EXCHANGE MASSACHUSETTS STATE LIBRARY AUG 7 '39 ADDRESS. Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives : We have taken upon ourselves the obligations required by the Constitution, before entering upon the discharge of our official duties. It is fit and becoming at this time, and in this place, to make a public acknowledgment to that great and good Being, whose watchful providence notices the falling sparrow, and guides the destiny of nations, for his mercies to our fathers in years that are gone, and for his kindness to the present people of the Commonwealth, in conducting them through the vicissitudes of another year, and again bringing their representatives together, in this their ancient and peaceful capitol. To this should be added the amount of the State Tax intended for the service of 1844, and payable on or before February 1, 1845, Amounting in the whole to This was the provision made by the last Legislature to defray the current expenses of 1844, and to pay the scrip falling due that year, $47,538 08. 67,000 00 $447,736 04 The expenditures of the year have been $ 415,306 74 47,538 08 $462,844 82 Showing that the expenditures have exceeded the provisions made for them the sum of $ 15,008 78 This excess of expenditures is explained by the sums paid to County Treasurers, the Rolls of State Paupers and Lunatic accounts, and the amount paid the Militia, beyond the estimates for these purposes. The amount paid for paupers is $82,641 41, and exceeds the estimate $9,506 40. Whether a State Tax will be necessary to meet the wants of the Treasury the present year, will depend very much upon the amount of dividends received from the Western Rail Road, the modification of the pauper law, and the expense of the Legislature. $46,450 00 of the State debt falls due in 1845, and $37,141 |