Message of Gov; J (Classic Reprint)

J. Proctor Knott

ISBN 10: 1333007116 / ISBN 13: 9781333007119

Published by Forgotten Books, 2018

About this Item

Print on Demand. This book provides insight into the state of Kentucky between 1880 and 1884, through a collection of the author's official messages to the Kentucky State Legislature. The author served as Governor of Kentucky during that period, and the book provides a primary source for the study of that era in Kentucky's history. Opening with a message of economic prosperity for the state, the author goes on to reveal the difficulties caused by the state's debt and other financial difficulties. These financial issues were in part attributed to an inefficient tax system that failed to accurately assess the taxable value of property. The messages also explore the importance of penitentiary reform to ensure humane treatment of prisoners, the condition of charitable institutions across the state and the challenge of providing education to the citizens of Kentucky. The author encourages legislators to consider reforming assessment practices and encouraging the construction of a branch penitentiary to address overcrowding and provide more humane conditions for prisoners. Ultimately, this book offers valuable insights into the history of Kentucky during the late 19th century and will be of particular interest to those interested in the history of the state, as well as to historians and political scientists. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book.

Seller Inventory # 9781333007119_0

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Message of Gov; J (Classic Reprint)
• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication Date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1333007116
• ISBN 13: 9781333007119
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Book Type: print-on-demand item
• Seller catalogs:
  • Minutes and Reports

About this title

Synopsis

State finances, reforms, and the path forward for Kentucky in 1883. This historic governor’s message surveys the Commonwealth’s economic health, debt, and budget outlook, and outlines urgent reforms in prisons, public buildings, and state services. It blends fiscal facts with practical proposals meant to guide policy and budgeting in a challenging era.

The document covers the balance of the Treasury, deficits and loans, and the constitutional limits on debt. It argues for eliminating avoidable debt, expanding penitentiary capacity, and considering a western branch to improve management and reduce costs. It also calls attention to Capitol buildings and grounds, the state guard, and the Adjutant General’s Office, showing how military and public safety needs fit into state planning. Education receives detailed attention, including school census figures, funding gaps for white and colored pupils, and the need for targeted reforms to strengthen schools and support for the State College. The message also references the work of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Board of Railroad Commissioners, indicating a broad, multipart agenda for state improvement.

- Understand the fiscal context: receipts, expenditures, deficits, and how debt shapes policy.
- Learn about proposed capital improvements, prison expansion, and the case for a western Branch Penitentiary.
- See how education funding and policy were evolving, including color-line considerations and school funding.
- Get a snapshot of state priorities, including the Capitol, state militia, and railway regulation.

Ideal for readers of state history, 19th‑century governance, and public policy reformers interested in how Kentucky approached finances, infrastructure, and social programs in the 1880s.