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lovEiitrt ffentknuit of OU Bmatt mi Btmm tf JUfft MMSHW I:J I The Gemral faMNrtljiliii1 li It* se*skm fleeted the dlUlngubhed dtUen who then oc cupied the afflee ol OovartK* to,tin Bwateof the UnftedBUMe, tMgtoitoMn tMgnsdUM office tb take efeet Ifebruarjr ficat, UTjwkm* the Bute, ud to You I till* wwpwi tVUVUIIUUlU* [Assembly the ecMMbu of iwiii—tfWch matter eel "mayde*»» expedient.'.' nme under circumstance# rather i UtSn thoeewhttU greettd jan* taore auspicious predecessors, although the bfetinlal term Mu had tts deep shsdowi a* veil aa Me bright The State ha* hem freer (ran tfe I scourge jur State ha* hem freer during, the term than for several pre and during the year Just closed It entirely disappeared, let a* bone permanently. Except in come parte of Souui eastern Iowa, the paat yev baa been one of bountiful crope ana wealth-bringing harvests. SSSSt VHIAKOBS. rtate The reports of the Auditor tad Treasurer of make, I regret to ear, a Terr nnsatisfac tory showing of the financial oonaition of the Bute. The fiscal term began with a balance in the general revenue of 13,114.88. pie re ceipts into the treasury daring the terfc were §1,963,470.65, and the expenditures #1,888,598. 75. Dedaeting the exoMe from the balance of two years KO, wehave #».» cash la general revenue. In the last biennial mesiifce of the Goveriior, he stated, on the Auditor's kuthort- ty, that there might rea*oa*biy be expected mutdgthe term, fLWM0)of rsoelpSa, te abet ,588,927 of epxenaHturns already provided for law, leaving 1408,078 to be used for special purposes. The appropriations made by the Sixteenth General Assembly overstepped this irgin to the extent at nearly 10001,00). The rahwasth^at thedoae olttefijcal tena sre were |3o7,778.81 of outstanding war nts. Deducting therefrom the cash Hi ire And the Btato wfth afioating debt of S ITS, which has *te£eibeen insraaaed on jtil it reached, on the fifth Instant, the enpr jnous amount of 1340,838.86, more tho #90,000 in excess of tbe constitutional limitation of in debtedness, to say nothing of tbe funded debt. This Is a condition of affairs without a paral lel in U»- history of the commonwealth. At the close of the previous term, the net floating Hebt was $30,890.87. The MhmonVrea1tb tiught not to set an example of dtlatorlness In tneeting Its obligations. Of all forms of iu debtnesa, that of a floating character is the most objectional. The uncertainty as to Its mount will invariably enter into any com ntatlon made by persons Contracting for sup lie*, material, or labor with tbe State. To remsve the present difficulty, and to avert Its recurrence, I look upon as the most important Vrork that will demand your attention. The funded debt of tne state Is comprised of W800,000irar aad defense bonds bonds, due Ju Jhr.1881, ami #3*.%0i#,l» ewtagto the school I by the various teintatlOM, cm: state war The Auditor estimates the receipts of the terra now begun at 12,803,000, and the expend itures for purposes contemplated bt east lag statues at sl,745,flflQ: the excess of receipts b£ tng 9tM0,SWi only a «Mie more than th» aim of Aha outstanding warrants. The legislature, almost every session lads it nscesaary to Increase to a greater er less extent the ordi nary ..expenditures of the State and It ii Hot lm,»rohable yon also will And such aottaa oeces a»ry- The amounts thus voted will rtnntillrtsn Absorb all the surplus to be derived from the present tax-levy. Of Course, If the genual assembly shall men that no new pnblHf bant ing* be commenced, nor greater acceleration* given to the completion of-those aow in pro cess of erection, the anticipated revenues of the present term will perhaps be sufficient for fell the ordinary ana established purposes bf the State Goverment, as well as to meet Its present unfunded Mahilities although late rest On warrants must continue to be paid for sev eral months to come. But I am of the opinion (lie general assembly will not be satisfied that the State's interests are to be subserved by failure to make suitable appropriations for "the •rection and completion of needed public buildings and for the maintenance of our char itable and educational institutions. If such be the case, means must he provided to meet the •nchanced expenditure that may be author jzed. and this can only be done by an increased levy, or by borrowing money. The latter iruuld seem to be nut out of the question un til *t least the debt shall have been brought Sri thin the constitutional limitation. In my 2 udmmeut experience has shown that the re luction of the maximum amount of the State evy, Ui iwo mills, made hv the Code, was an rror. The receipts from the tax levy at this ate, with Interest on taxes, will fall at leaet Ifty thousand dollars short of meeting the or i Unary expenses of the State, including the an ,j lual appropriation for tbe new c«pltof, leaving The other sources of revenue—tlis Insurance, ilietaies, the Insane dues, the fees A*., to make Hp the balance, and meet additional expendi ture' the State may undertake. The receipts from these Items during the past |wo years, ii«crei:ated $333,421.78. The gen ira! assembly has for several years appropri ated from Ii00,0») to 51)0,000 in excess of this •urn. Prior to the adoption of the Code, the Iwo and a-half mills did not much more than lncet an demands after the expenses of the war bail been reimbursed to the State. I am clear of the opinion that the maximum rate bould be iiu ruased and that it ought also to Hutthjently high to permit of at least half a [111 more for the levy Immediately preceding Ihe legislative session, than for the other of the Biennial period. ft I observe that our sister State of Illinois ad- fevenue usta its levies so as to raise one-third more for the legislative year than for the Other year of the term. In our own State, the expenses of legislative session, including the additional printing and binding,and the special Appropriations^ made to be pald immediately, SSFOUKI absorb "almost if not quite all of such 'Additional rate. Another suggestion has been made towards dosing the financial ohasm tefore us, which is to increase the gross valuation by legislative •get. That the present Is far beiow the real Valuation is Were doubled it issessedcoursemanifest.wouldButitraised'othty ould represent not more than the tonth, tak II the stats throiiehout. on the and, there are purls of the State where the and true valuations arealike orkearly •. Of these ooaM not be with out Injustice, aad it seem diScolt to dsk~q tke increase by law except uniformly. Again, it has been suggested that, iinmedlate y after the adjournment of the general a4 Ifcmhly, the Executive Council be required to Apportion among the counties, according to elf respective valuations, the sum necessary support the State government during the ro years, baaed upon the amounts autborhted -the general assembly, and that each ooanty all make proportionate payments at set times. This plan has undoubted nwrit. The fate iqunt to he raked would be taotrn with rea nable certainty, and then would be no un ually large accumulation of tends in the trsasury atone time. Whatever the gen eral assembly- may, detewlne to do, to my Sat ind it Is Indispensable to the State's credit the entire sarphit of the present year be voted to paying off the floating debt. In no dther way can that Incumbrance be removed. H'J For sdeh b»K Sc de"bt for the same time was |10,BM.71, and the 1st of October last to the 7th Inst Inclusive, #928,87J mora was paid, Several ousand dollars should ,s) so t» added to the 'e's expenditure* W nan of discount n'ia may afath- li rela Mttretl VJ the taxation ol tHipttk and companies, to a*!g1wrto* full amount at ttix levies, aad te ne aM baaldn( organliaHons, I MW iutn. Tnatthengimttoriincharg be fUB iiCftt of the Btatc levy has bew repeatedly mMnmended In the aawwi tt my tiredaeesaqfi, and I renew tbe same, nrmlt petfi|MM I MB that everryea^s experience eMffiWW denOMtratee the dnbtlriness Hke cbancter of the pnaent mode at keeping the reranue iws«t» wift «»e eoMUlM. The taeqttrittlse of the perauuil property valuatioM of tbe several cottattos emHreet to my nUlW the propriety at to adjnsuhg the. Statt't lev? reqom the etxtnttes to pay intd the State treasury only the tat on resiny, leaving the oomepondUK tax oo penonalty hi the county treasury. Tms would rest with each county the adjustment of Its personal property vatuatlons, wtthoot fear that they might be so high a* to work ttdustlce to Itself In comparison with other counties. The recommendation of the auditor for send- M)ner treasuries, to the detriment of business gener ally where the law which forbids its nse by treasurers is observed, and to the disregard of law and the debauching of official morality where It Is not. The transmission of funds to the State treas ury is a source of constant perplexity to the financial officers of the BUu In my Judg ment, matters would be very much simplified lithe State had a depoeltoix soma financial center, to which all draft* nfiftt be sent for collection, snd drafta nponwhleh Would always be at pas. The State shotUdbe at no expense on aceoant of transmUUnZftwdTto the treas urw each county canthe transfer on belter terms than tbe. State OHJ. I commend to your consMletmtlon tbe sug gestion of th« Treasurer pt Sft»te, that the small amfMnt of the swtnrp land Indemnity fund, which has been retained from some of the counties toward retmboning the Btate, on account of Its ootlav tn seenrtng the adjust ment of these claim#, be turned over to the counties severally. Many of the counties have received their full amounts of this money and of those which have not, it is difficult tb say how much the State agents furthered the ad justment of their claim*. ptmi.ic IAVT«. The report of the Register of the State land Office gives a concise and valuable history of the various land grants to the State for all pur poses, to which linVtte your attention, as well as to that officer's recommendation. In which I unite, that provision be made for confirmation of title, where lands are conveyed to persons who are subsequently ascertained to be de ceased at the time of conveyance and that tracts held as swamp lands, .Wit ascertained to be not such, may be certMia to railroad com panies entitled to them. Such lands have. In many cases, been sold bv the conlpanle* to set tlers who have Improvements thereon, and are »nvinn« to have their title* competed. Chapter 9A, of the Acts 4 lsn. Which con templated the completion of the McGregor n Miieouri Railway to a junction- with the Blonx City A St 'P*ql K. R-, has proved entirely in eflectual towards a«complls(lnf Its object. The lands thttibi jtranJed art, therefor*, again subjectto®? d^^ener^AsSt^ bly. The Stoox A railroad re mains oacompleted. TM tod«*ty has earned fire hund^ed seettaa of lan^ wweh amonnt gesttlS?steps be takrt ^ythteiSf7eral S semhlyto secure It* construction for the full length contemplated DJ the act oI Ormgress. FCMJO acaooLa. The sckool systecn of tke State, as ever, de mands your attenUon and fosteriag care. Tbe report of the superintendent of public Instruc tion exhibit* Its steady advancement equally with tbe growth of the State. I heartily agree with that officer la his able advocacy of a State Board of Examination, so as to give the nation of teaching what would practically be a legal recognition as a profesMen and In his recommendations in regard to text-books. Boards of directors only should be permitted to adopt or change text-books, and It should not be left to individual directors or teachers and I am well satisfied it would be wise to au thorise boards of directors to make purchase of school books for sale to pupils, or for loan to those unable to purchase. I invite particular attention to the superintendent's comments upon the looseness, not to use any stronger term, with which the financial business of many of the districts Is inanaeed. In one year, the large sum of $H2,2W.22 seems to have disap peared in the hands of district treasurers. I believe It to be largely attributable to the In competency of persons chosen to that office, rather than to any other cause. The superin tendent's recommendation that there be only one treasurer for each township is one I deem calculated to some extent to remedy tbe evil and the several treasurers should be required to adjust their accounts every year. It would be well. tno. I think, if the bond* of these offl c»»rs were security bonds, as the superintendent suggests, rather than penal bonds. One need less source of expenditure of school fund Is to he found In the increase of school districts, the consequent multiplication of school officers, and the enhanced amounts paid for compensa tion of secretaries and treasurers. 1 know of one wnshlp. which now divided Into Indepen dent districts, pays for the services of these officers more than live times as much as it did when it comprised only one district. lam in clined to think this to "be very frequently the case. MIMTA-HT. The present militia law, originally enacted during the war, contemplates the orgauizatlon of the entire militia of tlic State. This was found impracticable, even under the pressure of war, and is of no utility whatever now. I recommend its repeal, anil the enactment 111 iU stead of a law that will encourage those so disposed to organize themselves Into compa nies, regiments, and, if thought best, brigades and divisions. We have gome verv good mili tary companies at pre«cnt,but they have a constant struggle for existence, because of the small encouragement they receive from the State. They are even required to pay trans portation on arms and ammunition received from the Quartermaster-General, because of the Inadequacy of the amount allowed the offi cer for expenses of his department. In many States, a term of service In the active militia forever relieves one from jurv and road duty. At least this1 much should, think, be done here, and such other inducements held out as would facilitate the formation of military com panies. I Invite your attention to the surges NOBS of tbe Adjutant-Oeneral upon this and other topics* and would respectfully recom mend a large increase of the appropriation for the Quartermaster department Du ring the past summer, tbe country was greatly excited because of formidable attempts, originating with persons tn the employ of a railroad company in West Virginia, to arrest railroad traffic until certain demands had been complied with. These at tempt* spread until they assumed the nature of a general uprising. In many of the States, it Was found necessary to call out the military to suppress outbreaks, and in some even to In voke tne assistance if the Federal government, la oar ovn State, on some of the roads trains w*re prevented from moving and traffic im peded. I deemed It my duty to Issue a proc tarnation warning the nisagwirfd of the conse quenoea at unlawful action,and advising peace able adjustment of aH dHHctdUcs. I was re peatedly caOed tpon, uoodk Laity, tn can out military to suppress lawlessness, but In nc case did the local authorities admit their Inability 4 tomatatal*fatotkft.tlMlro*B Jurisdiction. To ttaead, how*ver, that tfcere mightb* as little, duty a* pos*IM»lli moWtWagnwemail mttl Uit fUius, IdlMcMdaawdertoieeMtocon •aandMta thranglMDt tt* Mat* te aqtify the unanheri of tMr oomauads to be prepared to rscetre arderwior active esrviee. Fortuaately, aa I have Indicated, nothing tether was na- tasft yean Atntrunt ana uspecmr^j ew-rai oi SeState.departtedthisW#. TO*W«t,olo» Injr as it «d a career of eiseedlag ifcefiflness, boQl art puWIc officer and nMW tMM, ex. dted CtbfWud regret thToWgllout the State, aed of great executive «MNy, of lm- to the w*r the rebellion, aad at aUMt' period the same characteristics enaMM hhn to So a great work for the relief of the destitu tion caused bv the grnehopper Invasion in the northwestern part of the Mate. Should the commonwealth again need the servt&s of ode of its cititens trailer similar circumstances, It will be fortunate Indeed If It shall be able to secure those of one at once so abIe,sodevoted, and so self-sacrificing. I am,reminded here of the suggestion made by the present Adjutant-General (hat Some of the Invaluable records which Gen. Baker caus ed to be made of the history of Iowa soldiers will need recopying, In order that they may be preserved for future use. I earnestly com mend action hereon. ST.ATS LIBRABT. The State Ubmry ha* received additions, during the term, of 1736 volumes, making an aggregate of 15, W, exclusive of pamphlets and dupHeates. The additions are valuable, aad the law-library la now considered one of the moat complete in the United 8tates. It give* me great pleasure to bear tribute to the fidelity and ability with which the librarian discharges her responsible duties. MMI rrm.rc The fiscal term closing one month earlier than heretofore enabled the State printer to get a much larger number of the Institution reports In type, than heretofore and some of them hate oeen transmitted to the members elect of the general a**etohly at their homes. To these report* you are respectfully referred for a statement of the condition anfl needs of tbe various Institutions. I deem it proper, however, to call attention to some matters of special interest contacted therewith:. TH» C1HTKB8ITT.' The tlmehas fully come, in myjudgment when, this, our first educational Institution should have permanent annual allowance to supplement Its revenue from investments and other sources. This, tt is estimated, will amount' to fc&OMMQ for the year ending June 30, 1878. The appropriations made bv the Board of Regents for the same period amount to •50,800, the deficiency being met by moneys heretofore appropriated, but yet to come from the State treasury. The re port of the Board of Regents states for what objects the appropriations are made, and an Inspection of tne amounts allowed will not, I think, show more than is necessary for the proper maintenance of such an Institution as a Mate university should lie. It would, in my opinion, he an act of sound policy to appropri ate a porportlonate amount of (he State rev enue, or of the tax levy, to tbe nse* of this In stltuUoo. This might be made applicable to futon levies, so a* not to increase the bnmer diatj* burdens of our depleted treasury. The Regent*. A* will lutt eept a* the position permanently, the Board hM the matter of the saoceaaoniiip under con dd^attuw. Ab enlargement of the Ibcome of tbe institution would be of service to the Board is the selection of inch successor, be cause of the uncertainty at present attending the amount of compensation which can be al lowed those engaged in the work of tbe lnsti tutton. The needs of the University, aad the —it is accomplishing and the manner ct that work, are set forth with such clear- nets la the able report of the president pro torn, that I cannot do better than to Invite your attention dtreqtly to that document, and ask Its careful perusal. The valuable series of weather observations, conducted by one of the Professors of the Uni versity, with as yet no official recognition, commends itself to public favor. The devoted originator continues his labor of love with no little expense to himself, and with the most, painstaking assiduity. An appropriation, suf ficient at least to reimburse him for his outlav. might, in rav opinion, be judiciously made in aid of Prof. Hiuricli's work. KOXMIL SCHOOL. The last general assemblv having failed to "elect directors for the school for the Instruc tion and training of teachers of mmranti "schools." my predecessor appointed a full board. An organisation was promptly effected, a corpse of instructors chosen, and regulations adopted for the government of the Institution. The school opened in September, 1878, with twenty-seven student* the second year began with 187, from forty-seven counties. This In dicates that the magnitude of the demand for an institution of this character has not been overestimated. It would therefore seem a mat ter of Importance that suitable steps be taken towards enlarging the facilities,and as soon as may be the capacity, of this school. AGRICULTURAL OOLLItOE. Though the State has dealt liberally with the Agricultural College, It still has a few pressing necessities which are worthv the attention of the general assembly, and "can onlv be sup plied by an appropriation out of (he State treasury. The graded road which runs through the bottom land of the College farm, consists of low wet land, and Is often In such a condi tion as to render access to the College from the railroad station difficult. The estimated cost of thoroughly grading and gravellngls|2, 000. The trustees strongly urge the erection of a horticultural lahorato'ry and propagating house. The estimated cost for tiotn structures is #6,000. I think tioth are much needed, and if the horticultural department is ever made useful in the way of valuable instruction, the necessary buildings must be provided. To preserve the health of the students, the officers of the Colloge were under the necessi ty of borrowing money aud constructing new sewers to drain the college building, for which they ask an appropriation of #1,473.25, for re imbursement. The amounts asked for appear to be limited and necessary, and I think ought to be made in the interest of the institution. TIU OKPHANS' IIOME. Pursuant to the .action of the last General Assembly, the home for the soldiers' orphans, at Cedar Falls, was closed In June, 18TO. Most of the property was turned over to the new normal school, and tbe children were removed to Davenport. The number enrolled at the institution, of those for whom it vaa originally Intended. In the two years fell from 998 to 139, and tU* fall lug 0$. will enatlnae until, bad not the institu tion been opened for others than soldiers' or phans, tt must sooo have been finally closed. This extension of the advantages of the Home having been ordained by the legislature. It be gan to reoeive the 8tate's new wards In July, 1870, and at the close of the term there were forty-one of thorn jn 'attendance. A fire last July destroyed the building used as a laundry, aud one houso occupied for school purposes. A new and better building took the place of the lanndrv. The board asks for additional land and more buildings, both of which arc desirable, and ought to be secured so soon a* the condition of the treasury will permit. ooLiaoa roa THl BMKD. A complete change of instructor* has taken place at the Colfrge for tbe Blind, and, the trustee* think, with good effect. The good do«e 4MMWIjBi. by this hutltMlwttiio gnat, In ataaoet tm Ishiag eye* to the Wad) aad making them self depeaAsat, tkatZdo not think that I can too stronjrly rea9fnmend,tt taypar caw. The trust eea ask for an addition^ annual allowance of $8,000 to pay salaries, i^t to oieet othtfordt- MwOOO to MI IMTARLFFL. I nary expenses o/U»e Institution, than thai granted to the Institution tor tbe Deaf and DqgA, If the allowance for tne lat ter la not too large, that for the former Is too' small* »uiiitM)tm The building oecapWd by tbe imitttuttoa tor the support and. eduiattoa at thai deaf and: dumb was destroyed by fire on ttaa twealy-dfth day of February W. Thi* calamity was tar* tunat«lr, atyosi miraculously, Unattended with Ejutf tome or pSnont but otherwise.It was one nt the aawt aariaw ehawptar- Temporary shelter had to ba obtained for the pupils, and half of them were sent to their home* and the school being incapacitated tor .flOhig its work, this deserving class Of unfortunates is to a great extent deprived of the opportunity for education tbe State has heretofore so liberally afforded them. The erection of the west wing authorized by the last general assembly, ena bles the Institution to care for a limited num ber of those for whom It was Intended. But this Is Insufficient for the uses of tbe school, and I rfepeotfully recommend that steps be ta ken for the erection of a commodious building at an early day. The fire was not tbe only dis aster to visit the institution daring the year. A tornado, on the sixth of August last", un roofed the new west wtng, and partially demol ished its walls. Tbe work was still In the hands of the contractors consequently the State suf fered no pecuniary loss thereby but the trust ees ask the general assembly, In behalf of the State, to assume the loss, and assign therefor what I deem weighty reasons. -•m Steps have been taken to provide for Instruc tion In articulation. This bas been practiced with apparent great snccess, both in Kurope and America, and It is well it should be given a trial tn lows. The appropriation made for the west wing was not sufficient to put therein heating appa ratus. As this wing, owing to the fire, had to be occupied sooner than was contemplated, the Haxtun Steam Heater Company, of Kewanee, 111., volunteered to put In the neceanarr appa ratus, the company agreed to wait for pay un til the general assembly eonld make an appro priation. The work was done, and to sll ap pearances satisfactory, at a cost of #3,100. I recommend that an appropriation be made to meet thl.tcxpenffitare. FKEBliB MIXIKD f'HILDRRV. The last general assembly made a long need ed provision for the "cafe, support, training and instruction" of feeble minded children. A board was selected by the general assemblv, one of whose members, however, Dr. James M. Roltertson. declined tly position, and my pred ecessor appointed Dr. William 8. Robertson to the vacancy. The board found the preparation of the building for the uses of the Institution a verv formidable undertaking, because of the dilapidation It had fallen Into after the removal of the orphans. But the difficulties do not seem tn have prevented the school from being promptly opened for the reception of pupils. With the literal aid of the press this fact was widely announced: bnt there were only five pu pils at the orgauUatlon. This nnmber.fiiowev er, has Increased to eighty-seven. The year's experiment has been. I am persuaded, emi nently satisfactory, and has demonstrated that this Institution was not opened a day too soon. I have heard, from other sources than the authorities of the school, of surprising results In Individual cases and I am more Has pleased at the prospects opening before this hitherto neglected class of our State's unfortunates, bv reason of thi* asylum. I feel that I cannot too strongly commend It to your care. I especial ly would urge that the per capita allowed for support be Increased from ten to sixteen dol lars a month. The present appropriation Is less than that provided for the blind and tbe deaf and dumb, and only the same aa that for the inmates of the orphans' homes and the re fona school: and asaorwUy none need more care than the pupils at Gtenwood. ranging, as the.v do, from children of a low order of men tallty to those of utter helplessness. MRORW SCHOOL. The protracted Investigation Into the affairs of this school, had In 187S, with it* attendant excitement and irritation, left an effect on the Reform School, from which It can hardly vet be said to have fully recoyered. A second'change has recently been made In the superlntenden cy. The $40,000 for the new building author ised by the last general assemhly fell #1?.000 short of putting up the house, and" an addition al appropriation Is asked of that amount. A debt of #8.000 is also to he removed. The lease of the butldlngs occnpted by the girls' depart ment of the school will expire the present year, and cannot be renewed for a longer term than one year. A building for the use of this de partment can therefore l)e no longer delayed I recommend th it steps be taken for Its erec tion, and, In-lleving It not advisable to locate It near the school for boys, suggest that, a new site be selected at or near the seat of govern ment. One hundred and forty-one bovs and flftv three girts were at the school October 31st, five more bovs and twentv-tliree more girls than at the close of the previous term. The last General Assembly fixed sixteen years as the age over which no one could be sent to the Reform School. The prior law made eigh teen the maximum. Nevertheless, during the two years, eleven persons, seventeen vears of age and upwards,were sent to the bovs* depart ment of the Reform School, one of them being twenty-one, and one even twenty-two years old. To send criminals of this age to the re form school Is not calculated to be of any ben efit tfi those for whom the Institution was In tended. I do not know whether anything fur ther can he done by legislation to put a stop to this practice, but it is so pernicious In its ten dency hat I think it proper to advert to It thus formally. TH* PESITESTTARIBS. The condition of the Penitentiary at Ft-Mad isou will demand your careful attention. The enlargement in the uumber of cells, provided for by the last General Assemhly, has been ef fected. but the increased accommodation thus obtained is already exhausted indeed, the new cells were hardly completed before they were tilled so that there Is again a demand greater accommodations at this prison. To this end, the Warden recommends that the roof of the cell room be raised, and another tier of cells built. I know of no better wav to make the needed enlargement. It Is less "expensive than the extension of the grounds would be. involving u this would, the erection of a new wall for such extension. The shop room is al so becoming meagre for the number who ought to be employed therein. Thi* Penitentiary give* every evidence of having been planned originally for a State of comparatively small population while the Immediate site Is not a fortunate one to permit of the enlargement of the prison. Consequently much has been done, and much will continue to be done, In the na ture of make-shifts, than which nothing can be more undeslrahle In public edifices. If some comprehensive plan for the enlargement, either Immediate or progressive, of this penitentiary were to be devised, It would, I believe, be a matter of ultimate economy to adopt it and carry It into effect. The expenses of the prison were quite heavy during the term, some #40.000 having been drawn from the treasury to meetdeticieucies in the support fund. Theallowance for this fund, at Fort Madison, Is eight and a third dollars per convict per month that for the prison at Anamosa I* ten illars. The rate at rort Mad ison was fixed at s period when high prices universally prevailed, and supplies of almost all kinds would cost much more than to-day. Nor can 1 thlrik *uch price wa* Inadequate when Hist fixed. But the prison has been subjected to some expenses within the last few years that are exceptional, and perhaps no longer nec sary. The labor commission provided for the 18th General Assembly has accomplish^. Its work, to the extant of leasing all the pres ent avaNaMe labor of UM prison. I therefor^ recommend it* abolition.' Any further labort letting that shall be found necessary can bd doae by the Warden, with the approval of thj Executive COOIMII. I The appropriations made in 1S76 for the dittooal penfteiiUary were used for the par contemplated ao far as needed. The ra~ track has been extended, a warden's built, an apartment fixed up for hospital purpc es, and the work of construction continue Tbe !Ex*cativ« Oooncfl, acting ntidrt author conferred by chapter forty, of tbe Act* of i_ last general aseemhlr, directed that prfcone sentenced to the penitentiary by the eourta the eighth, ninth, tenth Hid twelfth judlci. districts, and the seventh—except the county Muscatine—should be taken to the Additiow_ Penitentiary. The number of convict* Increase** ed' in the two year* frota stxty-seven to 14&*g This Increase will continue, and emphaslxesjS the request made by the warden that the neVrS cell houses, of which tke foundation ha* beeiw' laid, and for which a large quantltv of stonea has been prepared, to be hastened tb comple- i tion and tffe Warden's suggestion that the?1 roof be made of Iron and statET Instead of woodS as at present planned, should be adopted. In-1^ deed. I believe it would be Well that shingle roofs be not permitted on any structures be longing to the State. The prison wall 1b another object of prime Importance, and cannot be tool soon completed. The quarry now owned bv the' State appears to be comparatively valueless," and the warden suggests the purchase of an other one at which the convicts have doner some work, and the construction of a railroad^ thereto. The Utter I cannot recommend nntO* more Is known of the quarry. A wagoa roadh win do for present purposes, and If the desired1' stone Is found to be present In sufficient quan-? titles, the railroad can be constructed after-' wards. The statute allowing commutation to prison ers at this penitentiary needs revision. At1 present, diminution of time is earned by valuei of labor performed. In the condition the prls-' on has necessarflv been in since it opened, tt has been difficult lor any couvtf t, however well' disposed, to do #400 worth of work within a year on any reasonable estimate of the value oj a day's lahor, For the present, at least, I think: it would be well to permit prisoners at Anamo sa to earn diminution by good conduct, the same as at Kort Madison. TTie provision allow ing them pay for a part of their labor, might,' However, be retained with advantage. This rule of the Code was at one time thought ap plicable to this prison, and convicts were cred ited with the same diminution as at Fort Mad ison, and discharged at the end of their short ened terms. Doubting the legality of this prac^ tice, I obtained the opinion of the attornev general thereon, which entirely coincided with my own views—that the commutation law of the older penitentiary was not applicable here. I thereupon notified the warden, on May 15tin last, to make no further discharges from thet Additional Penitentiary except upon executive! order but I would grWat such discharges to all) prisoners for diminution earned prior to that) date, and for full time to all transferred from Fort Madison. I have accordingly issued par dons to sixty-eight of the prisoners at Anamo, sa, to trice effect at the end of their respective) term* as tho* diminished. Durtng tbe two years, three Investigations! were had of UM management of thi* prison, two of them having reference to the term oft the former warden, and one to the present headj of the lnstHoUon. None of these developed! any dishonest or corrupt practices in either of the administrations. A further and very rigid examination waa made by the grand jurv of Jones county, aa my predecessor was advised, into Mr. Warden Heisey's management, resulting In thi man's exoneration. Thelnvi Heisey's management, resulting In that gentle man 1*complete eompAete exoneration. Into the present management demonstrated tbe necessity of a change IB one of the subordinate offices of the prison, wMch change was accord tngly made, with salutary effect. I deem It my duty to recommend a few amendments in the statutes governing the pen itentiaries. I see no reason" whv the warden* should have a fixed term of office anv more than the head of anv other Institution" The periodical scramble for the position should be avoided No one would think of applvtng the rule of periodic service to the presidents of the University and the Agricultural College, or the superintendents of the Orphans' Home and the Reform School. It may be said these offi ces require of their Incumbents a peculiar kind of experience for their special work, a thing not at all Indispensable In a Warden If we look upon the latter only as a jailor, this rea soning Is correct but not otherwise. I can tliiuk of nothing that woul.l aid so much in making our penitentiaries what they should be —reformatory as well a« self-supporting insti tutions—than to keep them In charge of men who manifest an aptitude for their work, and to make change* in the incumbency only when the public interests require It. Another suggestion! feel compelled to make, 1h that the Warden be appointed by the Gov ernor. with or without the approval of the Sen ate. as mav seem most advisable, and to hold office until a change shall seem to be demand ed. I am aw.ire of the delicate ground on which I tread in making such a suggestion,but I do so with the mure freedom because on the one hand I have sat in the general assembly for several years, and In that capacity repeat edly participated in the election of Warden anil on the other, being about to leave the office of Governor, I can have uo personal wish to gratify In making the recommenda tion. I am persuaded from my observation and ex perience In both positions, that a proper selec tion of the person required for the responsible office of Warden can better be made by the Executive, enabled as he Is by his position, to realize what is required of such an offi^-er than by a large number of persons coming togeth for a short time, and knowing of what is need ed onlv bv the. prison report* and by whatthi-v may incidentally learn otherwise. I would aL-o recommend tlia't the salary of the Warden be increased, and that all allowances and perquis ites other than a residence be cutoff and further, that nothing purchased for the use tif the prisons shall at any liiu- furnish perquis ites for any person connected therewith. THE INSANE. The appropriations made at the last session of the general assembly for iin]roveraents at the Mt. Pleasant Hospital were partially used for the purposes directly contemplated In the act making the same, #5,000 appropriated for sub-basement were not used, the amount be ing insufficient to accomplish the object, and It wan thought better to delay the commence ment of the work rather than Its completion after It had been once begun. A fire In April, ISTti, destroyed one of the buildings, within which were the boilers, pumps, engine, fan. washing. Ironing, engineer's fitting rooms, and storage room for coal, and a paint shop, and its immediate re-erectkm was determined on, which was accomplished at a cost of #$3,048. 4fl. Such of the special appropriations of last session as could properly be so used were drawn and expended In such rebuild ing. The providential contingent fund supplied a similar amount—#5,00Q~«ad the re mainder wa* takes from the support fund. The daily average number of patients at this hospital during the term was 581.18. This Is nearly twice the number thebuildingls Intend for, a" fact that again presses upon the general assembly the necessity for increased provision for the care of the Insane. The superlnten 1 ent presents *ome very cogent arguments in favor of enlarging the capacity of tho present hospitals In preference to establishing any new ones. The adoption of this course, to the fu!l extent of th* number that one superintendent should have under his charge, I feel Justified in recommending. It has bequ repeatedly my duty to order the