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MESSAGE.

Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives :

It is a pleasing duty to mark the progress of the noble State of which we are citizens; its increase in population, and growth in material wealth and prosperity, which have been steady and substantial.

The first census of Michigan, as a State, made by the general government, was that of 1840, at which time it was the twenty-third State of the Union in point of population, and contained 212,267 inhabitants.

The second was in 1850, when the State, having gained 185,387, ranked twentieth, and numbered 397,654.

In 1860, with a gain of 351,437, the population numbered 749,113, and the State claimed the sixteenth place.

The fourth census was in 1870, when the population was found to be 1,184,059, an advance of 434,946 in the last decade, making Michigan thirteenth in the rank of States.

The growth of Michigan in material wealth has fully kept pace with the increase of its population. The assessed valuation of real and personal property in 1840 was $37,833,024.13. The valuations, as equalized by the State Board, were: in 1851, $120,362,474.35; in 1856, $137,663,000; in 1861, $172,055,808.89; in 1866, $307,965,842.92; and in 1871, $630,000,000.

The representation of the State in the lower branch of the National Legislature, has advanced as follows: From 1836 to 1843 we had but one member; from 1843 to 1853, three; from 1853 to 1863, four; from 1863 to the present time, six; and under the recent act of Congress, making a new apportionment

according to the ninth census, Michigan is entitled to nine members of the House of Representatives.

The apportionment of the State into Congressional districts is a most important duty. It is required that the districts be composed of contiguous territory, and, as nearly as practicable of the same number of inhabitants. Due regard, however, should be had to the fact that the growth of population will be more rapid and much greater in some of the districts than in others. I bespeak for this duty that careful consideration required by the magnitude of the interests involved.

Pursuant to the provisions of Act No. 67, Session Laws of 1871, the Board of State Building Commissioners prepared plans, and solicited designs and estimates, for a building for the use of the several State departments during the construction of the new Capitol. The building was put under contract to the lowest bidder, has been completed, and is now occupied for the use of the Supreme Court, the State Library, and other purposes for which it was designed. The edifice is convenient in its arrangements and has been completed at a cost of $30,693.94, exceeding the appropriation in the sum of $693.94. The entire building, including furnaces and sidewalks, was placed under contract and would have been completed at a cost within the appropriation; but after full consultation with the State officers, it was determined that the security of the vault of the State Treasurer was of such importance as to require a larger expenditure than had been allowed for that purpose. And I recommend an appropriation for the additional amount thus expended.

By the same act it was made the duty of the Board to procure plans, specifications, and estimates for a New Capitol, not to cost over one million of dollars. The Commissioners were authorized to proceed to the erection of a building in accordance with such plans as might be adopted, but with the proviso,

that no contract should be entered into involving an expenditure of more than the one hundred thousand dollars then appropriated; future contracts were prohibited except as appropriations might be made for that purpose.

The duty committed to this Board is one of much importance and of great responsibility. We must have a Capitol, properly arranged for the accommodation and convenient use of the Legislature, the courts, and all other departments of the State government; with a sufficiency of room, not only for present but for future wants.

To secure the construction of an edifice of the most substantial character, in the most economical manner, with due regard to proper architectural proportions and pleasing appearance; with proper provision for suitably lighting and heating, and for necessary ventilation; with a sum of money much less than usually devoted to such a purpose, and yet to have such a Capitol as Michigan should have for a century to come, has required, and will continue to demand until its completion, the most careful attention, much time and labor.

A pamphlet, containing instructions for the guidance of architects, having been prepared, the Board advertised for designs, in the papers of Lansing, Detroit, Chicago, and New York. Twenty were received for consideration. After care

ful examination, the first premium offered by the Legislature was awarded to Mr. Elijah E. Myers of Springfield, Illinois; the second to P. H. Decker; the third to Edward E. Jenison. Before accepting any, however, the Board took the precaution to employ two experts of large experience in the construction of public buildings, to make careful estimates as to the probable cost of a building constructed in accordance with each of these three, as well as several of the other designs. The architects' estimate for the cost of the Capitol upon the plan adopted is one million seventy thousand three hundred and forty-five dollars.

It is the opinion of the experts who were employed, that it

can be completed for a sum not exceeding eleven hundred thousand dollars, provided the whole work can be advertised and let under one contract.

After careful examination, and consultation with experienced architects and builders, in our own and other States, the Commissioners are of the opinion that a much better building can be obtained and a large amount of money saved by contracting for the whole work at one time. In this opinion I fully conThe cost of machinery and other appliances necessary for the economical construction of so large and expensive an edifice, would be such as no responsible contractor would be willing to expend for a small portion of the building only. If the whole is offered at one time, experienced and responsible builders at home and from abroad, will compete for the work; but, if let in sections from year to year, for several years, the advantages of such competition will be lost, bids will be obtained from a small number only, and those of little experience in work of this character and magnitude.

In this connection it will be asked, Can the means be provided by the Legislature at its present session-to be expended within a proper limit of time-without jeoparding the payment of the funded debt of the State, at its maturity; or necessary appropriations for our several State institutions; or without imposing upon the people a heavy burden of taxation?

Having made careful estimates of the receipts and expenditures of the State government, for each of the years 1872-7374-75-76-77, and '78, during which period more than a million of dollars of our State bonds will become due, I am quite satisfied that, with an aggregate State tax for 1872, of one and one-third mill on the dollar, and but one mill on the dollar annually thereafter, the bonded debt of the State can be paid at its maturity, all necessary appropriations be made for each of the State institutions, and the new Capitol completed and paid for within six years from January, 1872. That you may the more readily judge of the correctness of this opinion, aud

that the prosperous condition of our State affairs may be understood by the people, I have prepared, to be placed before you, tables of estimated receipts and expenditures for the period above named.

Fully convinced, as I am, that the best interests of the State will be promoted by an early completion of the new Capitol, I respectfully recommend that the law be so amended as to authorize the Board to advertise for proposals for the whole work, to be completed within six years from January of the present year, at a cost not to exceed twelve hundred thousand dollars, including employment of architect, superintendence, and other necessary expenses.

For the accomplishment of this object, I recommend an appropriation of two hundred thousand dollars annually, for each of the years 1873-4-5 and 6, and three hundred thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, for 1877; and that the Auditor General be directed to incorporate these sums with the State tax for the years 1872-3-4-5 and 1876.

Ample provisions having been made for the payment of the funded debt of the State, by setting apart some of the trust fund receipts, and such portion of the specific taxes as may not be required for the payment of interest on the public debt, there is no longer a necessity for the one-eighth mill tax to constitute a sinking fund. Leaving this off, the State tax will be reduced seventy-eight thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars. ($78,750.)

I therefore recommend the repeal of Section 4, Act No. 122, Laws of 1861, and Section 5 of the same Act as amended by Act No. 134, Laws of 1863, and by Act No. 309, Laws of 1865.

The receipts from specific taxes set apart by the Constitution for the payment of interest and principal of the State debt, have become so large as to do away with the necessity

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