cy, as
provided in a bill on that subject now pending in one branch of the
General Assembly. I therefore earnestly recommend the consideration
and passage of the bill.

The commissioner of common schools is required, in the discharge of
his duties, to pay out each year, for traveling expenses, about
$700. The propriety of refunding to him, out of the State treasury,
his traveling expenses, will probably not be called in question.

During the last summer, a cattle disease, commonly known as the
Spanish or Texas cattle fever, occasioned much alarm in the grazing
counties of the State, and in a few localities caused serious loss.
On the recommendation of the State board of agriculture, in the
absence of effective legislation, it was deemed proper to appoint
commissioners to take such measures as the law authorized to
prevent the spread of the disease. A proclamation was issued to
prevent, as far as practicable, the introduction, movement, or
transportation of diseased cattle within the limits of the State.
The railroad companies and the owners of stock promptly complied
with the requirements referred to, and the injury sustained by the
cattle interest was happily not extensive. It is believed that,
upon investigation, it will be found necessary to confer, by law,
upon a board of commissioners appointed for that purpose, or upon
the executive committee of the State board of agriculture, power to
"stamp out" the disease wherever it appears, by destroying all
infected cattle, and to prohibit or regulate the transportation or
movement of stock within the State during the prevalence of the
disease. To the end that proper investigation may be had, I
respectfully recommend that authority be given to appoint five
commissioners to attend a meeting of commissioners of other States,
to be held for the consideration of this subject, at Springfield,
Illinois, on the 1st of December next--said commissioners to report
the results of their investigation in time for action by the
present General Assembly.

I submit to your consideration the importance of providing for a
thorough and comprehensive geological survey of the State. Many
years ago a partial survey was prosecuted under many difficulties
and embarrassments, which was fruitful of valuable results. It i