Democratic Sentinel, Volume 1, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 January 1878 — THE SHIP OF STATE. [ARTICLE]

THE SHIP OF STATE.

Legislatures in Session—Their Political Complexion—Executive Messages, State Finances, Etc. The Legislatures of New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maine, Maryland, Ohio, Massachusetts, California, New Jersey, Kentucky, lowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Connecticut, Louisiana and Mississippi are now in session, and the messages of their respective Executives have been delivered. We present below figures showing the political status of the several Legislatures, together with a statement of the finances of the States, as gleaned from the Governors’ messages: New York.— Senate, 19 Republicans and 13 Democrats ; House, 66 Republicans, 61 Democrats, 1 Independent; Republican majority on joint ballot, 10. Gov. Robinson’s message shows the total debt of the State, after applying the sinking fund, to be $8,707,663. The actual reduction of the debt during the year by cancellation is $12,358,843. The bounty debt has been finally extinguished. The gross canal tolls for the year were SBBO,OOO, a lower amount of receipts than has been known for forty-five years. The Legislature is urged to take a strict account of life-insurance companies and savings banks, and hold them to exact accountability. The Governor favors tho resumption of specie payments Jan. 1, 1879. Virginia. —Senate, 28 Democrats, 4 Republicans, 1 Independent; House, 102 Democrats, 9 Republicans, 21 Independents; Democratic majority on joint ballot, 95. The new Governor, F. W. Holliday, in his inaugural address, takes the strongest grounds for the maintenance of the State’s credit, making points that the debt was created to provide improvements which the State now possesses, and from which it daily derives profit; that the war effected no change in the relations between the State and its creditors ; that no one questions tho obligations of the debt, and the laws under which it was created, in the benefits conferred on the State by the property its proceeds bought, and that the General Assembly should direct its utmost efforts to the question how to pay. He denounces the course of those who seem to strive how not to pay. Pennsylvania. —Senate, 31 Republicans and 19 Democrats ; Honse, 119 Republicans and 82 Democrats; Republican majority on joint ballot, 49. Gov. Hartranft’s message shows the State debt to be $22,943,814. The July riots cost the Stato $500,000, and there is a deficit in the year’s receipts of nearly $1,000,000, for which the Governor recommends that provision be made by the diversion of the sinking fund into the general fund, and by the strictest economy in all departments of the State Government,. The Governor declares in favor of a national postal savings bank, Maine. —Senate, 27 Republicans, 4 Democrats ; House, 97 Republicans, 52 Democrats, 1 Greenbacker, 1 Independent; Republican majority on joint baßot, 66. Gov. Connor’s message is devoted almost exclusively to local and State matters. He deprecates the passage of the Silver bill, and urges the stimulation of agricultural pursuits as one of the most important factors in the prosperity of the State. The savings-bank of the State have deposits of $25,092,872—a decrease of $1,633,298. Maryland. —Senate, 17 Democrats, 7 Republicans, 2 Independents; House, 65 Democrats, 19 Republicans ; Democratic majority in joint ballot, 54. The Governor’s message shows that the net debt of the State for which interest must be provided is $6,396,'322. Ohio. —Senate, 25 Democrats, 10 Republicans ; House, 66 Democrats, 41 Republicans, 3 Nationals ; Democratic majority on joint ballot, 37. Gov. Young’s message shows among other things that $5,000 has been paid on the State debt during the past year, and the funded debt now outstanding is $6,479,505. "The total indebtedness aggregates $39,328,569, and the irreducible debt is $4,231,404, making the grand aggregate debt of the State $50,030,478. The total of the taxes levied in 1877 collectible in 1878 is $29,527,749. A recommendation is made that a law be passed to temporarily restore the levy for State tax to mills, and that the same remediate legislation be had to enforce uniformity and equity in taxing property according to its true value in money. Massachusetts. —Senate, 35 Republicans, 5 Democrats ; House, 171 Republicans, 74 Democrats; Republican majority on joint ballot, 132. Gov. Rice, in his message, recommends the constitutional amendments to prolong the tenure of the executive and legislative officers of the Government, and also recommends biennial sessions of the Legislature. The amount of the State debt Jan. 1, 1878, was $33,550,464 — a reduction during 1877 of $330,000. California. —Senate. 28 Democrats, 11 Republicans, 1 Independent; House, 54 Democrats, 24 Republicans, 2 Independents ; Democratic majority on joint ballot, 46. We have seen no report of the Governor’s message. New Jersey. —Senate, 12 Democrats, 9 Republicans ; Honse, 33 Democrats, 27 Republicans ; Democratic majority on joint ballot, 9. The Governor’s message shows the State finances to be in good condition. He says : I anticipate no embarrassment in confining the ordinary State tax to 1 mill. That rate will produce $568,250, which will be the only revenue raised directly from the people for ordinary expenditure. The net earnings of the State prison last year were $12,129. The whole expense of the State on account of the riots was $55,000. Kentucky. —Senate, 32 Democrats, 6 Republicans ; House, 89 Democrats, 11 Republicans ; Democratic majority on joint ballot, 104. We have not seen the Executive message. Wisconsin. —Senate, 21 Republicans, 12 Democrats ; House, 48 Republicans, 42 Democrats, 7 Greenbackers, 1 Socialist; Republican majority on joint ballot, 7. From the message of the incoming Gov. Smith we learn that “ the State indebtedness remains as at the close of the preceding fiscal year, and is represented by bonds outstanding, $14,000 ; currency certificates, $57 : certificates of indebtedness to trust funds, $2,238,000 ; total, $2,252,057. In addition to tbis, the Secretary of State reports the total indebtedness of the counties, cities, towns, villages and school districts in the State as amounting to $9,658,546.04, which, added to the State debt proper, makes the total public indebtedness of the people of Wisconsin $11,910,602.04 ; being somewhat less than 8% per cent, of the total assessed valuation.” lowa. Senate, 38 Republicans, 12 Democrats ; House, 73 Republicans, 25 Democrats, 2 Independents. Minnesota. —President of the Senate, ; Speaker of the House, C. A. Gilman. Both branches are largely Republican. The Governor’s message makes a flattering exhibit of the State’s finances. Connecticut.— The Legislature is Republican by a small majority. The Governor’s message is brief, and makes a favorable showing of the commonwealth’s finances. Louisiana. —The Democrats have a fair working ma jority in both branches of the Legislature. From Gov. Nicholls’ message we learn that the total consolidated interest-bear-ing debt is about $11,800,000. In consequence of the abstraction of the books from the Auditor’s office, it is impossible to learn the amount of the floating debt. The Governor takes a hopeful view of the future of the State. Mississippi. —The Legislature of Mississippi is largely Democratic in both branches. The message of Gov. Stone shows a very healthy condition of the State’s finances, and a decrease in taxation of 9 mills since 1874. The bonded debt is $680,500. The State warrants are at paiv The State’s charitable institutions and public schools are in a prosperous condition. Fashion Notes. Ball dresses of tulle have hummingbirds for trimmings. New portmonnaies have a place for a picture on the cover. The latest albums have a handle attached, by which they may be held. A pretty and new device for the toilettable is a bird cologne-holder. Whole toilet sets are shown in filigree silver, and are the prettiest things out. Orange blossoms for bridal dresses are perfumed with the essence of the flower. Punches <4 oyange blossoms are placed

on the instep of the satin shoes worn by brides. The newest reception dresses are made of the Duchess brocades, in either pale pink, blue, or cream color. A ribbon an inch and a half wide, around the waist, tied in a bow in front, is worn with the Princesse dress. Chinese and Japanese vie with each other for supremacy in decorations, almost to the exclusion of other styles. New photograph stands are in the shape of an open book held by a Cupid, the bookstand and Cupid all in gilt. White lace mittens are more stylish for evening wear than kid gloves; they afford an opportunity for a fine display of rings. —New York Tribune.