Grand Rapids Herald-Review Newspaper, January 7, 1905, Page 4

INAUGURAL NEW EXECUTIVE MAKES RECOM- MENDATIONS TO THE LEGIS- LATURE. LONGER TERM FOR'GOVERNOR WOULD MAKE IT FOUR YEARS AND LIMIT EXECUTIVE TO ONE TERM. PUNISH TIMBER TRESPASSERS TAXATION, STATE FINANCES, PRISON LABOR AND OTHER,, “~_. MATTERS DISCUSSED. » he, | Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives: Having taken the oath of office as required by the constitution, my first official duty is the communica- tion by message to the legislature such suggestions and information concerning the condition of the state as I have demed expedient. The message of the incoming governor, having been prepared prior to his installation in office, must necessarily deal with state questions in @ general rather than in a specific way. ‘ At the outset, I wish to discuss a ques- tion which. during the past few weeks, has impressed me as being of much im- portance. I refer to the tenure of office of the governor. A newly elected execu- tive is so burdened with the duty of se- lecting his official family that he finds little time for the study of the conditions of the several state institutions and mat- ters of state concern generally. Then. too, he goes into office with the conven- ing of the legislature so that his admin- istration finds its greatest work at the beginning of his term. For these and , other reasons I believe that the tenure of this office should be extended to four years, with the provision that the execu- tive should not be eligible for re-election. Under these conditions he would certain- ly be enabled to give the state his, best possible service unhampered by any offi- cial duty which might be performed with a view of perpetuating himself in office. The suggestion is not a new one. and is based upon the experience of other states in which the tenure of four years has ac- complished the best and most satisfac- tory results. If the suggestion meets with your approval, T offer the added suggestion that in thus amending the constitution the change be made ef- fective at the conclusion of the present term, with the provision that the present executive would not then be eligible to a term of four years. In_ acknowledging my appreciation of the honor conferred upon me in the elec- tion to this high office by the people of the state, irrespective of political affilia- tions, I wis to assure you that in the administration of state affairs I shall be guided by one ond only one purpose—that of serving the state as a whole, and tu that end I ask the co-operation of the legislature with the executive arm of tne state government. It should be your purpose and mine to place the state above party or personal interest, and as chosen servants of all the peopic we should strive to serve the state without regard to any interest save the interest of the whole state, and to this end 1 pledge you all the support which the executive can glv State Finances. The state auditor has presented his re- port of the financial condition. of the state, to which your earnest attention 1s called, His total estimate of the revenue fund for 1905 is $4,609,169.40, and the esti- mated expenditures for the same year $4,646,106.50. For 1906 the income is esti- mated at $4,570,000, with expenditures at $4,044,000; and for 1907 the revenue 1s es- timated at $4,745,000, with estimated ex- penditures of $4,879,000. The estimate for 1906 is based on a tax of 1 mill, yielding a revenue of $800,000. For 1906 and 1907 he has based his estimate on a tax levy of % mill, yielding $400,000 and $425.0 per year, respectively. In his estimate of revenues for 1906 and 1907 he has calcu- lated the income of railway taxes at 4 per cent yielding a revenue of $2,500,000 for 1906, and $2.600,000 for 1907. In his estimated expenditures for the latter two years no allowance is made for buildings at the state institutions. You will ob- serve that this leaves a very close work- ing aren unless the tax levy is raised, a condition which should be met with a great deal of care. I heartily concur in the suggestion of the state auditor that the appropriations he kept within the es- timated receipts, believing that the tax levy should not be increased. We are confronted with a new situation which requires your attention. The new cap- jtol building, being a larger and more commodious structure than the old, re- quires a larger working force to care for it. The old capitol building is still the property of the state, and some provision should be made for its future use and care. According to the: report of the auditor, the permanent trust funds are in a most gratifying condition, and are rapidly in- creasing. Since the publication 6 the auditors report the state debt has been decreased to the extent of $100,000, there now re- maining but $859.0 of the unpaid re- fundment bonds. a ‘Taxation. The subject of taxation is always of yital interest, and of more direct impor- tance to the people than any with which you have to deal. Our present system is in many respects very unsatisfactory. A large portion of proverty waich is prop- erly the subject of taxation escapes this duty entirelv. The auestion of taxatic ‘was very thoroughly discussed at t! extra session of the legislature in 1902, and although nothing tangible resulted from that investigation, the public mind ‘was educated in some measure to a need of a change in our system of taxation. Under our present constitutional lim- ftations there is but little opportunity for a change in the situation. All classes of property should certainly bear a just proportion of the taxes for the raising of the public revenue. I would recom- mend the passage of a bill providing a constitutional amendment giving greater latitude to the legislature in the regu- Jation of our tax system. I believe a nar. tial solution of ‘this vexatious problem lies in an income tax, and especially jn an income tax upon credits. To secure this there must be an amendment tu our constitution. ‘The taxation of inheritances is a matter which should be considered at this ses- sion. Efforts have been made along this line by preceding legislatures, but in ev- erv instance such legislation has been Se unconstitutional. The defects hav- ing been pointed out by the supreme court. it is nossible to pass a law which will be approved by that court. An in- hheritance tax law which is proper and just would increase our revenue fund, and would not be a serious burden to the class of property coming under the provisions of such a law. Eduention Minnesota has just reason to be proud of her splendid schoo) system, and easily fakes rank with progressive states such oe New York, Massachusetts and others. n fact. our public school system is un- excelled in the nation. Our high and graded schools are well established and well organized. ‘The branch of our educational system which demands the most careful atten- tion, and in which there {s yet great yoom for improvement and advancement, js the rura) school. In these schools at jeast 6) per cent of the public school ypulation is enrolled, and the great ma- ioritvy of the pupils and students at- ending them receive no instruction be- yond that received there. Of over half _ @ million pupils in all the public schools during the , more one-half Ste enrolled in the: rural gohoole, BY Teason of the primitive method still em- ployed, the pupils attendant w the schools lack the advantage of well constructed puietags, adequate books and library, train and rienced teachers, and in addition thereto, subject to the disadvantage of living re- .mote from the schoolhouse. The pri- mary education of the youth is the real basis of our citizenship, and every ov- portunity for the encouragement of the early training of our youth should be employed.; The inducement for a more neral attendance should be held out yy every possible assistance of the state. I suggest that there is much occasion for improvement in our rural school- houses with regard to heating, lighting and ventilation, with a view to the greater comfort of the pupils. To secure this result I would recommend the adon-* tion of some general plan whereby all rural schoolhouses should he constructed inthe future upon plans submitted to and approved by competent authority. I be- lieve the special state aid provided during recent years has done much to raise the standard and increase the efficiency of rural schools, and I trust this liberal policy will be continued. Adequate and intelligent supervision for this class of schools is as essential as for those in towns and cities. To obtain this. I think a change in our law is necessary whereby our county superintendents will not only be paid adequately for their services, but which will also insure more coim- petent supervision. Their salaries should be at least commensurate with those of other county officers, and with those of school supervisors in cities who do a like amount of work, and in return for a@ proper compensation, there should be some requirement which would guarantee professional service in_ the »supervision of our rural schools. Believing that the educational system of our state should be divorced fr partisan politics as far as possible, and that superintendents should be chosen because of their educa- tional qualifications instead of their par- tisan politics, I would urge and recom- mend such changes in our laws as would provide a county board whose duty would include the appointment of a county su- perintendent and such other school du- ties only as are now performed by the board of county commissioners. - During the last ten years the duties imposed upon the department of public instruction have practically doubled. while the working force during. all this time has increased with but a single clerk, and the funds at the disposa) of the department have been only corres- pond'ngly increased, In view of the in- creased duties of this department touch- ing every branch of our public schools and other educational service. I recom- mend that the legislature make provis- ion for another assistant, and that the permanent fund of the working force of the office be made $5,000 annually. fimber Trespass and Mineral Leases The Public Examiner of Minnesota states in his official report that hundreds of thousands of dollars are due the state by reason of timber trespass, and urges sults for the collection of the amounts due. He states further suits have been instituted for the re- covery of back taxes due the state from railway companies. The work of prose- euting these cases has been delayed. he reports, by the inability of the Attorney General to reach them because of a mul- titude of other duties. There should be no cessation in the prosecution of these claims, and I would suggest to you the advisability of making provision with sufficient appropriation, for the employment of, special counsel to take up the work of collecting the amounts claimed to be due the state. The auditor in his report makes reference also to timber trespass, bearing out the state- ment of the public examiner. From these two offices the claim has been made that the law has been openly violated, and it appears that the state- ment of the p blic examiner, “That it was cheaper to steal timber and _ settle for it than it was to buy it,” is in some measure true. It is alleged also that thousands of dollars worth of tim- ber has been stolen from the state, of which no report has been made. It would i) wise to appropriate sufficient funds t6 enable the executive to make a com- plete investigation of our timber condi- tions with a view of bringing offenders to justice, and securing to the school funds of the state the amounts properly belonging thereto. The public examiner further states as a result of investigation, that mineral lease# have been issued contrary to law, and to persons not legally entitled to hold them. I assure you that proper steps will be taken to revoke such leas- es. As a precaution against future vio- lations of the law that this class of property may yield to the state the greatest possible revenue, I recommend the passage of a bill to provide for the sale of mineral lenses at public auction to the highest bidder. and that every such sale should be after due and proper advertisement, and after a mineralogical examination of the land by the state before such sale. Within a few years vast mineral beds have been uncovered, and there is reason to believe that still greater discoverles are to follow. The interests of the state must be safe- guarded in every possible way, and I again call your attention to this most important question. Railway Legislation. «One of the great problems of the pres- ent tme and which is of the greatest and most vital concern to the people represented by you, is that of rallway transportation and tariff rates for the same. There is no need to rehearse the history of recent litigation affecting com- binations of parallel and competing rail- way lines. The United States supreme court In a decision rendered by it has decreed against the merger of sucn puar- allel ana competing lines of railway. And yet we realize and know that com- binations are in effect which completely annihilate competition. Railway rates in our state are much higher than oe a borase in Canada. hat there n unjust seri i aston mination there is no peaking of railway control, Justi Bradley of the Unite : ne corn 8 United States supreme “The superintending power ove; highways and the charges imposed upon the public for their use always remains in the government. This is not only its indefeasible right, but is necessary for the protection of the people against ex- tortion and abuse. These positions we deem to be incontrovertable. Indeed, they are adjudged the law in the decis- jons of this court. Railroads and rai road corporations ade in the category. You are the representatives of the peo- ple. To you they look for relief. By many the Towa distance tariff law is be- lieved to be a solution of this question for our own state. Railway rates are Jower in Iowa than in this state by from 25 to 40 per cent. Something is radically ee mae uh System which places the te sota shipper at such a disadvan- That the Iowa distance tari of benefit’ to our state, ts of Bewd doubt. The railway situa’ differs materially from Ser as TS ts a state compact of physical form, having within her borders ni e mina] markets, and whose products ae ainly agricultural, the great surplus heing carried to terminal markets bevond he state in carloads. The manufactured articles are largely brought inf, oints outside of the stat. fond [oes With us the dition. ta “atone condition is w y different, and after investigation, vies concluded that it is an open question whether or not the Iowa plan would be to our advantage as a whole s A distance tariff might be of temporary benefit to the rural districts and at the fame time be the means of gradua earing down our internal terminal ee ets, the result being eventually to cur lisadvantage. There is a remedy, it seems ‘o me. in the establishment of a maximum freight rate that will be fair to the thipper and not a hardship to the trans- tortation company. The railway and warehouse commission is now clothed wth proper legal authority to establish inir and equitable rates. That this has not been done jis be- pause a lack of aggressive administra. rather than to a lack of legal au- { would. therefore. recommend ppointment by you of a joint legis- ative committee to make a full and com- this state with »* establishing by iaw a maximum iff rate for transportation within this te which shall be based upon a rea- coumlle rate of interest and profit on the fayertment. and which will be fair to all parts of the state, and absoiutely pro- Nor is. our aint alone in the tter of rates within our own state. ere is the same ground for dissatistac- on interstate traffic. On this class «4 ity is Sault peed any regulation. en the inter- ace commerce commission is limited in its authority, and to provide sufficient power, there is before the national con- is what is known as the “Cooper ill,” which is designed to clothe the interstate commerce commission with complete authority to establish a just rate after a hearing and investigation, and to have the rate put in force pending liti- gation. I would earnestly recommend the adoption of a joint resolution which will explicitly indorse the Cooper bill and request our senators and representa- tives in congress to support said mieus- ure. To enable our people to fully avail themselves of the benefits of the national Jaws regulating transportation and of the interstate commerce commission in the administration of these laws, 1 would urge the passage of a bill which would authorize the state board of railway and warehouse commissioners to represent any. individual complaint before the in- terstate commerce commission when in the judgment of said board of railway and warehouse commissioners the grievance of the complainant is a just one. in the discussion of this question of transportation I beg. to remind you that generally we have dealt with steam rail- ways. Every indication points to the fact. that within a few years our, state will be quite generally traversed by elec- trical railways, and that within the com- ing two years several of these lines will be under construction. Bing common carriers, it would be wise in my judg- ment to incorporate in’ cur statutes at this time a provisicn which would place all such common carriers under the con- trol and jurisdiction of the board of rail- way and warehouse commissioners. I would also urge your attention to the advisability of giving said board power to regulate and _ control telegraph and telephone companies. Every public serv- ice corporation which gets its authority from the state and is protected by the State, should be forced to submit to public contro! Railroad Passes. es During past “years a strong prejudice has arisen in this state against what is commonly termed the ‘pass system.” I am not among those who believe that the giving or accepting of a free railroad pass or a frank is intended in any way as @ bribe, and yet the mere acceptance of the courtesy necessarily places the re cipient under some slight measure of obligation to the corporation. Public of- ficials, and men prominent in other walks of life, have been the reficiaries of this system, which hes been in vogue ever since our existence as a state; and the system has been so much abused that sentiment has become aroused against a continuation of the practice. All corpora- tions do business on an earning basi: and every tree pass or favor granted py a corporation is of necessity paid for by the class of citizens who do not come within the favor of the corporations. Public opinion in this state has grown to such an extent that there general demand for the passage of a iaw si to that adopted in the State of Wi: sin, and which is most stringent effectual. I would urge the adoption of a law which will abolish the pass system in this state.. The legislature should not hesitate to give expression to this senti- ment. Prison Labor. For a number of years the state has maintained a plant at the state prison for the manufacture of binding twine, and the messages of my several predeces- sors in office have in almost every in- stance acknowledged the wisdom of the establishment of that plant. It is a prof- itable source of employment for our con- vict labor, and in addition thereto is of great benefit to the farmers of the state by giving to them cheaper binding twine. The situation in this regard is peculiar to the extent that in this instance tho convict lapor thus employed is not thrown into competition with the free labor of the state. It would be wisdom upon the part of the state to devote practicallv all of the prison labor to the manufacture of binding twine. It would be a source of revenue equal to that derived from the manufacture of other products. Prison labor should not compete with free labor. It might be a source of economy to en- gage a portion of this labor in the manu- facture of shoes and clothing for the in- mates of our other nubhe institutions, put aside from this I believe it would be wise, economical! and profitable to extend the twine plant to such an extent as to rovide employment for the remainder. ur present contract system is open to a great/deal of criticism. By the change suggested, two results would be accom- plished, both of which would be to the best interests of the state. Labor Legislation. Another subject which is of great In- terest to the working people of our state is what may be described as the common law doctrine as to the non-liability of a master to a servant for injuries occurring through the negligence of a fellow serv- ant. This ancient rule of the common law, coupled with the other rule, generally referred to as the doctrine of the assump- tion of risk by employes, has cast upou the individual laborer a risk and respon- sibility out of all proportion to the wages he receives. Whatever may have been said as to the propriety of the com- mon law doctrine in the past, it is entire- ly unsuited to the present era when high- geared and dangerous machinery per- forms such a large part in the production of manufactured articles. This fact has been recognized in the matter of oper- ating railroads, the ‘fellow servant” rule having been abolished in this state as to them. The true rule is, that the in- dustrv should bear the risk, and not the unfortunate workmen who are now daily deprived of the means of earning a liveli- hood by those appalling accidents which are occuring with more and more fre- quency of late Swamp Land Drainage. Vast tracts of land located largely in the northern part of the state are at present a useless waste, because thev are low, wet and untillable. This land drained would reclaim to the state count- less acres rich in soil and capable of profitable cultivation. I urge upon your consideration the enactment of a law having for its purpose the drainage of this land under state supervision. To do this I would recommend the establish- ment of a revolving fund from which the expense providing for this improvement may be met, the money thus expended to be returned to this fund in deferred pay- ments without interest, from taxes levied upon and collected from the lands bene- fited. eThe present system is unsatisfac- tory. The plan suggested would be in the nature of self help, and would be just, fair and equitable to all sections of the state. The fact that such a revolving fund would be kept intact would permit of a more rapid development of the drain- eee ey Bret and would relieve the legisla- ure appropriati > age purposes, Ppropi ions tor drain. jeem it my duty also to call yo t- tention to the national swamp ian erent by which thousands of acres of swamp land were deeded to the state wits understanding and consideration that these lands were to be drained by the state. The duties and obligations thus imposed should be met, and the pledge pti the bic oo carry out its nart agreement shou! Te Teaee Id ‘most certainly Insurance Department ‘There need at“this time for a gen- eral revision of our present insurance laws. Under present conditions insur- ance companies are permitted to so trans- act their business that the interest of the policy holder is not fully protected. Such large amounts of the people's earnings are invested in. various kinds of insur- ance that it is highly necessary and proper that legislation should be had at this session which will not only make the supervision of the insurance depart- ment fair and efficient, but which will absolutely safeguard every interest of the policy holder and which will compel every company doing an insurance busi- ness in the state to do that business upon a legitimate basis. Under the present law there is altogether too much latitude in the matter of reinsurance of the risks of other companies and’ this if permitted at all, should be authorized under s) ~. ditions that the rights of Dona ine would not suffer thereby. The present law permits the collection of fees by the commissioner, the propriety of which there is much doubt. ‘The state cannot afford to pursue any uncertain policy in this eR, aay Biber matter. All fees cole c 1 lepartment shou “OV= ered into the state treasury. Rees } | | nigh 4gh charac’ ‘position: ter could be mecur the sini pirig d Roads. lect of good roads is prominent in the public mind and there “hes been peniening: done during recent years look- Hes. © the improvement of our public ase Ways. Suitable legislation is mnch be choad and I assume that you are suffi- ren 'y familiar with the situation to re- duire no special comment the part of Sead soptive. An increased tax for the oa and bridge fund would undoubtedly township work woul peobepis einige ty would pro endeavor along this ine, a og ated aie Immigration. ghout the northern part of our fae Mon Wealth, large tracts Of land are ane and unproductive because of the lack aaron to till the soil.. Our neighbors men, been busy in the encouragement of - wei to locate with them, and within ph cat few years, thousands of home ret ts have passed through our own pit e to find an abiding place in the Da- Fotas. Montana, Washington and Canada. bev dt palipad offers every advantage to the se ler and by well ‘directed effort, a Pe Proportion of people seeking new jl es, might be induced to locate Sin our Had pate and materially aid in its a wth and development. A state im- Payor society has been organized, but nae, state assistance, the result of a r Jabor has naturally been limited. F _ establishment of a permanent bureau of immigration with su: nt funds to prosecute the work of urging settlers to pene, here, would result in great good. jigaenss of State Institutions. tia © management of our state institu- ns is properly a matter for your earn- . consideration. Two policies have een pursued by our state in the govern- non of the public institutions of the - e. The present systern of government 8 a board of control {3 comparatively ‘w. many of our peoole differ in their opinions as to the best method of instl- tutional government. ‘I'he board of con- trol system obtains now end must be fiver a fair opportunity to demonstrate anlug, . Some of the methods empioyed by the *board of control are subject to criticism, Contracts are made in’ secret and the business in which the public has. an interest ts withheld ‘rom the public itself. Whether or not it is wise to make all of the business, the letting of con- tracts and the purchase of supplies «pen to public inspection, there certainly should be some provision made by which all of the transactions of the board of control would be subject to regular in- pecan and investigation by the public a er or some ¢ cr 1 - ees ie other competent au , Care of Insane. ‘The care of the unfortunate wards of the state is worthy of your niost earnest and careful consideration. The siate has been very generous in the past, and in its provision tor the care uf the insane gnd the feeble-minded Minnesoia ranks ‘fa- vorably with her sister states. Much progress has been raade along this: line of work during recent years, and it has now become established that in the care of the insane it is the duty of the state to provide humane care for this class of our unfortunate citizens, and that tt should a!so be the duty and the privilese of the state to develop the study of in- sanitv as a disease, and make proper progress along the lines of scientific treat- ment of the insane with a view ef the education of the medical prof i More thorough knowledge More attention should be paid to the treatment of new cases, and the best of facilities should be provided with that end in view. Our hospitals for insane should be placed on the high plane of general hospitals, and they should be re- lieved so far as possible of the incubus of the incurable inmates. who only re- quire personal care, but whose presence means the Rat out of those who need and might be benefited by medical treatment. I would call your attention to the advisability of providing nurses’ homes at the various hospitals. Separate homes tor the nurses would mean €cono~ my of room in the hospitals themselves, and would be a simple act of justice 10 the nurses employed. I would also direct your attention to the need cf providing a place at the state prison for the reten- tion of the criminal insane as well as the insane criminal. The convict or criminal insane should not be allowed to mingle with the non-criminal insane. Insanity is no more a crime than tuberculosis. The eare and treatment of those who are mentally pereoges or ill from nervous diseases should be along the most mod- ern and scientific lines. There are sev- eral classes of our insane and the state and the public generally have regarded them as all of one class, to be cared for at public expense with little thought of recovery or of scientific treatment, The appropriations have generally been liberal for the car of this class of the wards of the state, but the legislature should begin to make provision for a separation of tne different classes to the end that the in- curable and the criminal cases should not interfere with the treatment of those cases where cures might possibly be ef- fected. Our entire system should be re- organized and based upon the idea of curing the disease rather than caring for the being. State Board of Health. A very important work fn the public service is that done under the supervision of the state board of health. In general, everything relating to the work of this poard has grown enormously during the past decade. Not only has the board undertaken work of a general sanitary nature but it is doing and has done splen- did work in the matter of infectious and contagious diseases. It has also per- formed good service in dealing with in- fectious diseases of animals. The work should be facilitated by every possible encouragement which can be rendered it by the legislature. The suggestion of the poard that every county should have an intelligent medical health officer is cer- tainly worthy of your consideration. State Training School. A reform is suggested by a number of vur philanthropic people looking towards a separation of the sexes at our state training school. I heartily indorse the proposition, believing that the present association is detrimental to both sexes, and that a more complete reformation would follow by reason of such a separa- tion. If the training school system should obtain at all, it should reach the highest possible state of efficiency, and should not be viewed altogether from the standpoint of dollars and cents, but from that of common humanity and the most | | capitol of the state. modern idea of correctional work. The state conan. bet de ie Pee aed take roper cognizance 0 is que’ 5 a 4 Soldiers’ Home. Our nation and state have pursued a policy in providing homes for the vet- erans of the Civil war which has met with the approval of all patriotic citi- zens. Our people have been generous in their recognition of the services of the old soldier. In our generosity to the sol- diers of the Civil war, the state has been remiss in the duty it owes to the Wives, the mothers and the widow of the old soldier. At the last department encamp- ment of the Grand Army of the Republic the matter of admitting the mothers, widows and wives to the soldiers’ home was taken up, and as a result of that movement the board of trustees of the state soldiers’ “~home recommends an amendment to the law which will permit their admission, and they ask for an ap- propriation to construct suitable build- ings for their care and maintenance. No one has questioned the justice of caring for the old soldier, and if there is justice in making provision fer him, there is no valid reason why those directly dependent upon him should be denied the comforts which the state owes. It would be a gracious act upon the part of the state to so amend its 7 atte as to be able to nt this request. ee Dairy and Food. In no field of production has the state made greater progress during past years than in dairying and animal husbandry. Within a comparatively brief period the commonwealth has emerged from the list of in-growing districts, and has estab- jished herself as the greatest dairy state jn the Union. By reason of the superior quality, Minnesota butter stands pre- eminently at the head, and in_compe- tition has won more medals and diplomas of merit than all the neighboring states combined. The superiority of this prod- uct has been established at every na- tional contest heid in recent years. Nu- merous agencies have been jointly re- sponsible for the growth and production and the improvement in the quality our dairy product. The agricultural school of state university have it factors in the of desirable condition. de ‘tment of our own state government also been a con- spicuous factor in the upbuilding of this industry, .and also accomplished much in preventing harmful adulterations of food products. The state can well at- ford to pursue the most liberal policy to- ward both of these agencies. Legislation is necessary .especially with relation to the matter of pure food, and these laws should be framed upon the idea of edu- cation and development rather than per- secution. Forestry. The subject of forestry, while receiving considerable attention by a number of our people, is entitled to more considera- tion than has usually been given it at previous sessions of the legislature. The General Laws of 1873 provided compen- sation for planting and cultivating trees on prairie land and along highways. The paying of compensation in the form of jounties for planting trees on highways was later discontinued, but bounties for tree-planting on prairie land aggregating 20,000 a year have since been paid. A tax for this purpose of one-tenth of one mill was provided for in 1881, but as it was found to yield more than $20,000 per year, it was abolished by the General Laws of 1895, when an annual appropria- tion of $20,000 was substituted in its place. The question has been raised as* to whether this system of cree Dane bounties has not served its purpose, ant could now be discontinued. The members of the legislature from prairie counties should best be able to determine this matter. The forest preservation act of 1895 made town supervisors in the vicin- ity of forests and prairie lands fire war- dens, and made it their duty to take necessary precaution for the prevention as well as the extinguishment of fires. The lack of proper compensation has resulted in very inefficient service on the Patt of wardens thus selected. The Jnited States forestry bureau after care- ful consideration, has drawn a bill for the State of California, which provides for the appointment of competent persons to serve as fire wardens, the expense to be paid by the state, which is to cols lect half the amount from the counties in which the expense occurred. Our present system should be strengthened so that it will meet the dangers which might arise through an _ exceptional drouth. The state forestry board, created in 1899, is endeavoring to reforest the 1,000- acre reserve in Cass county, donated to the \state by the late Hon. John S, Pills- bury, and desires to make a careful ex- amination and working plan for the 20,- 000 acres of forestry lands in St. Louis county which were generously granted to the state by congress at its last session. Liberal provision for these purposes should be made; also for the future care of these forestry lands. Examination of City Accounts. In view of the vast sums of public rev- enue collected and disbursed by cities of the first class, such as Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth, there is a senti- ment among the taxpayers of those cities that the city finances should be subject to the same supervision by the public examiner as that now given to county finances. In Minneapolis, for example, the annual tax levy and expenditure ap- proximate $4,000,000; and there is now no examination and audit of the accounts of the city controller and treasurer, ex- cept that of a committee of aldermen, who do not claim to be accountants or to make an expert examination. The need of such examination in the case of Minneapolis is apparent in the published reports of the city council wherein it is shown that large sums are unaccounted for. Loose accounting is a premium on joose business methods and a_ fertile cause of increasing debt and taxes. On the other hand, strict accounting is the first essential ‘to public economy and retrenchment. The legislature of 1891 passed a special act, now in force, giving state inspection of city accounts to St, Paul; and an extension of the same or similar provisions to all cities would appear to be a right step in the direction of municipal credit, economy and re- nchment. sity Review of Election Returns. Gov. Lind in his last message to the legislature called the attention of that body to the fact that the statutes pro- vided no method for reviewing the elec- tion returns for a state office. Under the present election laws a candidate has no right to contest an election. A can- didate might be deprived of his election by arror or by fraud, and if so deprived, has no remedy. I would recommend the enactment of a law which would pro- vide a method of reviewing election re- turns upon state offices. State Monument. In 1851 the national government, af- fected a treaty with the Sioux Indians whereby there was opened for settlement what is now the most densely populated portion of our state. The treaty was one of the most important ever made by the national government with the Indians, as it involved a tract of land so great as to be an empire in extent. It would be proper for the state to mark the spot where this treaty occurred, and as there are but few survivors of that scene, action should not be too long de- ferred. A small appropriation would pro- vide for a suitable monument for that Ose. et Non-partisan Judiciary In framing our form of government the final guarantee of the preservation of the liberties of the people was vested in the judiciary; it was deemed that an in- dependent judiciary was sufficient pri tection against oppression and _unconsti- tutional legislation. It is felt that under our present system of selecting judges, through partisan conventions, these ob- jects are not fully attained. There is a general demand for some change in the system of selecting the judiciary. To ac- complish a change from our present sys- tem two methods have been suggested. one being founded upon the national ideas of appointment and life tenure, the other by a separate election held in the spring of the year at the time of the an- nual town and village elections. Of the two systems the latter in my opinion is- preferable. Under a primary election law it is impossible to nominate a non- partisan judiciary, and I would, there- fore, recommend that this law be so amended as to eliminate judicial offices from its provisions, and that a law be enacted which will provide for a separate judicial election. I realize that no rad jcal innovation would be adopted by the legislature, but the question being of such transcendent importance I commend it to you for your most serious consid- eration. ' Conclusion. We are assembled to-day in the new This splendid edifice is a monument to the energy, prosperity and culture of our people. Whatever op- position may have existed to its erection in the past, the people are now proud that its glittering dome overlooks the capital city of our beloved state. This building is the property of the state, and was provided as a place in which should be transacted the business of the state. As their servants, you and I are com- missioned to perform the duties of our several offices in their interest. We should here dedicate ourselves to that service, pledging our zeal, our fidelity and our honest purpose in an endeavor to do our duty to the people who have re- sed in us their confidence and their trust. We should build not for to-day alone, but that future generations might reap the reward of honest patriotic ef- fort. If there must be sacrifice, let it not be at the expense of the state. If we must regard political considerations, Jet us ulso remember that political parties are but the vehicles of good government, and that you and I will best serve the parties of our choice by a conscientious effort to serve hut one master, and that master the sovereign people of the State of Sinnsoths eS cane ake ae Inexpensive. is moonlight so conducive to “why said the sentimental young romance?"” man. “Well,” answered the practical girl, “for one thing, when you are using the moonlight you aren’t interrupted by re- membrances of parental worry about gas ape electric hght bills.’—Washington tar. Didn’t Mean Anything. “There's one thing I must speak to vou about,” said the new maid. “Your hus- band addressed me as ‘my dear’ last night.? “Oh, aoh't mind a little thing like tha replied Mrs. Gayboy. “Why, he even Laoag me that way at times.”—Chicago ws. THREE YEARS AFTER. Eugene E. Lario, of 751 Twentteth avenue, ticket seller in the Union Sta- tion, Denver, Col., says: “You are at liberty to repeat what I first stated through our Denver papers about Doan’s Kidney Pills in the summer of 1899, for I have had no reason in the interim to change my opinion of that remedy. I was subject to severs ai tacks of backache? a ways aggravated if I sat long at a desk. Doan’s Kidney Pills absolutely stopped my backache. I have never had a pain or a twinge since.” Foster-Milburn Co., Buffalo, N. Y¥. For sale by all druggists. Price 60 cents per box. Hey, Diddle, Diddle. “Let us fly,” urged the Dish. “Lawks-a-day!” giggled the spoon, yielding in sweet confusion. “A’ybody’d think you was a Loving Cup!” That is to say, the ancient rhyme re- lates the fact not otherwise than as it was, but with an infelicity paucity of detail—Puck. A Sense of Fairness. “Do you believe that army officers ought to marry none but rich girls?” “Well,” said Mrs. Cumrox, thought- fully. “I don’t see why she might not as well let our money go to the army as to the foreign nobility.”—-Washing- ton Star. Gratz or Onto, City or Tot: Loess county, ot aa. Prank J. Ci partner of tl ee a foresaid, and that said firm will pay the sum of ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS for Bach and ever case of CaTARREH that cannot be cured by the use Hatr's Catazen Cunz. FRANK J. CHENEY. Sworn to before me and subscribed in my prem ence, this 6th day of December, A. D. 1 nee | A. W. GLEASON, 4 eet. Notary Pusuro, Hall's Catarrh Cure ts taken internally and acts irectly on the blood and mucous surfaces of the system. Send for testimonials, free. J. CHENEY & CO., Toledo, @ Sold by all Druggtats, 75c. Take ial! 'o Family Pills for constipation. Evidently a Mistake. Him—I envy Jack de Borem. He takes life so easy. Her—You must be mistaken as to his taking life easy. Him—Why do you think so? Her—He tried to talk me to death last night—Chicago News. Important to Mothers. Examine carefully every bottle of CASTORIA, safe and sure remedy for infants and children, and see that it Bears the Signature of y Im Use For Over 30 Years, ‘The Kind You Have Always Bought, HER ULTIMATUM. Why She Objected to Papa’s Matri- monia! Assistance. “There is one thing I want distinctly understood,” said the only daughter of the household, as she cornered her parents and looked as though she were issuing a proclamation of war. “I want no more interference in my affairs, so far as the young men who come here are concerned. I’m old enough to ex- ercise my own opinions. You two act as though you thought some young man was trying to marry the whole family, and that it devolves upon you to make a satisfactory selections. You have succeeded in running off two or three for whom I had a special liking, and now I call a halt. That’s my ulti- matum.” “See here, Gladys, Pll not permit any such talk to your father. I guess we know what is best for you, and we certainly have your welfare at heart. I give you to distinctly understand—” “I do distinctly understand. You broke my last engagement by sitting at the table and telling George that I baked the hot biscuits that I never saw until they were served. One dose of them ruined his digestion, and I don’t blame him for not risking his life with such supposed danger as a constant menace.” Then she fled in tears, and the pair went to upbraiding each other in a manner that tended to revive the old conundrum as to whether marriage is a failure —New York Press. HABIT’S CHAIN Certain Habits Unconsciously Formed and Hard to Break. An ingenious philosopher estimates that the amount of will power neces- sary to break a life-long habit would, if it could be transformed, lift a weight of many tons. It sometimes requires a higher de- gree of heroism to break the chains of a pernicious habit than to lead a forlorn hope in a bloody battle. A lady writes from an Indiana town: “From my earliest childhood I was a lover of coffee. Before I Was out of my teens I was a miserable dys- peptic, suffering terribly at times with my stomach. “I was convinced that it was coffee that was causing the trouble, and yet I could not deny myself a cup for breakfast. At the age of 36 I was in very poor health indeed. My sister told me Iwas in danger of becoming a coffee drunkard. “But I never could give up drink- ing coffee for breakfast, although it kept me constantly ili, until I tried Postum. I learned to make it prop- erly according to directions, and now we can hardly do without Postum for breakfast, and care nothing at all for coffee.. “I am no longer troubled with dys. pepsia, do not have spells of suffering with my stomach that used to trouble me so when I drank coffee.” Name given by Postum Co., Battle Creek, Mich. Look in each pkg. for the famous little book, “The Road to Wellville.” 4