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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 8, 1877)
THE OMAHA DAILY BEE : JANUARY 8,1877.-Eigh ! Pages. GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE. Continued Prom Socopd ace with the growth of Uie State wealth aud popula'iou. L doubt .any State in tue Union can ox- iiblt more gratityiug results iu tula espsct There are sixiy organized ounties in this State , divided iuto > thousand five hundred aud ton clXjol districts The total number > f children of school age s eighty-six thousand one P hundred and ninety-one baiug au increase of thirteen thousand aud _ two hundred over 1S74 Of tnis I number fifty-nine thousand nine hundred and sixty -six attend the puuhc schools. There are three thousand threa hundred aud sixty- [ one teachers employed , receiving an I aveiage salary or thirty-four dollars Jand twenty four cents per month We have nineteen hundred ami aighty-four school houses , valued at 51,586,736.60. The total receipts of the last fiscal year from ail sources for common chool purposes were $1,093,275.36. Fhe total expenditures ror the same period were $1,093,974 75 The ag- regate bouded aud floating school lebt is $1,063,058.60. There have been placed to the redit of the temporary school fund the State Treasury , amounts * a bllows : uterest on lands Bold . $135,002.69 ntereat on leas&d lands. . . 39,782.63 terest on loans . 4,706.18 tereat on bonds . . * . . . 2,842 03 Interest on warrants . 18,777 17 nterest on certificates . 59,385.46 jhool tax collected. . 238,651.96 Total . $487,178.32 are-still outstanding moit- ) of the permanent school fund vestment to the amount of $89- ny of theee are delinquent n the payment of interest , and iu -ome cases tax titles have act-rued aiuflt the property to auch an extent - tent as to greatly impair the securi y. y.tfuch legislative action should be taken as will enable and require tha i proper authorities to proceed to the F collection and adjustment of these [ loans in the speediest manner possible - ble , and to reinvest the funds into safer end more permanent securi ties. -f STATE UNIVERSITY It affords me much pleasure to [ call your attention to tuis institution - | tion of learning ; and I refer with satisfaction to its economical and administration , its prosperous [ condition and growing reputation. [ "Che recommendations specified in I \e Regents' report , herewith trans- I Ytett are entitled to your favora- * consideration 1 refer particu- k to the recommendation there- Tn7 asking for legislation in refer ence to the realization of an in come from the land endowment , that the present moderate tax re- Iquired for its support * may be still further lessened. As appears from the Regents' re- [ porr , the cost of educating a single itu-lent in the State University of jTebraska , as compared with til-it in nivereities and colleges of this aaracter in other States , is almost mparalleled In economy. Theut- endance has increased from one iuudred and thirty- two in 1874 , to wo hundred and eighty-two m 876 ; so that the legitimate ex- nse of conducting the institution have increased The amount now for its support is less that expended during the first of its existeuce. It is to be that such provisions will be Pade as to enable the University to ontinue in its work , and yet to .euve no citizen on account thereof iust cause for complaint of grievous ixation. If not already arrived , the time is tot far distant when thi educatiou- institution , under its.present able iaQ&ngemeut , will become the of the wuole state. NORMAL SCHOOL fTnB important braucn of our ed- ' -atioual system seeing to be in ex- ident condition. The benefits of p school are already felt in thu fite , and the results that may be Ifely anticipated in the future fully itines its maintenance. total enrollment of students yhe year 1876 was two hundred ; sixty-eight , and the average at- fiauce per term was one hundred prf'forty-two. For the last term the year the enrollment was oue ludred and ninety-six. The aver- cost of the school per term , as aowii by the report of the principal ' 3,680.66. I The board of education of the ' , ormal School at then- last uession nded to your honorable a levy of a tax ofoue- fttli of one mill be made anuuidly -on the taxable property of the , ! .ate for the support ot thus Insti- Ition. INrTTTUTK FOR THE BLIND. Jibe Legislature at its last regular sion appropriated ten thousand ll ° r * for the purpose of erecting i institution for the blind , to be cated at Nebraska City , with the toviso that the citizens of .iNebras- 'i City should donate the sum of tree thousand dollars for the same ixpoae. Tuis amount has been Vsed aud paid over to the Trustees fthe Institute as provided by law. buildim : was contracted for the of 9,795.00 , and was formally ) jed January 13th , 1876 , and is hulatod to accommodate fifty The report of the Trustees that they have received for stitution during the past two 19.457.82 , and have expended ) { 7 05 , leaving a balance on hand iddition to these expenditures is a balance due the contractor r'n : * ? ork on the building of Principal of the institute , Samuel Bacon , has also ad- for furniture and improve f U 1,209 38 , making a total del - l of 2,052.43 , for which amount /Trusteed ask an appropriation. f-eving those expenditures to ie been necessary aud reasonable , ommend that you make an ap- iriation sufficient to cancel this btednees. the SOth of . ( November , 1876 , were seventeen pupils in at- lance. /ae management of the institu- L tion seems to have been in all re * specta satisfactory. DEAT AND DUU > INSTITUTE. Th's Institution was opened iti the city of Omaha for this unfortunate class in April , 1869 Daring the tirst year there were in attendance twelve pupils. Since that time there has been a gradual increase. The number connected with the school during the last two yeaw was fifty- three. The legislature in 1875 appropria ted 31,700 for the payment of the teachers and other expenses of the Institute , and also appropriated 15- 009 for a new building , ma&ing a total of 46,700. O' thi ? amount there has been expended 39,394.13 , leaving an u lexpsnded balance .No vember 30th , 1876 , of 7,345.86. 1Mie new building authorized by the legislature is now approaching c > mpletion , at a cost , including heat ing , and other necessary fixtures , of 14,495.00 For information as to the good management of the Institute , and ita successful operation , I woulu re fer you to the reporta of the directors and principal. U ( SPITAL FOR THK INSANS. On the first day of March , 1875 , Dr D W. Scott , Superintendent of iheHospitol for the Insane , resign ed , and Dr. F. U. Fuller was ap- poiuled to fill the vacancy , and has had charge since that time. The management of the hospital has been highly commendable , and the success most gratifying. There is no class more deserving of our sympathv than the insane , and neither care nor treatment for their benefit should be withheld from them. At the last regular session of the legislature an appropriation of 35,000 was made for the erection of a south wing to the main building. The trustees of the hospital were authorized to superintend ita con struction. It has been completed in a subs tan ti tl and workmanlike manner , and furnished , within the amount appropriated ; and has been occupied by patients during the past year. TUB constant increase of this un fortunate class demands more room , and further improvements for their convenience and comfort I would refer you to the reporta of the Trus tees and Superintendent of the in stitution , herewith submitted for their recommendations in tnis re spect. The legislature at its last regular session appropriated 60,000 for the care and maintenance f the insane. This appropriation was made Feb ruary 23d , 1875. and the expenses of the hospital for December , 1874 , and January , 1875 , amounting to 4,761.17 , were drawn from the bal ance left from the appropriations of 1873 and 1874. For the mainte- nauce of the hospital during the two fiscal years ending .November 30th , 1876 , there has been expended 60- , 740.69 , and the amount remaining unexpended in the State Treasury to its credit at that date was 4,014.48. As prescribed by law there has been 25,962 89 charged to the coun ties having patients in the hospital during the two years past. The larger part of this amount has already - ' ready been paid into the State Treasury. The total number of inmates in the hospital .November 30th , 1874 , was forty-six ; admitted during the years 1S75 and 1876 one hundred and eighteen ; total number unaer treatment for the past twoyears | , one hnndred and sixty-four ; number recovered du.ing the tame period , fifty ; improved , nine ; unimproved , six ; escaped , one ; died , five ; re maining under treatment Novem ber 80th , 1878 , ninety three. The dally average of patients for the year 1815 was fifty-four anl one-half , aud for 1876 was eighty- one. The weekly cost per patient for the year 1875 was 10.33 } . and for 1878 was 7.55 } . The per capita cost per week for board and clothing for patients , and board for officers and employes for the yeai 1875 was 2-91 J , and for 1876 was 214. ; It will be observed that as the number of patients increase , the per capita cost decreases , which , as a natural consequence , would be the case until the full capacity of the hospital is reached. The reporta of the Superintendent and Steward are very full , and to them you are referred for further de- taLLs concerning the government of the institution. STATE "PRISON. The Penitentiary has been com pleted under the contract made by tha State , and is a substantial struct ure , well ventilated and heated , and is regarded as perfectly ecure. With the addition of cells , it is of sufficient size to hold all the crimi nals likely to be saut there for years to come. For a complete statement con cerning its capacity and construc tion , you are referred to the report of tiio Prison inspectors , herewith tjubtuitted. The appropriation made by the legislature two years ago for the maintenance , care and custody of the convicts was 50,000. And there has been received , on account of convict labor , gate money , etc. , 7.650.09 , making a total of 57,658.09. The amount expended during the two years ending November 30th , 1876 , was 57,658.07. The average daily cost per prisoner has been one dollar and twenty ceuts. The daily average of convicts in the prison , from November 30th , 1874 , to November 30tb , 1876 , was sixty- three. Ihe committee appointed by the Legislature at its last regular session to examine into certain alleged abuses in tr " ison of cruel and Larsb tret j officers in charge , at _ a conclusion of their investigation , resolved to refer the "testimony and proceedings to me , for such action as in my judg ment , the case and best interests of the penitentiary demanded. On ex amination I fouud ihe testimony taken by the committee , consisted largely of statements made by con * victs ; conflicting , and doubtless ex aggerated ; some testifying to the most cruel and inhuman treatment , while others had no knowledge of such , but testified to good treatment itsufoienf food. One portion of the prisoners were doubtless influ enced by prejudice and malice to wards the officerswhile others were moved With a desire to curry favor , so that in either ease , th testimony could not be fully credited. From the Warden's testimony , however , and from personal observation , 1 became satisfied that the discipline wag , at least too severe , and that the Warden's Influence over the prisoners had become impoiml. Believing the proper eud to be sought with the majority of prison- era is reformation , instead of pun * isliment , I deemed it my duty to make a change in the warden I therefore-removed Warden William vVoodhurat , on the 24th of March , 1875 , and appointed L. F. Wyrnaii , of York county , as his successor. His confirmation by the senate will be requested. The manngeraeut and discipline uf the prison , under Mr. Wyrnau's wardenahip has been satisfactory. The younger class ol criminals have bean separated from the more vicious , and hardened , and night schools during the winter uaye been established with excellent results These reforms in coauection with the "good time aet , " passed at the last regular session of the legisla ture , giving prisoner an opportu nity to shorten their term of aen tence by good conduct , have been productive of much good. There is sufficient room in the west wing of the building for a Re form School , which could be con ducted by the same officers , and put in operation at small expense. This would completely separate the younger criminals from the older , and furnish batter opportunities for educating and reforming them. The contract for prison labor has expired. The penitentiary being completed , some branch of industry should be established at the prison , for the purpose of utilizing the con vict labor. It is absolutely essential to the good government of the prison , that the inmates bo kept at nard labor tor a certain number of hours each day It will be neces sary for you to devise some means by which this can be done in the future. ATUtTTANT CtBNERAL. An act of Congress requires each State to appoint an Adjutant Gen eral , whose duty it shall be to dis- trioute all orders from the Com mander-in-chief of the State to the several military organizations thereof. This office was recognized iu this State by au Act approved February 15th , 1869. In 1871 , how ever , this act was repealed , and the records of the office deposited with the Secretary of State. Without a showing of an organ ized militia , the State's apportion ment of military equipments would not be issued by the general govern ment. My predecessor , recognizing the importance of this fact , and the necessity of authorizing some per son to act , appointed his Private Secretary Adjuunt General. At its last regular session the Leg islature appropriated four hundred and fifty dollars per annum , to the Secretary of State , for.tbe care and custody of the records of the Adju tant General's office , and 1 there upon appointed him Adjutant Gen eral. eral.Upon the taking effect of the new Constitution , the question was raised whether his office and salary as Ad jutant General were not incompati- ole with Section 24 , Article V of the Constitution. The supreme court decided that he was eligible to the offlc , and entitled to the pay. 1 would call your attention to his full and satisfactory report herewith submitted , and recommend that the appropriation therein requested be granted. It will be seen by his report that there are twenty-two organized and well-armed companies of militia in the State , favorably situated for the protection of the frontier. Previous to 1875 there were but few militia companies in the State , and none properly prepared for ac tive service. The outbreak of the Indian war last spring , and the consequent danger of ranis by hos tile Indians upon our extensive western and northwestern frontier , demonstrated the necessity of a thorough organization of these set tlers into military companies for their own protection. .Many of the settlers fled from their homes , some took refuge in the .forts , and others left the State. I received constant appeals from them for arms and ammunition , that they might he able to protect their homes and families. I applied to the General of the Army and the Secretary of War for a loan of arms , until these threatening hostilities should subside. But there was no authority for granting this request. However , through the active exer tions of these officials , and our dele gation in Congress , a law was passed under which one thousand stand of arms could be obtained from the nearest Government arsenal by each 8Ute exposed to raids by the In dians. The law required the Governor of tne otate or Territory receiving arms to execute a bond to the Secretary of War , for their safe return when ever required by the general gov- ' eminent , or payment of their value. I therefore executed a bond in the the sum of eighteen thousand dollars and received the arms and ammu nition. Instructions were issued to the Adjutat General to proceed at once to the frontier , and organize inde pendent militia companies rs provi ded by law ; equipping them with suitable arms and ammunition ; and taking therefor a joint andf | Separate bond from the officers and'men , for the safe keeping and return of the "me when required , and for the judicious expenditure of ammuni tion. All of which was promptly and faithfully performed. This gave confidence to .the people ; they re turned to their homes , and new set tlers followed thorn to the frontier. Tne expenses Inourre for the transportation of the arms and am- mHnitionhas been paid trom the in cidental funds of the Governor and Secretary of the State. As requested by the becretary of War , I would respectfully ask t ist my action iu execui. * . , , , . ! be I ratified by you. [ -SURANCE By the provisions of an act en titled "An act to provide for the care of the capital building ant other State property , " the Governor is required to keep insured the pub lic buildings and other property be longing to the State and liable to destruction or injury by fire , The Legislature at its last regular session appropriated $10,740 to pay premiums on insurance contracted by my predecessor he haying issued certificates of indebtedness for that amount. Inadvertently no appropriation was made for the payment of pirmg policies. Believing the law to be obligatory , I caused the renew al of those policies that have ex pired during my term of office , and have issued evidences of iudebted ness , subject to the action of the Legislature , for 5,482 75 , covering the amount of premiums. It would seem proper that a suf ficient appropriation should be made to keep the buildings and property of the blate injured in ad vance , or modify the law on this subject. The State saves one-third of the amount of the premiums by insur ing for three yeard , and in the re newals made by me I nave adopted this course. A tabular statement is submitted herewith , exhibiting the aggregate insurance on the pub lic property , in what companies in sured , the amount of premium thereon , and the date of insurance and the time of expiration. The total amount of insurance is 247,550 , and the premiums are 11- 152.75. The sum necessary to pay the present outstanding indeoted- ness and renew the policies expiring during the ensuing year ia 17.4J6.50. If it should continue to be the policy of the State to keep its prop erty insured , I would ask that an appropriation for the abjve amount be made. CENSUS. As contemplated by the existing law , the census of the State is taken by the precinct assessors annually , and returned to the county clerks of their respective counties , and by them forwarded to the Secretary of State. Ihe compilation of the census re ports by the Becretary of State shows the ratio of increase in our popula tion from 1855 , when the first cen sus was taken , to and including 1876 , when the last enumeration was had , to be 5,635 per cent. , an in crease almost unparalleled. AS appears from the census taken in the spring of 1876 the total num. her of inns bitants in the State was 257,749. The expense incurred in taking the census from year to year is qu te large. 1 would recommend the law be made to conform with the con stitution , which provides for the enumeration of the inhabitants In the year 1885 , and every ten years thereafter This , with the census taken by the general government every ten years , would glye us the enumera tion of our State every five years. THE SALT BPHINdS. The Supreme Court of the United States has affirmed the decision'of the Supreme Court of this State , In the casa of J. SterlingMorton against the State of .Nebraska , theraby con firming the title of the State to the valuable Saline § prlugsnear the city of Lincoln. It will be necessary for you to adjust the expense incurred in defending tnls suit. In the year 1871 , while the case was pending in the District Court , the Hon. George H Roberts , Attor ney General , euga'jed the profes sional services of tne Bradford Bros. , attorneys and counsellors at law , of Washington , District of Columbia , to assist him , under a stipulated fee. They were iu the case from the be ginning until the final adjudication. They have received nothing for their services , not even the amounts advanced by them for priutiug their brief * , and other expenses. It is not for me to say whether this contract mad * with these gentlemen is oblig atory on the part of the State. They have worked faithfully and are en titled to such fee as would be rea sonable for such services. t ' When tte case was appealed to the bupreme Court of the United States , my predecessor , acting upon the advice of Attorney General Webster , and in view of tne magni tude of the case , and the distin guished counsel empl > yed on the other side , retained in behalf of the State , the Hon. E. B. Hoar , of 'Massachusetts , who ably argued the case in the Supreme Court. He was paid five hundred dollars as a retainer fee by Governor Furnas. On the termination of the suit he rendered a bill for one thousand five hundred and thirty dollars , thirty dollars for printing and one thousand five hundred dollars for professional services , leaving a balance in his favor of one thousand and thirty dollars. In justice to' these parlies employ ed by the State , I recommend an appropriation be made to pay them for their services. The title to the Saline springs is now undisputed , and it is generally conceded by those best informed upon the subject , that if properly developed , they would become a source of revenue to the State. THE GRASSHOPPERS. This destructive insect revisited our state in the months of August and September last , contrary to sci entific theories with respect to their habits and nature. Heretofore it was supposed by en tomologists that this insect was gen erated in the dry atmosphere of , the table laud of the Rocky Mountains ; that they were not adapted to a hu mid olimaie. and that they would not eeecend to the fertile plains ex cept in very dry seasons But the past season was very wet ; vegeta tion grew rank and luxuriant. .Not withstanding this fact , the voracious grasshopper overran a wider territory - ry than ever before. Indeed we may say they extended from the British Possessions on the north to the Gulf of Mexico on the south , and much farther east into Minnesota , Iowa and Missouri than in former years. Can it be doubted with the facts before is , that the grasshopper pro- V > ecr > n' " > t5 something , more " . cIned . . . , ' . - . and Territories ? or that unless thirf in sect is checked in its rapid procrea tion it will in a very brief space o time , subject the whole country to devastation. To say that auy per lion of the country is exempt b ; nature from their ravages , is , in mv opinion , unwarranted aud % disap peoveJ alike by history and the condition of our climate the pas season. Although our State was not se nously damaged by this Jan incur sion , great quantities of egns were deposited in our soil , and from these "we have reason to be appie- hensivefor the safety of our coming crops. For the purpose of gaining information mation and exchanging views on this subject , there was held in Oma ha , in the mouth of October last , a convention of the Governors of several western States and Territo ries. Their proceedings have been published , and will be transmitted to your honorable body , and circu lated among the people. CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION. As the time drew near for the opening of the national centennial and international exhibition , a gen eral desire was expressed that Ne braska should not go unrepresented. The legislature at its last regular .session failed to make an appropria tion for this purpose , believing our financial condition at that time would not warrant the outlay. Bui with the return of prosperity and an abundant harvest , it was felt thai a golden opportunity would be miss ed should the rich products of our roil be not in some manner dis played at Philadelphia Besides , it was believed that we would aa a State be failing in the performanc of a patriotic duty in the Centen nial year of our republic. On consultation with the State of ficers and many promiuent citizens from different pa'ts of the State , and having received numerous let ters and petitions to the same end , I assumed the responsibility of bor rowing from a number of our banks , on the. credit of our State , subject to your approval , the sum of thirty- five hundred dollars I was impell ed to this course rather than assem ble the Legislature for the purpose of securing an appropriation , for the reason that a special session would cost the State more than the amount to be expended. The total cost ot the display was forty-five hundred and nine dollars , for which I hold vouchers. 1 would ask that an aporopriation for this amount be made. This outlay is small compared with the great advantage gained in advertising the State , by the very respectable display that was made. Over sixty thousand pamphlets and reports , showing the resources and advantages of the State were distributed 1 am informed that Nebraska re vived the first premium on soil and apples , and made a very crelitable showing in general fruits and grasses. Already the good results are be ginning to appear in the increased inquiry concerning our State by capitalists , and persons seeking liomes in the west. BA.NKS AND BANKING INSTITU- TIONS. Under the provisions of a law of Congress the comptroller of the cur rency is required to report annually to Congress the resources and liabil ities , exhibiting the conditions of the banks , banKiug companies and and savings banks , organized under laws of the several States and Terri tories. This information is obtained by the comptroller from the re ports made by such banks to the legislatures or officers of the differ ent states and territories. Tnis State has been unable to give the inform ation asked for by the comptroller , as we nave no law requiring this class af corporations to furnish offi cial statements of their condition. This law of Congress seems emi nently proper , as it affurda protec tion to all parties transacting busi ness with banking institutions. I would therefore recommend that the law regulating corporations of this character be so amended as to require all banks , banking com panies , and savings banks doing iusinciss in this State to annually report under oath to the Auditor of Public Accounts on their condition , showing their resources and liabil ities. ities.This This law should also apply to irms , and individuals engaged in banking. USURY. The statutes of this State provide .hat the party receiving any rate of interest above that allowed by law shall forfeit all interest and pay the costs of suit. The forfeiture goes to the borrower. This appears to be simply awarding a premium on dis honesty. There ia no reason why the law should limit the market value of money any more than it should : hat of wheat or any other commod- ty. It has been so frequently and clearly demonstrated by almost every political economist , vho has written on the subject , that I will not attempt a lengthy discussion of the question here. Yet notwith standing these natural laws of busi ness and settled rules of political economy , nearly all the States have assumed the right to affix a penalty or leaning money at a higher rate of interest than that prescribed by the laws of the several States. As the law now stands the penal- y falls solely upon the creditor , and the temptation for the debtor to annul his contract is made very jreat. In fact it furnishes about the na Lance known to the law , where a ) erson can successfully plead his own unlawful action. , If the acceptance of usurious inter est is a wrong that demands punish ment , the payment thereof must ikewise be a punishable offense , .t is a joint act , and all the parties o the transaction are violators of the aw. Our law , however , rewards oue of the parties and punishes the other. That this Is morally wrong and mischievous in its results there can be no doubt If the usury law la to remain in force , I would suggest that it be so amended as to make the forfeiture only the excess of the loy-M rate in stead of all interest This would mitigate the eril ef fects ot the present law. COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC LANDS AND BUSHINGS. The constitution creates the office of Commissioner of Public L uuls and Buildings , and auoh au officer was chosen at the last general elec tion. tion.To To him In a decree is committed the supervision and disposition o the liberal land endowment * * for tii State University and common schools and all other lands belong ing to the state. The magnitude and importance of these endow meuts is such that there should hi careful and well guarded legislatioi for protecting die interests of the State. Such provision should be made as will enable the commissioner toper form the duties or his office contetn plated by the constitution. The cons.itutlon further provides tha "the Commissioner of Publio Lauds and Buildings , Secretary of State Treasurer and Attorney Genera shall form a board which sball have general supervision and control o all the buildings , grounds and lands belonging to the btae , the State prison , Hospital for the Insane , and all other institutions thereof , except those tor educational purposes , and shall perform such duties , and be subject to such rules as may be pre scribed by law. " It will thus be seen that this board will have to perform , hi ad dition to the duties of their respect ive offices , what heretofore was re quired of the Inspectors of the State Prison , Trustees of the Hospital for the Insane , the Blind and Deaf and Dumb Institutes. The duties im posed upon this board are impor tant , and legislation will be required to empower it to fulfill Ihe spirit of the Constitution I would urge upou you the neces sity of such early action on thia subject as your wisdom may dictate , to the end that the board may be vested with its responsibilities with out delay. AMENDMENTS AND ENACTMENTS OF LAWS. The wise and well-settled legisla tion of a State should remain undis turbed ; nor should laws be amend ed or repealed for experiment's sake. However , the adoption of a new Constitution will require many new enactments , as well as the repeal ing and amending of laws now in force. I wiJl here briefly refer to a few of the more prominent provisions of the constitution that will require legislative action , while many oth ers will doubtless suggest themselves ; o your minds. Section 22 of Article VI , of the constitution , provides that the State may sue and be sued , and the legis- ature shall provide by law in what manner and in what courts suits shall be brought. " This is an im portant provision and proper legis- atlon will be necessary tj make it operative. Section 8 of Article IX , require "that the legislature at its first ses sion shall provide a law for the funding of all outstanding warrants and other indebtedness of the SLte at a-rate of interest not exceeding eight per cent , per annum. " I lave previously named the amount necessary to fund the outstanding indebtedness , and redeem the war- ranis issued by t'ne btate and re maining unpaid. Section Nina of Article IX de clares that "the Legislature shall jroviae by law that all claims upon ; he Treasury shall be examined and adjusted by the Auditor and ap- Droved by the Secretary of State be- bre auy warrant for the amount allowed shall be drawn. " This in effect It seems , makes the Secretary of State a second auditor and will require him to keep additional rec ords and accounts , necessitating an ncrease in his clerical force. An appropriation for these purposes and to enable him to fully meet the pro visions of the law should be made. Again , the Constitution says that 'the Legislature may provide that at the general election immediately preceding the expiration of a term ) f a. United StatesSenator from this Stale , the electors may by ballot express their preference for some jerson for the office of United Statew Senator. The votes cast for such candidates shall bei canvassed and returned m the same manner as for tetate officers. " To make this provision effective , suitable legislation by you will be necessary. Our electoral law.ss defective aud should have your attention. B an act of Congress the electors lor each State are required to meet and ; Ivo their votes for President and Vice President of the United States upon the first Wednesday in De cember , in the same year in which hey are appointed. Our statutes jrovide that the votes cast for elec- ors of the President arid Vice Pres- dent shall be canvassed in the same manner and by the same officers as required by lavv in the case of elect- ug a Representative n Congress. The law further directs that the votes cast at any election for inem- > er of Congress shall oe canvassed > y the Legislature in joint ses sion. As the law now stands the electors are required to meet and rive their votes for President aud Vice President before the time fix ed by the constitution for the regu ar meeting of the Legislature. I would therefore recommend the aw be so amended as will not re quire a special session of the Legla- ature to canvass the electoral vote. It frequently occurs that the Sec- etary of State is called upon to ver- fy the official signatures and seals of county officers. At present there s no legal method by which that officer is made awre vho the qual- fied county offl.-erst.re , consfqupnt ly great annoyance is often expe rienced by both the State and indi viduals. I would therefore recom mend the enactment of a law re quiring a J County Clerks to report to the Secretary f State a certified list under seal or all duly elected and xualified county officers of their respective counties. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. I wotld again direct your atten tion to the growingneed of a geolog ical survey. This Is called for by the exigeacies of the Sthle , the de mands of the people and the geolog ical work iu constant need of being performed. It is a well known fact that the geological deposits of Ne braska are alike remarkable for their number and variety and for" the'scientiflc value of her fossils. The professor of natural science in the Slate university Is frequently" failed upon to identy fossils and raineialsaud to make other geolog ical determinations Requests are frequently made for copies of the ideological survey of the State , which r > unnot be furnished except the puper published last year by Prof. Augheyon the surface geolo- ay of Nebraska. The report of the geological rec onnois'anoe made by Professor Flayilen under the direction of the General Government Is published in the same volume with the reports on tlie ie.-jloKy of Kansas * Dakota , Colorado * nd Wyoming The edi tion containing his final report on a portion of the geology of this State made in 1872 is now exhausted , and copies are difficult to obtain. Aa far as they go , Professor Hay- den's reports are exceedingly valua ble , as they accurately outline the boundaries of our State , but unfor tunately they cover in detail only a sm.ill portion of our territory. A cjmprehensive geological sur vey of the whole Htate embodied in volumes that may be stereotyped and furnished the public at cost is demanded. An elaborate geological survey If approaching completion in Illinois. A survey is iu progress in Indiana which has added much to her wealth. Iowa has already had tffO geological surveys , and surveys are now in progress in Kentucky and Missouri. Kansas is agitating the propriety of resuming her second geological survey Since Prof. Hayden's turvey of Nebraska , there has been a marked advance in geological knowledge" and the means for prosecuting such investigations. The development of our State in the way of deep borings , shafts , quarries and rail * road cuts afford increased op portunities forprosecu ingresearchea of this nature. It is believed tha minerals might be discoveredt lands made known , soils ana yzed , water courses and supplies investigated , and information ob tained concerning our manufactur ing capabilities that would immeas urably overbalance the expense of such an enterprise. The probability , or at least the posssibility of finding coal in quantities sufficient to sup ply the State with cheap fuel is alone a consideration that would justify a geological survey. Indeed the ex perience of all State surveys yet made have developed resources thaf repay many times the entire cost. The reports would indicate the lo cality of beds of peat , marl , coal and other valuable deposits ; the build ing qualities of our lime and sand stone , determine their resistance , strength and fitness for ordinary and ornamental architecture. All States owe much to science and scientific inquiry , and in no way could our own pay her share more appropriately than by inaugu rating a geological survey. The subject is referred to you for your consideration , and to determ ine whether in your judgment we have developed sufficiently to war rant th&outlay necessary to accom plish this important work. REPORTS AND STATEMENTS TRANS MITTED. The Biennial reporta of the 8e < v retary State , Auditor of Public Ac counts , Treasurer , Superintendent of Public Instruction , Inspector of the State Prison , Trustees of the Hospital for the Insane , Deaf and Dumb and Blind Institutes , Board ot Kegents , Principal of btate Nor mal School , Secretary ot the Board of Immigration , and Adjutant Gen eral , are herewith transmitted for your information and consideration. The following tabular statements are hereto appended and made a part of this message : Estimate of of expenditures for two years and three months , Pardon Report , Com mutations granted , criminals releas ed under the provisions of the "Good Time ct'T' approved Febru- are 25th , 1875 , fines remitted , insur ance on the public property , Lincoln lots sold , five percent , fund received from the sale of government lands , penitentiary lands remaining un sold. CONCLUSION. You are here as the Represen lives of the people of the State. There can be no extravagance In govern ment without your express sanction. The salaries of the elective officers a e fixed by the supreme law , ex- c * > ptmg these , it will be for you to determine the expenditures deemed necessary for the j-ubhc bonefit. There are various inter sts that will demand your attention , and the time allotted for their consider ation is but short. Tliose of a pri- vat3 nature will be carefully looked after by parties Interested. Those ofa public character will require la bor and careful consideration. During the next forty days you make the financial record of the State for the ensuing two years. As you shape it so it will be lor that pe riod. riod.We We have a State Government to maintain , with a population and re sources small as compared with many other States. Having assumed the responsibili ties of a sovereign State , you are : alled upon to devise and provide means necessary for the discharge jf all the functions thereof , by im posing as light a burden upon the tax-payers as the public exigencies require. 1 JFilJ cheerfully co-operate with you upon all maters pertaining lo the public welfare , and with 3leiHUre f.irnhh al .our rormBSt jucli other inforinatio' * m . be u my possession ( Signed ) SILAS GARBER. A book ot M pages everr advertiser ibonld bT W.'ore malting contracts. Sent for Ua cents by