Statecraft and public finance in 1871 Massachusetts—a rare glimpse into the governor’s statewide priorities and the legislative agenda.
This 1871 address combines a frank look at debt and revenue with a practical plan for funding key projects and public programs. It surveys the state’s fiscal health, outlines debt management, and reports on major initiatives like harbor improvements and the Hoosac Tunnel, while touching on social issues and public welfare.
- Debt and sinking funds: how resources are allocated to redeem bonds and manage liabilities.
- Infrastructure and capital projects: progress on the Hoosac Tunnel, harbor work, and related loans.
- Public welfare and reform topics: temperance, asylums for inebriates, and veterans’ relief programs.
- State governance and policy: discussions on militia costs, labor laws, education, and women’s rights considerations.
Ideal for readers of 19th‑century American politics, state governance, and the history of Massachusetts.