M'arthur Democrat

The Governor's Message.

Gov. Chase's Message is exceedingly lengthy, and as usual, composed in part of a great deal of talk about Kansas and the Federal Government, with which the Governor has about as much to do as the man in the moon. Another portion of it is a rehearsal of the Breslin and Gibson swindle. The Governor re-iterates his belief that Breslin stole all the public money, and that Gibson—notwithstanding it was first missed under his administration, and after he had sworn it was all in the Treasury—had no hand in the abstraction. Few intelligent men, however, that are not biased by partisan feeling, will believe this hypothesis; for men do not often lie and swear to falsehoods merely for the sake of screening a friend. Gibson, beyond all doubt, if he did not take all the money, was quite as much concerned in its abstraction as Breslin. In this connection we learn one interesting fact from the message. The State would have lost $150,000 by the failure of the Trust Company, had it not been for the defalcation of the two State Treasurers. An arrangement was made with that institution for the payment of the July interest of the State, at New York, which made the State a debtor to it for funds that, otherwise, would have been lost in the failure of that concern. The State was certain to lose a large sum in any contingency. This fact shows the necessity which exists for an independent State Treasury, where the funds of the State can be kept, under certain restrictions, without employing banks and brokers for that purpose.

We give the Governor credit for recommending an Independent Treasury for the State, and calling attention to other legislation proper to secure bill holders from loss by the explosion of banks. He holds that the remedy for the evil of paper currency lies with Congress, which has power to prohibit from circulation as money any substitutes for coin; and he does not doubt that the exercise of that power by prohibiting notes of the smaller denominations, would be wise and salutary. The act to incorporate new banks having been twice rejected by the people, the Governor concludes that the majority of electors do not desire the creation of any more of such institutions—a conclusion in which we heartily agree with the Governor. He recommends that all property employed in banking be taxed as other property is taxed, which is another good democratic measure.

The Governor recommends that provision be made by law for the collection of taxes semi-annually, instead of annually, as at present. In that case there need be no accumulations in the State or County treasuries, but the money will remain with the people until needed to pay the interest on the State debt.

The total foreign debt is $13,621,557.20, the annual interest upon which amounts to $807,061.43. Domestic debt, $277,260.37. Interest on same, per annum, $16,523.10. Irredeemable State debt, $2,503,027.76. Interest on same $141,204.27.

Total debt of the State, $16,402,095.33.

Total annual interest, $964,988.80.

The Governor recommends that the ten per cent law be repealed; that amendments to the Constitution providing for annual Sessions of the Legislature and single Districts, be again submitted to a vote, and that legislation be had in regard to temperance, though the Governor is very careful not to state what that legislation should consist of, for "thereby hangs a tale."

Wonder if the Republican members of the last Legislature feel particularly complimented by the recommendations of Gov. Chase to repeal certain laws which they passed, and to re-enact others which they repealed? The Journal will make a note on't," and give its opinions of Gov. Chase's recommendations in regard to currency, banks, &c.