^, ^. \\ ^ W^. > ** ', ^*' ^ S^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // •^ ^/ ^.V * t*!*- ^ .^ 1.0 £I2AI2£ «» m 12.2 tt Itt 12.0 1.1 y <^. ^ ^ ^ -r-^ SdaiCies CarpoFation 33 wht mam itrmt wimtm,n.y. i4sm (71*) •73-4303 ^^<«^A 4^ v\ CIHM/ICMH Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Cunadian irMtituta for Historical Microroproduction* / Inttitut Canadian da microraproductiona hiatoriquaa 6^ T«chnical and Bibliographic Notaa/Nota* tachniquaa at biblioflrapliiquas Tlia Inatituta Iwa attamptad to obtain tlia baat originai copy avaiiabia for fHming. Faaturaa of thia copy wliieli may ba bililiograplilealiy uniqua, whicit may altar any of ttia imagaa in tha raproduction, or wMch may aignlficantly ehanga tha usual mathod of filming, ara chackad baiow. □ Colourad covara/ Couvartura da coulaur I I Covara damagad/ D D D D Couvartura andommag^a Covara rattorad and/or laminatad/ Couvartura raatauria at/ou palliculAa r~n Covar titia misaing/ La titra da couvartura manqua I I Coloui'ad maps/ Cartas gAographiquas mt coulaur Colourad inic (i.a. othar than biua or black)/ Encra da coulaur (i.a. autra qua blaua ou noira) I I Colourad plataa and/or illustrations/ Planchaa at/ou illustrations an coulaur Bound with othar matarioi/ Rail* avac d'autras documants Tight binding may causa shadows or distortion along intarior margin/ La re liura sarr4a paut cauaar da I'ombra ou da la distortion la long da la marga intAriaura Blank laavas addad during rastoration may appaar within tha taxt. Whanavar possibia, thasa hava baan omittad from filming/ II sa paut qua cartainas pagas blanchaa aioutAaa tors d'una rastauration apparaissant dana to taxta, mais. lorsqua cato 4tait possibia. cas pagas n'ont pas At* film«as. Additional comments:/ Commantairas supplAmantairas; L'Institut a microfilm* la maillaur axamplaira qu'il lui a At* possibia da sa procurer. Las details da cat axamplaira qui sont paut-Atra uniquas du point da vua bibliographiqua, qui pauvant modifier una image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modiftoation dans la mAthode normato de fiimage aont indiquAs ci-dassous. D D D D D D D D Coloured peges/ Pagaa de coutour Pagas damaged/ Pagas endommagAes Peges restored end/or lemineted/ Pages resteurAes et/ou peiliculAes Peges discoloured, stained or foxed/ Peges dAcolorAes, tschetAes ou piquAes Peges deteched/ Pages dAtechAes Showthrough/ Trensparance Quality of print varies/ QuelitA inAgeto de i'impression includes supptomentery meteriel/ Comprend du metAriel suppiAmenteire Only edition avaiiebto/ Seuie Adition disponible Pagas wholly or partieily obscured by erreta slips, tissues, etc., heve been refilmed to ensure the best possible imege/ Les peges toteiement ou pertiellement obscurcies per un feuillet d'erreta. une peiure. etc., ont AtA fiimAes A nouveeu de fa^on A obtenir le meilleure imege possibls. f T M di er b< ri| re m This item is filmed at the reduction retio checked below/ Ce document est fllmA au taux de rAduction indiquA ci-dessous 10X 14X 1IX 22X 2fX SOX / 12X itx aDX MX ax 32X Atailt w du nodifier ir una ilmags I* •rrata to palura. Tha copy fiimad hara haa baan raproducad thanka to tha ganaroaity of: National Library of Canada Tha imagaa appaaring hara ara tha baat quality poaaibia conaidaring tha condition and lagibility of tha original copy and in Icaaping with tha filming contract apacifications. Original copiaa in printad papar covara ara fiimad baginning with tha front covar and anding on tha iatt paga with a printad or iliuatratad impraa- aion, or tha bacic covar whan appropriata. All othar original copiaa ara fiimad baginning on tha f irat paga with a printad or iliuatratad impraa- aion. and anding on tha laat paga with a printad or iliuatratad impraaaion. Tha laat racordad frama on aach microflcha ahall contain tha aymbol -i»> (moaning "CON- TINUED"), or tha aymbol ▼ (moaning "END"), whichavar appliaa. Mapa, plataa. charta, ate, may ba fiimad at diffarant raduction ratioa. Thoaa too larga to ba antlraly includad in ona axpoaura ara fiimad baginning in tha uppar laft hand corner, laft to right and top to bottom, aa many framaa aa raquirad. Tha following diagrama illuatrata tha mathod: 1 2 3 L'axamplaira film4 f ut raproduit grica A la g4n4roalti da: BibiiothAqua nationala du Canada Laa imagaa auivantaa ont 4t4 raproduKaa avac la plua grand aoin, compta tanu da la condition at da la nattat* da l'axamplaira filmi, at an conformity avac laa condMona du contrat da fllmaga. Laa axamplairaa originaux dont la couvartura an papiar aat ImprimAa aont film4a an commandant par la pramiar plat at an tarmlnant aolt par la darnlAra paga qui eomporta una amprainta d'impraaaion ou d'illuatration, aoit par la aacond plat, aalon la eaa. Toua laa autraa axamplairaa originaux aont fllmia an commandant par la pramlAra paga qui eomporta una amprainta d'impraaaion ou d'illuatration at an tarmlnant par la darnlAra paga qui eomporta una talla amprainta. Un daa aymbolaa auhranta apparattra aur la darnlAra imaga da chaqua microflcha, aalon la caa: la aymbola -^ aignifia "A 8UIVRE". la aymbola V aignifia "FIN". Laa cartaa. planchaa. tableaux, ate, pauvant Atra filmAa A daa taux da rAduction diff Aranta. Loraqua la documant aat trop grand pour Atra raproduit an un aaul clichA, 11 aat filmA A partir da I'angia aupAriaur gaucha, da gaucha A droita, at da haut an baa, an pranant la nombra d'Imagaa nAcaaaaira. Laa diagrammaa auivanta illuatrant la mAthoda. 32X 1 2 3 4 6 6 ANNUAL MESSAGE or ■•!' at GOVERNOR SWIFT TO THE 'I . Ml , .'■ti : - i! LEGISLATURE OF MINNESOTA, DELIVEKED JANUARY 11, 1864. T'-Il PRINTED BY AUTHORITY. SAINT PAUL: FREDERICK DRISCOLL, STATE PRINTER. PRESS !• B I N T I N O COMPANY. 1864. I'tJ a 'i\ ' .'111; i ., ^s «! GOYERKOR'S MESSAGE. I . ri. K ''■:n '•'M Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Bepresentatives: In complying with the Constitutional provisions requir- ing the Governor to " communicate to each session of the Legislature such information touching the state and con- dition of the country as he may deem expedient" the liand of an afflicting Providence has prevented my devoting the usual time to the treatment of the numerous topics in- volving the interests of a new and rapidly growing State. I am happy to be able to congratulate you that our young State has continued, during the past year, to enjoy in fnll measure, the remarkable prosperity which has characterized the loyal section of this Union, while engaged in the stupen- dous conflict which has drawn so tearfully upon its resourc- es, and engulphed so much of its "precious blood and treas- ure. Though more than one-iiftcenth of our whole popula- tion by the census of ISGO, has been sent to reinforce the armies ot the republic, and several counties liave been de- ])opulated by the Indian raid, there is good reason to be- lieve that the numbers thus tein])orurily withdrawn from tlie State have been more than raudo up by immigration and na- tural incieaso, and that our poi>ulation, whicli, in 1860, numbered 1T2,')22, is udw not less tlian 225,U0(). Agriculture, which was tlie interest most directly assailed by the war, is also tlie iirst to enjoy its compensations. Im- migration has more tlian repaired the thinne,00(». In gen(>ral, it may be said, that notwithstanding slight cliecks arising from temporary and accidental causes, and the public burdens and private sorrows which the war intiicts GOVERTS'OIl'S MESSAGE. 6 upon all, at no previous period of our history, has a more prosperous activity pervaded all departments of industry, or have the comforts of life been more generally difl'used among all classes of our population. This general prosperity has given a new impetus to our railroad enterprises, while the failure of navigation in our large rivers has dcvch,)pcd a new necessity, and furnished a powerful argument, apprcciiihlo by every citizen, for their speedy completion. 1 am liapi)yto note the satisfactory pro- gress in construction of some of our principal Land Grant lilies, notwithstanding tlie scarcity and high price of labor. The St. Paul and Taci tic Railroad is now complcted,and the cars are now running from St. Paul to Anoka, a distance of twenty-seven and a half miles, and is graded for thirty- six miles further, while the iron, I am assured, has been purchased to complete the track to Watab, eighty miles from St.- Paul, by the first of next ilugust. The Winona and St. Peter Railroad is completed and in operation from AVinona to St. Charles, a distance of twenty- nine miles, comprising all the lieavy and xorj expensive work between the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, and is graded for thirty i. .iles farther. The iron is said to have been purchased and pre])arations made to complete the road to Kochester, a distance of forty-nine miles from AVinona, by the fourth of July, l>'rogresp, the expecta- tion may be reasonai)ly indulged, that l>y the middle of next i ' ■■■ ': ■■'"iil 'till m ■ , ■,■.,■„ I .1" 'iil ■■; m m ii ». ■m 1 'i'i • ft i\ '■'% 6 GOVEr.NOR's MESSAGE. year the cars will be running continuously from,St. Cloud, at the outpost of our Nortli--\vestern settlements, through the heart of the State to Winona, a distance of nearly two hundred and thirty niilo?, and supplying a reliable and much needed means of communication with Eastern mar- kets. The main line of the St. Tanl and Tacitic Kailroad from Minnca])olis AVes^tward, is as yet unimproved. The remain- ing Land (irant line^ continue in the condition in which over three years ago they passed by foreclosure into the hands of the State. At the last session, the Legislature passed an act making a valuable grant of Swamp lands to aid tlie St. Paul and Pacilic Company in building a branch of tlieir road from St. Paul to Winona, along the Mis;;issi))pi river. The Compa- ny has accepted the grant on the conditions named, has caused the route to lie surveyed, and hopes are enlertaiiied that its constructi<.>n will eoiinnenee lu^xt sj^iing. The Lake Superior Oc Sli^si-ssippi Kailroad Company, to which the State made a similar conditional donation of swamp lands, ha.s recently received an additional induce- ment to prosecntt! tlie work it lines. J venture to dire(;t your attention to this prominent leature of our railroad system, because it to goveknor's message. Y seema to me that sufticicnt consi'lemtiori has not been o-iven to the ftiet, that a single raUroad I-IO mile-i (one from this focal point (the particular locality is of little importance,) to Lake Superior, would furnish an outlet for our whole sys- tem of natural and artificial communications upon lake nav- igation, at a distance and cost of transit much less, for three quarters of our agricultural area, than l)y the routes termi- nating on Lake Michigan. The immense advantages oi such an outlet W0(dd be felt to the farthcrest extremities ol' our railroad system, through the whole circle of trade and industry, reducing the cost of imported commodiiies, raising the value ot our grain and other products to the standard of Illinois, and virtually placing -Minnesota u]>on the same commercial ground with that State, ms respects the cost of transportation from and to the Atlantic seaboard. It would, besides, form a powerful inducement to the early construction c»f the Minnesota Val- ley llailroad, the main commercial value of which depends upon a connection with Lake Superior. But its relations to the great plan of Pacific communications marked out by Congress, and now in rapid \)rogress of construction, gives this subject a new importance. Uy the llth Section of an Act of Congress, entitled " An Act to aid in the construc- tion of a llailroad and Telegraph line from the Missouri River to the Pacitlc Ocean, and to secure to the Govern- ment the use of the same, fur Postal, Military and other purposes," it is provided that wheiiever a railroad shall be built through j\I?nne3ota or Iowa to Sioux City, the Union Pacilic Railroad Company are autliori^^ed aufl required to construct a branch line from their road to connect therewith. The building of a railroad from Lake Superior to the Mis- sisBi])pi, and its continuation through the Minnesota Valley to Sioux City, would I'ullil the condition precedent, and give the immense commerce w'lucli is destined to flow overland between the two oceans, a path \o ship navigation a hundred and thirty miles shorter than by any ])ossible route to Lake Michigan. This large reduction of land transit would un- questionably divert a considerable of this trans-continental t , 1-' -m f\ ■ ■ Ife : im 1 i: -.9 8 governor's message. traffic from the orii;t Fuml, For I'liited States war tax, For Permanent School Fund, I'or (ieneral Sehoiil |'\iii»l, I'roceeds of War Loan, tiuth<»rizetl by act (»f September 27, 1*^02, From TI. S. in [tartial [jayment of Sioux War claims, . - . - - From miscellaneous sources, - From balance in the Treasury, Dec. J, 1SU2, 5^112,059 50 12,otiL 80 52,140 01 2«;,:J55 15 ii;;.«i78 50 35,379 78 101,250 00 200,000 00 5,475 12 30,555 87 The total disbursements have been, !?G;';.,8tl4 85 570,539 32 Leaving a balance in the Treasury, Dec,l, 1803, $119,325 52 governor's message. 11 The disbursements of this balance under difierent heads have already been made or provided for, except $3i,Y20 46 of the United States War Fund, which is now subject to the disposal of the Legislature. The total expenses of the last year were $128,441 03 The estimated expenses for the current year are $107,800 00 While the balance in the Treasury is much larger than at the close of any previous fiscal year, the taxes collected have largely increased, and at the same time there has been a corresponding reduction in the amount of our floating in- debtedness. A comparative exhibit of the several years since 1800, under their dill'ercnt heads, is the most flattering tribute which can be paid to the skill and prudence which have marked the ac'ii-unistratiou of State Finances. '^1 I •1 '•villi '. ^lil m K Balance in Troasury. FloiitiiifT Debt. Taxes Collected. 1860, $ 675 78 $ {>S,(j-3(j 55 % 111,918 58 1861, 4,729 42 66,682 47 100,186 83 1862, 36,555 87 65,100 48 133,001 71 186a, 119,325 53 59,202 42 177,170 43 When it is remembered that the taxable basis of 1803, was diminished about twenty-live per cent, below that of previous years, or from over thirty-nine millions in 1861, to less than tliirty-milli(»n3 in 1863, the large increase in the amount of taxes received during tlie past year, and the nour- ishing condition of the Treasury, are certainly matters of agreeable and hopeful congratnhitit>n. Although the tem- porary contraction of the taxable basis without any corres- poiiiiing increase in tiiu tax rati', had the good elt'cet of compelling t le collectuui of the delinquent tax, and of largely increasing the receipts from that source, I would neverlheiews ask you to consider whether some means can- not be de vised to correct the I'alse standard of valuation which has been ado])le(l throughout the State, and which it is notorious, docs not by any means reiircscnt the actual value of the jiroperty assessed. < )iherwise the arbitrary re« duction of valuations which has Ix.'en resorted to by difler- m %' : "-t 12 GOVERNORS MESSAGE. i ti ent counties to diininiBli their respective shares of the gene- ral tax, will compel a corresponding increase in the tax levies, and thus bring upon tlie State the double odium of an apparent depreciation of its taxable property, and an exor- bitant rate of taxutlon-. I would suggest whether some amendment in the law reg- ulating the e(|ualizati()n of taxes might not be made, so as to allow the State Boiird of Eciualization to correct mani- festly erroneous valuations of personal property, which, it is notorious, evades its share of taxation, and throws unjust burdens npt>n the owners of real estate. Tlu! amount of Trea^;llry scrip outstanding, December 1, 1S62, was $55,018 08; on December 1, 1863, $45,339 59; showing a reduction of over ten tliousand dollars in that portion of our iloating indebtedness. The existence of this debt, amounting in all to $59, 202 42, which consists of the uii])aid Treasury warrants issued for the current expenses of tiio State Government, and the estimated defic'encies for which no a]»propriation has been made, is a blot upon our liuancial credit which no ellbrts should be spared to remove. For this ])m*iio8o, the Treasurer suggests the reduction of the iiitorest tax from two mills to one mill on the dollar, and and that tin.' dill'ereiice be added to the revenue tax. The shortening of your Hcssion would also aid inetfecting the object by about $2/Hio p^r week. In additiou to this, I would recommend more stringent j)roviHions f •!• the collection of the ])oll tax, which from tho failure of town treasurers to eomply with the law, has this year produced scarcely more than a third of the amount duo tVom thli^ souice. These measures, while adding nothing to the ])rcBent ag- gregatt' taxrato, will without doubt, furnish ample resources ' " iL' debt, a V O) |>uttiiig an end to the shanieful necesyity of iKRuing depreciated Hcrip for tho current expennes of tho State (Government, and thus taxing the meagre salaries of the Slate ollicers to cover the deiicit ill the Treasury. Your attention is also rospoctfully called to the necessity » goveisnor's message. 13 of pro nng moans for meeting the principal of the eight per cent. State Bonds for the $250,000 loan which will be- come due in July, 1867, as well as to the recommendation of the State Auditor iu his report, that a Sinking Fund be created for this purpose. And for detailed information in regard to the different funds and the manner of their invest- mentj'the estimates of the disbursements for the current year, banks and all the various financial interests of the State, I take pleasure in referring you to the full and satisfactory Annual Reports of the Auditor and Treasurer of State, which will be laid before you. The Land DG]mrtment was established by an act of the Legislature in 1862, and its opeavtions has since been chiefly confined to the disposition of the School Lands under the wise and conservative regulations adopted by your predeces- sors. The wisdom of tliat i»olioy, which has been ably sec- onded by the officer having in charge its practical applica- tion, lias been ably demonstrated by its results. The first sales of School Lands were made in the fall of 1862, and have been continued the present year with the fol- lowing results Number of acres of School Lands in the coun- ties in which sales have been hud, Number of acres sold up to date, 350,325.43 90,440.14 Number of acres remaining unsold in the alxive counties, - - 2r»0,895.99 Amount realized from the lands sold, - $552,309 06 Cf ^ ■ fi ' .1. (."I'l The average price of the lands sold was ^6 10 per acre. If the residue of the School Lands in the counties where the sales have been had, should sell, as they probably will, at the same rate, tlu^ aggiogato pnulnct would be $2,137,- 051, and the whole b(»(ly of the School Lands at the same rate would produce a ])onMant'iit I'nml of about $16,000,000, which at seven jier cent, interest would yield an annual in- come of $1,120,000, a sum sufiicicnt to nmintain a system 14 goveenor's message. of pnblic schools at the high educational standard of Mass- achusetts for a population of nearly a million souls. And it may be safely assumed that sales will proceed at this rate as rapidly as the increase of the population shall require an increase of the school fund, for as the growth of population creates a demand for new schools, the value of the school lands will he developed by the same causes, in nearly the same proportion. The sum realized from the two mill tax for the support of schools, is about $4:5,<*uO, Tliis.tax might be profitably re- duced, as before suggestod, in proportion to the income re- realized from the scliool fund, and in a few years it may be reasonably hoped, that tlie revenue derived from this source will bo sutlleient to entirely olwiate the necessity of impos- ing a school tax. In this, as in other States, imj)ortant and interesting ques- tions between the State and tlie jS"ational Government have arisen, a decision of which in favor of the State will greatly enhance the value of this ali'cady extensive source of reve- nue. Of these the most promintmt are the controversy re- o-ardln" school sections on the Winnchiigo Reservation, the Sioux Half Breed Tract, and the (xmtest now pending in the Supreme Court of the rnited States, as to the validity of the joint resolutions of Congress, of March 8d, 1857, allowing pre-emptions upon school lands Ijy persons settling thereon prior to the survey. The questions involved in eacli ot these controversies all deix'nd more or less directly ujimh the constructi7, Bveuty- in to be •sity, I 088or iu ption of ible for ids will y doubt avtment ds when t create whicli I ties, and i already the Uni- er of its ment, to regulate I footing, dovelop- if educa- [iccnt ob- lould be splendid our mag- ic has not it St. An- tho years , tlic chil- on in our governor's message. 17 common schools have passed to an age when a hi-'her train- ing, and riper culture, are necessary to lit them for the vo- cations of approaching manhood. Every year is sweUino- this class of young m(>n. A comparatively small expendi- ture would place within tlieii' reach the means of a college education, and ht the choicest spirits of our rising genera- tion for the most exalted positions which duty or ambition may assign them, in wctrking out the destiny and establisli- inj' the ^'veatnes^ of our ^tato. The Normal School at "Winona has proved an efficient means of elevating the standard of qualification for the teacher's profession, and thus exercises an important inliii- ence in improving the character of our comn]on schools. You can devote yr)ur energies nnd make r-.ppropriations of money to no more economical nor loftier purpot^e than the promotion of jiopular education, without which all your railro;ids, your commercinl and material pro-jperity, are of no avail in building up a State. Tl'.e api)ropriation necessary for the support of this institution on a Hbcral scale could not be more profitably expendeil. The re})ort of the Superintendent of Public Instruction embraces the first exhil:>it at all approaching to com]>leto- nes^% of tlio conditio!) of our Common Schools. Of 1,685 Echotil districtn, 1,254 send tolerably full reports, showing tluit of 05,508 persons between five ami twenty-one yoarp of ii"-o, 38,2?>1 attended school Avithin the year, while the ave- rage (hilly atlentlance is 22,9.71. TIjo vidue of school houses h^ |l('.0,r.!)l, {iud the whole amount reported to have been receivv'd for the use of schools is i^llO.Ul-. The Superintendent, suggests a variety of modifications of the existing school law, which, as they concur tceneially M'irli iiiy own views, 1 recojumend to your favorable consid- cranon. 13y an act of the last Legislative session $1,500 was ap- propriated fov the orgimi-^ition and support of a school at Faribault for deaf mutes and blind persons. The Connnis- hioners report that the school was accordingly opened la^t Septomber, but tor mutes ulono for want of a sutlicient ap- ' 1 ' I - ■!!■ •H W 1 ■'!. ' 1 * M m 1 ■ . f I ■ ■• ' [ t; '19 m 18 G0VEKN0R8 MESS AG K, ' \' propriatioii, in a building hired for the purpose, under the auspices of an experienced gentleman, and with flattering promise of success. The care and education of this unfor- tunate class of our people, is a sacred trust which this State will never hesitate to accept and discharge, much less aban- don after having entered upon the work. The amount asked by the Commissioners for the ensuing year is $i,100, which seemo to me a reasonable estimate, and I recommend the approj)rirttiou. It is hardly creditable to our State that no steps have yet been taken towards establishing an asylum for the indigent Insane, and that we are dependent upon the charity of a neighboring State for i.ho means of providing temporary relief for a limited number of these unlortunates. We aro also warned that the only State which gave a favorable re- sponse to our application to receive the Insane of this State, will soon have no room in its asylum for our use, so that unless you make some provision for their relief, this afflicted class of our population, demanding your warmest sympathy and tonderest care, will be loft to sutfer on miserably and hopelessly. It is high time that Minnesota should take some steps dictated by Christian civilisation and humanity towards establishing, building up and fostering such asylums and charitable iiictitutioiis as are the ])ride and enduring glory of her sister Slates of this Union, I af-k your favorable consideration of the recommendation of the Auditor of Stares, liiat one mill of Mio tax tor school puriioses sluudd be li'aiis'.'erred tu the genoial revenue fund for tlie sujtport of the insane, and the blind, and deaf mutes. I desire here to add m^ own conrmendation to the oft- repeated inculcations of uiy predecessor, whose unceasing d('\'otion to the welfai'o of the State, and vigilant zeal in establishing and upholding its titiancial honor and credit, as well as his energetic and successful labors in developing and organi/iMg the ])atrIotism of our people on the breaking out of the war, made his adtninistration an era in our history, and to urge upon the Legi>^lature the policy of reservii'g the governor's ME8SA.GE. ler the ttering untbr- B State 3 aban- b asked which md the ave vet V idigent ;y of a iporary We are able re- 8 State, BO that ftlHicted mpathy bly and Id take imanity asylums uduring indation r school lue fund nd deaf > the oft- nceasing zeal in •rcHJit, as liii^ and Iviiii; out history, •vii'g the 19 swamp lands for the support of benevolent institutions, and resist all attempts to squander them on enterprises, which however useful, can always find adequate support in other directions. The Reports of the Warden and Inspectors of tlie Stale Prison give a satisfactory exhibit of the condition, and an assun ice of the excellent management of that institution- I feel it my duty to join in the recommendation of the In- spectors for an appropriation sufficient to complete the cells in the new building erected by your authority last summer. Conspicuous among the luirbingoi's of rejoiciii'?.;s which usher in the new year is the improved conditiuuoi' our fion- tier. The tempest of savage violunco wliich Si'ViMitcen months ago burst over the defenseless settlements of our Western border, has for the present, and it is to bo hoped permanently, subsided. Though the expeditions under General Sibley and Sulley failed, partly at least from cansos beyond llieir control, to accomplish all the results wiiich were expected from the raagnitado of the preparations, or to inflict upon our savage enemies the full punishment wliich their atr<>"ious crimes deserve, they have by the formidable and impobiug anna- ment which, notwithstanding unusual and almost insur- mountable natural ol)stacle8 pursued tbeni to the banks of the Missouri river, and by the gallant bearing of our troops, who, in the few opportunities ali'orded them, displayed those qualities of valor which the training of the savage teaches them to fear and respect, at least been taught their inability to resist the power, or escape tlie slee[tle*s vengeance of the Governmenf, from whose armies they have Hod in the vain attempt to elude the consequences of their unprovoked cru- elties. Hunger and destitution have followed like avenging angels upon the track of the fugitive assassins to insure the punishment left incomplete by the forces sent uuc against; them. In all probability many of them will pei-i^h this win- ter from cold and starvation, and it slioidd not bo forgotten that, under the circumstances, the distraction of huge quan- tities ot provisions and clothing upon which they had relied W' '; ?iii! I'm \M 20 GOVERNOR 8 MESSAGE. for theii-'winter'a support and protccHon, by the troops under Generals Sibley und SuUey, must be re^^iiidoJ us nearcely less futid to them, than the more sudden and sunj^uinary havoc of the sword. Wiihinit the means of replenishing their exhausted sup- plies of ainmunititrn, it nuiy be presumed that they are in no condition to reuew the war in force upon our frontier hctlle- ments wliile our present attitude of defense is maintained. But tlu'i'e ean be no complete security for our border po))U- iation until these bands of ruurderers ai'e contiued within limits lendered impassible by the powerful arm of our Gov- ernmtnt, or extir}>al:ed from the lace of the earth. The vigorous prosecution of hostilities agiiinsl these In- dians, is as indisjjenbabie to the safet)' of our i)order, us the nuiinlenaiice of a strong and \igilaiit defensive guard on the lii!o "f outposts iKuv eiitablislicd by (he iMlliauy JJepart- lO'-sit of rhirt District. Experience Iia.-; uhv'.idy taught us thiit tiie veij wrctcliednebs of their condition, bU})plit'S them v.iili nu/tives stronger even than the isavnge lust of revenge, fur muiaading incursions upon our setilcme!j!,s with a view to phunlor aud munler. Scarcely had the Ibvcoj of the ex- jjedltiuu under Gciieral Siblo}" been w'iihdra.vii iVom our frontier garrisons, bulbre a sniall band of Indians, luunber- ing lots than a score, led by Little Crow, advanced sLealthily in:o the heart of our settlements, and scattering in diii'ercnt diixciions, began a series of bold robberies and nmrdcrs which continuetl in dilferent loeulities tlu'oughout the sum- im'r. Secreting ihemselves in the woods and gi'utis, their presence was only revealed in the neighborhood they visited by suinehoriible t.nitrage, which struck nu)re terror by the mystery which cnvelopetl the ])erpetrators than even the brutal atrocity which nuirked the deed. The secrecy and >)Wiltnchb which el'.tnacterised the movements of thin snuill band, the r.'[)idity w iih which their bluws succeeded each ot!\ur at jxtints far apart, in a measui'O revived the panic which had ile])opulated our Western counties in 18G2. The woods and prairies north ami south of the Minnesota river seemed alive with the ambushed assassins. I I • 1.1 under urcely uin.'ivy (I sup- ■c in no bottle- tained. r pupu- within ir Gov- icso In- , us tlio i ijii the Dcpiut- uii'ht v,6 i- ) them 1 a view tllU C'X- luii uiir lUiibur- catlhlly i lie rent he suiii- .s, their visited by I lie iven tlie eey and iri bniall cd each ho puuic ,2. Tho ota river y goveknor's message. 21 Some of these Indians oven made their appearance with- in six miles of St. Paul. The nmuber oftho.se who fell vic- tims to the Indian raid of ISOI], did not exceed twenty. All eiibrts of the military ibrco of 2,000 meii, which guarded our extended line of frontier were unavailing to prevent these depredations. The prompt and vigorous co- operation of the State authorities Avas necessary to arrest a eecond depopulation of our frontier counties, A corps of Statu scouts was organized to track these savages to their hiding places, and in oi'dcr to enlist the injiabitants of the menaced district in their extirpation, ariud were issued to them, and a reward of twenty -live dollars, afterwards in- creased to $200, was otibred for every hostile Bioux warrior killed. These measures (for details of which I beg to refer you to the i-eport of the Adjutant General,) were effectual in clear- ing the State of hoslile Indians. Of Ihe small party of in- vading Sioux, nine were killed by citizens or soldiers. Among th_' tirst of the Indian^; who paid the penalty of their atrocities was little Crow, the leader md master spirit of tho Sioux outbj'cak, who was killed by Xcithan Lampson and his son near IIu f-chinson. I submit to your coui-idera- tion whether the brave men, who v^^ere instrumental in rid- ding the earth of ihib monster, and who huve l)cen reduced to penury by tho Iniliaii raid, are not entitled to some re- ward commensurate with the service rendered. It may be hoped that the disastrous rcftult of this incur- sion will ju-event anything of tho kind in future. But it would be dangerous and foolhardy, to act, upon any tiich presumjjtion. TJie fact that seveial thousand Indians ave congregated at points near our we tern bouutlary, to whom murder is glory and jiilago a nece.s.^ity, tiie facilities which in spite of ordinary mibiary precautious tlie innnenso extent of our frontier aiibrds for tJudden and secret descenrs upon our settlements, and the incalculable mibcluef wliich even one desperate miscreant lurking in the v,oods and grass can inllict, warn us to omit or relax no preparations which liave been found necessary for the protection of the exposed dis- M *T"i| ;(;• '''"!l M 1 ' f ' 1 Mi, t !■ 22 governor's AIISSAOI. .ill tricts. The counsels and experience of the able and ener- getic soldier who is to succeed me, will prove of inestimable service to the State, in providing for the exigencies of the frontier, and to him I gladly remit the subject. In this connection, I may be permitted to suggest the pro- priety of building a State Armory. The history of the past two years has demonstrated the necessity, particularly in a border State, of a permanent repository of State arms, and it can hardly be questioned that it would be better economy to erect a building for the purpose, than to continue the ex travagant rent we are now paying for an inconvenient auii unsafe place, I may here mention that the State Historical Society has ofl'ered to convey to the State, for that . ii,|ose, the excellent site, and the foundation of the luilding they once designed erecting near the Capitol, on ondition of re- serving a room for their own use. The proposition is sub- mitted to your favorable consideration. During the past year, the people of the South-western part of the State were relieved from a constant source of vexa- tion and anxiety, und an important step was taken to secure the peace and | robperity of that part of the State, by the re- moval of the Winn bago Indians, who, with the remnant of the Sioux, were taken to new reservations on the Missouri. The residue of the condemned Sioux were taken in the spring to Kock Island, where these viijlaters and nmrderers of our women and children are now being fed and housed, in comfort and safety, by the Government. In the fall, an important Treaty was concluded by Senator Rarase)', with the Ued Lake and [*■ nil>ina bands of Chippe- was, by whicli tl i' Indian title wjih < rv^iicyuiBhed to some 10,000 square miles of Territory. ' 'ii's^v; ig the j^v.iierican valley of the lied Iliver, and leaving but a small, and to white men, worthless fragment of land now owned by In- dians in this State. J3y this Treaty another prolilic source of Indian diiiiculties lias been removed. The navigation ( < the Ilcvi iiiver, and the valuable and growing commerce with the Hudson Bay Company settlements, which passes over the ceded lands, have been freed from the obstructions Cii us I ener- Imable of the lie pro- be past rly in a 18, and conomy the ex ent iT-Uil ittorlcal ^)urpose, ing thoy on of re- n is snb- iern part of vexa- to secure )y the re- mnant of Missouri, ill in the lurderers housed, Senator Chippe- to some aierican 1, and to dby In- tic source avigation eoniraerce ich passes structions OOVEBNOB^S MESSAOE. §§ and dangers arising from the pretensions of these Indians to the ownership of tlie soil ; pretensions which have hereto- fore led to serious < predations and menaced grave distur- bances in the future. Congress last waiter passed au act providing for the par- tial compensation of tho sufferers by the Indian outbreak. The Chairman of the Commission appointed by the Presi- dent to examine and audit the claims of the sufferers, Hon. Cyrus Aldrich, informs me that the claims presented and filed up to September Ist, numbered 2,940, and amount- ed to $2,458,000. The awards of the commission on claims proved up and audited, amounted to $1,370,374, of which $200,000, the sum already appropriated by Congress, has been paid out to some 1,300 sufferers deemed entitled to immediate relief. Although the commission has been indefatigii^le in its ar- duous labors, the work is not yet completed, l-ut this state- ment reveals the extent of the actual depredations commit- ted by the Indians on property alone, though falling far short of exhibiting the indirect suffering and loss occasioned by the outbreak. That portion of Minnesota which borders on Lake Supe- rior, embracing the counties of Carlton, St. Louis and Lake, abounds in precious ores, and has interests peculiar to itself which deserve the fostering care of the Legislature. Mining companies are operating there with good prospects of suc- cess. In the last apportionment, these counties were grouped with Stearns, Morrison, etc., on the Upper Mississippi, to form the Third District, which sends one Senator and three Representatives. The great preponderance of tbo latter in population, deprives the former of any representation iVom their own citizens in the Legislature, and their geograpliical isolation from the rest of the District, prevents their partici- pating intelligently in elections, whiie the votes they cast are sometimes received at the senior county, too late to be counted. It is a matter of importance to the State, as well as to the population of this locality, that the immediate and peculiar interests of that vast and rich mineral and lumber -I r 1. ' ■ if m ii' m r\- u governor's JIE89AGE. region, should bo represented in your counsels by some Oiio well and personail}'^ acquainted with the local geography, and physical t'ormation and resources of the country. I submit to yon wliotiicr any relief can bo alibrded by your legislation in the premises. No astronomical observations have ever been taken to de- termine the latitude and lon>;ita(le of St. Paul, and its ex- :ict geograj^hical jiosition has never been ascertained nor correctly given in publislied maps. It is time that a point so interesting to science, concerning the frontier city of the North-west sliould be established. Colonel J. 1>. Graham, of the United States Engineer Corps, stationed at Detroit, Michigan, gou'U'ously (^jfcrs to visit this city with two abhistant^, for the purp(»se of nuiking the observations necessary to obtain the information, upon the payment of their actual traveling exjiensea, wliich cannot be charged to the United States. 1 recommend an tt]>propria- tion for the purpose. I deem it lu^t only proper for mo, but my duty to recom- mend that you increase the com])en8atlon now allowed by law to your Governor and Commander-in-Cyhief. The otlice is one at all tinu^s attended with heavy cares and responsibili- ties, and, in a cri-is like this, with much labor. The best talent and the piirest integrity will iind ample scope for exercise in the laithfnl discharge of its duties. The present Hilary, at the tiine it was lixed, was i)erha])3 snllicient for an iiicnndient who lived at the capital, and wan not coui- ])olled to incur tho expense; of changing liis residence, and renting a house in which to dirfpense fitting hospitjdities. In these times, however, it would not be ade(piate for the 8Ui>})ort of an ordinary family under lik i circnmrttanccR, mneh le-s for one eompello(4 to remove hither fn-m some other ))ortion of the State. The i)eople have alreiidy com- niencc'd to select this 'jtlicer ontsi.lo of the c;»|iit;il district, and at the pri'^ent pri<'eH of rent and rates of living in St, l*anl, tluf Kalnry how [nv'\ in State warranto, whieh ho is compelled to dispose of at a discount, is nut more than half It I governor's message. 25 sufficient for his support, in the style in which the Chief Magistrate of the State is expected and ought to live. I do not consider it desirable that the compensation should be so increased as to render it possible for the office to be sought as a means of making money, but most assur- edly, the Governor of this State ought not to be compelled to engage a portion of his time in some trade or protbssion or draw upon private resources to eke out an insufficient salary, and detray his actual expenses while devoting his time to the service of the State. The people of Minnesota are not parsimonious nor mean ; and while they would cen- sure extravagance, they desire you to be liberal and gener- ous, and 1 do not entertain a doubt that they m^H sustain your action in so amending the law which establishes the Governor's salary, that the poorest man in the State can af- ford to accept the office. It will be evident, also, upon glancing at the com])rehen- sive re])ort of the Adjutant General, showing the many and onerous duties thrown upon that otHccr, that a salary which would be considered only moderate for the performance of merely clerical labor, is not sufficient to reward the industry and capacity absolutely re([uired of the incumbent of that position now so ably tilled. I therefore recommend nn in- crease of his salary, at least during the continuance of our national and frontier troubles. Under the militia law, forty regimental and battalion dis- tricts have been formed, and all have been fully cu' to a great extent organized. The provisions for enforcing the military law as well as the plan of orgiinization, seem to be in some measure defective, and in order to establish an available force, it may bo necessary for the JiCgisliiture to make some amendments to the existing statute upon that subject. The honor and safety of the country, as wi>il as the ref|uireiiients of tlie Gonstitution of the United States, • lemaiid that the militia shouki be a force not merely in name but in reality. The i)ast year has added new lustre to the achievements of 4 It: ■ '' '1 \M ';' il •tl:!* i. ! 26 GOVETTNORS MESS AG K. our troops. On nearly every important battle field of the war, their graves are strewn to mark the glorious share of Min- nesota in the progressive triumphs of the Union cause. For the special history and statistics of each regiment, and a complete statement of all matters referring to the Military Department of the State, I refer to the report of the Adju- tant General. During the past as in the preceeding year, agents have been sent tt. visit our sick and wounded soldiers in the va- rious hospitals of the country, and furnish them with such comforts and assistance as they might retpiire. In June, 18C2, my predecessor appointed liobert R. Cor- son, of Philadelphia, as an agent for the State to visit and minister to the necessities of our Minnesota sick and wound- ed soldiers in that city, and he continued to render this ser- vice until in Se])tember, 1SG3, when ho presented his claim for payment. No money having been appropriated for the purpose, and no salary agreed upon, I now refer the claim to your consideration. After the battle of Gettysburg and the wounded of our immortal First were transferred to the h(»Bpital9 of Philadelphia, the Kev. E. D. Keill, formerly Chaplain of that regiment, and now residing in that city, generously volunteered to look after their wants and comforts, and to disburse all funds, and distribute all articles furnished him by the State or individiuils for their use. Through the Uev. ]>. V. Crary, who visited the Southern liospitalson behalf (»f the State, 1 have engaged N. P,P>ennett to act as agent at St. Jiouis, and G. E. J)civenport at Memphis. 1 would urgently reconiinend the exteni^ion of a system which, at (•'•niparatively trilling expense does so much to asHuage the hardnliip^i, and bind up the woumls of war, with the gentle ministrations of pers(»nal Hymi»athy. The State can t(-.^tily her gratitu'le to the brave men M'ho have gone forth to battle under Ik r star, in no ft»rni so grateful to the Roldier, us by this pniclical assurance, that ho does not languish on his bed of hiekncss and ))ain, uneared for, or forgotten. And It is because the State of Minnesota claims it as a sacreil privilege, to watcii as an evei present governor's message. S7 J war, Min- . For and a ilitary Adju- a have Lhe va- il such R. Cor- isit and wound- ;hi8 aer- 18 claim . for the 10 claim urg and to the brmerly lat city, omtbrts, iruished M)nthorn ]]cnnett cniphis. Hystom mneh to r war, y. The ho Imvo tfi-iitcful ic (-U>«8 iut'il tor, iniicBota 1 present h friend over each and all of her ten thousand heroes, through all the dread vicissitudes of camp and battle field, and hos- pital, and to cherish as her own, the honorable fame that glows in the ashes of her dead, and crowns the brows of her living warriors, that she has selected as her Chief Magistrate one of their own number, a tried and gallant veteran, who is familiar with all their wants and aspirations, and knows how to soften the rugged lot of the soldier, with the kind- ness and sympathy of the comrade. In the month of November I obtained by personal ap- plication, the consent of the Secretary of "War to establish a hospital at Winona, for the invalid soldiers of Minnesota, knowing that the invigorating air of our climate would fa- cilitate their recovery and save many precious and valuable lives to their families and their country. I regret to say that this consent was subsequently reconsidered, upon rep- resentations of the Surgeon General that the locality was difficult of access during the winter. I invite your favorable attention to the suggestion of the Adjutant General that an agent be appointed by the State to collect, free of expense to the claimants, such bounties, ar- rears of pay, and pensions as may be due to our soldiers or their relatives. The plan has been adopted by other States, and we should be behind none in rendering every aid to those who iiavo sufiered for us in this terrible contest. Though the admirable working of the allotment system, under the superintendence of the State Treasurer, secures to the friends of the soldier at home the pittance which he is able to transmit to them, you will regret t«) learn from him, that great destitution prevails among the tamilies of our bravo men, ami 1 trust that some etlieicnt measures may be devised and r '<»pted for their relief. 1 would suggest that Minnesota should follow the exam- ple ot other States in ollbring a bounty to her soldiers in the tield who have re-enlisted or imiy re enlist. It is pre- sumed that State pride will prevent any of our veterans froui being ''bought with a price " by other States which ure able to oiler u larger bounty than we can pa>', yet the i 'm "I '■] m I I S8 governor's ME39AGE. 3 siiine pride should induce us to give to our utmost ability, aud by so doing as a State, the burden falls more equally upon the people, than when private and local subscriptions and donations are drawn from the liberal and patriotic only. I call the attention of the Legislature to the Jleports of the State Auditor aud Attorney General, recommending a con- tin »;ent fund for the latter office. The efficient defense of the right of the State in the seve- ral courts, and especially with reference to the important interests connected with the public lauds, renders this pro- vision indispensable. A Militia Contingent Fund for the coming year will also be necessary, and 1 recommend that the sum of $10,000 as suggested by tho Adjutant General, be appropriated for that purpose. On the second and third of July, the first of the gallant regimonts which Minnesota has sent to the iield — that regi- ment which already luis tlie names of twenty battles written upuii its standard — to(^k a prominent part in one of the tiercust stiuggles of the war. Of the 'S'M men of the First Minnesota wlio laid survived the disasters and triumphs of the Virginia campaigns from JJull liun t(.» Chancellorsville, to plunge again with its shattered ranks and bullet-riddled flag into tlie vortex of the conflict at (Jettysburg, but ninety- two emerged unharmed from the smoke and glorious issue of the struggle. One hundred and si'venty five were wounded and tifty-one more were atlded to the immortal roll of its dead heroes, to lind a sepulchre with over twenty-one hun- dred other brave men from other States, in the cemetery where they fell. The (iovernor of Pennsylvania, Andrew G. Curtin, con- ceived tin- n(»ltle idea of uniting the States whose sons had fallen in this great battle, in the ownersiii}) and guardian- ship of the gntuiid consecrated l>y their l)Ku)d, (»f gatlmring here tlic sacred renuiins of the dead In lotn api>ropriated to each State, and of cr»mmemorating their comnutn glory in a monument inscribed with the names (d" the fallen. The ag- gregate expense, it was stipulated, whould not e.xcoed !^35,- GOVEENORS MESSAGE. 29 ability, equally jriptions tic only. •t8 of the ig a con- the Beve- nportant this pro- will also 10,000 as (1 tor that le gallant that regi- 38 written 10 of the the First uniphfl of llorsvillo, et-riddled ut ninety- vis isbiio of wounded roll of its one hun- ! ceiuetery irtin, con- Bons had mmrdiaii- ;j;iltluM'illg tpriiited to •rlory in a ^ Tiio ag- Lceed !^35,- l 000, but the estimates have since increased it to $63,500, to be divided among the States interested, in the ratio of their representation in Congress. I did not hesitate to accept at once in your behalf, a proposition which insured to the brave dead of Minnesota, a shrine safe from profanation, and me- mentoes worthy of their fiinie. The Soldier's National Cemetery of Gettysburg was dedicated with titling ceremo- nies, on the lyth of November last. '* The share of Minnesota in the common fund as now esti- mated, will be $830, for which, confident of your approval of my action in the premises, I ask the necessary appropri- ation. ^ Under the able and energetic administration of ray pre- decessor, Minnesota had sent into the field ten Kegiments of Infantry numbering 0,053 men, with artillery, cavalry and sharpshooters, comprising G71 men more; in all 9,275 three years men, and a lleginieiit of 1,218 Mounted Rang- ers, making 10,943 men, besides a considerable number of recruits for all these organizations. Since my assumption of office, a new call has been made upon the State for her quota of 300,000 men for the old regiments, fixed at one-fifth of the enrolled men of the first class, under the "Act for enrolling and calling out the na- tional forces." Our debt under that call was about 1,300 men, and to cancel it with as little burden as possible to the people of an exposed frontier State, I proposed to the Pree- ident to raise a regiment of cavalry to be mustered into the United States service, and to be employed in protecting our i>orderfroni hostile Indiaj's. My i'e(iuestwasgranted,and eve- ry facility has been rendered l)y the government to aid in ac- conq)lishingthe object, that could be d'-'^ired. The time for raising the regiment, at first limited to the 25th ot October, WHS, together with the time for the draft for the deficiency, extended to the 9th of Noveiul)er, and afterwardis, at my urgent Kolifitation, to the 5th of January, the time fixed by the President in his rroclamntion of 17th October, calling tor 300,(iUO more volunteers, for drafting the number that tihould bo lacking of our quota under that call, at that date. •^t M : ■