POINTER'S WORD
Outgoing Executive Addresses
the Nebraska Lawmakers.
CONDITION OF THE STATE FINANCES.
Stnto Institutions nnit Coininoii Schooln
Carefully Looked After. l
lllCmlntloilft ntiulu.
Const It ulloiiul Con volition.
To the Senators and Representatives
of the Twenty-seventh Session of the
Legislature of Nebraska. Gentlemen :
Complying with the provisions of the
constitution of the atato of Nebraska ,
I place before you a summary of the
operations of the various departments
of state during the past blennlum , and
offer for your consideration some sug
gestions as to what I deem the needs
of the state.
Too much of our legislation Is built
upon the glvo and take plan a sys
tem "of you help mo and I'll help
yon" between legislators. Logrolling
ing Is notorious In almost every legis
lative hall , and all the way up to the
national halls of congress. The lobby
exerts undue Influence. As a result
of these things we have a mass of Ill-
considered laws , the meaning of which
Is obscure , many contradictory , and
when Dubmltted to the test of consti
tutional Interpretation , utterly fall
and become null and void. Wo need
fewer rather than more laws. The
legislators who will repeal a large
number of laws now upon our law
books , which arc and have been for
yenrs dead letters , and will strip oth
ers of useless verbiage which tends to
obscure their meaning , and clothe
them in langimgo so plain that the
"wayfaring man , though n simpleton ,
need not err therein , " and In the en
actment of the few needed laws frame
them so plain and direct that there
can bo no room for any quibbling as
to their meaning , would \irn for
themselves memorial tablets from
their grateful fellow citizens.
Many laws passed by the legislature
would fall of enactment If the voters
and taxpayers of the state had the
opportunity of expressing themselves
upon their desirability before they
went into effect. If every law had to
pass the test of popular approval the
number of statutes would be much
smaller than it is DOW , and the en
forcement of these approved would bean
an easy task. Purely partisan meas
ures would bo unknown , and the oc
cupation of the lobbyist would bo at
an end. I believe it would be to the
great benefit of the Hate I ! all acts
of the legislature , except emergency
legislation for thp maintenance of pub
lic business and Institution ? , wore sub
mitted to the ratification f tbu people.
FINANCIAL.
The state treasurer reports a bal
ance on hand at the close of business
November 30 , 1900 , of $015,018.34. The
bonded Indebtedness of the state has
been entirely paid and a balance In
the sinking fund of $50,165.23. This
you should transfer to the general
fund and authorize the treasurer to
credit any further moneys coming In
to that fund to the general fund. No
further levy for the sinking fund has
been made , hut some back taxes upon
that fund will bo collected from year
to year. Our floating Indebtedness rep
resented by state warrants Is $1,727-
509.72. The school fund has Invested
In $1,165,762.12 of this amount , which
has practically put the state upon a
cash basis so far as the purchase of
supplies and the maintenance of our
state institutions are concerned. The
Interest arising from these war
rants goes into the temporary school
fund , and Is distributed again to tin
taxpayers through the school fund ap
portionment. The treasurer very Just
ly remarks that n thorough revision
of the revenue laws should bo made ,
or an amendment authorizing a levy
of seven (7) ( mills for the general fund
instead of five (5) ( ) mills , since the pres
ent levy does not keep up with the ap
propriations , thereby Increasing , rath
er than reducing , our floating indebt
edness. To my mind a Just assess
ment Is much more preferable than an
increased levy. Our present levy of
five (5) ( ) mills would be all sufficient
if our assessment was what It should
be. The state's educational funds are
Invested in the securities designated
by the constitution to the amount of
$4,365,544.63. Each year finds it more'
difficult to cecuro investment for these
funds In the securities required by the
constitution The constitution should
be amended allowing a larger scope
for Investment of the state's educa
tional funds.
I concur in the recommendation of
the treasurer , reducing the interest
upon state warants to three (3) ( per
cent. This will enable the treasurer
to secure practically all of these war
rants for the school fund Investment.
The present condition of the state's
finances , as compared with even so re
cent date as four years ago , must bo
a source of congratulation to the citi
zens of Nebraska. Should this con
dition continue , your best efforts must
bo used and your wisdom devise ways
and means to keep the appropriations
within the limit of the levy permitted
by law.
ELECTION OF UNITED STATES
SENATORS.
One of the most Important duties
which you have to perform is the
election of two senators to represent
Nebraska in the senate of the United
States. The experience of our own
state , as well as that of other states ,
in times past , recall to us the difll-
cutly attending this duty. The selec
tion of senators would be much sim
plified , and those chosen to that high
office more representative , If the people
ple themselves chose them by direct
vote. The time of the legislature ,
which Is really too short for the care
ful consideration of legislation , Is
taken up and the minds of the mem
bers distracted with the too often long
drawn out struggles In the election of
United States senators.
I would recommend that you mem
orialize congress to submit a consti
tutional amendment providing for the
election of senators by direct vote of
the people. Older states have very
keenly felt the necessity of a change
In the manner of election of United
States senators. A number of states
have passed resolutions upon this sub
ject by their legislatures.
STATE OFFICERS AND INSTITU
TIONS.
The state officers and the heads of
the various public Institutions have
presented full and exhaustive reports
of the business management of the
state and the needs of the departments
for the next blennlum. Thcso reports
show the great care and business abil
ity with which the affairs of the state
have been managed , and their recom
mendations should receive a careful
consideration from you.
For your guidance In making appro
priations for the next blennlum for
the several Institutions of the state , I
have had prepared and herewith sub
mit n table showing the exact cost of
maintenance of each Institution in
the state for the past nine years. A
careful scrutiny of this table would
be n most correct guide In making fu
ture appropriations. I commend this
table to your careful scrutiny :
THE LABOR BUREAU.
The work done by the labor bureau
for the past blennlum ns shown by
the report of that department , Is of
great value to the labor Interests of
the stato. The compilation of labor
and Industrial statistics , the unique
way of showing by a map of the coun
ties the surplus product shipment and
the Incomes to the state therefrom ,
certainly affords one of the very best
means of placing Nebraska and her
resources before homo seekers. The
money expended In the work of tlur
labor bureau has certainly been a
very profitable investment for the
state.
state.RELIEF
RELIEF FOR THE SUPREME
COURT.
There are now pending In the supreme
premo court of our stale seventeen
hundied and nine cases , and notwith
standing the best efforts of the court ,
the number constantly Increases rath
er than decreases. If no now cases
should bo filed and the court should
make the same progress In adjudica
tion they have been able to make in
the past , it would require moro than
three years to clear the court docket.
As n matter of fact , tinder these con
ditions , the supreme court Is regard
ed as the tomb In which lies burled
the hopes of litigants awaiting a very
indefinite resurrection. An Increase
in the number of judges at once sug
gests Itself as the most rational way
with which to meet this difficulty. No
one can dispute that an early deter
mination of honest litigation is de
sirable. If the number of Judges were
increased the work of the court could
bo brought forward and litigants could
have their suits disposed of promptly.
The condition which now exists Is not
new. As far back as 1893 there were
1,285 cases pending.
The legislature of 1893 created a su
preme court commission , permitting
the supreme judges to select three
commissioners , taking effect March ,
1893. This was intended as a tempo
rary relief to the court , and was to
continue for the term of three years.
The legislature of 1895 extended the
term an additional three years , so
that It would cease by limitation
March , 1899. At that tlmo It ceased
to exist , and after its six years work
there were pending before the court
1,434 casts , or an Increase of 49 cases ,
showing that with the assistance of
the commission1 the court had kept
almost even In its work , adjudicat
ing nearly as many cases as were
filed.
filed.The
The constitution of the state deter
mines the 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 should be
submitted to the electors increasing
the number of supreme judges to at
least five. Pending the time , however ,
when such amendment shall have been
adopted and be effective , I would sug
gest that your honorable body cm-
power the supreme court to call to Its
aid any number of district judges in
the state , not less than ten. With this
assistance the court would bo enabled
to clear the docket In a reasonable
time , and having It once clear , and
with an Increase the number of judges
it would be enabled to keep It so. At
present many of the district judges
in the state are not occupied to ex
ceed one-half of their time. Their
entire tlmo belongs to the stato. I
can see nothing unreasonable in ask
ing that their unoccupied tlmo be
used by the state In relief of the supreme
premo court.
NEBRASKA NATIONAL GUARD.
The Nebraska national guard was
wholly disorganized by the Spanish-
American war. When I came into
ofllce the Second Nebraska volunteer
regiment , which was largely made up
of the Second Nebraska national
guard , had recently been mustered
out of the service of the United States
and was being re-organized. The re.-
organizatlon was continued under my
administration as rapidly as possible.
When the First Nebraska volunteers ,
most of the members of which had
formerly belonged to the National
guard , returned from the Philippines ,
and were mustered out of the service
of the United States , immediately the
work of reorganization of the Flrsi
regiment , N. N. G. , was takcii up. In
the 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 the Nebraska
national guard. In this way quite a
large percentage of the members of
the present Nebraska national guard
Is composed of men who saw service
In the Spanish-American war. The
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 the state
may Justly feel proud. I approve of
the estimate made by the adjutant
general for the next blennlum , and
recommend appropriations according
ly.RETURN
RETURN OF FIRST NEBRASKA.
When our gallant First Nebraska
rostmont returned from the Philip
pines and arrived in San Francisco , 1
determined , if possible , that Its mem
bers should be returned to their
hornet without cost to them. I thought
this would be a fitting tribute to them ,
as showing the appreciation of our
state for their bravery and devotion
to soldier duty. I first endeavored to
get special rates from the railway
lines. This I was utterly unable to
do. I .then endeavored to get the rail
way companies to bring the regiment
homo r.nd file their bill with the audi
tor ns n claim against the state , to
ho paid by your honorable body. They
refused to do this. I then endeavored
to secure a loan from the banking in
terests of the state. Falling in this I
appealed to the generous patriotic peo-
plu of Nebraska to advance sulllclent
funds. Thn appeal met with loyal re
sponse. Moro than enough was sent
In and the regiment received a wcl-
como befitting the esteem In which it
was held by our people.
The amounts contributed are a loan
to the state of Nebraska , and provision
for Its payment should bo made by
you In an early appropriation. The
amount contrlLutod was $40,342.7r . Of
this $36,315.45 wao required to pay
the expenses of the return of the regi
ment. Of thn excess $3071.00 was vc-
turneci to Individual donors. The list
of those who subscribed to this fund
Is a part of the files of the executive
ofllce.
ofllce.REVENUE
REVENUE AND TAXATION.
The Inequalities In our revenue sys
tem must bo apparent to any one who
has examined It. A general revision
of the entire law upon the subject Is
necessary. Numerous attempts have
been made in the past to accomplish
such revision , hut the short time oc
cupied in n legislative session , the
vast amount of work to bo accom
plished , and the magnitude and dlfll-
culty of the task , have prevented its'
consummation. It seems to mo that
a competent commlsnlon authorized
to procure the icvenue laws of the
different states In tho'unlon , and from
them formulate for our state a , now
revenue law to bo submitted for the
ratification of the next session of the
legislature , would procure for us a
revenue law which would be just and
equitable. This seems a long tlmo to
await a revision of our revenue sys
tem , but past experience has shown
us the great dlfllculty attending the
task , and It seems to me a moro care
ful and satisfactory revision could be
secured by the method above indi
cated than In any other way.
RAILWA Y REG U LATION.
The question of railway regulation
Is one that has occupied the attention
of the legislators in our state probably
moro than any other. As early as 1876
this was a prominent Issue upon which
members of the legislature wcrq elect
ed. The people demanded relief from
what they thought oppressive rates
of freight and passenger tariff. Each
succeeding log'slaturo adjourned
without tiny measure being passed un
til 1885 when the members elected al
most entirely upon this issue made the
most determined effort to redeem pre
election pledges. The first maximum
ralo bill was prepared and strenuous
efforts made to Incorporate It Into the
laws of our state. This measure mot
with defeat , but a compromise meas
ure was at last agreed upon by which
Nebraska had her first railway com
mission established. It was a make
shift to avoid the provisions of the
constitution , and a sop thrown out to
quiet the demands of the people. As
a member of the legislature of 1885 I
voted against the measure , giving the
following as my reason :
"I would recommend the submission
to the electors an amendment to our
constitution providing for the election
of a railway commission. Pending the
tlmo when such amendment could bo
ratified by the voters of the state , I
would recommend the enactment by
your honorable body of a maximum
rate upon the commodities In carload
lots , such as salt , coal , grain , live
stock and lumber. It seems to me at
this time that these two measures are
all that can ho done In the matter of
regulation of transportation charges.
PURE FOOD LAW.
The legislature at its last session
enacted a law known as the pure food
law , designating the governor of the
state , food commissioner , with author
ity to appoint a deputy food commis
sioner. Acting , under this law 1 ap
pointed Mr. F. B. Hibbaid of Irvington -
ton deputy food commissioner , who
proceeded to organize the department
and enforce the provisions of the act.
The law provided for the collection of
fees and licenses from certain lines of
business , and the expenses of the de
partment to bo paid out of such col
lection. When the salary vouchers of
the deputy and clerk of the department
were presented they were refused by
the auditor upon the ground that no
appropriation , as provided by the con
stitution , had been made by the leg
islature. The case having been sub
mitted to the supreme court , that
tribunal decided that the legislature
had failed to make specific appropria
tion , consequently the salaries could
not ho paid. As a result the work of
the department has been much ham
pered. The law Is one which met with
general favor with the people and was
especially appreciated and desired by
the dairy Interests of the stato.
I would recommend an Increase in
the scope of the present law , extend
ing to the suppression of the manufac
ture and sale of all kinds of adulter
ated food products within the state.
There has been collected In fees and
licenses by the department the Bum
of $3.280. which has all been turned
Into the statf treasury. I herewith
sumblt you an Itemized statement of
the 'jxponses of the department. 1
recommend that an appropriation be
made to meet these expenses , ns con
templated by the law Itself , drawn
upon the fund which fees and licenses
has produced now in the slate treas
ury.
ury.LIVE STOCK REGULATIONS.
During my term of ofllco there hav1
been numerous calls upon this depart
ment relative to the suppression and
control of contagious diseases among
live stock. That the live stock Indus
try Is of paramount importance In HIP
slate all will admit , and It seems tome
mo but good business judgment that
adequate laws should bo made for th"
protection of this Industry from the
ravages of contagious animal diseas
es. The laws we now have are cum
bersome , and If enforced with suffic
ient appropriation to make them effec
tive , would prove a great burden upon
the taxpayers of the stato. For this
reason no appropriation for live stock
protection was made by the lust ses
sion of the legislature.
The law as now constituted pro
vides that animals with contagious
disease may bo killed by the agents
of the state , and the value of animals
so killed paid to the owners of such
animals. This would many times be
the source of imposition upon the
state , and even though honestly ad
ministered , would entail a larger ex
pense than the state could afford to
pay. I would recommend , therefore ,
the repeal of the present law and thd
enactment of a law providing for n
state veterinarian , with power to rcc-
ommond quarantine regulations when
In his judgment occasion demanded ,
and directing the proper officer to en
force his recommendations.
STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
Thn Rtnto board of agriculture IB do-
servlng of most liberal treatment at
your hands. No one power has done
more for the advancement of the agri
cultural Interests of the state. The
work the board has done in advortln *
ing the state and thereby inducing
Immigration has been of great value.
Thi last legislative session established ,
a potnmnont homo for the board at
the Capital City.
1 would therefore recommend that
the state provide suitable grounds and
buildings for state fair purposes and
annual appropriation milliclent to at
Ifast pay the expenses for the main
tenance of the state board , thereby al
lowing the revenue arising from the
annual state fairs to bo used for the
collodion of fc'tatlntlcs and Informa
tion , and the distribution of the same ,
and the Increase In payment of prem
iums.
CONVICT LABOR.
The problem of employment for
the convicts In our Htato peni
tentiary Is one which should
receive your careful consideration.
Humanity demands that these who
are Incarcerated in state prisons
should bo kept busy Justice to hon
est labor forbids that the work of con
victs should bo brought Into competi
tion with Its effort. The contract sys
tem employed In eo many states wher
eby prison-made goods are thrown
upon the market In direct competition
with the goods of free labor Is mani
festly unjust and unfair to the honest
workman. Ho Is not only taxed to
support the criminal in the pcnltcu *
tlnry , but must soil his labor for un-
rcmunoratlve prices to enable him to
compote with the criminal labor.
It seems to mo It should bo the pol
icy of our state so far as wo may bo
able to prevent this competition by
f'inilfihlnj ' ? emplvncnt to convicts
which In no way Interferes with hon
est labor. The manufacture of goods
needed by the state for the wards of
the state In our various eleemosynary
Institutions would bo legitimate woik
for rnnvlp.ts.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
The largely increased attendance at
the state normal school makes it Im
perative that some increase in the fa
cilities should ho provided by you. The
assembly room there has a capacity
for seating five hundred. The atten
dance during the term last passed was
far In excess of that number , with the
probability of yet fuithcr Increase
during the present term. There has
btcn constantly recurring before each
legislature for a number of years past ,
the question of building additional
normal schools In the state. I need
not point out to you that the Croatian
of ai additional school r > ; nchnols
would crcato additional expense for
the management of the same. Each
school would require oillcers and con
veniences for the conduct of the busi
ness of the school. These are prac
tically the same for either a large or
small school. To create new schooln
would require a duplication of these
necessities , and a corresponding In
crease in outlay. An increase In li
brary facilities , laboratory facilities
and other necessities of a school al
ready equipped would bo trivial ns
compared with the building and equip
ment of nn entire new school.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
As indicated In what has gone bo-
'foro In this message , there are In my
opinion a number of amendments
needed to our state constitution. The
experience wo have had in times past
with constitutional amendments has
not been satisfactory. It seems to mo
you should make provisions for the
calling of a constitutional convention
to formulate for our state a constitu
tion fitted to our present development ,
and making provision for our future
growth. Should this bo done many of
the problems which now present them
selves would bo "solved.
Retiring from the highest ofllco in
the gift of the people of our state , I
congratulate you as the chosen repre
sentatives of the most progressive and
best educated constituency In our
country. I congratulate you upon the
splendid financial condition of our
state. The past blennlum has wit
nessed the payment of our entire bond
ed Indebtedness. It has witnessed the
reduction of the rate of Interest upon
our floating Indebtedness to 4 per cent ,
and our state warrants at that low
rate of interest selling at a premium
of 1 per cent , showing the confidence
of our own people , as well as capital
ists or other states In the ability of
our state to pay Us obligations , and
the Integrity of the management of
our financial affairs.
I congratulate you upon the economy
and business ability with which the
public institutions of our state have
been managed during the past blen-
nium , as shown in the reports here
with submitted , nbt lesn upon the ex
cellent care given the unfortunate
wards of the state. Our eleemosynary
Institutions are the equal of any sister
state In the union. They reflect the
progress and advanced civilization of
the state. The demands of civiliza
tion require the most scrupulous care
of those whom misfortune make the
wards of the state. Justice to the tax
payers requires this care to ho given
in a way creating an little burden as
may he. The requirements of both
have been fully met during the past
biennlum.
I trust that your duties In making
new laws and amending old ones , and
In the repeal of those you deem detri
mental or unnecessary , may bo pleas
ant and all your work for the good of
the people and the advancement of
the welfare of our state.
I wish to return my sincere thanks
to the people of Nebraska for the con
fidence they reposed In me , and the
uniform courtesy always shown mo
and the many kind and complimentary
words and letters commendatory of
my administration received from HO
many citizens of the state. In all my
acts I have had beyond nil other con
siderations the welfare and beat interests
torests of the state. For whatever mis
takes I may have made I ask charit
able lienicncy. The administration ns
a whole I submit to the honest judg
ment of an intelligent people.
W. A. POYNTER ,
Governor.
Executive Chamber , Lincoln , Nob.
January 3 , J901.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Now Governor Speaks to Now
Legislature.
MESSAGE SHORT AND BUSINESS-LIKE
tlrcots MtMiihrrA Henrtlly unit
lilt nccniiitiiiMutntloiiH n n to
Will 1)0 Host for lliti Sliito In
the Way of
To the Senators and Representa
tives , Twenty-seventh Session of the
Legislature of Nebraska :
As your chief executive , I herewith
submit for your consideration the fol
lowing recommendations :
Jly the constitution , an adopted in
1875 , provision was made for six
judges of the district court , which
number , the legislature In the oxcr-
clso of itfl constitutional authority , has
Increased to twenty-eight , at a cost
to the state of about $115,000 per an
num. It Is generally conceded by
members of the legal profession that
a material reduction in the number
of district judges can ho made without
affecting the adjudicating capacity or
the cniclency of the judicial branch
of the government.
There arc nearly one thousand seven
hundred cases ready for trial before
the supreme court , and It is estimated
that It will require about eight years
befora any now action can bo prose
cuted to Judgment. It Is well known
that persons aiming at the adjudica
tion of equitable claims are being
made the prey of unscrupulous and Ir
responsible contestants by reason of
the delay Incident to the congested
condition of the supreme court docket ,
thus entailing unnecessary hardship
and loss upon legitimate claimants.
at the stuno time discouraging Invest
ment of capital , and making it dlfll-
cult for the honest borrower to obtain
loans. This IB an abuse of justice
which Impairs the credit of both the
state and the Individual , and which
neither the state nor the individual can
afford to license. Innumerable cases
now pending before the supreme anil
district courts would bo dismissed If
u speedy trial could bo had , and
knowledge of the fact would no doubt
greatly restrain litigants in the fu-
tuie. I therefore recommend , with
a vlcnv to temporary relief , that an
act bo passed empowering the supreme
premo court to appoint referees whoso
duty It shall bo to assist Haiti court ,
and whoso tenureof odlco shall bo
for the Immediate blennlum.
I also recommend the submission to
the voters of the state of a proposi
tion to so amend the constitution as to
empower the legislature , under proper
In nrnvldu for Hlich all
Increase In the number of judges of
the supreme court a shall insure- per
manent relief.
The laws of Nebraska need amend
ment in many essential particulars ,
and should bo codified. I recommend
the creation of a commission of suit
able persons , learned In the law , to
submit for the consideration of the
next legislature , n codification of our
laws , and suggestion ! ) of change. !
where necessary , and to also prepare
a revenue measure providing'for an
equitable taxation of all property
throughout the state.
Section 2G of article 5 of the consti
tution should bo so amended that the
legislature shall have authority to
create a state board of control for the
management of our state Institutions ,
and I therefore recommend the sub
mission of an amendment of that pur
port to the people without unneces
sary delay.
Your attention Is directed to the
pan-American exposition which Is to
bo hold at IJuffalo , N. Y. , this year.
A reasonable appropriation to be unod
for advertising the resources of OUT
state will meet with my approval.
Nebraska should bo properly repre
sented at the exposition to bo held In
St. Louis In 1903 , and a liberal ap
propriation should bo made for that
purpose.
Your attention Is hereby directed
to the Inadequacy of the law applying
to the crimes of kidnapping and child
stealing. I would recommend that the
law bo so amended as to make kid
napping or child stealing a felony ,
punishable by imprisonment In the
penitentiary for ti period of not less
than five nor moro than thirty years ,
that the ago limit be removed , and
that the unlawful or forcible holding
in captivity of any person at a place
other than the natural or lawful do
micile or abode of said person shall
constitute a crime of kidnapping. I
also recommend that an appropriation
bo made , to bo placed at the disposal
of the chief executive of the state , for
use by him In apprehending such
criminals or repressing this Bert of
crime.
The state has several cases periling
In the courts against sureties on ofll-
clal bonds. The prosecution of thcto
cases has been attended with great
expense , and has continued for several
years. In the Interim , some of the
sureties have died , many have be
come insolvent , and the chances for
ultimate recovery on the bonds seem
to bo growing lees. It Is the excnp-
tlon. and not the rule , that personal
bonds have been Hatisfactory. Private
corporations deem It for their Interest
to buy surety company bonds for
their employes. Our present state
treasurer finds It Impossible to fur
nish a satisfactory personal bond
without subjecting himself to terms
and conditions which have proven to
bo annoying and disastrous to others
who have held the same position , and
ho has been obliged , as was his pre
decessor , to purchase a surety bond at
a cost Incommensurate with his sal
ary. I submit thai the law should
permit corporate s frety bonds to bo
given in all cases where a bond is re
quired , and should provide that any
public officer may bo compelled to fur
nish a corporate mirety bond , the cost
thereof to bo defrayed by the state or
municipality for whoso benefit such
bond Is required.
The game , song and other Insectiv
orous birds are the property of the
state and are being ruthlessly slaught
ered. I therefore recommend that the
laws for the protection of these birds
u
ft
bo so revised as to prohibit their ex *
portatlou from the state , and to pro
vide for n state game warden whoso
duty It shall bo to sco that violators
of the law are duly prosecuted.
The executive mansion should ho
cither sold , or an appropriation made
for its proper maintenance. It should
ho cared for as any other i > ubllcj > rop-
orty.
orty.Another
Another matter to which your at
tention Is called Is the boundary line
between the states of Nebraska anil
Iowa. The original Intention un
doubtedly was that the center of the
channel of the Missouri river should
form the boundary line between these
two states. Owing , however , to
changes In the river bed , the channel
In many places has been so changed
that Nebraska territory lies cast of
the said river , Iowa territory lies west
of the river , while In some instanced
the question of jurisdiction Is In doubt
and dispute. This state of affairs
leads to a condition of lawlessness ,
especially In the disputed territory ,
which should not exist. It is recom
mended that a boundary commission
bo provided for by Joint resolution of
the two houses to act with a lllco com
mission from.our sister state of Iowa ,
that shall have power , with the con
sent of the federal government , to es
tablish a permanent boundary line be
tween the two states.
Your attention will ho called to the
advisability of establishing a state cir
culating or so-called travelling library
which In other states has proven to
bo a great succcssf.
The century Just closed has boon im
mortalized for all ages to come by
the gallant achievements on land and
sea of the 'American soldier and ma-
rlno , and by the patriotic sacrifices of
our American women. Lot us , then ,
In this , the first year of a now century ,
show our appreciation of their deeds
of valor ami love for country and hu
manity-by appropriating a liberal sum
of money to erect a fitting monument
to the memory of our heroic dead.
Committees should ho appointed at
once to visit our various state Insti
tutions , with Instructions to make an
early report of their needs , so that the
legislature may have ample opportun
ity to act Intelligently In the matter
of appropriations ,
In conclusion , I wish to state that
every act of yours or mine , should ho
governed by that same honesty of
purpose , and business tact and care ,
as though our state and her Institu
tions were our own personal belong
ings. ( Signed )
CHARLES H. DIETRICH.
A Novel Volition.
A correspondent of a southern ,
paper writes of an odd petition. It
was drawn up In the year 1734 by 10
young women of South Carolina , and
was addressed to the governor. Tha
petition stated that , whereas the
widows of the colony captured nil thfi
matrimonial prizes , his excellency's pe
titioners did humbly pray that all
bachelors should bo prohibited from
marrying widows' from that tlmo forth.
\Vntor Knitpljr for Tnmplco.
English engineers are making sur
veys and plans of Tamplco and the
surrounding country with a view of
supplying the town with drinking wa
ter and a complete system of sower-
age. Should thcso works bo carried
out there will bo an excellent opening
for the sale of plumbing supplies. At
present there Is no plumbing estab
lishment In the port.
Itnloil Mexico Twenty-Pour Venn.
When the prcsltl tlal term closed
on Nov. 30 General Porfirlo Diaz
had controlled the affairs of the
Mexican republic for a period of twen
ty-four years , and under his wise , ben
eficent and energetic rule ho has seen
Mexico rise from a condition of Indus
trial , commercial and political prostra
tion and disturbance to a position
which places it in an eminent niche
among nations of the world.
Ktoctrla Fire Knglnuii ICcouomlcal.
The chief flro engineer of the New
Orleans , La. , department has figured
out that the relative running cost as
between a threc-horuo hitch engine of
the first class and an electric power
engine is $ GO a month for the former
and $27 for the same period for the
latter. Those figures show a clear gain
of $33 per month and $100 per annum
In round figures for the electric power
rmirlnn.
Hair to Itrllnn Throne.
It must bo confessed that the new
heir to the Italian throne Is quite as
Interesting as the new occupant of
that throne and his chances of becom
ing king of Italy uro good. The duke
Is a cousin of King Emmanuel III. Ho
Is the father of two sons , whereas the
now king , who was married four years
ago , has no children. While the king
Is frail and dislikes physical exertion ,
the duke Is devoted to sport and is one
of the best horsemen In Italy.
Milk AltrnclR DUrnio Germs.
Place a Jug of milk near fish for a
few hours and there will bo a fishy
flavor about It. In this same way that
milk Is susceptible to odors , so it at
tracts disease germs ; diphtheria , tp
phold fever , etc. , are often contracted-
in this manner. This Is not alwaya
duo to carelessness , for these bacilli
are In the very air wo breathe. The
only truff safeguard when contagious
disease Is about to sterilize the milk ,
.1
Corn Stubble Cut * Throat.
U T. Davis , a farmer living neap
West Union , W. Va. , had bla throat
cut by a corn stubble and almost bled
to death before assistance reached htm.
While hauling fodder he fell from hla
wagon , his throat striking the sharp-
pointed stubble. A tearing gash woa
the result.
Within HOO Mlln * of Vole.
Dr. G. E. Borchgrevlnk has made a
great advance Into the colder and
moro perilous Antarctic regions' , carryIng -
Ing the line of exploration to within
SOO miles of the south pole.
