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m t Jllt^enrj fjlmtrdeales ,T» VAN stirxE. i%BLi8HEK. ItcHE^KY, ILLINOIS. GOYEBNOR'S MESSAGE. Farewell Address of the Hon. I. I. Bereridge. The list message of Gov, Beveridge makes » closely printed pamphlet of twenty-two pages. The following are itg most important pafote: VOUSOB. . The 0nances of the State are in the most gratifying condition. The following statement *vhihit.« the several funds in the State treas- nry, and balances on hand Deo. 1, 1874, and Sept. SO, 1876, and the total receipts and ex- peiicSitareH in the interim: g&g gg.ag.2 k 5 2 is 2.G; . » S 5-b. ^ 2 • : : ̂ SSS.: 5 : SB 2*^3: I z At P»P p . » j j t e f i l : r i • • ? 8 | : ; 1 1 i l l ! a e O.S "V2 s l i s g ^ g i i 9 Mtt 8! £8: KSSfc 3 • 00 JR • oi «o H I ! wiDce*>o* 8' SS: CdgSS Balance in the treatury Dee. 1, 187*. Amount received from Dee. 1, 1874, to Sept. 30, 1876, inclusive. S8- 5S33 oo a» c* COV*) U O>09 . 8 r ; 8 5 H l Amount disbursed from Dee. 1. 1874, to Sept. 30, 1876, inclusive. II -£ 6 , -^c* %s _ _JO»ODi© C : 88g£S§i itr m >.«©j3 «e*4 00 00 AGO tC'9C0COHO»U4 HSH^-4-1W(0 Balance in the freatttry iSept. 80, 1876. Total balance in treasury Deo. 1, 1874. .$ 3,198,633 Total receipts from Dec. 31,1874, to Sept. 30,1819, Inclusive 9,262,160 Orand total ..$11,388,792 Total disbursement® 8,979,747 Balance in treasury Oct. 1, 1876 $ 2,408,964 The flspenses of the State Government are paid oat of the "revenue fond." The bal­ ance of that fnnd in the treasury Sept. 80, 1876, was $1,339,663.24, being $80,803.33 in excess of the balance on hand Deo. 1, 1874, notwithstanding the sum of $408,921.50, known as the 7.86 tax. was transferred from that fund to the "refunding fund," and paid out to the several counties for the benefit of the tax­ payer in pnrtm&nce of an act approved and in force March 26, 1875. The accrued publio indebtedness, the interest on the public debt, and interest on school fund have been paid out of the "Illinois Central railroad fundto the amount of $551,120 49, and tfcn balance of this fnnd in the treasury Sept SO, 1876, was $424,246.75, being $2f8,- 216.25 in exoese of the balance on hand Dec. 1,1874, The bondad debt of the State, Dec. lj 1874, was $1,780,972 Amount paid from that date to Sept. 30, 1876 250,371 Bonded debt of the State Oct. 1.1876. 11,480,600 IHTWHBST-BEABINO XKDKBTKDHB88. Thirty-five bond*, refunded stock, payable after 1876 9 36,000 Two hundred and fifty-nine bonds, refunded stock, payable after 187 T. 269,000 Interest i-tock, payable after 1877. 913,164 TwentjMhree Normal University boude, payable after 1879........ 23,000 Eighty-Mix: Thornton loan bonds, payable after 1879 8S.COO Fifty-one SI ,000 war bonds, pay­ able after 1879 61,000 One hundred and ten $500 war bonds, payable after 1879 65,000 Dm** hundred and sixty-three ftlfld war bonds, payable after 1879 36,300 $1,468,464 JfON-n*T*RE8T-B*ABINO INDEBTEDNESS. New iutcrn&l improvement stock..$ 6,000 Sew internal improvement Inter­ est stock 3,186 One old internal improvement bond 1,00# One revecue deficit bond. l,00t) ' Thirteen canal bonds 13,000 $22,186 rotil bonded debt Sept. 30, 1876 $1,480,600 An appropriation was made by the last Gen­ eral Assembly for the payment of the thirty- five bonds payable after i876. and on the 14th of November last I issued my proclamation, notifying the bolder)* thereof to preaent the same for payment at the American Exchange Nation p.l Bank in the city of New York, on the first Monday of fie present month. On the first Monday of January, 1878, $1,- 172,164.29 ef the public debt will become pay­ able, at the pleasure of the State. As stated by the Treasurer, in hut report, the Illinois Cen­ tral railroad fund will not suffice, by that date, to meet that amount of indebtedness and pay the interest on the State debt and school fund; but, as the bonds are payable at the pleasure of the Mate, and the Illinois Central railroad fund will, in a few years, discharge the public debt, principal and intareat, I do not. recommend taxation for the payment of said bontio. It is for the Legislature to determine what amount of the publtc debt shall be paid the first Monday of January, 1878, and make the nec&tM&ry appropriation therefor; also, to pro­ vide for the payment of euoh of the non-inter- . eet bearing indebtedness as may be presented. The revenue deficit bond above named is claimed to have been lost or destroyed. I rec­ ommend provision be made for its payment, with interest to date of payment. The Twenty-ninth General Assembly au­ thorized to be ironed by taxation, for genera] purlirnea, i 1,80(^)00 for 1875, and $1,500,000 for 1876. In my opinion the amount to be raised by taxation for the years 1877 and 1878 need not exceed $1,500,000 per annum. The amount, however, will depend upon the appro­ priations made by the General Assembly. INSUFFICIENT AI'PBOPBIATIONS. The constitution requires that each General Assembly shall provide for all the appropria­ tion* necessary for the ordinary and con­ tingent expenses of the Government until the exoiration of the first fiscal quarter after the adj fTiniTXient of the next regular session. T(i« appropriations made by the last Gen­ eral Assembly are inadequate for this purpose. No provision was made for defraying the in- cideutal expenses of this General Assembly, nor the expense of paving 8285,000 of the State dele?, which, bv the law, is payable in the cicy of New York The appropriations for the public binding, for copying the laws and Journals, and for distributing the same and othor public documents, are insufficient to me ft the payments on the State contracts for such services. Also, the appropriations for the payment of the interest on the public debt; for the incidental expenses of the offioes of Secretary of State, Treasurer, Attorney Genera!, Superintendent of Public Instruc­ tion, and Adjutant, General; for the appre- batttion and delivery of fugitives from jus­ tice ; for conveying convicts to the Peniten­ tiary ; oExi for indexing the public records. are sufficient to meet the necessary wants of the Government. I therefore reoemmend that the General Assembly, at an early day, provide, by ad­ ditional appropriations, for the necessary and contingent expenses of the State Government incurred, and to bo incurred, and now unpro­ vided for, until the 1st day of July, 1877. BTATF, ISSTTTtmOKS. The twelve public institutions reoeiving Estate aid haveli»«d within their income. At the close of the fiscal year, each had a surplus on hand--a condition of our public institu­ tions unprecedented in the history of the State. The Twenty-ninth General Assembly provided for the looation and the erection of "a perma­ nent building for the Illinois A sylaro for Feeble- Minded Children. Tho Commissioners ap­ pointed by me under the act located the insti­ tution at Lincoln, in Logan county, a location of great beauty, and convenient to water and fuel. The building will be completed and ready for occupancy by the 1st of July next. Appropriations will be needed for furnishing, for out-buildings, and other improvements, and increased appropriations for ordinary expenses. The south wing of the Southern Insane Asylum at Anna will be finished by July next, and the additional accommodations will increase the current expenses of the insti­ tution. These two buildings are the cheapest public buildings in the State, and will be com­ pleted within the appropriations. THE ONiVKRRrrtKB. The Illinois industrial University was estab­ lish ed pursuant to an act of Congress approved July 2, 1862. In accepting the provisions of this act, the State assumed to provide for the ose of the university the necessary buildings, •nd to koep the same in preservation and re­ pair. The university is doing much to ad­ vance the industrial interests of the State, by Baking education, as is the ajje, practical ana useful. After ten years of severe labor, it stands to-day foremost among the industrial schools of the country, and its exhibits at the Centennial Exposition ranked among the edu­ cation al exhibits of all lands. The two Normal Universities are important aids to the system of free education. They furnish a corps of drilled for our cokleioe Bchools. tha* k«va made teaching a profession, and given to that profession intelligence, diameter and influ­ ence. In my opinion, the State cannot better advance its educational interests and elevate the standard of its free schools than by the main­ tenance of its Normal Universities; and I com­ mend them to the special favor of an intelli­ gent Legislature. COMMON SCHOOLS. The number of children of school age in the State in 1875 was 958,003, and in 1876, 973,589, constituting about one-third of our popula­ tion. The number of pupils enrolled in 1875 was 685,676. and in 1876, 687,446, showing about 75 per cent, in attendance upon the public schools. The receipts for school purposes In 1816 were $ 9s606,633 The receipts for school purposes in 1876 were 9,948,769 Total $19,664,393 Of this amount the sum of $13,977,901.85 was raised by direct taxation, being four times the amount raised for general State purposes. Of the latter sum $11,862,313 60 was raised by direct school-tax. These figures show not only the cost of our free school*, but the vol­ untary taxation of the people for the education of their children. The expenditures for school purposes in 1875 were 8,066,969 The expenditures for school purposes in 1876 were 8,368,639 Total $16,335 499 averaging 24 cents per scholar for each day's attendance. The importance of an efficient system of free schools, in which all the children of the State may receive a good common-school edu­ cation, demands the serious consideration of the legislator. Fortunately, the organic law imposes upon the General Assembly the con­ stitutional duty to provide such a system. And for the support of this system I recommend the usual levy of $1,000,000 per annnm. STATE 8UPEB VISION. The Railroad and Warehouse Commissioners make an annual report--the year ending Nov. 30. In the Grain-Inspection Department ^mngj tho two yeara, there were inspected in 116,- 014,404 bushels; inspected out, 104,637,496 bushels ; total, 220,651,900 bushels. Tho difference between in and out inspection is accounted for by grain shipped directly to other markets, and taken from cars and ves­ sels for local uses, without going into store. The Twenty-eighth General Assembly pro­ vided for a Committee of Appeals, composed of three mem >ers of the Board of Trade, to which tribunal appeals are taken from the In­ spection Department. The ability and integ­ rity of the Inspection Department is fully established by the fact that in the inspection of 220,651,900 bushels of grain, only 234 ap­ peals were taken, and of these, in 147 cases the insp action was sustained, and only in eighty-seven modified. The power of the State to regulate ware­ houses, and the prico of storage therein, has been fully established by our Supreme Court, but the matter is now pending for final decis­ ion in the Supreme Court of the United States. The Comoiitfpiouers have instituted several suite to enforce and test the constitutionality of the law regulating tariffs on railroads, and in the Circuit Court they bave had partial suc­ cess; but, so far, have been unable to get a decision of the Supreme Court upon the merits of the law. STATE HOUSE. Hie estimated cost of the building is $3,- 496.727.47 ; amount expended to Nov. 20,1876, $3.432,216.68--total amount appropriated, $3,- 500,000. It is apparent that the building can­ not be completed within the appropriations. The constitution limits tae expenditures on account of the new Capitol grounds, and con­ struction, completion and furnishing of the State House to £3,500,000, without first sub­ mitting the proposition to the legal voters of the State, at a general election. As a citizen and Jtaxpaver, I am desirous of seeing the Capitol and Capitol grounds com­ plete. I therefore recommend that the propo­ sition for an additional expenditure for that purpose be submitted by the General Assem­ bly to the legal voters, as provided in the con­ stitution. The Commissioners have expended for additional estimates the sum of about $ 100,- 000 ; and 1 am inclined to the opinion that this amount can be refunded to the Commissioners without violating the letter or spirit of the constitution. THE FENITKHTIARY. The Penitentiary was loc ited at Joliet in 1857. Cost of grounds, buildings, and perma­ nent improvements, to Sept. 30, 1876, was $1,323,645.45. Of this amount the sum of $1,153,498.18 was appropriated and paid out of the State treasury. Up to July, 1867, the Penitentiary had been operated under the lease system, and the oost of that management to the State from January, 1857, to July, 1867, a feriod of ten and a half years, was £145,188.37. n July, 1867, the State took possession of the prison, and worked the prison tiil the fall of 1871, a period of four and a quarter years, and under this management tho cost to the State wa« $874,000. In the latter part of 1871 the present system was initiated, the State having possession of the prison, the custody, discipline, and main­ tenance of the convicts, and letting the labor. Under this management, for a period of five years, the Penitentiary has been eelf-austain- -- 1875 and 1876, 1,560 convicts were re ­ ceived into the Penitentiary, and 1,305 dis­ charged. The daily average in 1875 was 1.392. and m 1876. 1,493. At this date, over 1,600 are shut, up within its walls and by April next the number wid exceed 1.700. In fourteen hours of the twenty-four 1,600 human beings are « crowded into 1.000 small and ill-ventilated/ cells. The average in the hospital each daX for the two years was 4 56 100. The average cost of dieting a convict per day iu 1875 was 13% cents, and in 1876 11 4-5 cents. And/the total oost of dieting, clothing, guarding, Aioe- pital supplies, fuel, lights, salaries, and / diet­ ing of officers, guards, and employes p«f oon- vict per day in 1875 was 45 3-5 cento,/and in 1876 40 7-8 oents. Dec, 1,1874, inventory of property amoun ed to Outstanding claims and cash $M,o« I*sa liabilities 61,mE_ 44,141 Total Sept. 30, 1CT6, amounted to Outstanding claims and cash*. Lees liabilities. .$146,096 inventory .$189,236 fperty .4146,116 ,2ft [1,636-- 14,668 Permanent improvements,,,,,,,..., Oik accounts paid................... 40,0m) : Total...... ................... v. . ....$1)5,010 i Netgain. ......... 16,773 Tue general depression in business has ma­ terially affected the financial interests of the Penitentiary. The surprise is, that the Peni- teutiarv, amid the finanoial disasters of the country, has been carried on without State aid. Itf outstanding claims, if pud. would meet its liabilities and leave a balance in its favor. If tho present state of things continue long, it is apparent the Penitontiary must have some relief. The crowded condition of the Penitentiary, and the steady and probable increase of the number of convicts, are causes of alarm. Larger accommodations are required, and hu­ manity and the administration of justice im­ peratively demand the same. A new prison should be located in the central or southern part of the State, and convenient io stone, fuel, uuOu & looaUou woulu lessen the expense of building, maintenance, and operation. Others may favor an addition to the Penitentiary at Joliet. By the fid of convict labor, the Penitentiary could be dupli­ cated at a cost of about $500.000--less than half the original oost. It oouid be managed by one set of officers, and a graded prison es­ tablished. But the propriety of congregating so many convicts into one institution is a mas­ ter worthy of consideration. PUMSHMEET AND PABBON. Experience, on Chief Executive, has taught me tbat men differ as to what is justice--that justice, as administered by man, is not per­ fect and exact, and ran only be so when ad­ ministered by Him wbc tempers justice with mercy ; that while there is a difference in crimes, and of guilt, in crimes of the same class, there is great disproportion in punish­ ments of crimes, even of the same grade, and that punishments are oftentimes severe, if not absolutely cruel and inhuman. This dis­ proportion and severity call frequently for the exercise of Executive clemency. I am satis­ fied that the law would he better administered, justice more evenly meted out and punish­ ments would be more proportionable for like offonBes. if our conrls were »llawr<d. orally, to instruct the jury, and fix the penalty; and not leave the extent of the punishment to a new, inexperienced, and different jury at every term of court in each count y in the State. The power to grant reprieves, commutations, and pardons is vested, solely and absolutely, in the Governor, subject to such regulations as ma y be provided by law as to the manner of apply­ ing therefor. Invested with this authority, amid his varied and responsible duties, he should, carefully and patiently, consider each case presented to him; and, keeping in view the interests of society, the discipline of the prison, and the reformation of tne convicts, and that aill, people, Governor, and conviot, are but men. crying daily for mercy, fearlessly and faithfully discharge his duty under the constitution, as he sees it, and not as othor men, devoid of authority and responsibility and ignorant of the facts, see it. The legis­ lative Department of the Government haB so far failed to give any assistance to the Execu­ tive in the discharge of this responsible and delicate duty. If some plan, under the con­ stitution, could be devised to aid or relieve the Governor in this matter. I am sure it would meet the hearty approbation of the people, and the profoundest thanks of the Executive Department. Over 1,200 applications have been presented to me for Executive clemency. It is impossi­ ble for the Governor to give so many cases the consideration they deserve. I am consoiou* of having made mistakes. The experience of every parent, especially of those who have laid their little ones away in tue earth, or aeen their grown-up eona and daughters choose a life of infamy and crime, is, that in dealing with their children, they have made sad mis­ takes. The Executive is a father to 1,500 men and women, shut up by the State in its prison walls, who cannot go hence before their time, only by hiB permission, and iu his dealings with them, and in his administration of mercy toward them, cannot avoid making some mis­ takes. In the exercise of exeoative clemency I have pardoned some I ought not, and, with the light of to-day, I wish I had not pardoned: and I have omitted to pardon some whom I would now pardon could I call them oaok from their graves in the thick wood behind the be­ grimed walls of that solitary prison, and send them home to die amid the "smiles of friends and in the arms of their mothers. TAXATION. Great dissatisfaction exists among the peo­ ple, growing out of the revenue system. By the constitution, •' the General Assembly shall provide srich revenue as may be needful by levying a tax, by valuation, so that every person and corporation stiall pay a tax in pro- Kortion to the value of his, her, or its property;" nt the General Assembly has power to tax cer­ tain persons, intercuts, and franchises. Rev­ enue must be provided by one or both of those methods. Though the General Assembly has power to tax certain persons, interests, and franchises, it is required to provide such revenue as may be needful, by levying a tax by valuation. If such revenue as may be needful is thus provided there can be no necessity to resort to the other mode of taxation. If all or part ef the revenue is raised by taxing persona, interests, and franchises, can the other re­ quirements of the constitution be observed ? No matter how the constitution may be con­ strued, the policy of the State, for a long period, has been to raise most of the revenues, State and municipal, by levying a tax by valu­ ation. On the principle that property is to boar the bordone of government, this mode of taxation in theory is perfect, in practice diffi­ cult and pernicious. The difficulty is the same, whether applied in raising all or part of State and municipal revenues; and the evils increase as tho amount of taxes levied increase. Hence a resort to any other mode of taxation does not give full relief, unlees the s\stem by valuation is wholly aban­ doned. It nas been suggested tbat the State revenue be raised by taxing the gross receipt* of railroad companies ; but would this relieve them from munioipal taxation by valua­ tion ? In levying a tax by valuation "such value" is ' • to be ascertained by some person or persona elected or appointed in such manner as the General /asembly may direct, and not otherwise."' The persons appointed or elected are Town and County Assessors and their deputies, Town Boards, County Boards, and the State Board of Equalization. The Asses­ sors list the taxable property and ascertain its value. The boards correct errors and equalize the values. There are three essentials to make the system as perfect in practice as in theory: 1. To list all the taxable property. 2. To ascertain its true cash value. 8. To collect all the taxes levied. Until the first is done some property will es­ cape taxation. The second cannot be done, while the judgments of Assessors, Town, County, and State boards are fallible ; and the last has never been done inUhe administration of the revenue lawB. A failure to lict taxable property, a wrong valuation or f<ulure to ool- lect, destroys the principle of uniformity, to- wit: " So that every person and corporation shall pay a tax in proportion to the value of his, her, or its property." The injustice of an over-valuation by the Assessor or Town Board is increased by the County Board, in the process of equalization, adding 10 to 20 per cent., on the town assess­ ment ; and the injustice grows in magnitude as the State Board, in the performance of its du­ ties/ acids 20 to 30 percent, to the equalized val jiut-on of the County Board. Perfection in th^ administration of law cannot be attained, b\\t some plan should be devised for arriving W d n e a r h s p o s s i b l e t o p e r f e c t i o n , b y l i s t i n g H l i Jbe taxable prc;p^rty and effecting uniformity of values. Taxes, levied should be collected. The law should be not to evade but to enforoe pay­ ment. No person or corporation should be Buffered to evade or delay payment of a jus# and proper tax by any technicality or mere irregularity, as the law now is adminis­ tered. Many persons evade payment of taxes from year to year. Among lawyers tax-fight­ ing has become a specialty It costs less to fii;ht than to pay. The poor who cannot afford, and the wealthier classes who are not inclined, to resist payment, bear the burdens of Government. To prevent delay in payment I suggest a penal cy. by adding a certain per cent monthly for failcfre to pay after a definite time ; and, to prevent non-payment. I suggest that the courts, to which final resort is made, be empowered and requited to determine the just and proper tax to be paid by the litigant, and to enforce col­ lection thereof by judgment and execution by the ordinary process of law. The courts, in protecting the tax payer, should protect the uovernment -in remedying his wrongs should compel him to do right, by compelling him to pay a tax in proportion to the value of his prop. rty. • revenue law is nmbemome and expen­ sive. The labor and oos< of levying and col­ lecting can be largely diminished, and be rquaiiy aa effective. The assessment of real estate, railroad property, and capital stock ID.Hy DO bl6DQllut and £AVO tbo annual A8060B* znent and the annual equalization* By proper headings and oolums the number of copies of tho tax-list, may be reduced to two u® Assessor's and Collector's books. The publication of a general notice of the applica­ tion for judgment and sale of delinquent lands and lots would be as safe and effective as^the publication of the entire delinquent I trust this subject will receive careful and candid consideration. No subject will come before the General Assembly more complex and more difficult, of legislation, as wili be perceived when the reforms demanded are undertaken ; and certain!v no subject more important demands our attention. Taxation affects all property, reaches every interest, every trade, profession and emplovment. JOHN L. BEVEIUDOR. «OV. CULLOM. His Inaugural Mrssage to the General Assembly. FELLOW-CITIZENS or THR SSNATK AND HOUSE OF KKFRESEKTATIVTIS; Havicg been declared elected Governor of the State ia pursuance of the constitution, and having taken the preterit-«d oath of office, 1 now, in obedience to an established custom address you before entering opon the duties of the office to which by the favor of the people 1 have been called. The magnitude and difficulties of the trust placed in my hands awaken in me great mis­ givings a» to my qualifications to bear the responsi­ bilities and discharge the duties belonging to it. With a consciousness of my own weakness, I can only promise the people of this great commonwealth a iaithful discharge of every duty as I may be able to see the right. The constitution ot the State vest" in the Gove rnor tho suprv.me executive power, and imposes upon him the duty of taking care that the laws be faithfully executed. To be charged with such a duty in a Htate where tho written law is the rule by which all are to be governed, if governed at all, is a serious responsibility, trom which the strongest htart may well shrink. The peaeeand well-being of society depend on the faithful execution of the laws. It will be my pur­ pose to most rigidly observe this important provis­ ion of the constitution. The incoming Governor is greatly relieved from the labor of giving in­ formation and making recommendations to you by the fact that the distinguished gentleman whose term has just expired has given you in his closing message an able and exhaust­ ive showing of the present condition of the affairs of the commonwealth, and has made many valuable recommendations, which I most earnestly indorse and ask you to consider. I alBo call your attention to the several reports of the exeectivo officers of the State, each report containing much important in­ formation needfnl to a proper discharge of your leg­ islative dutiee. I trust you will give attention to tho report of the Secretary of State, especially m regard to indexing State papers and in reference to the de­ ficiencies in appropriations to meet the expenses of his office, and also to defray the incidental ex­ penses of your ession. 1 congratulate you upon the fact that you are the first, legislative body to assemble in this new Capi­ tol building, now so nearly completed. The build- inR is a credit to our great State, furnishing to all tne departments of the Government ample accom­ modations for the discharge of public business now and for generations to com". There is no State Capitol in any State of the Union so nearly finished equal to it in magnificent proportions, and no pub­ lic building in the country of lis size and finish which has not cost more money. The Oommis- sionere in charge of the erection of the building have made their report, frotu whioh it appears that they have expended nearly tho full amount ap­ propriated-- $3,8l)0,f00. this sum does not finish the building according to the plan adopted by the neveral committees and Commissioners appointed by previous Legislatures for reasons which the Commissioners set forth in their report. I am of the opinion that tho Commissioners acted wisely in deciding to finish, so far as their means allowed, the interior of the buiidina, and have it ready for us» by the Legislature and other departments of the Government. Certain ex­ penditures which fcavo been paid out of the t«tate House fund do not properly come under the items of construction, completion, and furnishing the new State House. If so, the sum may be reun> bursed to that extent. The constitution provides that there shall not be appropriated out of the State treasury or expended on account of the new Capitol grounds and construction, completion, and furniture of tho new State House a sum exceeding $1,500,000 without first submitting the proposal for an additional expenditure to the le«al voters of the state at a general election, nor unless a majority of all the votes cast at such election shall be for the proposed additional expenditure. With this con­ stitutional provision before you it is your duty to t:iko such action as.in your wisdom you deem best. With reference to the completion of the building, in my judgment, it would be wise economy to fin­ ish the structure at as early a period as it can be done. Illinois became a State of the Union on the 3d day of December, 1818, the eighth State admitted into the Union und»-r the Federal constitution. With a population of less than 50,000 it has increased in population with greater rapidity than any other State. It has gone forward fro mone decade to an­ other until, by the last national census, 187(1, our population numbered 2,639,338. There is no doubt tbat our population now numbers 3,000,000 or more. The growth of this common­ wealth in population and wealth challenges the admiration ol all, and lias . surpassed the most sanguine expectations. As a State of the Union, she is to-day imperial in position and power. IllinoiB offers to the laboring masses of the world a home favored with a temperate §pa perfectly healthful climate, where the same fields which can produce the cheapest food bear in their depths tha cheapest fuel. .Uoi'e au indu»trious, peaceable, and law-abiding people have founded a State for whoao welfare It is our duty to legislate under the guidance and limitations t,f a wise or- gauic law. You are the representatives of the p&ople, tho law-making power. Wisdom is not always mani­ fest In the passage of many statutes, and one of the evils of the times consists in too much and too careless legislation. 1 therefore deem it proper to say that the utmost care should be taken and great deliberation exercised in the preparation of such legislation as you may deem necessary in the in­ terest of the State. The most important duties of the Legislature are connected with its power to provide for and regulate the collection and disbursement of the public revenues. The State may be regarded as a great business enter­ prise, whose objects are the preservation of ord&r, (he enforcement of law, the punishment of crime, tho care of tho poor and unfortunate, and the edu­ cation of the young. All county, local, and munici­ pal governments a:*e subordinate branches of the same business. The State is rich and strong, with ampie m>-ans to accomplish all the objects recited without imposing any burden« whieh can embarrass the nation or cripple the resources of the citizens, provided, simply, that wise legislation is faithfully and honestly executed. Sinoe the assessment law of 1873 went idto operation there have four annual levies of State tax for State, school, and general State purposes. Excluding tho levy of State school tax, the annual levy of State tax for" general State purposes to provide the rev­ enue fund out of which has been paid all the ex- l>enses of the State Government, including all dis­ bursements for the construction of public build­ ings and the maintenance of the State Institutions, has averaged seventeen fend three-tenths cents on tbe $1',M). or less than three-fourths of a mill on the dollar per annum. The amount levied and collect­ ed for State purposes, other than public school pur­ poses, is not more than one-iltteenth of the whole amount of taxation borne by the property of the State. This exhibit does not furnish any reason or excuse for a more lavish expenditure of money by the State, nor for any relaxation of the strictest economy in all departments, and the most rigid scrutiny of the acta of alt its agents, but it shows the im}>ortance of exercising tho same economy and scrutiny ?JI all county, municipal and locil atfairs, and tbat if there are abuses to be corrected by legis­ lation tor the purpose of reducing the burdens of taxation, the Legislature must not only investigate closely the management of the Executive Depart­ ment and of the State institutions, but must con­ sider the workings of the school system and the management of county and municipal insUtutions for the maintenance of paupers and the correction of criminals. \n important auxiliary to stringent legislat on is the system which tequires all officers to make full reports and provides for their wide publication. There is no law for collecting and publishing the statistics of the local and municipal indebtedness of the State. I believe it would have a wholesome and restraining Influence if such a provision were made. The necessities for some revision and amendment of our revenue law are imperative, and such revision cannot longer be delayed without serious consequence to the credit and well-being of many of the large municipalities, nor without detriment to all portions of the State. The ma­ chinery of our present system is in many matters of detail too cumbrous and complex, a fact which causes unnecessary cost and delay »n the collection of taxes, and raises many difficult questions in the execution of the law. The system affords a stand­ ing temptation'and inducement to the reluctant taxpayer to resiBt and evade the payment of his proper share, and a considerable portion of the taxes is not paid by the persons nor collected from the property chargeable therewith, and taxes thus evaded ace retaxed to the Baoeeepiaiauig partita of »!.« tax-payers The dignity of the State and " * J" e maJ°m>' ef tax-payers require tt.-i when a tax has Iteen levied upon t>roi>erty as- SCM-*<I justly and fairly, and in a manner not oven to constitutional objections, it should be promptly enfo-oed and collected. In no other wav can the principle of equity in the bearing of public bur­ dens be preserved Tho failure or omission of any one taxpayer in the payment of his share increases to that extent the charge upon the others, as thin default must be n»d» good by 'increased levies. our preeent system, -as applied to the collection cf municipal taxes particularly, is so imperfect that not only are tho taxes, so far as collected, borne unequally, but the finance and credit of mauy mu­ nicipalities are heedlessly embarrassed ana im­ paired to such extent In several iji stances as to se­ riously obstruct the discharge of tho ntcestary municipal duties. Under the operation of the pres­ ent law in the larger citios. the back tax uncollected is so large an amount that the taxes annually levied are insufficient, and a considerable annual de­ ficiency is caused. There are few purchasers st the t .x sales, and the real property is forfeited to ihe-otaie. it is true the tax remains a hen upon the property, but as the penalty ia only entered at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum com­ pounded, more and more taxpayers are finding out every year that this is a very easy way of mak­ ing a forced loan. While you provide for the remedy or the abuse in the future, such disposition must at the same time be made of tbe back taxes standing on the books as will insure their col­ lection. We have been pas*itfg through a severe ordeal, especially in the last three vears. A process of liquidation has been going on. Many individuals are disappointed to find their actual wealth now so much less than th«(P estimated VMHII was a few year? ago, but the resources of the Stale are in no way impaired, and tho volume of private indebted­ ness has been very much reduced. The aggregate productive wealth of our State in farms, buildings, factories, mines, and railroads was never so great as it is to-day. It is true that the natural conse­ quences of a civil war sud a suddenly created no­ tional debt have caused many business enterprises to languish, and that the rewards of labor and cap­ ital in whatever way employed have been curtaued. but it la beli< ved that the trying period through whicn the people of the whole country were destined to pass, as the result of the causes before indicated, is at nu end, and that .1 more prosperous period ia at hand. Illinois is pre-eminently an agricultural State. No State in the Union produces so much grain. More than one- h*lf our people are engaged in agricultural pursuits. Agriculture is the foundation of our prosperity and wea„.,, an«, -while all industrial pursuits and inter­ ests should be encouraged, this, at least, is the great business of our people. Wheat, corn, oats, barley, hay, and cattle constitute the basis of tbe wealth of the State. The annual products of the field and farm are valued at about $360,000,000, and there are less than 26,000.000 acres of our lands yet in farnft of the 35,600,000 in the State, Learly all cf which may be cultivated. My predecessor has laid before you the condition of the charitable and special institutions of the 8tatc, and I fully indorse his recommendations of appropriations for their support. It is one of the most sacred duties of tbe State to see that the in­ sane, the blind,)ttie mute and tho idiotic are cared for and prot >eted. Our own interests and the nat­ ural promptings of humanity alike demand that the State shall do its whole duty toward those un­ fortunates. There are now in the State asylums for the insane, the blind, the mute, the feeble­ minded, and the State Reform School, the Eye and Ear !• ftrmary and *he Soldiers' Orphan;' Home over 2,0(H) persons receiving the care of the State, at a total cost for the year closing Sept. 30, 1876, of $488,791.10, this sum being the ordinary ex­ penses incurred by the managers of the several institutions, Iu this connection I wish to refer to and commend to your consideration the very interesting, full and aide report of the Board of State Commissioners of Public Charities. This board has accomplished a great work in establishing a system of accounts in the financial management of the institutions which op­ erates BP a safeguard to the State. The educational interests of the State are in a prosperous condition, as appears from the report of the superintendent of Public Instruction, to which I call your atten­ tion. There were enrolled duriugthe last year 687,- 448 persons, the large number showing that nearly all those of school age are more or less in attendance upon our common schools. The State gives to all an opportunity to secure a substantial education, and to effect this makes liberal appropriations of money. The total expenditure for the year ending Sept. 80, 1876, was $6,268,639.58. Such a sum expended for school purposes ought io stimulate ever:, family to beep their children in school during the proper age, so that the outlay may produce tho greatest possible results. No State in the Union has a better com­ mon-school system than Illinois. The well-being of the Htato is closely connected with and depend­ ent upon our schools, and I trust that no backward steps will be taken in connection with the cause of education. Tho improvement of the navigation of the Illi­ nois river has claimed the attention of the State for several years pact, and a considerable nmouut of money has been expended for that purpose by the State and the General Government. I believe it to be sound business policy to push to comple­ tion the improvements already begun, and to do all that can be done consistent ^with ecouoiry and our obligation to other interests* to make the Illinois river and the canal useful agents to the people in the transportation of freight, and cheapening the same. Cheap transport ation is the vital question to the Western people, and wo must regard with favor all reasonable meaus of providing it for our produots to the seaboard. The report of the- Bailroad and Warehouse Com­ missioners will repay your careful consideration. Tho law under which these Commissioners were created, and the,later act of 187:1, enlarging their duty, wore at the titne regarded as experimental legislation. Whether the legislation upon the sub­ ject has accomplished all that was expected, or to what extent it has BO far failed to accomplish the defined results, you, as the representatives of the varied interests and localities of the State, have op- portuuitics of forming the best judgment. Its object was to correct real abuses iu the manage­ ment and operation of rei!roads in the State, and, in our judgment, good results have been achieved, and much more may still be done in removing the evils and abuses in connection with transportation. Corpora­ tions created by the State must bo subordinate to the sovereignty of tho people, and railroads can only prosper as they foster, and do not oppress,the iuter« sts of toe laborer and pro iucer. there are now in the State 7,285 miles of railroad in opera­ tion. Illinois has more miles of railrsad than any other State in the Union, so distributed that hard­ ly any portion of the State ie without good facilities for travel anu transportation which, once enjoyed, people could ill afford to surrender. By nt> other agency than that of railro&da could the vast ro- sourw s of this State have bceu developed with such wonderful rapidity, and upon no other agent shall we continue to be so depend­ ent for future growth and prosperity. The legislation in reference to railroads and the work of the commission under it will result in a better understanding of the rights of tho railroad corporations and ther ights of the people in dealing with them. In the consideration of questions specially affect­ ing tbe transportation of farm products 1 would ask you to consider whether some legislation may not be necessary to facilitate and encourage the building of better 8tate and county roads. It is the only disadvantage resulting frojp our rich and fertile soil that in many parts of our State the ordinary uuworked lanes which serve as public highways are absolutely impassable during a great part of the season when the farmer cants to move his grain and other products to market. In some States the laws encourage .the use of county and muni­ cipal credit to raise money to meet the expenses of making permanent improvements on the public highways. Whether it is desirable or expedieut for the ;<tatc to do anything in this direction is for you to examine and decide. 2tow,f ellowvcitiaens, having said all that I deslrs at present to say in regard to the affairs of this State, I deem it not improper to devote a few momenta to the history and condition of our country. We are standing to-day on the threshold of the second cent­ ury of our national existence. As a nation we are enjoying a large* degree of liberty, prosperity and happiness than any other country. One hundred years ago those who had gathered on the shores of America numbered less than 3,000,000 souls. They were scattered along the Atlantic coast, and com­ posed thirteen feeble colonies, involved in a death struggle for freedom with the mott powerful na­ tion in the world. Soon after the war ended in the triumph of the American arms and American liberty, the national constitution was adopter", the confederation of States having failed to furnish the full measure of power essential to the efli-iency" of a national government. For cen­ turies human slavery, with all its horrors, had ex­ isted in almost every portion of the earth. Tl»e father* who framed our Government eithef failed to appreciate the magnitude of tbe danger tore publican institutions involved in the existences slavery in the country or were powerless • correct the Ail. wicked Or inhuman • fji was the system of elaveW, it was seised upon as a political power which would be satis fled with nothing less than the control of the Government. It imperiled the very exfetence of the nation. In the seventy years between 178# oud I860 the country had grown in population from 3.0: O.OOii to 40.00ii.000. and from thirteen to thirty- foui- States. The power ot the Government had forsaken the sea-coast and was seated in the valley of the Mississippi. Amerie* had become one of the most powe-fuj natio»s in the world. At this period in our history the country was brought to the very brink of ruin by a terrible civil war. We look back upon thoso years of war and devastation with horror. The na­ tion passed through the struggle and maintained its integrity, though at great cost of treasure and blood--treasure and blood which represented the price paid by the nation to release from bondage 4,000,'J00of human souls, and to oonfer upon them the rights and privileges of freemen. Eleven years have passed since that struggle ended. iTust at the lime when all hoped and believed that the era of good will and prosperity had come, with the beginning of our new national century, a Presiden­ tial election occurred which has left the country in an excited condition. Owing to the un­ precedented closeuesa of tbe electoral vote and UM> dissuasion uf quMtteut arising from tit un­ fortunate omission of the national constitution and the laws to provide with particularity the manner cf counting the returns contained in the certifi­ cates of the Electoral Colleges, the contest must now bo settled by the light of the constitution. It must be settled according to the constitution. It must be settled by resworn wad not by violence, the people of the nation must listen to the voice of history, so fresh to all our memories, and stamp with jsrompfc inti positive condemnation any mcvcuieni. jf any shall be made, looking to any uiwii 1Fom * constitutional decision of the contest' by these American people to another war. One at- tempt has been made to destroy this country and dissolve the Union by a portion of the people, w hen they were dissatisfied with the result as de~ That 9tru«Rl« °°st the country *10,TOO,000,000 in properly and labo*. and 1.000,000 men1 in battle--a fsarful price for a refusal to abide the decision of the ballot. As citizens,of the State ot Illinois, we claim the right to hold our elections in our own way, giving aU our people a fair and ' "l'1®! cbanee to cast their votes. We claim the riirht to nrescritxR the manner ir. --•«_ shall be purged of fraudulent votes,"and "how^d bv whom the result of our elections shall bo ascer­ tained and announced. All these things we regu­ late by the laws made by our State Legislature, and when the result is so ascertained and announced wo expect it to fee respected as well by our citizens as by others, While -.TO claim these RIGHTS for our own State, we concede the same to every other State in the Union, and insist that when the people of any State have held an election and the result has boen ascertained and announced by the per­ sons and in the manner p-ovidod by the laws of such SUte, tbat result shall be respected everywhere ac the ~i!l of the people of thai State. Tbe'people w.thout regard to party owe it to themselves and the country to purify the, ballot-box and protect it from fraud. The people owe it to themselves in tho interest of good government to favor all lawful I means, the object of whicn is to secure a free and 1 bpoest b&ltat aod thG protection of ih© citisso Ir his right to cast it. Fraudulent voting is worse than no voting, and unless a rud is allowed to vote his sediments hit vote is a falsehood and a fraud. As a citisen I confidently believe that the two distinguished statesmen for whom the electoral vote of Illinois: was cast for President and Vice President have ceived a constitutional majority of the Electoral College. I have an equal confidence and certainty that when tbe votes shall have been counted in tha presence of the two house* of Congress, and the re suit announced in accordance with the constitu­ tion and the usage under it, whatever the result uiny oe, ii wili be aoospted and cheerfully acquie*oed iu by the people. I desire to add one suggestion in reference to the affairs of our own State by calling your attention to the Militia law. I believe a more perfect law should be enacted which will secure a more thor­ ough organization of the State militia. The spirit of our constitution and the temner of our people are hostile to a standing army, and I am opposed to any policy, State or national, looking to govern­ ing the people by the bayonet. Yet in the most simply civilised communities a trained militia, re­ cruited from tho intelligent and industrious classes, is an almost indispensable auxiliary to the civil power in the interest of peace and good order. In this connection I take occasion, on behalf of the several State officers, and especially on my own behalf, to thank the Adjutant General and all the officers of the militia here for their presence on this occasion, and to congratulate them upon their effective display and the evidences tliev furnish of professional enthusiasm. And now, gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives, it shall be my desire to co-operate with you in all measures for the general good, and, trusting that yotir session may be a pleasant one to you and a profitable one to the State, I close bf thanking you for your attention. 8HBLBY M. CTMUMC. A BI<* BROTHER'S WRATH, How and Why Mr. Frederick May Oow- bided Mr. James Gordon Bennett. (From the New York World ] A. very disagreeable incident on yes­ terday disturbed the usually tranqnil current of life on Fifth avenue, near tho Union Club, Mr, Frederick May, a ynnng gentleman well kjKwu in this city, had taken up his (station on the sidewalk outside the club, and was observed after a little to be evidently waiting for the exit of some one from that establish­ ment. The attention of Mr. James Gordon Bennett, proprietor of the Her­ ald, who was then lunching within the club, with his sleigh in waiting at the door, having been called to this fact, he put on his greatcoat and immediately went out. Mr. May at once accosted him, and some words passed between them, Mr. Bennett apparently attempt­ ing to quiet his interlocutor, when Mr. May suddenly seized Mm by the front of tbe coat; and, drawing what appeared to be a rawhide, struck. Mm violently , over • the back. Mr. Bennett is a well- knit, muscular man, but his assailant is considerably over six feet in height, and a well-known athlete; and, as it was evi­ dent that Mr. Bennett, for some reason, desired to avoid using violence with him, the latter received several severe blows, . one of which cut him across the face _ and wounded him severely. The strug- ! gie lasted scarcely so long as this recital requires ia, writing, bill Mr. Bennett was distinctly beard to say, in a con­ temptuous, bitter tone, 41 Why don't yoa kill me at once!" No weapons, haw-, ever, were drawn on either side. The oowhide was either taken away by Mr. Bennett or dropped by Mr. May, and the combatants closed, Mr. Bennett be­ ing iLra^a r.ad filing on the • anew ; which blocked tbe street. By this time ; Mr. Willfoai P. Dottglaas and Mr. Jbtot Heckscher, who were in. tho olab, oame out, and with Home difficulty separated the two. Mr. Bennett was led by them into the elub and shortly afterward drove home in his Bleigh. Mr. May immedi­ ately afterward walking away. Suoh is the story as told by eye-witne sen. Of course rumor was at once on the alert with inventions as to the origin of so unusual a scene. It has been known for some time that an engagement of marriage existed between Mr. Bennett and Miss Carrie Mayf sister of Mr. Frederick May; but, although it been whispered for some time past that the engagement either had been or soon would be broken off, it was so obviously improbable that any man would willfully draw public attention to the afihirs of tli© young lady by a street encounter, ; that some more becoming cause for the difficulty had to be supposed, and, upon inquiry among friends of the father of Mr. May, Dr. William May, of No. 44. West Nineteenth street, our reporters , were informed that on Tuesday night Mr. Bennett called at the house and had a most unpleasant altercation with Br. May, in the course of which h© lan­ guage which Mr. Frederick May, on hearing it,'felt bound to resent as he did*. The Suez Canal. • The Suez canal enterprise is looked upon as a success by European capital­ ists, This water-cut, connecting the Mediterranean and the Red seas, is at present patronized by twenty-four regu­ lar lines of steamers, employing 284 steamers, of 509,437 tonnage. Glassed by nationalities, the quota ol England is 152 vessels, of 350 278 tonnage; France, 18 vessels, of 112,624 tonnage ; Holland, 15 vessels, of 86,585 tonnage; Austria, 18 steamers, of 28,227 tonnage; Itily 10 steamers, of 15,218 tonnage ; Russia, 8 steamers, of 13,886 tonnage; Germany, 8 steamers, of 11,386 toimage; Spain, 5 vessels, of 10,751 tonnage. THE Washington police, with many wry faoes, have donned their new so- called Loudon helmets. The objections the officers have to them are, first, that they are too cheap looking, and, seoosd, it is claimed that they are entirely unfU for police wear. Of course the gamins tell them to "ahoot the helmet*" i •iv 'V !#• ; V w