judgment, your time cannot be better employed than by giving it calm consideration. Were it not that many defects in important chapters, such as revenue, decedents, and the code, have been cured by this revision I should deem it my duty to direct your attention to them.

Our laws should be given to the people in clear language and compact form, divested of those provisions that have been repealed, and are in conflict with the constitution. The importance of this subject need not be further discussed by me; it has doubtless already impressed itself upon your minds, and I feel confident that you will take such action as will meet the approbation of your constituents.

ORIME.

On the tenth day of December, 1878, Luther Mitchell and Ami Ketchum, citizens of this State, were barbarously put to death by a mob in Custer county. The perpetrators of this fearful crime are supposed to be herders or stock-men living in that locality; and three days ago the people of this State learned with satisfaction that all the parties suspected of participation in this cowardly outrage were safely lodged in jail. I recommend that an appropriation of $10,000 be made for rewarding the men who risked their lives in capturing these outlaws, and for the further purpose of ascertaining their guilt or innocence; and, if guilty, to make their punishment swift and certain.

The statute limits the reward for the arrest and conviction of capital criminals to two hundred dollars; and at present, there is no appropriation to pay even that sum. In my judgment, the law should be so modified as to leave the amount discretionary with the Governor.

OUR FRONTIER.

The extreme western and northwestern portions of our State are admirably adapted to cattle grazing, and many of our citizens are already extensively engagedin this lucrative industry, and although

herds of thousands are counted by the score, stock raising on the plains of Nebraska is still in its infancy.

The pioneer homesteader, availing himself of the gift of government land, has, with characteristic energy and perseverance, demonstrated that this portion of the State is also well adapted to agriculture. These people who have taken up their permanent abode on the frontier, and are following peaceable and profitable pursuits, are justly entitled to that protection of life and property guaranteed by our fundamental law.

Congress has curtailed the military branch of the nation, until it is no longer capable of guarding the large expanse of territory exposed to the incursion of marauding bands of Indians. Withiu the year just closed, citizens of Kansas were murdered by the Cheyenne Indians almost upon our border, and many of our own citizens suffered heavily from loss of stock run off in their recent raid. These Indians are the wards of the nation, and our people are taxed for their support. Notwithstanding this, they are permitted to abandon their reservations and prey upon the settler. If the general government has failed to defend our people from the blows of savages, it becomes your duty to devise means for their protection. The State authorities have furnished our frontier settlements with arms and ammunition, so far as the limited supply at their command would permit. The settlements are far apart, and depredations are liable to be committed and life endangered before the people can unite for defense.

I believe that at least partial relief from these outrages may be found in the enactment and enforcement of an efficient militia law; one that will equip the frontiersinen and organize them into companies; confer authority upon them to protect their homes and families, and amply reward them for their services. I may in this connection express the belief that a large majority of the people of the West regard the contemplated transfer of the Indian Bureau from the Interior to the War Department with much favor.

The National Military Academy is graduating a surplus of officers for our skeleton army and a number of these might be detailed as Indian agents, thereby saving to the people the large amounts paid out to civilians for salaries. Were the Indians placed under the immedate control of the military, their opportunities for escaping from their reservations would be lessened, and the border settlements be made more secure from their depredations. The proverbial integrity of the army officer would guarantee a service characterized by efficiency, honesty and economy.

CONCLUSION.

I have an abiding faith in Nebraska's future. Indeed, who cannot have when we compute the value of the increasing flocks that dot her vast domain, and the productive wealth of her thirty million acres once subdued and yielding golden harvests to enrich the husbandman.

With a sound and wholesome code of laws for its corner stone, we may build up here a commonwealth in the centre of the continent that shall swell the high wave of commerce surging between the mines of the West and the marts of the East, and, maturing as it advances in age, it shall stand prominent in the grand galaxy of States.

I sincerely trust that your deliberations may be conducted in harmony, and attended with those beneficial results so confidently anticipated by your constituents.

To those officers with whom I have been associated in the conduct of public affairs, I extend my warmest thanks for their uniform kindness and courtesy.

And now, in relinquishing the high trust committed to my charge four years ago, I desire to make my grateful acknowledgments to a most generous and indulgent people; and upon them, yourself, and the State, I invoke the continued favor of Almighty God.

SILAS GARBER.

PARDON REPORT.

Pardoned by Governor Silas Garber, from January 1, 1875, to January 1, 1877..

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Pardoned by Governor Silas Garber, from January 1, 1877, to December 31, 1878....

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The following are the pardons granted under the provisions of the constitution and laws of this state during the two years ending December 31, 1878, with the reasons therefor:

LEVI C. LITTLE.

Crime, adultery; sentenced to imprisonment in the county jail of Washington county for six months, convicted at November term, 1876, of the district court for Burt county. Pardoned, January 20, 1877, upon the request of the acting district attorney, and a petition signed by the influential citizens of Burt county. The application for pardon sets forth, that Little married Louisa A. Thurston, who supposed she was divorced from her former husband, Hiram Thurston; that there was no proof of criminal intent; and that the three children of Louisa A. Thurston were in a destitute condition.

LOUISA A. THURSTON.

Crime, adultery; sentenced to imprisonment in the county jail of Washington county for two months; convicted at the November term, 1876, of the district court for Burt county. Pardoned, January 20, 1877, for the reasons set forth in the case of Levi C. Little.

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HARRY CLAYTON.

Crime, grand larceny; sentence, penitentiary for three years, at the March term, 1876, of the district court for Douglas county. Pardoned, March 21, 1876, upon the request of the district attor

ney (Connell), the warden and chaplain of the prison, several prominent lawyers of Douglas county, and a petition signed by five of the jurymen and other citizens of Omaha. It appears that grave doubts existed as to his guilt.

DAVID W. PERRY.

Crime, assault and battery; sentenced to imprisonment in county jail for three months and payment of $100 fine and costs; convicted at the spring term, 1877, of the district court for Lincoln county. Upon a petition numerously signed by citizens of Lincoln county, and the request of prominent citizens of North Platte, the Governor, on the 26th of June, 1877, issued a reprieve that released the prisoner upon payment of the fine and costs.

CHARLES MILLER.

Crime, forgery; sentenced to the penitentiary for one year; convicted at the fall term of the district court for Saline county. Pardoned, June 30, 1877, on the petition of the judge, (Weaver), who sentenced him, the prosecuting attorney, a portion of the grand jury who found the indictment, and many reputable citizens of Saline county. It appears Miller was a mere youth, that the forgery was committed on an order for only ten dollars, and that he was intoxicated at the time. He had served three months' imprisonment in the county jail, and six months in the penitentiary.

DANIEL CARROLL.

Crime, burglary; sentence, two years and six months in the penitentiary; convicted at the March term, 1877, of the district court for Douglas county. Pardoned, July 2, 1877, upon a certificate of the prison officials that they believe he was insane, and a petition numerously signed by citizens of Omaha, Nebraska. The petition says: "From our intimate knowledge of him, we are fully satis fied that he is not of sound mind and not responsible for his acts."