officers to discharge frequently their most direct and simple duty. believe in the interests of litigants and the public the court appreciates the great importance of clearing its calendar every term, and it has worked with great industry to accomplish this purpose.

In the interest of the people, as well as the court, I earnestly recommend an amendment to the law of appeals; so that no case where constitutional rights and personal liberty are not involved, shall be appealed to the Supreme Court from the circuit court when the judgment in the court below shall not be more than $200. The propriety of this recommendation must be apparent when it is known that cases involving $5 are brought to the attention of the Supreme Court, and I sincerely hope that this relief may be afforded that high tribunal.

And right along this line I desire to recommend an amendment to the law of appeal from justices' courts in certain cases; and I am encouraged to make this recommendation with a greater confidence because the late lamented Judge James V. Campbell in an address delivered a few years before his death, after nearly 30 years' service on the bench of the Supreme Court, commended the same idea in his clear, strong, vigorous language. In speaking of the appeals from justices' courts, he says:

"Where from the nature of things the cost of controversy will go beyond any possible gain from it, there is much harm done by continued litigation. If small cases, involving no important principal, have once been fairly tried, any further pursuit tends only to injure the public tranquility and burden the public treasury as well as the means of the litigants. Persons of small means are often injured and some times ruined by prolonged legal action and whether right or wrong they can do but very little against the wealthier opponent who will not be seriously hurt, though defeated on appeal. There are small cases which represent important principals that should be settled by courts of last resort. Such cases can be easily provided for by requiring leave to appeal, which is always done in cases of certiorari."

These suggestions made by one so thoroughly competent to treat the question, ought certainly to carry weight with legislators. And now when efforts will be made to create new judicial districts, the question of relief by prohibiting appeals where sums involved do not exceed $50, is worth considering.

THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION

is to be held in Chicago in 1893. It will be a marked event in the progress of American civilization. As a financial investment alone our State ought to be well represented at Chicago; and for the purpose of insuring such representation it will be necessary for the Legislature to make ample provisions therefor at the present session.

I suggest that the Governor be authorized to appoint four commissioners to take charge of the several exhibits in their special lines. One commissioner should be appointed to represent agriculture, another the manufacturing, another the mining, and another the educational interests of the State; and in doing this it will be well to follow the method adopted by the act of Congress providing for national commissioners. That provided that they should be appointed in equal numbers from the two leading political parties of the country; and this policy has been universally acquiesced in.

In providing for the appointment of commissioners an ample appropriation of money must be made to enable them to make creditable exhibits in their several departments.

THE GRAND ARMY ENCAMPMENT.

Through a great effort on the part of many leading citizens of the State, the next encampment will be held in Detroit, in August, 1891. There is no other association that brings together so large a number of veterans of the war, as well as citizens generally, as this encampment. It has been held in a dozen or more different states. A large amount of money is expended in making preparations for entertaining the delegates. You will be asked to appropriate $50,000 from the State treasury as a contribution to the expenses which are estimated to amount to $105,000. The subject will be presented to you by a committee appointed for that purpose, who will make known the reason for action on your part.

GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS.

Congress has appropriated $100,000 for the erection of a public building in Lansing. It has been located on the corner in front of the capitol. Before proceeding further it will be necessary for the State to cede jurisdiction over this grant to the United States, and I commend early action upon this subject. And, inasmuch as Congress is frequently making appropriations for public buildings and improvements in the State, I recommend a passage of a general law ceding jurisdiction. whenever and wherever Congress shall provide for the erection of buildings or for making improvements. As our sessions are only biennially held delays are often made necessary because no step will be taken in the construction until jurisdiction is ceded.

THE UNIVERSITY.

The many excellencies and world wide reputation of this institution have brought to its halls a rapidly increasing number of students. Four years ago it numbered 1,580, and it was then believed, by those most familiar with its workings, that it might possibly in the course of years secure to itself 2,000 students. But now to the surprise of its warmest friends it has under instructions 2,400; an increase of 50 per cent in four years. This condition requires thoughtful care and wise action on the part of the Legislature, as well as the Board of Regents. We can discover no reason why, if the present policy is continued, this increase in the number of students may not continue. And if this shall be the case, provisions must be made for their accommodation, if the University maintains its well established reputation.

The Regents are under the circumstances entitled to great credit for the exercise of economy in their estimates for the ensuing biennial period. They ask for 1891, $100,325; for 1892, $97,200, making a total of $197,525. This is $9,264 less than the appropriations two years ago. It is not easy to see how they can take care of the number of students they now have with anything less than the amount asked for. An appropriation was made two years ago of $50,000, upon condition that the city of Ann Arbor would raise $25,000, for the purpose of

erecting a hospital. The building has not been completed, as plans were not agreed upon until some time during last summer. It was very difficult to find an architect who could submit plans for the building that would meet the demands, within the appropriation.

Not only the medical department of the University and the students are interested in this hospital, but many afflicted and unfortunate citizens of the State. In the University hospital they receive the best of medical and surgical treatment without charge. Counties find it to their interest to send those to the University hospital for treatment who are thrown upon them for support by reason of disease. When the hospital is completed it is expected that the dental department will take possession of the present buildings used for the hospital. In this, a wise economy, humanity, and the education of medical students, all unite in requiring an early completion of the hospital.

There is a limit to the number of students that can properly be educated in a single institution like our University. What that limit. is, I know not, but I modestly suggest that some change in the policy may possibly be wise. About one-half of the students come from other States; and it certainly seems to me that an increase in the tuition charged these foreign students will inflict wrong upon no one, although it may possibly, to some extent, check the increased attendance. I cannot believe that it would work harm to the Michigan University.

NORMAL SCHOOL.

This institution is in excellent condition. It will require no special appropriation except for current expenses and repairs. An appropriation of $90,920 is asked for the biennial period. Your attention may, however, be called to the necessity of drainage because it certainly exists.

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

Early last spring the Botanical laboratory connected with this institution, was destroyed by fire, with nearly all of its contents. The loss of the latter was keenly felt by Professor Beale who had accumulated a large amount of valuable material which could not be removed from the laboratory. The Board of Agriculture ask for an appropriation of $10,000 to rebuild the laboratory. Including this they ask a total appropriation of $52,620 for 1891 and 1892. The detailed estimate will be furnished by the board.

MINING SCHOOL.

This is the youngest of all our State institutions. It was established in 1885, but the appropriation for the erection of buildings was not made until 1887. They have constructed the best of all our State buildings, but with the increased number of students they require more room, and ask for an appropriation of $98,900 for 1891, and $37,700 for 1892, making a total of $136,600, for construction, equipment and current expenses, The Mining School is one of our important educational institutions. I believe it to be located in the right place. Construction, teaching and other expenses are all higher at Houghton than they are on this

side of the Straits. They have now

students, and it will be seen the estimated requirements, per capita, is very large, and I doubt not they will receive careful attention at your hands.

SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND.

That there is no material increase in this, institution is a source of gratification. It indicates that one class of unfortunates is not on the increase. Great progress is made by most of the pupils who follow the course of study. No appropriations are asked for except current expenses, including repairs; and for these they ask for $46,340 for the biennial period. It is almost exactly the same as was expended for the years 1889 and 1890, and I have no doubt that it will be required to meet the demands.

MICHIGAN SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF.

This institution is in excellent condition. Its accommodations are ample; its percentage of increase in pupils, small. The progress made by them in education and handicraft is very gratifying. It asks appropriations for only current expenses and repairs, including a large amount of painting, which ought to be done: For 1891, $58,000; for 1892, $56,859, making a total of $114,859 for the two years. This is $14,400 less than appropriated two years ago.

THE SOLDIERS' HOME.

In 1889 Congress passed a bill appropriating $100 per annum for each veteran maintained in Soldiers' Homes provided by states; but just before the adjournment the law was amended, providing for the payment of one-half of the current expenses incurred by states in caring for the soldiers in homes provided for them. When the appropriation was made for the support of the Home by the Legislature in 1889, the estimates were based upon the expected receipt of one-half of expenses from the government, according to the law of Congress. But as there was not sufficient amount of money appropriated to meet the expenses incurred of all the homes, under the bill, only $70, some $15 per capita less than one-half of the expenses, was paid to the Home. But even if this reduced amount had been promptly paid by the government our Home could have been maintained without a deficiency; but based upon this reduced sum there is a balance due our Home of $9,969.77, that ought to have been paid to us the first of July, 1890. Largely on account of this a debt was incurred. The inmates must be fed, clothed and receive medical treatment, and it was necessary to borrow a sum of money to meet the emergency. This was done and individuals placed their names to a note to bridge over the chasm. Another deficiency was occasioned because of difficulty in finding a solid foundation for the construction of the hospital, for which an appropriation was made two years ago, and I very respectfully ask this Legislature to appropriate, as early as possible, the sum of $10,000, in order to pay off this individual indebtedness. I have written Gen. Franklin, who has charge of the payment of this appropriation, urging him to balance the account due last July, and have recently received

a letter from him saying that he cannot do it until an appropriation is made by Congress to meet the deficiency.

If thought desirable in making the appropriation now asked for, provisions may be made for paying that sum when received into the State Treasury to reimburse the State for the money that should be appropriated.

The Soldiers' Home Board ask for an appropriation of $177,000 for the biennial period. Nearly all of this is for current expenses, with an added amount for still further fitting the grounds. Under the present law we are now receiving at the rate of $100 for each soldier supported, but this is of doubtful continuance as the last two years has taught us; and it is thought better to appropriate the entire estimate required to defray the expenses and then provide that any amount received from the general government shall be placed in the treasury to balance so far as it will the amount appropriated. The Home must have money monthly to defray its expenses. The State can better afford to wait upon government than the Home can, and I trust that this plan will be adopted.

STATE PUBLIC SCHOOL.

This institution asks for $35,000 for 1891, and $34,608 for 1892. Α detail of which will be found in the report. No new buildings are required. The sums asked for are for current expenses and repairs. No amendment to the law is suggested. The school is doing a noble work in passing children from no homes and bad homes, into good ones.

THE REFORM SCHOOL.

This institution is in splendid condition. An appropriation was made two years ago for the purpose of rebuilding and enlarging the capacity of the school. This has been constructed and is now nearly completed. It is one of the best in its construction and most commodious of our public buildings, and will be finished and equipped within the appropriation. There are, each year, more and more boys sent to the Reform School. Each year more and more are placed out in homes and discharged, but still there is a gradual increase.

The law of 1889 which provides that boys may be sent to the Reform school and girls to Adrian for non-attendance at school, has sent within the last two years, 18 boys to the Reform School. I cannot believe that for neglecting to attend school a boy ought to be sent to the Reform School, if that is his only fault, and I very respectfully suggest an amendment to the act of 1889, by striking out the first subdivision of section 3, act 218.

The true policy is to keep all the boys out of the Reform School that we can, and it is believed that most of the agents of the Board of Corrections and Charities make a sincere effort to do this.

They ask for an appropriation of $56,000 annually for current expenses, and $7,000 for repairs. There has been an increase as stated, of boys in the school and the estimates for current expenses are based upon larger numbers than have been maintained for the last two years, and the appropriation asked for will doubtles be required to meet the demands.