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and during the 4 months to Dec. 1, 1843, there was sold of these and other internal improvement lands, to the amount of $61,941.31, all of which, except a few dollars, was paid in internal improvement warrants. An additional quantity of these half million acres of internal improvement lands, as also of some other State lands, were brought into market in June, 1844, and are selling off rapidly for State warrants.

Payments of principal or interest due on school or university lands can be made either at the land office or at the State treasury. About 25 per cent. only of the principal on sales of school or university lands is required to be paid, except at the option of the purchaser; the unpaid balance bearing an interest of 7 per cent. per annum. A part of what has been paid in on account of the principal of those funds remains in the State treasury; but the greater portion has been loaned out to different counties or individuals, on bonds and mortgages, or other securities.

STATE PRISON.-The State Penitentiary, situated at Jackson, is constructed on the Auburn plan. The number of prisoners October 31, 1842, was 87; received during the year ending October 31, 1843, 43; discharged during the year, 36; number remaining October 31, 1843, 94. The earnings of the convicts for the year 1843, are estimated by the agent at $10,346.36; but the convicts being mostly employed in extending the prison wall, and rebuilding a prison shop burnt in August, 1843, the sum of $8,000 was drawn from the State treasury for their support.

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COMMON SCHOOLS. Amount of school moneys apportioned from the State treasury amongst the several school-districts, for the last three years, being the net income of the school fund during that period.

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Number of districts that reported last year, 1,743.

28,063.56

Average number of

months school was kept, about four. Amount raised in the several districts for school purposes, $44,705.90, in addition to which, and to the $28,000 derived from the school fund, there will be levied and collected in each of the counties, a tax of half a mill on the dollar, which will yield, throughout the State, about $14,000; making in all about $87,000 raised for school purposes, or fully one half more than the whole tax assessed for the support of the State government. Michigan ranks next to five of the six New England States, as to having the least comparative number of adults within her limits, unable to read and write. Great exertions are made, and great interest is felt, throughout the State generally, for the maintenance of good common schools; and it is believed, that both as to means for educating the rising generation, and as to the success of her school system, she is but little, if at all, behind the most forward of the eastern States.

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The judges are appointed by the Governor and Senate for 7 years, and the senior in commission is the Chief Judge. This court holds its sessions at Indianapolis, in May and November. It has appellate jurisdiction only, except in capital cases, and cases in chancery in which the President of the Circuit Court may be interested.

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The President Judges and the Prosecuting Attorneys are elected by the legislature, the judges for 7 years, and the attorneys for 2 years; and the Associate Judges and Clerks of the Courts are elected by the people for 7 years. The President Judges receive each a salary of $800 and the Judge of the 5th Circuit is allowed $300 in addition, optional with the County Commissioners of his Circuit; the Attorneys have each a salary of $150 and perquisites. The Judges hold two terms in each county annually. There are two Associate Judges in each county, who receive $2 a day during the session.

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

Indianapolis and Madison Railroad.- The distance between Indianapolis and Madison is about 80 miles. The railroad is nearly completed to Columbus, about 40 miles, half way between the two first-named points.

The Wabash and Erie Canal begins at the town of Toledo, on the Maumee bay, at the western extremity of lake Erie, passes up the valley of the Maumee river a distance of 75 miles in the State of Ohio, and thence through the State of Indiana, a further distance of 145 miles to Lafayette, making the whole length now opened, 220 miles. The canal is in rapid progress from Lafayette to Terre Haute, 90 miles, two thirds of the work being completed. From Terre Haute to Evansville, about 140 miles, some 45 miles are nearly finished, and $225,000 have been expended on the remainder. The whole canal will be 450 miles long. It is of large dimensions, and has been built at a great cost. The lower portion of this canal, for a distance of 60 miles, is 6 feet deep, and 60 feet wide.

FINANCES.

The revenue paid in for the year ending October 31st, 1843, was $213,716.66. The amount of the common school fund, derived from bank dividends, was $59,243.44. The number of acres of land assessed in 1843, was 14,674,599. The value of all property taxed, was $103,709,853. The number of polls taxed was 121,919. The internal improvements of the State consist of one railroad, three turnpike roads, and five canals. The amount of the State debt was $13,899,000.00; of which sum, $1,527,000.00 accrued from bank stock, and the balance for internal improvements. The expenses of government in 1843, were $90,897; for 1844, they are estimated at $100,000. The income is estimated at $240,000, mostly paid in State Treasury Notes.

XXV. ILLINOIS.

GOVERNMENT.

Salary.

THOMAS FORD, of Springfield,

Governor, (term ends 1st Mon

day in December, 1846,) John Moore, of McLean Co., Lieutenant Governor, $6 a day during the session, and $4 for every 20 miles of travel. Thompson Campbell, of Galena, Secretary, (including clerk hire,) William L. D. Ewing, of Hillsborough, Auditor,

$2,000

1,500

Milton Carpenter, of Hamilton Co., Treasurer,

(do.) (do.)

1,850

1,000

Walters & Weber, Public Printers.

The Governor is, ex officio, Fund Commissioner.

Norman H. Purple, of Peoria, Bank Commissioner.

Jacob Fry, of Lockport, Acting Commissioner on the Canal.

Joel Manning, of Lockport, Secretary of the Commissioner.

Each member of the legislature receives $4 a day during the session, and $4 for every 20 miles of travel. The Lieutenant Governor is Speaker of the Senate. Samuel Hackelton, of Fulton Co., Speaker of the House.

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The judges are elected by the legislature, and hold their offices during good behavior. Five constitute a quorum. The judges all perform circuit duties, the State being divided into nine circuits, or preside in the Circuit Courts. There are nine State's attorneys, who are elected by the legislature bienially. Salary, $350 and fees.

do.

1,500

do.

1,500

Attorney Gen., $700 and fees.

Reporter.

Clerk,

Fees.

The only other courts now in the State are those held by probate justices and justices of the peace. The former have jurisdiction in actions of debt or assumpsit by or against administrators, &c., where the amount in controversy does not exceed $1,000, and the general powers of probate courts. The latter have jurisdiction in actions of debt or assumpsit, not exceeding in amount $100; and exclusive jurisdiction in cases of assaults and battery. In trespass to personal property and trover, where the damages claimed do not exceed $20, justices of the peace have also jurisdiction. In all suits for debts, where the damages claimed exceed $20, the Circuit Courts have jurisdiction, and they are Superior Courts of general jurisdiction, both civil and criminal.

The Governor and Justices of the Supreme Court constitute a Council of Revision, which acts upon all laws, approving or disapproving them.

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ILLINOIS CANAL. The report of Gov. Davis and Capt. Swift on the Illinois Canal, which has excited a strong interest, has been published. Some of the principal facts exhibited by the report are, 1st, The amount of liabilities of the canal is $5,239,792, and the amount of promissory notes, &c., applicable to the extinguishment of those liabilities, $393,034, leaving a balance of $4,846,756. 2. The expense of completing the canal will depend upon the arrangements made for the supply of water; viz. $1,600,000 in case one plan be pursued; $1,680,000 in another case; $1,800,000 if both the Fox and Calumet rivers are embraced, together with the sources relied upon under the first plan. 3. The property proposed to be pledged is a satisfactory security for the proposed loan of $1,600,000, and will reimburse the same with interest. 4. The works may be completed in three years. 5. A subscription of a million of stock has been make in the United States, but whether reliable or not, the commissioners are unable to state. Considerable attention is given to the question whether a preference can be given under the act of 1843, to the subscribers to the new loan of $1,600,000. Chancellor Kent has given the opinion that such a preference can be legally given.

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James L. Minor, of City of Jefferson, Secretary of State,

and Superintendent of Common Schools,

Term ends. Salary.
Nov. 1848, $2,000

do. do.

Fees & 1,300

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