36 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS [Jan. 13,

But there are some subjects to which I will refer
briefly, Because public attention is already awakened
in regard to them; and because a part at least of the
responsibility must rest upon my shoulders.

First. Let me urge upon you the importance of mak-
ing the best possible use of the limited time allowed
for your deliberations by the Constitution of our
State.

You have but ninety days in which to deal with a
vast number of important questions, demanding your
serious consideration.

And you cannot waste a single day, without doing
injustice to those whose commissions you bear. I do
not presume to outline these duties, fol they lie
within your province rather than mine. I respect-
fully suggest that you clear away promptly whatever
there is that might interfere in the slightest with ac-
tive and efficient legislation., Give your time and
labor to the people whose servants you are. Devolv-
ing upon you is the unusual duty of selecting two
gentlemen to represent the State in the councils of the
nation. That you will choose wisely and with a single
eye to the importance of the service to be rendered I
cannot doubt. But it is wise that your selection
should be made promptly, fearing that delay might
possibly impede your progress in other directions. It
is proper that I remind you of the fact that certain
amendments to the Constitution were ratified by the
people at the recent election, and that you will be
called upon to give effect to some of them by appro
priate legislation. How far you may deem it your
duty to revise the tax laws of the State you can best
determine for yourself, but it is clear chat the tax
laws of the State need revision public sentiment has
been awakened on this subject. And the dominant
political party of the State in convention assembled,
in July last, declared itself, and thereby committed
the majority of this General Assembly to the enact-
ment of a just and proper assessment law. Since the
last general assessment, which was in 1876, the wealth
of the State has largely increased with its growing
population and resources; and it is but reasonable to
suppose that if our present system of taxation were
reformed, the burdens would be more justly dis-