14

and conspiracies against the peace and property of their neigh-
bors, had been expended in this or some kindred cause, perhaps
they would have had less time for fanaticism, and we less oc-
casion to complain of insult and violated right.

It is matter of congratulation, Gentlemen, that the State
finances are in so satisfactory a condition, and her Treasury so
well provided, from a taxation which the preceding Legislature
reduced by one-third, to the great relief of the landed interest,
and notwithstanding the abolition of an impost which weighed
unduly upon the commercial community.

A strict standard of economy in all departments of the public
service is an essential element in all good government. Happily
our State has long since passed the crisis of her more threaten-
ing financial embarrassments; but to afford substantial relief to
the tax payer at an early day, the reduction of her indebtedness
must go on without interruption, and the measure of taxation in
the future should not be interfered with, by an over anxiety to
anticipate a period of relief, which must soon be realized under a
well directed and judicious system of finance.

Whatever we do in aid of this object, by withholding ex-
penditures and appropriations that may not be demanded by
the public exigencies, will hasten the enfranchisement of the peo-
ple from the burthen of taxation, under which they have been so
long and patiently suffering.

From the great works of public improvement upon which the
State has expended so much, our returns have not been so large
as in former years. Perhaps a change in the control of some of
them may lead to more satisfactory results. If not, we at least
have no responsibility therefor, since all power over them under
the present state of things is taken away from the Legislature.
The same enlightened statesmanship which called into being
those important works, to which we are so largely indebted, by a
liberal use of the public credit, has also guarded, by a restriction
in our organic law, the further involvement of the State, now that
the occasion for her aid has ceased. It was a wise foresight
which demanded as a measure of protection to our agricultural
and commercial interests, that the tariff regulations so intimately
connected with the prosperity of our business classes, should be
shared in by a representation fully commensurate with the aid
which has been asked at the hands of the State. In the midst of
events daily transpiring in the operations of the great works of
internal improvement throughout the country, it is evident
that this power can never be safely parted with. The people
have a vested claim to a fair participation, on the part of the
State, in the management of all those works for the completion
and support of which they have been subjected to so heavy a
weight of responsibility.

The appointing power limited and circumscribed as it has been,