POYNTER'S WORD
Outgoing Exocutivo Addresses
the Nebraska Lawmakoro.
CONDITION OF THE STATE FINANCES,
Btato Institution nnd Coiuninii Schools
Carefully Looked After. Itecotu
incnilittlonn Mndo. SiiRKCRtii
Canittlutlunal Convention.
To tho Senators and ,Roprescntativc3
of tho Twenty-seventh Session of tho
Legislature of Nebraska. Gontlemon:
Complying with tho provisions of the
constitution of tho state of Nebraska,
I plnco before you a summary of tho
operations of tho various departments
of stnto during the past blcnnluni, nnd
offer for your consideration somo sug
gestions as to what I deem tho needs
of tho stnto.
Too much of our legislation Is built
upon the give and take plan a sys
tem "of you help mo and I'll help
you" between legislators. Log-rolling
la notorious in nlmo3t ovcry legis
lative hall, and all tho way up to the
national halls of congress. The lobby
exerts unduo influence. As a result
of these things wo have a mass of ill
considered laws, the meaning of which
is obscure, many contradictory, and
when (submitted to tho test of const!
tutlonal interpretation, utterly fall
nnd becemo null and void. Wo need
fewer rnthcr than moro laws. Tho
legislators who will repeal a largo
number of laws now upon our law
books, which are and havo beon for
years dead letters, and will strip oth
ers of useless verblngo which tends to
obscure their meaning, and clothe
them In language so plain that tho
"wayfaring man, though a simpleton,
need not err therein," and in tlie on
nrtmont of tho few needed laws frame
them so plain nnd direct that there
can bo no room tor any quibbling as
to their meaning, would earn for
themselves memorial tablots from
their grateful follow citizens.
Many laws passed by tho legislature
would fall of enactment If tho voters
nnd taxpayers of the state had the
opportunity of expressing themselves
upon their desirability before they
went into effect. If every law hnd to
puss tho tc3t of popular npprovnl tho
number of statutes would bo much
smaller than It is now, nnd tho en
forcement of these approved would bo
an easy tnsk. Purely partisan mcas
urcs would bo unknown, nnd the oc
cupation of tho lobbyist would bo nt
nn end. I bollovo it would be to tho
great benefit of tho unto iC all acts
of the legislature, except emergency
legislation for tho mnliuonnneo of pub
lie business and Institution?, wore sub
inltted to the ratification of the people,
FINANCIAL.
The state treasurer reports a bal
anco on hand at tho closo of business
November 30, 1000, of $015,018.34. Tho
bonded indebtedness of tho state has
been entirely paid and a balance in
the sinking fund of $3(5,105.23. This
you should transfer to the general
fund and authorize tho treasurer to
credit any further moneys coming in
to that fund to tho goner?! fund. No
further levy for tho sinking fund has
been made, but somo back taxes upon
that fund will bo collected from year
to year. Our floating Indebtedness rep
resented by stato warrants Is $1,727,
509.72. Tho school fund has invested
in $1,1C5,702.12 of this amount, which
has practically put the stato upon a
cash basis so far as tho purchase o
supplies nnd tho maintenance of our
state Institutions aro concerned. The
Interest arising from theso war
rants goes into tho temporary school
fund, and is distributed again to th
taxpayers through the school fund ap
portlonment. Tho treasurer very Just
ly remnrks that a thorough revision
of tho revenue laws should be made
or nn amendment authorizing a lovy
of soven (7) mills for tho general fund
Instead of Hvo (5) mills, since tho pres
ent levy does not keep up with tho np
propriations, thereby Increasing, rath
or than reducing, our floating indobt
odness. To my mind n just assess
ment is much more preferable than an
Increased levy. Our present lovy of
flvo (5) mills would bo all sufficient
if our assessment was what it should
bo. Tho stato's educational funds aro
Invested in tho securities designated
by tho constitution to the amount of
$4,365,544.03. Each year finds It moro
difficult to pecuro investment for thoso
funds in tho securities required by th
constitution Tho constitution should
be amended allowing a lurger scope
for Investment of tho states edueu
tlonal fund?.
I concur in tho recommendation of
tho troasurer, reducing the Interest
upon stnto warants to tnreo ta) per
cent. This will enable tho treasurer
to secure practically all of these war
rants for tho school fund Investment
Tho present condition of tho stnto
finances, as compared with even so re
cent dato as four years ago, must bo
a source of congratulation to tho citi
zens of Nebraska. Should this con
dition continue, your best efforts must
bo used and your wisdom devise ways
and means to keep tho appropriations
within tho limit of the lovy permitted
by law.
ELECTION OF UNITED STATES
SENATORS.
One of tho most Important duties
which you havo to perform Is tho
election of two senators to represent
Nebraska In tho senate of the United
States. Tho experience of our own
stats, as well as that of other states,
in times past, recall to us tho difll
cutly attending this duty. Tho selec
tion of senators would bo much sim
plified, and thoso chosen to that high
offico moro representative, if tho peo
plo themselves choso them by direct
vote. Tho tlmo of the loglslnturo,
which Is really too short for tho care
ful consideration of legislation, Is
taken up and tho minds of the mem
bers distracted with tho too often long
drawn out struggles in the election of
United States senators.
I would recommend thnt you mem
orialize congress to submit a consti
tutional amendment providing for tho
election of senators by direct voto of
tho people. Older states havo very
keenly felt tho necessity of a change
Jn the manner of election of United
States sonators. A number of stntc3
havo passed resolutions upon this sub-
cct by their legislatures.
STATE OFFICERS AND INSTITU
TIONS.
Tho stato officers and tho heads of
tho various public institutions havo
prcsonted full nnd exhaustive reports
of tho business management of the
stnto and tho needs of the departments
for tho next blennlum, Theso reports
show tho great euro and business abil
ity with which tho affairs of tho stato
havo been mnnaged, nnd their recom
mendations should receive u careful
consideration from you.
For your guidance in making appro
priations for tho next blennlum for
tho several institutions of tho Btato, I
havo had prepared and herewith sub
mit n table showing tho exact cost of
mnlntennnco of each Institution in
tho stato for tho past nlno years. A
careful scrutiny of this table would
bo a most correct guide In making fu
turo appropriations. I commend this
tnblo to your careful scrutiny:
THE LABOR BUREAU.
Tho work dono by tho labor bureau
for tho past blennlum ns shown by
tho report of that department, Is of
great valuo to tho labor Interests of
tho state. Tho compilation of labor
and industrial statistics, tho tinlquo
way of showing by a map of the coun
ties tho surplus product shipment nnd
tho Incomes to tho stato tnorcfrom,
certainly affords ono of the very best
means of placing Nebraska and her
resources beforo homo seekers. The
money expended in the work of tho
labor bureau has certainly been n
very profitable investment for tho
state.
RELIEF FOR THE SUPREME
COURT.
There are now pending in tho su
promo court of our state seventeen
bundled nnd nlno enscs, and notwlth
standing tho best efforts of tho court.
the number constantly increases rath
er than decreases. If no now cases
should be filed and tho court should
mako the samo progress in ndjudtca
tlon thoy have been nolo to mako in
tho past, It would require moro tnnn
thrco yenrs to clear tho court iiocitct
As a matter of fact, under theso con
ditions, tho Btipromo court Is regard
ed as the tomb In which lies mined
the hopes of litigants awaiting a very
indeflnlto resurrection. An increase
In tho number of judges at onco sug
gcets Itself ns tho most rational way
with which to meet this diuicuity. iso
ono can tllsputo that an early deter
mination of honest litigation 13 de
sirable. If tho number of judges were
Increased tho work of tho court could
bo brought forward and litigants could
havo their suits disposed of promptly.
The condition which now exists is not
now. As far back as 1893 thcro woro
1,2S5 cases pending.
Tho legislature of jb'.kj created a su
promo court commission, permitting
tho supremo Judges to select three
commissioners, tnklng effect March,
18!3. This was Intended ns a tempo
rary rnllef to tho court, and was to
continue for the term of tnreo years
Tho legislature of 1895 extended tho
term an nddltlonnl threo years, so
that it would ceaso by limitation
March, 1899. At that tlmo It ceased
to exist, and after Its six years work
there were pending beforo tho court
1,434 casts, or an Increase of 49 cases,
showing that with tho asslstanco of
tho commission tho court had kept
almost cvon In its work, adjudicat
ing nearly as many cases as were
filed.
Tho constitution of tho stnto deter
mines tho number of supreme Judges,
so that that number must remain as
at present until the constitution shall
bo amended Increasing the number,
To my mind it seems desirable that a
constitutional amendment Bhould bo
submitted to the electors increasing
tho number of supremo judges to nt
least flvo. Pending tho time, however.
when such amendment shall have boon
adopted and bo effective, I would sug'
cost that your honorablo body em
power the supremo court to call to Its
aid any number of district judges In
tho stato, not less than ten. With this
asslstanco the court would bo enabled
to clear tho docket In a reasonable
time, and having it onco clear, and
with an increnso tho number of judges
it would bo enabled to keep it so. At
present many of tho district Judges
In tho stnto aro not occupied to ex
ceed one-half of their time. Their
entiro time belongs to tho state. I
can sco nothing unreasonable In ask
ing thnt their unoccupied tlmo be
used by tho state In relief of the su
premo court.
NEBRASKA NATIONAL GUARD
Tho Nebraska national guard was
wholly disorganized by tho Spanish
American war. Whon I camo Into
ofllco tho Second Nebraska volunteer
regiment, which was largely mado up
of tho Second Nobraska national
guard, had recently been mustered
out of tho service of tho United States
nnd wns being re-organlzod. Tho re
organization was continued under my
administration as rapidly as possible,
When the First Nebraska volunteers,
most of tho members of which hnd
formerly belonged to tho National
guard, returned from iho Philippines,
and woro mustered out of tho service
of tho United States, immediately tho
work of reorganization of tho Firs
regiment, N. N. G., was takon up. In
tho reorganization of this regiment
preference was given, first, to mem
bers of the First Nebraska volunteers:
second, to members of Second and
Third Nebraska volunteers, and then
to former members of tho Nebraska
natlonnl guard. In this way qulto a
large pcrcentngo of tho members of
the present Nebraska national guard
is composed of men who saw service
in the Spanish-American war. Tho
guard as now constituted consists of
two regiments of Infantry, a troop of
cavalry, and a battery of artillery. It
is a body of men of which tho Btato
may Justly feel proud. I approvo of
tho ostlmato made by tho adjutant
general for tho next blennlum, nnd
recommend appropriations according
ly.
RETURN OF FIRST NEBRASKA.
When our gallant First Nebraska
rezlment returned from tho Philip
pines and arrived In San Francisco, 1
determined, If posslulo, that its mem
hers Bhould bo returned to their
home.i without cost to them. I thought
this would bo n fitting tribute to them,
as showing tho appreciation of our
utnto for tholr bravery and dovotion
to soldier duty. I first endenvorcd to
get special rates from tho railway
lines. This I was utterly unablo to
do, I then ondoavorod to got tho rail
way companies to bring tho reglmont
homo nnd file their bill with the audi
tor an a claim against, tho stnto, to
bo pnld by your honorablo body. They
refused to do this. I then endeavored
to Bcctiro n loan from the banking In
terests of the state. Falling In this I
nppenled to tho generous patriotic peo
ple of Nebraska to advance sufficient
funds. The appeal met with loyal re
sponse, Moro than enough was sent
In nnd tho regiment received a wel
come befitting tho esteem In which It
wns hold by our people.
Tho nmountfi contributed nro n loan
to the state of Nebraska, and provision
for ltn payment should bo made by
you In an early appropriation. The
amount contributed wns $10,312.75. Of
this $30,315.45 was required to pay
tho expenses of tho return of tho regi
ment. Of tho excess $3 !)i 1.00 was re
turned tr individual donors. Tho list
of thoso who subscribed to this fund
is a part of tho flics of the executive
office.
REVENUE AND TAXATION.
Tho lneuunlltlcn In our revenue sys
tem must bo nppnrcnt to any one who
has examined it. A general rovlslon
of tho entire law upon the subject Is
neccssnry. Numerous nttomptn have
been made In tho past to accomplish
such revision, but tho short time oc
cupied in a legislative session, tho
vnst amount of work to bo accom
plished, and tho magnitude nnd dllll
culty of the task, have prevented Its
consummation. It, seems to mo tlutt
n competent commission authorized
to procuro the rovenuo laws of the
different states In tho union, nnd from
them formulnto for our state n new
rovenuo lnw to bo submitted for the
ratification of tho next session of tho
legislature, would procuro for us a
rovenuo law which would bo Just and
equitable. This seems a long tlmo to
nwnlt n revision of our rovenuo sys
torn, but past cxpcrlcnco lias shown
us tho great difficulty nttending tho
task, nnd it seems to mo n moro care
ful and satisfactory revision could bo
secured by -tho method abovo indi
cated than in any other way.
RAILWAY REGULATION.
The question of railway regulation
is ono that has occupied tho attention
of tho legislators in our stato probably
moro than any other. As early as I8iu
this was a prominent lssuo upon which
members of the legislature woro elect
ed. Tho people demanded relief from
what thoy thought oppressive rates
of freight and passenger tariff. Each
Bucceedlug legislature adjourned
without any measuro being passed un
til 1885 when tho members elected al
most entirely upon this issue made tho
most determined effort to redeem pro
election pledges. Tho first maximum
rato bill wan prepared and strenuous
efforts mndo to Incorporate it Into tho
laws of our stato. This measuro met
with defeat, but a compromise mens
uro was at last agreed upon by which
Nebraska had her first railway com
mission established. It was a make
shift to avoid tho provisions of tho
constitution, and a sop thrown out to
(itilet tho demands of the people. As
a member of tho legislature of 18S5 I
voted against tho measure, giving tho
following as my reason:
'I would recommend the submission
to tho electors an amendment, to our
constitution providing for tho election
of a railway commission. Pending the
tlmo when such amendment could bo
ratified by tho voters of tho state, I
would recommend tho enactment iy
your honorablo body of a maximum
rato upon tho commodities In carload
lots, such as salt, coal, gram, live
stock and lumber. It seems to mo nt
this tlmo that theso two measures nro
all that can bo dono in the matter of
regulation of transportation charges.
PURE FOOD IiAW.
Tho legislature at its last session
enacted n law known as tho puro food
law, designating tho governor of tho
stnto, food commissioner, with author
ity to appoint a deputy rood commis
8loner. Actlnc under tins law I np
pointed Mr. F. B. Hlbbard of Irving
ton donuty food commissioner, who
proceeded to orgaulzo tho department
nnd enforco tho provisions or tno act.
Tho law nrovldcd for tho collection or
fees nnd licenses from certain lines of
business, nnd tho exponses of tho de
partment to bo paid out or such coi
lection. When tho salary vouchors of
tho deputy and clerk of thedepartment
were presented thoy were rerusoii uy
tho and tor upon tno ground tnat no
appropriation, as provided by the con
st tut on. had been mado uy tno leg'
l8lnture. Tho caso having beon sub
mitted to the supromo court, that
tribunal decided that tho legislature
had failed to mako specific appropria
tion, consequently tho salaries could
not bo paid. As a result tho work of
tho donartmcnt has been much ham
nored. Tho law Is ono which met with
general favor with the people and was
especially appreciated and desired by
tho dairy Interests or tno stato.
I would recommend un increnso in
tho scone of tho present law, extend
ing to the suppression of tho manufac
ture and salo of all kinds or adulter
ated food products within tho state
Thcro has beon collected In fees and
licenses by tho department tho Bum
of $3,280, which has all been turned
into the stnto treasury. I herewith
sumblt you an Itemized statomont of
tho oxponses of tho department. I
recommend that nn appropriation bo
mndo to meet these expenses, as con
tomplatcd by tho law Itself, drawn
upon the fund which fees and llconses
has produced now in tno state trcas
ury.
LIVE STOCK REGULATIONS,
During my term of oillco there havo
been numerous calls upon this dopart
ment relative to the suppression and
control of contagious diseases among
llvo stock. That tho llvo Btock Indus
try is of paramount importance in tho
stnto all will admit, and it seems to
mo but good business judgment that
adequate laws should bo made for tho
protection of this Industry from tho
ravngeH or contagious animal dlseas
cs. Tho laws we now hnvo aro cum
bersome, and if onforced with sufflc
lent appropriation to mako them effec
tlve, would provo a great burdon upon
tho taxpayers of the stato. For this
roason no appropriation for live stock
protection was made by the last ses
sion of the legislature.
tho law as now constituted pro
vldes that animals with contagious
disease may bo killed by tho ngents
of tho state, and tho valuo of animals
so killed paid to tho owners of such
animals. This would many times bo
tho sourco of imposition upon tho
stato, and ovon though honestly ad
ministered, would ontall u larger ex
pense than tho stnto could afford to
pay, I would recommend, thorotore,
tho repeal of tho present law and tho
ennctment of a lnw providing for n
stato veterinarian, with power to rec
ommend qunrantlno regulations when
In his judgment occasion demanded,
and directing tho proper officer to en
force his recommendations.
STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
Tho stnto board of agriculture Is de
serving of most liberal treatment nt
your hands. No ono power hns dono
moro for tho ndvnncemcnt of tho agri
cultural interests of tho state. The
work tho board hns dono in advertis
ing the state nnd thereby lnduclnn
Immigration has been of great value.
Tho lust legislative .scrf ion established.
a permanent homo ror tuo oonra nt
the Capital City.
I would therefore recommend thnt
the stato provldo suitable grounds and
uuuuings ror stato iair purposes nun
nnnual appropriation sufficient to at
least pay tho expenses for tho main
tenance of tho stato board, thereby al
lowing tho rovenuo nrlslng from the
annual stato falra to bo used for tho
collection of ttatlstlca and Informa
tion, and tho distribution of tho snme,
and tho increase in payment of prem
iums. CONVICT LABOR.
Tho problem of employment for
tho convicts in our stnto pcnl
tcntinry Is ono which should
rcccivo your careful consideration.
Humanity demands that theso who
aro incarcerated in stato prisons
should bo kept busy. Justlco to hon
est labor forbids thnt tho work of con-
vlctB should bo brought into competi
tion with its effort. Tho contract sys
tem employed In so many states wher
eby prlEon-mndo goods nro tnrown
upon tho market In direct competition
with tho goods of free labor is mani
festly unjust and unfair to tho honest
workman. Ho is not only taxed to
support the criminal in tho peniten
tiary, but must sell his labor ror un
remunoratlvo prices to cnahlo him to
competo with tho criminal labor.
It scorns to mo It should bo the pol
icy of our stnto so far as we may bo
able to provent this competition by
furnlnhlr.g cmpl vnent to convicts
which In no way Interferes with hon
est lnbor. Tho manufacture of goods
needed by the stato for the wards of
the stato in our various eleemosynary
Institutions would bo legitimate work
for convicts.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
Tho largely lncrenaod nttendnnco nt
the stato normal school makes It Im
perative that somo Increase In the fa
cilities should bo provided by you. Tho
assembly room thcro has a capacity
for Beating llvo hundred. Tlio atten
dance during tho term last passed wns
far in excess of that number, with tuo
probability of yet further increase
during the present term. There hns
been constantly recurring boforo enen
legislature for a number of years past,
tho question of building nddltlonnl
normal schools In tho stnto. I need
not point out to you that tho creation
of tri ad''"lonnl school r schools
would create additional cxponso for
tho management of tho samo. Each
school would require oillcers and con
veniences for tho conduct of tho busi
ness of tho school. Theso aro prac
tically tho Bamo for either n large or
small school. To creato new Bchoolii
would rcqulro a duplication of theso
necessities, and a corresponding in
crease In outlay. An incrcaso in 11
brarv facilities. laboratory facilities
and other necessities of a school al
ready equipped would bo trivial ns
compared with tho building nnd equip
ment of nn entiro now scnooi.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
As indicated in what has gone be
foro In this mcssnge, thcro aro In my
opinion a number of amendments
needed to our stnto constitution. Tho
expnrlenco wo have had in times past
with constitutional amendments has
not been satisfactory. It Bficms to mo
you should mako provisions for tho
calling of n constitutional convontion
to formu.lato for our Btato u constitu
tion fitted to our present development
and making provision for our future
growth. Should this bo dono many of
tho problems which now present them
solves would bo solved.
Retiring from tho highest offico In
tho gift of tho peoplo of our state, I
concratulato you as tho chosen ropro-
sentatlves of tho most progressive and
beat educated constituency in our
country. I congratulato you upon tho
splendid financial condition of our
state. Tho past blonnlum hns wit
nessed tho payment of our entiro bond
ed Indebtedness. It has witnessed tho
reduction of tho rato of interest upon
our lloatlng indebtedness to 4 per cent,
nnd our stnto warrants nt thnt low
rato of Interest soiling nt a premium
of 1 per cent, showing tho confidence
of our own people, as well as capital
Ists or other states In the ability or
our Btato to pay Its obligations, and
the Integrity of tho management of
our flnnnclal affairs.
I congratulate you upon tho economy
and business ability with wiucn tni
public Institutions of our stato havo
been manugod during tno past men
nlum, nn shown In tho reports hero
with submitted, not less upon tho ox
collcnt enro given tho unfortunato
wards of tho state. Our eleemosynary
Institutions nro tho equal of any sister
stato in tho union. They reflect tho
progress and advanced civilization of
tho Btato. Tlio (lemanns oi civiliza
tion renulro tho most scrupulous euro
of thoso whom misfortune mnko tho
wards of tho stato. Justlco to tho tax
payers requires this enro to bo glvon
In a way creating as little burden a?
mav bo. Tho requirements oi notn
havo beon fully mot during tho past
blennlum.
I trust that your duties In making
now laws and amending old ones, and
In tho repeal of thoso you deem detri
mental or unnecessary, mny no pleas
ant nnd all your work for tho good of
tho peoplo uud tho advancement of
tho wclfnro of our stato.
I wish to return my slncoro thanks
to tho people of Nebraska for tho con
fidence thoy reposed In mo, nnd the
uniform courtesy always shown mo
and tho many kind nnd complimentary
words apd letters commendatory of
my administration received from so
many citizens of tho stato. In nil my
acts I havo had boyond all other con
siderations tho welfare and best lu
lerests of the Btato. For whatever mis
takes I may havo made I ask charit
able lionlency. Tho administration ns
u wholo I submit to tho honest Judg
ment of an Intelligent peoplo.
W. A. POYNTER,
Governor.
Exccutlvo Chamber, Lincoln, Neb.
January 3, 1901.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Now Governor Sponks to Now
Legislature
MESSAGE SHORT AND BUSINESS-LIKE
lrretn Mrinltrrn Heartily nnd r.ipromeA
JIM Itcrnniiiirndiitlnii nn to TTbnt
Will lio Ilmt for tlio Stato In
the Wny of I.cclslntlnn.
To tho Senators nnd Representa
tives, Twenty-soventh Session of tho
Leglslnturo of Nebraska:
As your chief executive, I herewith
submit for your consideration tho fol
lowing recommendations:
By tho constitution, ns adopted In
1375, provision was mado for six
Judges of tho district court, which
number, tho legislature In tho exor
cleo of its constitutional authority, haa
increased to twenty-eight, nt n cost
to tho ntato of about $115,000 por an
num. It la generally conceded by
mombcrs of tho legal profession thnt
a material reduction In tho number
of district Judges can bo mndo without
affecting tho adjudicating cnpnclty or
tho efficiency of tho Judicial branch
of tho government.
Thoro nro nearly ono thousand soven
hundred cases ready for trial beforo
tho Biipremo court, nnd it Is estimated
that It will rcqulro about eight years
beforo nny new nctlon can bo prose
cuted to Judgment. It Is well known
thnt persons aiming at tho adjudica
tion of cqultablo claims aro bolng
mndo tho proy of unscrupulous nnd Ir
responsible contcstnnts by reason of
tho delay incident to tho congested
condition of tho supremo court docket,
thus entailing unnecessary hardship
nnd loss upon logltlmnto claimants,
nt tho Bamo tlmo discouraging Invest
ment of capital, nnd making it diffi
cult for tho honest borrower to obtnln
lonns. This la an abuso of Justlco
which Impairs tho credit of both tho
stato and tho Individual, and which
neither tho stnto nor tho Individual can
afford to license. Innumornblo ensea
now ponding beforo tho Bupromo nnd
district courts would bo dismissed It
snocdv trial could bo had, and
knowlcdgo of tho fact would no doubt
greatly restrain litigants m tne ru
tuto. I therefore recommend, with
a view to temporal y relief, that nn
net bo passed empowering tho su
premo court to appoint referees whoso
duty It 3hnll be to assist said court,
and whoso tenure of oillco snail uo
for tho lmmcdlato blennlum.
I also recommend the submission to
tho voters of tho state of a proposi
tion to so nmend tho constitution us to
empower tho leglslnturo, under proper
restrictions, to provldo tor bucu nu
Increnso In the number of Judges of
tho supremo court nu Bhnll Insure per
manent relief.
Tho lawB of Nobraskn need amend
ment In many esaontlul particulars,
nnd Bhould bo codified. I recommend
tho creation of a commission of sult
nblo persons, lenrnnd in the law, to
submit for the consideration of the
noxt leglslnturo, n codification of our
laws, and suggestions of change,?
whore necessary, nnd to nlso prcparo
n rovenuo mocsuro providing for nn
equitable taxation of nil proporty
throughout, tho state.
Section 26 of article 5 of tho consti
tution should bo bo amended that tho
legislature shall havo authority to
creato a stnto board of control for the
management of our stnto Institutions,
and I therefore recommend tho sub
mission of an amendment of that pur
port to tho peoplo without unneces
sary delay.
Your attention is directed to tho
pan-American exposition which la to
bo hold nt Buffalo, N. Y., this year:
A reasonnblo appropriation to be used
for ndvertlslng the resourced of our
stato will meet with my approval.
Nebraska Bhould bo properly repre
sented at tho exposition to bo hold In
St. Louis In 1903, nnd n liberal ap
propriation should bo mado for that
purpose.
Your attention is hereby directed
to tho inadequacy of tho law applying
to tho crimes or kidnapping nnd child
stealing. I would recommend that the
law bo so amended as to mako kid
napping or child stealing a felony,
punishable by Imprisonment in tho
ponitentlnry for ft porlod of not less
than flvo nor moro than thirty years,
that tho ago limit bo removed, and
that tho unlawful or forclblo holding
In captivity of any person nt ft pluco
other than the natural or lawful do
micile or abodo of nUl person Bhnll
constltuto n. crime of kldnnpplng. I
nlso recommend thnt an appropriation
bu mado. to bo placed nt tho disposal
of tho chief executive of tho Btnte, for
uso by him In apprehending such
criminal!! or repressing this sort of
crime.
Tho Btato has soveral onsen pending
In tho courts against sureties on offi
cial bonds. Tho prosecution of thcr.o
cases has boon attended with grent
expense, nnd has continued for sovernl
years. In tho Interim, some of tho
sureties havo died, ninny havo bp
como Insolvent, anil tho chances for
nltlmnto recovery on tho bonds seem
to bo growing less. It Is tho excop
tlon. and not the rule, that personal
bonds hnvo beon satisfactory. Private
corporations deem it for thnlr interest
to buy surety company bonus ror
tholr employes. Our present Btato
treasurer finds It Impossible to fur
nlsh a satisfactory personal bond
without subjecting himself to terms
and conditions which have proven to
bo annoying and disastrous to others
who havo hold tlio Bamo position, nnd
ho has been obliged, as wu his pre
decessor, to purchase a surety bond at
a cost Incommensurate with ins sal
nry. I Bubmlt thnt tho law should
permit corporate Biiroty bonds to bo
given In all cases whero w bond Is re
quired, nnd should provide tnat any
public olllcer may no compelled to rur
nlsh a corpornto surety bond, tho cost
thereof to bo defrayed by tho stato or
municipality for whoso benefit Biich
bond 1b required.
Tho game, song and other Insectiv
orous birds nro tho property of tho
Btnte nnd aro bolng ruthlessly slnught
ered. I therefore recommend that the
lawa for the protection of thcBe birds
bo no roviscd ns to prohibit thalr ex
portation from tho stnto, nnd to pro
vldo for a stato gamo warden whoso
duty It shall bo to bco that violators
of tho law aro duly prosecuted,
Tho executive mansion should bo
either sold, or nn appropriation mndo
for its proper maintenance. It Bhould
bo cared for a3 any other publlcjirop
crty. Another matter to which your at
tention is called 1b tho boundary lino
between tho states of Nobraska and
Iowa. Tho original Intention un
doubtedly wns thnt tho center of tho
channel of tho Missouri rlvor should
form tho boundary lino between theso
two states. Owing, howovor, to
changes In tho river bed, tho channol
In many places hns been so changed
that Nobraska territory lies cast or
tho said rlvor, Iown territory lies west
of the rlvor, whllo In somo Instances
tho question of Jurisdiction is In doubt
nnd dispute. This stnto of affairs
leads to a condition of lawlessness,
especially In tho disputed territory,
which should not exist. It Is recom
mended thnt a boundary commission
bo provided for by Joint resolution of
tho two houses to net with n llko com
mission from our sister stato of Iown,
that shall hnvo power, with tho con
sent of tho federal government, to es
tablish n permanent boundary lino bo
tween tho two states.
Your attention will bo cnlled to tho
ndvlsnblllty of establishing a state cir
culating or so-called travelling library
which in other stntc3 has proven to
bo n great success.
Tho century Just closed hns been im
mortalized for nil nges to como by
tho gallant achievements on land nnd
sen of tho American soldier nnd raa
rlno, and by tho patriotic Bacrlfices of
our American women. Let us, thon,
in this, tho first yenr of n now century,
show our appreciation of their deeds
of valor nnd lovo for country nnd hu
manity, by nppropriatlng n liberal sum
of monoy to erect a fitting monument
to tho memory of our heroic dead.
Committees should bo appointed At
onco to visit our various Btato Insti
tutions, with Instructions to mako nn
early report of tholr noeds, bo that tho
legislature mny havo amplo opportun
ity to net intelligently in tho matter
of appropriations.
In conclusion, I wish to Btato that
ovcry net of yours or mlno, Bhould bo
governed by that samo honesty of
purpose, and business tact and enre,
as though our stnto and her institu
tions wero our own personal belong
ings. (Signed)
CHARLES II. DIETRICH.
A Novel l'Blltlon.
A correspondent of a southorn
paper writes of an odd petition. It
wns drawn up in tho year 1734 by 16
young women of South Carolina, and
was addressed to tho governor. The
petition stated that, whereas tho
widows of tho colony enptured all the
matrlmonlnl prizes, his oxcellcncy'a pe
titioners did humbly pray that all
bacholors should bo prohibited from
marrying widows from that tlmo forth.
ATntor Supply for Tnmplco. .
English engineers are making sur
veys and plaiiB of Tnmplco and the
surrounding country with n view of
supplying tho town with drinking wa
ter and n complcto syntom of sower-
ugo. Should these works bo carried
out thcro will be an excellent opening
for tho salo of plumbing supplies. At
present thcro Is no plumbing estab
lishment In tho port.
Ituloil Mexico Twenty-Four Year.
When tho prcald tlnl term closed
on Nov. 30 General l'orurio uioz
hud con troll etl Uio affairs of tho
Mexican republic for a period of twen
ty-four years, and under his wlso, bon
cflocnt and encrgotlo rulo ho has soon
Moxlco rlso from a condition of Indus
trial, commorcfal and political prostra
tion nnd disturbance to n position
which places It In nn eminent niche
among nations of tho world.
Ktretrlc l'lro ISnglnei Economical.
Tho chief flro engineer of tho Now
Orleans, In department has figured
out that tho relative running cost as
between n three-horse hitch engine of
tho first class and an electric power
engine is $00 a month for tho former
nnd $27 for tho samo period for tho
lattor, Theso figures show a clear gain
of $33 per month and $400 por annum
In round figures for tho electric power
nuzlnn.
Ifolr to Italian Throne.
It must bo confessed that the new
heir to tho ltullan throne Is quite as
lutorestlng as tho now occupant of
thnt throuo nnd his chances of becom
ing king of Italy aro good. Tho duko
Is n cousin of King Emmanuel HI. Ho
Is tho father of two sons, whereas tho
now king, who waa married four years
ago, hns no ehlldron, While tho king
Is frail and dislikes physical exertion,
tho duko Is dovotcd to sport and la ono
of tho best horsemen In Italy.
Milk Attract! Dlnemo Ocrm.
Placo a jug of milk near fish for a
few hours and thcro will bo a fishy
flavor about'it. In this tamo way that
milk Is susceptible to odors, so It at
tracts disease germs; dlphthorla, tp-
phold fever, etc., aro often contracted
In thin manner. This is not always
due to carelessness, for theso bacilli
aro In tho very air wo breathe. Tho
only truo safeguard when contagious
disease is about to stcrtllzo tho milk.
Corn Btuhblo Cut Throat.
L, T, Davis, n farmer living nenr
Weat Union, W. Va., hal his throat
cut by a corn stubble and nlmoBt bled
to doath before assistance reached him.
Whllo hauling fodder he fell from hla
wngon, his throat striking the sharp
pointed Btuhblo. A tearing gush was
tho result.
Within KOO Mile of Pole.
Dr. O. E. Borchgrevlnk has mndo a
grent advance Into the colder and
moro perilous Anturctlc regions', carry
tug the line of exploration to within
800 miles of tho south pole.