orders and ordains all things. The State is growing rapidly in nearly all the elements of greatness. Few of the States of the Union possess as many fine natural advantages. The facilities for communication between important points in our own and other States are fast increasing. Our educational prospects continue to improve. Every branch of productive industry is prospering, and our citizens are contented and happy. Under such favorable auspices, I am pleased to meet you, and give information of the condition of the State, according to the injunction of the constitution, and to recommend such measures as, in my judgment, may tend to its permanent advancement. The new constitution is now the supreme law of the State. Although it undoubtedly contains exceptionable features, yet it is our solemn duty to endeavor, in good faith, to give full and complete effect to all its various provisions. A strict and rigid economy should be observed: every act appropriating money or imposing burthens upon the people, should be closely scrutinized; an extravagant and wasteful expenditure should be discountenanced; and yet, with this, a certain degree of liberality is not incompatible. Extreme parsimony, sordidness, and every thing of a like character, that detracts from the reputation and dignity of the State, it is wise to avoid. The official term of one of our Senators in Congress, expires on the third day of March next. It will be your duty to elect a successor during the present session. Heretofore the Legislature has postponed the passage of general appropriation bills to the close of the session, owing to the necessity of making provision for numerous small items and private claims that could not be ascertained and judiciously acted upon until then. As no law can now embrace more than one object, and the Legislature cannot audit or allow any private claim or account, would it not expedite your business to act promptly upon and despatch them, whilst other more complex and intricate matters are being matured? The estimates will be presented by the proper officer, ready for examina tion and legislative action. The general laws of the State require but slight amendment. The fewer changes made, unless imperatively demanded, the better. It is less injurious, and far less vexatious, to accommodate ourselves to small imperfections in the laws, when discovered, than to be constantly involved in that legal uncertainty which has heretofore tantalized. the people. Not much complaint is made against our statutes; litigation is diminishing; the laws are more thoroughly understood, and there is not so much doubt as to their true meaning and effect as formerly. We have had too much unwise and improvident legislation. It is time to check its evils. The financial condition of the State was never more healthy and encouraging. No State pays the interest on its indebtedness, and all bona fide claims upon the treasury, with greater punctuality. With economy and judicious legislation, a few years will enable us to liquidate our public debt, and relieve the people entirely from state taxar tion. |