Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The Red Cloud chief. (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 15, 1897)
iyyjywtfy mi y Wis 'v-vj. ,..KM. V-'U "fAlA4s1sCr THE RED CLOUD CHIEF, FRIDAY, JANUARY 1897. -f 7 a r- for. s &' H 1 V (I Hfw'' GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE A VERY LONG AND ABLE DOCUMENT. Iho Nebraska I'.tPditlro I! mm .tuts AITntrH 'IhiiroiiRlity Mint W tli llrtninlng Dignity DrfeiuM tin, sinin mill Makes a Number f Ki'iomiiiendiitlmm. hi:ciion ovi:. To the MembtM of the Twenty-fifth Session of tha Legislature of 'Nebraska. aontlemen: In the din. huge of the obli gation Imposed on mo tu the chief execu tive of the state to communlcAto to you auoh Information and ric6minoud.ittons us may aucceat themselves I deoni It not In appropriate to espies my gratification that thl messtso is presented to a legisla tive body, a majority of .he members of which I hae reason to bcllovc are In liar mny and sympathy wlLh the executive department: and that we can hopefully look for a hearty accord hotween the ex ecutive and legislative branches of this Mate government, In the respective capac ities to which we, the servants of the peo ple, havo been choen by their suffrages to aot, respecting the plana to be adopted and the policies wo shall pursue. The ex istence of such harmonious relations will, I am sure, enable us to accomplish much good for our state. I feel comldont that every branch of our state government Is Imbued with an earnest desire to promote the general welfare of the people, advance the prosperity of the state; guard, protect and encourage every Interest which will add to the development of Its resources and preserve tho rights of Its citizens. 1 feel a deep sense of gratitude to my fellow citizens for the confidence mani fested in me by my re-election, and de sire only In the future to profit by the ex perience of the past and thus prove myself worthy of the high honor bestowed upon me. In administering the affairs of the peo ple In a govcrnmont such as ours, thoso chosen for that purpose aro but Instru ments to ascertain and then carry out tho will of the people. This should be done with diligence and fidelity. The faithful servant merits and recotves the approval of a sovereign people, and enjoys the sat isfaction of mind which comes from the knowledge of a duty well performed In the discharge of weighty responsibilities. That the members of thti legislature are Impressed with the grave responsibilities resting upon oach of them, and with the Importance of the varied Interests of this commonwealth which ore for a time com mitted to their care, I believe and shall assume to be true; that you are deter mined to discharge your duties faithfully and fearlessly for tho bt Interests of our beloved state and the welfare of our fellow citizens, I doubt not In the least. You will doubtless bo called upon to solve many difficult and perplexing prob lems of grave Interest to the state, and I feel euro you Willi glvo to each Important question, as It Is brought before you, that mature deliberation and wise consideration which should characterize all legislation affecting the welfare of & great common wealth. X am not In my Judgment, overstating (he case when I say that at no time In the history of the state Ins there been more urgont need for wise and intelligent ac tion on the part of tho lawmaking boJy; nor a more opportune time for the enact ment of prudent legislation. Abuses and Imperfections In existing statutes, which permit of Inequalities, wrongs and hard ships upon a part of our people, should be oorrooted, bearing ever In mind that the object of all legislation Is to entirely eradicate, or reduce to a minimum, these various forms of evil In the enforcement of law and order. A a nation we confidently assert that our people are among the most enlightened and progressive on tho face of the earth; and you have the honor to represent the people of a state having the smallest per centage of illiteracy of any In the union, and who are the peer of any peoplo In tho land, In patriotism, Intelligence, Integrity and love of equality, truth and Justice In the affairs of mankind. ATTACKS ON TITO STATE. Our public schools, our colleges and uni versities testify to the love of our people for education. Situated geographically In the center of the United States, we are afforded every opportunity for constant and .mutually profitable Intercourse with all jkrts of our common country. It l to toe regretted that partisan newspapers, having seemingly no regard for the pub Ho welfare, and with a spirit of intoler ance entirely out of place where free In stitutions are admired, have attempted to prejudloe the minds of men who ore unac quainted with our state and Its cltlxens, by the publication of mendacious and slanderous articles reflecting on the intelli gence and Integrity of the people of Ne braska. It has been Intimated by men high In the councils of our national gov ernment, a well as by some newspapers ef general circulation throughout the country, that the present session of the legislature of Nebraska would undertake by vicious and hostile legislation to per mit the repudiation of the debts of Its cltt ens, to vitiate private contracts, and to discriminate in favor of one party to a contract so as to demoralise the business of the people of the state. These wanton attacks upon the free and enlightened people of 'Nebraska would not be worthy of attention were they not calculated to Incite the lllwlll of a class of citizens of older and more populous states whose knowledge of 'Ncbaskans Is gleaned from newspaper comment and not from actual oontaot with our people. It has been threatened that the people of eastern states who have money Invested in Ne braska property would withdraw their in vestments because the majority of our citizens have espoused a different politi cal policy from that having, general In dorsement In the eastern portion of our country. REMEDIAL LEGISLATION MUST COME. These unmerited reflections on the Intel ligence and Integrity of our citizens will not, I am sure, deter you from discharg ing your full duty to your constituents by enacting any new laws or remedial legis lation upon which you may determine. By wis and Judicious 'action' yoil wil dlepel any doubts which may exist of the deter mination" of. our people to be strictly Just to all menf- of their capacity, through ttblr representatives, to enaot legislation 'for the protection of alt Interest! In the Intimate relations' of our citizens. with each other. Or With the citizens of other states, and for the conservation of all -legitimate business! Interests. . jl m I (Nebraska Is not the child of any other state, or group of states. She la a sover eign state 'among the-sisterhood of states of the union, with equal privileges, pre rogatives, duties, and responslMJItlta. Her oltlsens are intelligent, IndustHousJ honest and patriotic. She has wlthlmjier borders the natural and acquired resources and all the-elements of strength and grandeur necessary to maintain her proud position as one of the foremost states of the union. Nebraskans demand only the right, and that they will maintain, of governing their own affairs, without any desire to Infringe upon the rights of any other people. A sudden change In the business rela tlons existing between citizens of Nebrus ka and Jtlzens of other states would quite probably work much hardship and unnec essary suffering upon many of our people, yet 1 am of tho oplnhn that ultimately greater permanent Injury would b wrought to tho states and communities adopting Bitch an extraordlnaryandunusual course toward our citizens. 'Nebraska Is art dependent on any one state or section f tho country for the final or complete development of Ijer resources and the. com fort and napptnes a her citizens; and she does not appeal as a dependent to have nccorded to her citizens the fair treatment and consideration whlh should, and usu ally does, exist among the people-ef ono common country, all having a mutual In terest In tho development of the whole. Ilathrr, she demtnds this treatment be cause of tho elements of strength In re ciprocal relations which sho rossenses, nnd the ability of extending Inducements to the business world, which make her terri tory an Inviting Held for the Investment of capital tnd development of Industrial en terprises lnOPi:UTY lllOItTH SAOIIKD. Thiit Mil property Interests now In ex istence or that may hereafter bn t-stnb-llshod w 111 be treated with Barred rejrird and scrupulous honesty should not be questioned. To quiMtion It Is to doubt tin honr-tty of nmnklud and challonK tho In tegrity of a nation. Our peoplo draervo friendly relation, commercially nnd sod ully, with tho citizens of other statrn, and roallze that In tho maintenance ord, extension of mutual, cordial regard all are alike benefited. Ono and a quarter millions of patriotic, law-nblitlng peoplo Inhabit tho ulute of Nobraska. They havo bulldcd thriving cities and villages. They Imva broken the sod ovor which tho Indians and tho buffaloes roamed a fow decades ago. They aro a hnnly, Independent people, and aro proud of the great fields and growing commonwealth they have Treated. The fertile fields of Nebraska yield grain sum dent to supply tho nation. Horses, cattle, and sheop fatten upon Iter broad praiiloi ar.A meadow lands. Thousnnd of oar loads of pork uro shipped annually from her farms to feed the people of ottvr states and countries. Her transportation facilities are unexcelled. Sho luui fac tories for sugar, for chicory, for the man ufacture of dry goods and various other commodities. She has mills for grinding grain; great packing houses and dairies all over th state In faot ovorythlnx which makes a people prosperous In a grout agricultural country, und goes to build up a great commonwealth. Theo nro the advantages which nn In telligent, jmluytrlous, thrifty and energet ic people present to the business world, nnd thoy will onablo her to maintain, by virtue of merit' alone, an Ironorablo posi tion among tho great industrial commun ities of our country. The moro Important of tho subject to be considered by you wore gonorally dls lussod during tho recent campaign nnd tho people mado known their dealtva by tho election of officers committed to re form.! in tho management of the state's nffulrs, thereby rendering lest difficult for you to perform your duty in executing tho will of Uio people thus expressed. I will merely call your attention to such of these Important matters as have come under my observation during my term of oflloe. By a wiifl provision of the constitution, the officers of the exeoutlve department nnd the heads of all tho public Institu tions of the state, aro required at list ten days preceding each regular session of the legislature to make a roport to tho governor concerning tho condition of tho state's business in tholr change, sash reports In turn to bo submitted) to the legislature These reports were not all presented to mo wttliln tho tlmo required by tho constitution, and I liave thereforo been unable to glvo them tho considera tion I would havo desired. Thy are sub mitted to you for your careful considera tion as they contain much valuable Infor mation which will be, of great assistance to you in determining tho neds of the dlfforent department!! of the state gov ernment and of the various Institutions for their proper management for tho coming blcnnlum. It I slit of SufTrniro. One of tho moot Important duties de volving upon you as legislators Is the amondment of tho election laws of the stato. Tho legislature of 1891 very wisely adopted the Australian ballot syatem and It has undoubtedly had an appreciable effect In purifying our elections. Experi ence In tho uso of tho Australian system ouggcats many Improvement which will havo a tendency to render the perpot ra tion of frauds mill mora difficult and give additional protection to tho voter in the exen-lso of his right of franchise. FORM OP BALLOT. I heartily approvo tho general form of our ballot and bollove it to be vastly prcferablo to the so-called "blanket" bal lot system, In which the party tickets are each printed In separate columns, with provisions generally by which tho elector can vote the entire ticket by ono mark or stamp. The independence) of the voter is encouraged by our system which lead him usually to read the names of the candidates for the various office be fore casting his ballot, and ho la encour aged thereby not to rely solely upon party designation. It has been urged by soma as an objection to the form of our ballot that It Is In effect the establishment of an educational test for voting. I do not regard this as a very serious objection. The voter has become accustomed to this form of ballot, and any marked change In the general form, In my opinion, la en tirely unnecessary and would serve no good purpose. PARTY DESIGNATIONS. Othor objections, however, and moro substantial which I rard moro the result of abuses than of the law Itself and which can be remedied by proper amendments. As an Instance, William J. Bryan was nominated by the democratic party for tho presidency. Afterward ho wa also nominate J by the people's party for pres ident A convention of dissatisfied demo crat met later and, styling themselves "national democrats," nominated John M. Palmer for president. Tho candidates placed In nomination by the Palmer wing for electors, as well us for state officers, wero denominated on the official ballot in Nebraska as "democrats" with no means of distinguishing them from the regular democratic nominee. Tho result of suth a course was necessarily the deception of many voter. I would respectfully recommend that auch amendment bs made to the law aa would prevent tho use of the party designation by "boMIng" faction for the purposo of deoelvlnc vot ers. The regular party nominee only should appear on the official ballot with tlie designation of tho party which nomi nated tliem. Where one candidate) has been nominated by mora than one politi cal party the party designation should be so arrangedi aa to permit the elector to express by his vote his party prefer enco as well as his preference for tho candidate. Protection should be secured to the voter who, unacquainted with tha names of all the nominees on tho ticket, is desirous of casting his ballot for tha nominees of the party he espouse. ELECTION HOARD. I would also suggest that each party having u fair proportion of tho electcrj In tha state be given representation on the precinct election boards, and that no more than two members of any ono political organization be made Judge in any ejection precinct. The representa tives of no ono political organisation, should have entire control of any election booth, and, where competent men repre senting different political parties can bo secured, the result must be more satis fantory to all concerned, I believe this matter might bo satis factorily arranged by vesting the power of naming the Judges and clerks of elec tion In, the county clerks or boarda ot county commissioner (and the mayors of cities of the first and second daises), restricting them to a choice from list furnished by the chairman of the county (or city) committees of the various polit ical parties. Provisl could be made allowing at least one representative on tha election board to each political party re ceiving a certain percentage of votes cast at the last general k..:tton held in the state, and providing that, In" no event-, should any one party have to exceed fwu Judge and one oterk on any eleiAfcra board. NO COERCION. In order to secure a free and untram melled ballot for every elector stepn should Im taken to prevent coercion. In timidation and unduo InHm-nee on tho part of the employer. Every cltlxMi, whatever may be his station In life, sIkjuII have every protection thrown around h m In the exorcise, of his citizenship Other states havo seen fit to enact very ttr.ngvnt legislation to prevent undue Influence on tho voter by his employer. An nn mntanf'si tho law.s of Indiana provldo that whoever, for tho puricp of Influencing a voter, threatens to enforce, the payment of a debt, to lnjuro the bueluoss or trado f nn elector, or, 4f an employer threatens to withhold wngca or to dismiss from service any laborer In his employment or refuses to allow employes time to nt fwl to tho placo of oleotlon and vote, shall bii tlncd not moro than 11,000 nor less than 120, Imprisonment In tho a:ato prison not moro than five years, nor Iosij than one year, and disfranchised nnd ren dered Incapable of holding any office of trust or profit for any dotermtnatlvo pr lod. Tho enactment and strlut enforce ment ot somo such provision In the elec tion laws of Nebraska would lessen the Intimidation of voters nnd glvo encourage ment to a free expression of th will of the people at the poll Provisions should also be mado directing all employ ers to allow each voter sufficient time en election day to dopcatt his ballot. RAILROAD DISCRIMINATION Bomo action might very properly be taken to discourage discrimination be tween political parties by railroad corpo rations operating within the state. The Issuance of passes to nn army of political workers and tho giving of special rate for tho political meetings mako the rail road compnnlcH a power in shaping tho political destiny of the state. Where this power Is nil wielded In the Interest of ono party and to tho prejudice of another party, Its weight cannot well lo over estimated. Railroad companies do the business of tho publla and should be re strained by wholesome legislation from active participation In party politics. Tho officers and employes or ouch railroad companies should bo freo to voto as may seem to them for their own best Interests. Charges of fraudulent registration In the larger cities of tho state have been fre quently mado and I would suggest tho advisability of having the last day of registration nt least ten days prior to election day In order that the complete list or voters mny bo scrutinised by all Inquiring dtlzens and ample time be af forded for tho apprehension of those who fraudulently register. THE USD OV MONET. It Is obvious that ono of tho chief sources ot corruption in elections Is the use of money In providing means or hiring the voter to go to the polls nnd vote, by this means placing him under obligation nnd thus unduly influencing his vote, or to hire the voter to stay away from the polls, thereby causing him to neglect his duty as a citizen. In order to encourage and stimulate the freo and honest exercise of the elective franchise It has occurred to me that It might serve a good purposo wore a non voting poll tax of reasonable amount levied against each elector who may re lieve himself by voting at the general election, or by producing a certificate of sickness or disability or by absene from tho county or state. Such a provision might Incidentally bo mado a sourco of revenuo to tho Htnto and tho burden fall upon a class of citizens who full to dis charge a very Important duty devolving upon every qualified citizen. I suggest this Idea to you for your consideration. I hopo that you will tnko tho neces sary steps for the remedying of defects In our election lnws with a view to giv ing every possible opportunity for a fixe and fair expression of tho will of the people at tho polla. Itollorof Drouth SufTerors. When I assumod the duties of the office of governor of tho state, two years ago, the people of Nebraska wero distressed, not only by reason of the gcnoral de pression In business affairs, low prices and steady and continued depreciation In property values, but also from the result of an unprecedented and disastrous drouth. Theoe advorne climatic condi tions were not confined to Nebraska alone, but prevailed in various parts ot the coun try. It waa an abnormal condition and may not be experienced again during a generation ot our peoplo. Absolute want and distress could only be prevented by prompt and efficient organisation for the purpose ot supplying the pressing needs of tbe unfortunate drought sufferers until another season should bring tho usual bountiful harvest. GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS. I found that, under the dlreotlon of my predecessor, steps had been taken looking to a systematic method of collecting and distributing provisions to alleviate the Im mediate wanU of the people In th af fected portion of tho state. When it be came generally known that provisions would havo to be mode to relieve those Impoverished by the drouth, there was a generous and spontaneous .response from all sections of the nation. Tha con tributions became so liberal that it taxed th Ingenuity ot those In charge of the distribution of these free offerings to place them in the hands of those most deserving of assltance and, at th same time, to not tax the generosity of the benevolent people to a greater extent than absolutely required to prevent suffering. I deem It my duty, In behalf of tho unfortunate people who were affocted by this calamity to oxpress to all who so nobly responded to their distress by con tributions of provisions or money, and also to the railroad, express, telegraph and telephone companies which so liber ally assisted In the work of alleviating suffering, our sincere gratitude and lasting thanks for their manifestations of human sympathy nnd benevolcnco exerdsed dur ing this trying period. Slnoo that uri' fortunate calamity, as before, Nebraska has been blessed with bounteous crops and the disagreeable experience she passed through appears to her people' as a hideous dream. THE RELIEF COMMISSION. AftAr thA rirtrftnlvnvlAn it tvit Ul a In ttir -- - - v ! VF MIO WfJS14tM w an aot was passed creating a relief com- SM last JkH A mm. MA..-a AJB-- -4IA luiaiiuii, euroiioseu oi nve wen Known icm sens. giving to them entire control land management In th discharge of this Im portant work, Tho report of th rejlef commission has been submitted to me and you will doubtless be supplied slth copies. Tou will observe by this report, as well as by reference to the acts of.'the last legislature, that the state contributed IM.OOQ, which was placed at the disposal of the relist commission, and an additional sum of KOO.OOO, which was by the relief commission distributed among th sev i rnl counties of the state where th peo j Id were regarded as being entitled to os !itunco ot this character for the purpose of purchasing seed grain for the following crop season, making a total appropriation by the legislature of $30,000. In addition to these cash donations by the legislature and th people of the country at large, an jmmens. amount of supplies and provts leas offlstPent kinds .wert contributed. 4o obtain ,an accurate estimate of which requires a careful study of the report In ,? mi te M1 nnilsslon. Th, work of tha'eommlsston of 'necessity' was of the most difficult character, carried on under trying, circumstances and I am of the opinion that, the work of distributing sup p(cs .wast done In a. most thprough and systemattc'manner. I was of the impres sion at the time, and have since found no reasons to change my views, that the organization and mothod of distribution of relief supplies was upon a oumbersome and oxpenrtva plan. Uy an examination of tho report It will be observe! that !?? ,und" donated In tho sum ot mw.M and realized from tho general and special jipnropriatlops jtt Ike legislature th further sum or fcJftSCT. maMruj"", total et fiUMOs. Of this amount there was exptnded Ita.llS (O In printing. Vrav elllng and transportation charges nnd office expenses. Tho freight charges amounted to $36,809 03, divided Into two items, ono denominated "transportation" being In the sum of $.10,181.(17, and the other designated "In-freight" being In tho sum of $0,6J7.Xt). leaving tho stun of $11,301.79 to represent tho other expenses of tho relief commission In carrying on this work from lis Inception until Its close. NEIlRAdKA CONTRIBUTIONS. It Is perhaps proper to remark In this connection, nnd It U a pouico of grati fication to mvself, ns I hnvie no doubt It will be to nil others who eximlno Into tho details of this work, that our own people who were mot fortunately situ nted than their brotnron contributed most gonerously to this work of relief nnd did tholr full nharo In alleviating want nnd distress among their fellow cltlfcns. With a generosity unequalled, tho people of overy section of our country vtod with each other In doing ever) thing necessary to prevent want and mirroring. It Is to bo sincerely hoped that no such calamity will again rvduco our pioplo to tho ne cessity of asking or receiving aid from thdr more fortunate fellow country mom nor Is there occasion to bellevo that un der the Influence of tho ordinary laws of nature they will ovvr again be called upon to do so. Appreciating tho magnificent gen erosity of our fellow countrymen, dis played In this Instance, Nebraska will ever stand ready to extend a helping hand to tho unfortunate nnd mirroring ot man kind wherever they may be found. DROUTH LESSONS. Tho drouth has not been without Its lessons, which will do.ibtlcas mid much to the material wclfaro and itormumm prosperity of our people. In no state In the union Is the rainfall moro uniform, both tu time and amount, nor can tho precipitancy of tho moisture be detor rilned with gnwtor accuracy. In any por tion of Nobr.iaka a study of tho climatic conlltlons will dlsuloso with reasonable eertaJnty the average amount of rolivfall during tho orop crowing season, thus enabling the people to determine In what portion of tho state they may nafoly en gage in agricultural pursuits, relying uiJn the lAtural rainfall to cause tho cropn to rtow to maturity and ripen In per f'ct'en. In the extreme western portion of tho state, experience lias demonstrated that agriculture cannot be sufoly carried on with reliance upon the natural rain fall for a DUfndcncy of moisture to suc cessfully grow nnd matuie the cropit, Tills condition has been made more an- pur wit by the disastrous season ot 1K.'4 and the people have promptly turned tlilr attention to irrigation, which hoa beta devote pod with great rapidity and which has replaced partial failure of crop with Its attending disappointment, want and suffering, with bounteous crops which can b relied upon with cortalnty us regularly os the seasons follow oach other. The nop-lrrlgabie portions of the oountry within tills territory tx-lng exceedingly woll udapted to the raising ot stock, the western part of Nebraska Is thereby mode ono of tho most Invlttiwt fields for Intend ing settlr.rs ot any part of tho great went. Irrlgntlon. In the reports ot tlie secretory of the stale board of Irrigation will bo found much Interesting and useful Information. It Is very gratifying to note the rapid development ot this plifme of agricultural industry. The work is as yet in its in- rrcy, but ho much h.ia been accom plished it may confidently bo predlctM that that portion ot our state which is In the semi-arid region will soon become ono of the most attractive places In any agricultural community. Millions ot acros of Nobraska land will be brought under tho favorable Influence of Irrigation nnd nmdo to produce the most bountiful crops, and iern Is no limit to the dovelopment except t7 th exhaustion of tho water supply before this result hua boen fully accomplished. Tho lmmonso wealth, brought Into existence through the devel opment of Irrigation and that which Is created annually by the production of bountiful harvests, gives assurance of plenty and prosperity to the Inhabitants of this favored portion of tho state, NEW CANALS. It will be seen from the rocoeds In tho office of tho secretary of the board or canals that there have been complete 1 3,740 mile of canals and that there aro In process of construction 1,015 6 miles, mak ing a total mileage at the present tlmo ot canals completed and In process ot con struction ot 4,786 4. The estimated cok wlU exceed $3,000,000, of which over half lias already boen expended. This will bring under Irrigation l,t07,VC acres cf land. Increasing the value of the land nearly $10,noo,000. In addition to this thero are application on file for contemplated canals of a total mlteago of 2,Ms. These statistics can but Impress you with the Importance of giving to this subject such further consideration a may be neces sary to correct any Imperfections exist ing In the present law, and of provUlrg for a continuation of tho work so aus ptcioUTly begun. IRRIGATION LAWS. The first general law upon the subject of Irrigation was enacted In 1889, .Thli law was found entirely Inadequate for th proper development of the Irrigation Interests of the state. This law was superseded by a much more comprehen sive one enacted by the last legislature, since which the work has progressed more satisfactorily and wtth much great er rapidity. Many suggestions Imvo been made respecting the wisdom of amending tho present law. In considering the sub jects of amendments, however, I deem It advisable to call attention to tha fact that no amendments should be made wlvlch would, materially change tho un derlying, essential principles of tho pres ent law, which has the sanction of tho highest judicial tribunal of our land. Tlie principles Involved in tills subject havo been forever' settled by a Judicial deci sion of tho charaoter referred to, It would seem unwise, except upon urgent neces sity, to so change them by legislation as to render less certain the principles In volved and perhaps Invito further liti gation with IU attending tdloutnes and wearisome delays. The advocates of Irri gation Interests, as I understand It, favor amondlng tho law1 relating to the organiza tion of Irrigation districts so as to provide for uniform Issue of bonds under the direction of the state board of Irrigation, as well as legislation touching the issue and negotiation of the banded obligations of the Irrigation d'r'"'" ns t afforo th taxpayer all needed protection, as well as having due regard for tha Interests, of those wno puruhaa such obligations. It has also been suggested that an amend: ment might properly be made with rf orenc to tlie organisation and uontrot of Irrigation district so as to permit ev ery resident freeholder to participate In and have a vole In the selection of offi cers and all other matters partalnlnc to ths affairs of sudb districts; also that th officers of district trssmurer and as sessor might be abolished and the dut'es of the officers be imposed upon tho county and township treasurers and as sessors. Other amendments to.tlvJ pres ent law of mars or less Importance havo likewise been suggested, and will no doubt be presented to you for your considera tion. I earnestly ho that you may be able to make sue needful Improvements as may seem advisable to encourage for th' r and to the utmost extent this very Important feature of th agricultural de velopment of the state, and that all nec essary appropriations ""y b made In order that the work may be carried on with renewed vigor. State's) Finances, I desire to earnestly call your serious attention, to the condition of tho state's finance"; This is a subject, ot more (ban ordinary concern to vry taxpayer It Nebraska, Several factors contrlbole to the unfavorable condition ot tho nnan-al Interests' of tho state as we at pteient find them. Tlie vrry gneril deproelon In business and the low prices received for the products produced by the peopl of our state nre of themselves runic mt to rendor tho state' finances much more unsatisfactory thnn might In expected uialei normal conditions Thin hts prr vented the prompt collection of tuxo duo tho ntnte, and required In order to met Its tiecM.ry expenditures, no that at the present time It npj-osrs there In n very large ntnoimt of delinquent stato taxes In addition to this tho method of hand line tho finance of the stato and meet I'lg Its obllertloiiH, pould, In my Judgment, bo very much Improved upon. Not unly Is It comninidiible to secure tho prompt collection of tnxes levied for tho purpoje of mooting current expenditures, but also tho prompt payment of the taxe thu collretod In satisfaction of the state's obligations. Oood business Judgment would dictate tho prompt dlsuharge ot tho statn's outstanding obligations a rap idly ns monoy may l accumulated by tho ordinary method of collecting taxes to meet tho sume. STATE OBLIGATIONS. Trom the report of tho Mate treasurer n brief summary disclose the following nif to the state's obligations: Bonds outstanding, Issued In funding the state's Indebted ness at the time of tho adop tion of the present constitu tion $ il?,tl7K Bonds issued uiwW tho presont constitution In 1S91 nnd yet outstanding 19,000 0) General fund warrants out standing $l,9;t,(VJj 13 Total 12,407,133 (U STATU CREDITS. To meet these obligations wo have tho following credits: Sinking fund to meet bonds first above mentioned $ 317.SWW Sinking fund to meet benda Inst above mentioned 321 S3 Uncollected taxes duo to tho general fund $?,330,C32 76 Cash In tho treasury, general fund C&9.370 8) Total ,..,, ,, .,,,.. S3 238 27 53 In addition to tho liabilities already In curred, and of which mention has here tofore been mude, there Is also tho addi tional liability for current expenditures yet to be mado for the remalhder of the blennlnl nerlriil fai- wlilnh h ! f,i.- turo mado appropriations and which can bo approximated by ascertaining the total unexpended balances as shown by the roport of tho stato auditor. These will havo to be met from thO Jincotlectpd taxes above mentlond ""'" (coxrixuKii) DIFFERENT WAYS OF 9LEEPINO. Europeans T.lke Soft Plllowi, bii Tatter Races I.Ike Blocks. Though it Is tnio, ns tho nuthor of a Boliool composition unco assorted, that "slcopincr la a universal prnotloo among all nutlonV it Is tilbo true- that thoro la n proat diversity in tho mothods of sleeping among peoplo of different tmtlonn nnd dilVcrunt ways of Ufo, suyB tho Youth'u Companion. Tho things that ono nueds to mako him sloop nro precisely tho things which would lcoop another uwiiko nil night. Even tho eodatlvo medicines which put ono poraoti Immediately into a heavy slutnoor oxclto another into a condition of uorvoua ro-stlcaanons. Tho European or Ainorlcan, in order to sleep woll, ordinarily requires a downy pillow tinder his head: but the JapanoBo, stretching himself upon a rush-mat on tho floor, puts a hard, square block of wood under his head, nnd doos not sloop woll if ho docs not havo it Tho Chlneso makos groat account of his bod, which is vory low, indeed ecarcoly rising from tho floor but is often carved oxqulsitoly of wood; but it novor occurs to him to mako it any nny softor than rush-mats will ronder it. Whllo tho pooplo of northorn coun tries can not sloop unless thoy have plenty of room to stretch out tholr logs, the inhabitants of tho tropics often curl themsolvcs up Ilka monkeys at tho lower angle of a suspendod hammock, and sleep soundly in that position. The robust American often covert himself with a pair of blnnlcots and throws his window wide open to the air, even in tho winter time, and he does not complain if ho finds a little drift of snow across the top of his bed in tho morning-. The Russian, on tho contrary, likes no sleeplng-placo so well as the top of tho big soapgtono stove in his domicile. Crawling out of this blistering bod in tho morning ho likes to take a plunge in a cold stream, oven if he has to break through tho ice to get into It Tho Laplandor crawls, head and all, into a bag mudo of rolndoor skin and sloops warm and comfortable within it Tho East Indian, nt tho other end of tho world, ulso has a nlceulng-baar. but it is moro porous thnn the Lap lander's. Its purposo is to keep out mosquitoes more than to koop the sleeper warm. While tho Amprican still clings to his foather pillow ho is steadily dis carding his old-fashioned feather bed in favor of tho hair or straw matress. Tho feather bod is relegated to the country and muny pooplo who slopt upon it all through tholr childhood And themselves uncomfortnblo upon it in tholr maturity. Tho,Gcrn.ans not only sleep upon a feather bed, but underneath ono. The foather covering used in Gormany, howevor, is not as largo or thick as tho one which is used as a mattress, nnd the foreigner who undertakes to sloop beneath it often finds his feet suffering from cold, while his should ors are suffering from beat. A Dig Shower of Meteors. Of the 14 huge masses of tnoteorio iron which fell on a spot less thau 04 square ratios In area, near Fort Dun can, Mexico, the largest is bee-hive shaped and is burled five feet in the soil and rlsos four feet above tho sur face. The second mass in point of size has been moved to the national mu seum at Washington. It weighs over 4,000 pounds. The other 13 pieces weigh from 07 K to 030 pounds. The whole mass of fragments as muitttonrc' above are ncattorod ovor an area of JI square miles with Fort Duncan al about tho oeutor of the point of ills-persloD, Peddling Iloni-j. I have found from experience that much moro honey, cepoclnlly extracted, enn ho sold by iiolng from house to house, nnd allowing Iho pooplo to sam plo the honoy, than will bo sold when loft with tho grocers on snlo, writes F. A, Snoll In American Hoe Journal. Oottlng tho peoplo to pamplo tho honoy goes qulto n way In the muklnir ot a snlo or anion. Kven If sonic dcalro to buy honoy they forgot It when In town trading, nnd ro pcrhnps go without It for nomo time. Whon i deslro to pod dlo honoy I put n llttlo comb honoy tip In crntoa holding J, 8 or 12 boxes ench, Tho oxtrnctcd I now put up In 10 pound cans, moiUy; hut n few B-pounds nro put In no thnt, If n sale of n 10 pountl enn ennnot ho made, tho 5-pound can mny ho Just whnt Is wanted by a customer. A quantity of honoy In tho dlfforent pneknges Is londrd Into my buggy, nnd tho start Is made. I meet Mr. A., who Uvea nbout three miles from my homo. I stop, talco n enn ot houoy, nnd loosen tho screw-cap, and ho samples It. I toll him I am out soiling, nnd nsk him If ho doesn't wnnt n enn. Tho enn la bought nnd paid for, and I drlvo on. I stop nt tho next house, tnko in a enn, nnd Inquire It they nro not rendy for moro honoy. I nm told thnt thoy yet havo somo of my honoy on hand. I bid them good-day, nnd drlvo to tho noxt placo, at which I havo sold honoy for mnny years. A Bale of ono 10-pound enn Is mnde. Wo chat n llttlo whllo, nnd I take my leave. Tho next cnll Is mndo. Mrs. D. (Iocb not do Blro to buy, but desires mo to lcnm of Mr. D. as to tho purchnno, ns ho Is from homo. A few days Inter I soo him, and ho takes a enn of 10 pounds. I noxt seo Mr. H hnvo him sample my honey, nnd ho tnkes a enn. I noxt ask Mr. F. to snniplo my honoy. Ho doos so. I nsk If ho would not like a can ot 10 pounds. Ho buys, nnd I dollver tho can at his house. Aftor a pleasant good morning I state that Mr. F. bought a can ot honoy ofj'mo which I dellvef. Mrs. F. Is surprised, and says that she doesn't enre much for honoy, and nor husband would havo It to cat. and states; liejc hadJsomo comb honoy on hnnd.rbut did not eat any ot it, and she hatTthrown It out Somo ten day later I saw Mr. F and asked how the honoy"was going, and I stated what his wife had eald. He laughed and said that sho seemed to manage her share nil right at least Ho ongnged the sec ond can, to bo bought lator. In due tlmo It wan delivered. Mrs. F. said that sho liked that honoy woll, and thought It very nice, and mado no pro test this tlmo. Tho honey, I will say, was well rlponed and very thick. Thero Is very much In proporly caring for honey after Its removal from the hives. In peddling honey one must not bo easily dUcouragcd, for sometimes a number of calls may bo mado and no sales ef fected; and then, again, it Is quite the reverso, and honoy will be eold at near ly every point at which a stop Is made. Ono must Btart out with full faith In his honey as being ot fine quality, and cheerful In spirit, and a determination to sell to every family possible, even If only two or three pounds, leaving a lenflet at each placo, and his honey labol on each can, with name and ad dress, "which should mention the can dying of honey In cool weather, and how to liquefy. I cannot agree with some bee-keepers who advlso the sell ing of tho poorer grades ot extracted honey at home or in the homo market I believe a poor grado of this honey should never bo sold at home, but sent off to be used In the packing of meats; or In factories where cheaper sweets are used. If this grade of honey be sent to a commission house, the apiar ist should advlso the Arm ot the ship ment, grade of the honey, and the com) pany to whom the honey Is shlppedTwIll know at onco where to place it In sell ing. The telling of inferior extracted honey, or of a low grade, has, whea sold for family use, done a great deal to Injure the sale ot honey, and Is, I think, very unwise on the part of the apiarist who wishes to build up a good trade In honey, or hold one already ob tained. One season the quality of our honey waa very much Injured by a mixture of so-called honey-dew. I of fered no extracted honey for sale, at home that season; and when asked by old customers it I had honey to sell, I Informed them that I had no honey that I had extracted which was fit to eat, as It was mixed with so-called honey dew, and dark and rank In flavor. Clean the Cow. Thero is no farmer who -will refuso to clean his horsesbut how about tho cow. It Is certainly more important to clean tho rows, at they easily become covered with filth whllo in the stalls at night When it Is considered that it Is almost Impos sible for tho udder and teats to escapo tho urine nnd solid manure voided, and thnt during the act of milking tho ob Jectlonnblo matter Is dissolved In the milk, being beyond tho reach1 of tha strainer, tho Importance of carefully washing the udder and teats before milking, as woll as the hands of the milker, cannot be ton utrongly urged, Soluble matter cannot be arrested by tho strainer, and It follows the milk Into the pall. Bx. Cucumbers. Cucumbers are some times grown in hot-beds, tho seeds! be ing started early In April, and the plants bloieomlng as early as the sashes can be left off, the bees visiting and fer tilising them 'la the middle of tbe day, but the competition from southern growers and from those who have well heated green-houses has taken away tbe profit ot this method, and growing ' cucumbers under glass may be said like growing hothouse tomatoes, to be not a part of truck farming,, but some thing requiring tho capital and skill ef tho best market gardeners. Tho only way for the farmer to re- . Bint tho trusts and combines Is to unite on some plan ot action; Jealousies should not be allowed ls ';v! sii'ln-say fartnjflg eoBisfiunltr.' ' ,nS I I A M X)l "v nt SI 'Y ft i l ,? t; I'l ! fe:,w' -i- &&.- rut tr. , , j