Mr. Ross offered a joint resolution entitled, "Joint resolution in respect to the memory of the late Senator John W. Hall," Which, on his motion, was read, And, on his further motion, Was, by a rising vote, Ordered to the House for concurrence. Unanimously adopted. Mr. Layton, Clerk of the House, being admitted, informed the Senate that the House had concurred in the Senate joint resolution entitled, "Joint resolution appointing a joint committee of both houses to wait upon the Governor and inform him that the two houses of the General Assembly are organized and ready to receive any communication he might see proper to make," And that the members of the committee appointed on the part of the House were Messrs. Dasey, Kenney and Watkins. Mr. Layton, Clerk of the House, being admitted, informed the Senate that the House had adopted and requested the concurrence of the Senate in a joint resolution entitled, "Joint resolution in relation to adjournment," And presented the same to the Senate. On motion of Mr. Ross, the House joint resolution entitled, "Joint resolution in relation to adjournment," Was read, And, on his further motion, was Concurred in. Ordered that the House be informed thereof and the joint resolution returned to that body. David T. Marvel, Esq., Secretary of State, being_admitted, presented to the Senate the biennial message of His Excellency the Governor, together with sundry accompanying documents, viz : Report of the State Treasurer; President of State Board of Education; Trustees of State Hospital, at Farnhurst; President of Board of Trustees of College for Colored Students; Adjutant General; World's Fair Commission; State Board of Health; State Chemist; Papers in relation to Fire Waste; and A list of Reprieves and Pardons granted by the Governor and the reasons therefor; And requested that the same be transmitted to the House. On motion, the Senate took a recess until 2 o'clock, p. m. SAME DAY, 2 o'clock, p. m. Senate reassembled at the expiration of the recess. On motion of Mr. Ross, the message of His Excellency, the Governor, was read, as follows: Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives: You have assembled for the transaction of such business as may be necessary to the welfare of the people whom you represent. Within the domain of legislative authority your will is supreme. The duty of the Executive in respect to legislation is merely advisory, as he can only make such recommendations or suggestions as he may deem expedient. Upon you devolves a grave responsibility, and it behooves you to proceed with the utmost caution in the execution of the public trust committed to your custody. Your action during this session of the General Assembly will provoke praise or censure as it approaches to or recedes from the principles of right and justice. The promotion of the common good should be the sole aim of your patient endeavors, and any proposed legislation that will not be conducive to that end should receive your prompt and emphatic condemnation. You bear your commissions from a brave, honest, intelligent and sturdy people, which should inspire you with a determination to execute their will in a fearless and faithful manner. The acceptance or rejection of any measure that may be submitted for your consideration should be preceded by the most careful thought and analysis, so that your action in that respect shall command the sanction of the public conscience. Hasty legislation is one of the growing evils of legislative bodies, and should be studiously avoided. In order that no ill-advised laws may creep into the body of our statutes, you should proceed at once to the consideration of those subjects which concern the public, and to which your attention has in some degree been already invited. It is a common fault with legislative bodies to defer the most important subjects for their consideration to the last of the session and then dispose of them in scenes of hurry and confusion. Most of the uncertainty as to the meaning of statutes, and their incongruities, may be traced to this source. No measure should be passed and allowed to become a law until it has been fully considered and clearly understood. To this end your committees, which will be charged with the duty of formulating and investigating bills of a public nature, should begin their work without delay. This would save you from the annoyance of either having to defeat or rush through your respective bodies measures without the thought their importance deserves, and the public many times from the vexatious consequences of crude and imperfect laws, and will also save you from the criticism of unduly protracting your session and unnecessarily increasing the expense. There is no reason why the last days of the session should be crowded with business requiring your attention if, at the beginning thereof, you would promptly address yourselves to the performance of your several duties. With these prefatory remarks, I will now, in accordance with the precedents of my official duty, lay before you a review of the public events of the last two years which have a bearing upon the interest and welfare of the people of Delaware, and also to connect therewith certain recommendations which are submitted for your consideration and favorable action. FINANCES. The financial condition of the State continues to maintain the healthful and gratifying position which intelligent, frugal and honest administration of its resources has served to establish. The report of the State Treasurer is herewith submitted, which exhibits in detail the operations of his department. The most important feature therein is the reduction of the debt of the Junction and Breakwater Railroad to the State from $400,000 to $185,000, and the consequent reduction of our interest-bearing debt of $215,000. Each reduction of our public debt results in a relief to the tax-payers, and the gratifying condition is reported of an excess of State assets over all State liabilities of $347,092, as is shown by the following statement: ASSETS. Investments, benefit of General Fund. 1,275 shares of Farmers' Bank stock, at $60 per share, 20 shares National Bank of Delaware stock, at $780 per share, Mortgage on the Junction and Breakwater Railroad Mortgage on the Breakwater and Frankford Railroad Company, at 3 %, .. Mortgage on Troop B Armory, at 3 %, $ 76.500.00 15,600.00 185,000.00 200,000.00 10,000.00 $ 487,100.00 Investments, benefit of School Fund. 5,000 shares Farmers' Bank stock, at $36 per share, $ 180,000.00 2,439 shares Farmers' Bank stock, at $60 per share, 37 shares National Bank of Delaware stock, at $780 per share,. Amount carried forward, 146,340.00 Amount brought forward, 114 shares National Bank of Smyrna stock, at $70 per share, 254 shares Union National Bank stock, at $78 per share, One bond State of Delaware, at 6 %, One bond Sussex County, at 6 %, 120 bonds, $1000 each, issue of 1885, payable June 1st, 1905, at 4 % interest, . . 250 bonds, $1000 each, issue of 1887, payable June 1st, 1907, at 3 % interest, $355,200.00 7,980.00 19,812.00 156,750.00 5,000.00 $1,031,842.00 $120,000.00 250,000.00 One bond, due School Fund, issued in 1881, payable July 1st, 1906, at 6 % interest, 156,750.00 Certificate of indebtedness to Delaware College, at 6% interest, . . 83,000.00 75,000.00 75 bonds, $1000 each, issue of 1891, payable July Ist, 1901, at 4 % interest, Total liabilities,. Credits from general fund, . $ 684,750.00 Credits from school fund, . $ 487,100.00 544,742.00 Total amount of credits, general and school fund, . $1,031,842.00 Total amount of liabilities, . Assets exceed liabilities, 684,750.00 $ 347,092.00 The credit of the State being thus placed in the front rank, the lowest rate of interest is paid upon our public obligations, and a sense of security is diffused into the private transactions of the people throughout the community, making the means easier of borrowing at lesser rates, and inviting capital to invest within our borders. The lowest rate of interest always follows the best security, and abundant capital inures to the benefit of the bor |