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About McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 15, 1885)
7 AFFAIRS tt' JiEBItlSKA. ita Set Forth in the Animal Message of the Governor to the Legislature. Gentlemen of the" Senate and House of Bfpresentativeg : It Is required by the Constitution that the governor shall at the commencement of each session , and at the close of his term of office , give to the legislature In formation oy message of the condition of the state , and shall recommend such measures as ho shall deem expedient , accounting also to the legislature and accompanying his message with a state- Bent of all moneys received and paid out by him from dny funds subject to his order , and at each regular session present estimates of the amount of money to be raised by taxation for all purposes. In compliance with these provisions I sub mit the following message. STATE FINANCES. Your 'attention Is in the first instance invited to the highly satisfactory condi tion of our state finances , as shown by the reports of the state treasurer and the auditor of public accounts. 3)alanco on hand November SO , 1882 , was $ 472,114.50 Amount received 2,707,276.01 Total amount received 3,179,391.14 Total amount disbursed . . , 2,736,674.15 Balance in treasury Nov. SO , 1884. . . . ? 442,816.99 To the amount on hand November 30th , 1884 , is credited to the several funds as follows : State general fund ? 49,988.35 Slate tinting fund 27,007.80 Permanent uchool fund 45,959.04 Temporary school fund 164,836.76 Permanent university fund 2,916.34 Temporary university fund 66,667.87 State bond fund 10,751.15 Insane hospital fund. ' . 33,976.47 Normal interest fund 18,043.11 Normal library fund 667.73 Normal endowment fund 957.35 State convict fund 3.36 State library fund 284.00 State funding fund 67.25 Saline html lease fund 3,803.45 University library fund. . . , 975.00 Capitol building fund 11,723.07 Interest charged county treasurers. . . 657.49 Interest ou surplus investments 13,531.25 Total aa above $442,816.99 As will be seen from the treasurer's re port , the balance of $057.49 interest charged county treasurers , and the bal ance of § 13,531.25 interest on surplus in- rvestments are unavailable , and should be transferred. STATE DEBT. ' State indebtedness is represented by the following bonds : Ftateielicf bonds , due March 1,1885. . $ 50,000 00 fitate funding bonds , duo April 1,1897. 449,267 35 J Total state debt 5499,267 35 By the act of 1877 , in the matter of payment of principal and interest of state relief bonds , it was provided that pay ment should be made from the sinking fund , and in order that said bonds may be paid promptly , it is recommended by the state treasurer that the balance in the blate bond fund , together with the amount hereafter collected , be trans ferred to the sinking fund , and' thus inade available for the purpose for which it is collected. REVENUE AND TAXATION. The assessed valuation of the taxable property of the state in 1SS3 was $110- ' 543,614.58 , and inlSS4itwas $123,615- SS6.95 , showing an increase of $13,072.- 242.37. The rate of taxation for state purposes for the year 1883 was 7 4-10 mills , and for the year 1874 7 556-800 mills on each dollar valuation , and there has been collected during that period the sum of § 1,307,123.05 , distributed as fol lows : General fund § 931,03719 Sinking fund 93,005 34 Common school fund 206,584 81 University fund 76,434 71 Total 51,307,12205 The levy of 1884 yielded the following amounts : General fund , 4 82-100 mills 5590,379 48 Staking fund,6-8mill 91,81191 Common school lund , 1 mill 123,615 85 University fund,2f mill 46,355 94 Capitol building fund , X mill 61,807 95 Eeform school building fund , X mill. . 30,903 96 Total $951,875 09 Your notice is directed to the auditor's statement showing amount of taxes de linquent with the hope that you in your united wisdom may succeed in devising some plan for the better collection of the revenues , and without imposing un necessary-burdens upon the people. Therels a general demand that the law of 1883 , making taxes delinquent Janu ary 1st of each year , and providing for a penalty of n per cent , shall be repealed. I would cite for your examination the revenue laws of the states of Ohio and Indiana. The law of the last named state provides that any person charged with taxes on the tax-duplicate in the hands of a county treasurer may pay the fnil amount of such taxes on or before the third Monday in April , or may , at his option , pay the first installment on or before such third Monday , and the re maining installment on or before the first Monday of November following. Providing that all road taxes shall be in cluded in the first installment , and that in all cases where the first installment shall not be paid on or before the third Monday in-April , the whole amount un paid shall lecome due and be returned delinquent with proper penalties added. This plan is that of semi-annual pay ment. A division of the burden. Taxes are defined as being the enforced proportional tional contribution of persons and prop erty , levied by the authority of the state for the support of the government , and for all public needs. Applying this def inition to our own case , and we will all agree that best legislation upon the mat ter of taxation is that which , while it shall meet the wants and needs of the state government , will at the same time , as far as it may with safety be done , lighten the burden to him who so con tributes. In relation to the present management of the public institutions of the state it may be said that without an exception they are in excellent hands. HOME FOR THE FRIENDLESS. The acto 1881. providing for the erec tion of a home for the friendless , was ' carried into effect by the purchase o'f a site near the city of Lincoln , and the erection of a building thereon. The gov ernment of the home was assumed by the society of the home for the friendless , and is now under the active care and management of a board composed of ear nest practical Christian women , who , -with well directed energy , are ttriving to make it what it should be. The home was opened to receive inmates January 1 1882 and since that time has received , , adults 95 , children 133 , making a total < surrendered to i of228 There have been and of this number 1 the home 75 children , - 57 have been placed In good homes in this state. An appropriation is asked for by the society in charge for the purpose of erecting and furnishing additioual buildings , and to aid in the maintenance " of the home. "In my judgment their re quest to a reasonable amount should be granted. It must he remembered that the title to thin property remains in the state. A visit to this institution will con vince you of its utility and worth. DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTE , AND FEEBLE MINDED CHILDREN. Organized in April , 1869 , this institu tion has since that time received for in struction 211 pupils. For the last bien nial term there has been a reported at tendance of 141. The health of the stu dents has been good , and the methods of instruction the same as heretofore re ported. When we consider the available means and accommodations at'bis com mand , the condition of this institution under the present management is ad mirable. Instruction In the trade * * , printing , carpenter work , sewing , fancy work , and housework , Is still continued , and funds .are asked for to place the trades upon a more efficient basis looking to the power of self-support upon the part of those- receiving instruction. Your at tention is called to the deficiency of $6.- 500 in the appropriation for this institu tion for the year ending March 31st , 3885 , in the matter of wages of em ployes. Attention is called to the fre quent applications for the admission of "feeble minded" children to this school , a class who are not fit subjects for a deal mute school. By reference to the census of 1880 it is shown that we had at that time 356 persons 'classed as feeble minded , 209 of whom were under 20 years of age. The state has undertaken to care for the insane , the blind , the deaf and dumb. In view of these facts , to gether with the experience of other states in this work , I am prompted to call your attention to the importance and urgency of this claim , and the ' advlsab ility r making some provisions in Nebraska for this helpless class. INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND. The total number of pupils received at the institute for the education of the blind from the" date of its opening La January , 1876 , until the present time is 60. The building was intended to accom modate fifty persons , and there has been an attendance of thirty-six pupils during the biennial term just closed. Of those who would be admissible under the rules , and residing in the state , there are but five known to the superintendent who are not in the school. The term is reported as one of general prsoperity. The health of the students has been excellent , and in the several departments of study , consist ing of literary , musical , and industrial , commendable progress' has beep made. This school in its work in the literary de partment will compare favorably with those of like character in other states. All receive musical instruction and the work in this department is becoming more thorough each year. An exhibit from the industrial department has been sent to the New Orleans exposition. The appropriations made by the last legis lature have been ample in every respect , ind in the item of living expenses there will be a small balance returned to the treasury. Appropriations are asked for , governing the matter of water supply and : mproyements to buildings and grounds , n addition to the general support of thft nstitute , and should be granted. STATE PENITENTIARY. Needed improvements have been made it the state penitentiary during the past ; vvo years , under the direction of the varden and board of public lands and j mildings , among which , and worthy of J ipecial mention , are the erection of a ire-proof hospital building , a more per- ect water supply , and a thorough change n the system of sewerage and drainage , reatly improving the sanitary condition f the prison. Discipline is thoroughly naintamed , the government being kindly , ret at the same time firm. The medical upervision is excellent , and the state of lealth among the prisoners is good. Juder the contract system , the convicts ire furnished steady employment , and heir wants are well supplied by the > resent contractor. Warden Nobes , in his report of Nov. 0 , 1882 , gave the number of prisoners : s261. Since that time there have been Iischargedl31 , the number received be- ng 178. The total number confined in he penitentiary Nov. 30 , 1884 , was 259 , ind of that number twenty-three are mder sentence for life. Pertinent to the ubject in hand , and to which I will , in lassing , call your attention , are the [ uestions of the inequality of sentence as iroportioned to the crime or the circum- tances under which it was committed , , s we have , so often seen ; and that of in- leterminate sentence , the advocates of vhich proceed upon the theory that the mrpose of the law being to reform , we hould in all cases , other than those neriting death or imprisonment lor life , ake into consideration both the antece- lents of the criminal and his conduct , fter sentence. This principle we have n a measure recognized in the enactment if what is known as the Good-time Act , .nd I may add'that legislation is rapidly lecoming more liberal in this direction. ARDONS , COMMUTATIONS , AND REMIS SION OF FINES. The pardoning power vested in the ex- icutive has been exercised by me in but me instance , that of Jacob Smith , of Jolk county , convicted for the offense of hooting with intent to kill , and sen- enced to the state penitentiary for the erm of one year. Entering upon his entence February 5,1884 , and a pardon ssued the 20th of September , of the ame year. In this case , the proyoca- ion to crime was great , and while it lees not justify , yet serves to extenuate , md my action in the premises was based ipon the petitions of a large number of he citizens of said county , fourteen nembers of the grand jury by whom he vas indicted , and upon the recommen- lation of the prosecuting attorney and ht district judge who passed sentence ipou him. The power of commutation , has been ised by me in two coses , viz : George lart , under sentence of death , from Hall lounty , and John E. Polin , under sen- ence of death , from Cass county. In hese two cases the sentence of death vat ? changed to imprisonment for life in he state penitentiary. My action in this natter was determined by letters filed by he judges of the supreme court , who vere unanimous in recommending ' that uch action snould be taken , and with he opinion that I would not be war- aiitecl in disregarding a recommendation : oming in such manner and from such a -ource. - In the matter of the remission fines , I lave acted in but one instance. At the October term , 1882 , of the Gage county iistrict court , one C. E. Gifford , was ined 8150 for the crime of selling in- oxicating liquors without a license. It . . .m-vi-v-.se * .i 'appearing later that the facts were not fully understood , and that he was en titled to relief upon the merits of the ease , the fine was remitted upon the ic : - ummendatlon of the judge who impobcd it. it.The pardoning power is to be used prudently , sparingly , and conscientious- ' ly. Stand between society at large , the people of the state , and those who are tinder conviction and sentence for trans gression of its laws , I have [ striven to so act , and am fully justified in this con nection in saying that the attorney who prosecutes upon the part of the state , and the judge who after hearing the evidence adduced upon the trial of a cause passes sentence , should be slow indeed , either by petition or letter of recommendation , to embarrass in any degree the action of him in whose hands thlspower Is placed , and upon whom in the full and faithful discharge of duty , the sole responsibility rests. HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE. This most unfortunate class are "n- titied to our deepest sympathy , and to our constant care and watchfulness , that 30 far as may be possible their condition shall be improved. From the report of the superintendent for the biennial term ending November 30th , 1884 , it appears that at the date of last report , November 30th , 1882 , there were remaining in the hospital 273 pa tients. There have been received during the past two years 410 patients , making a total number of 683 that have been treated during this period. Of the num ber treated 323 have been discharged , 144 of whom were restored to mental health , 69 were much improved , 63 un improved , harmless and incurable , were returned to their counties to make roomer ( or recent cases , 43 have died during the two years , leaving hi the hospital No vember 30th , 1884 , 360 patients , which exhausts the utmost capacity of the pres ent building. At the rate of increase for the past two years , it is estimated by the superintendent that not less than 600 ap plications for the admission of patients will be made during the coming two years. Additional room must be fur nished by the state. The superintendent recommends the building of a new in stitution as preferable to increasing the size of the present one , aad advises that the new hospital should be as large as the one we now have , and that It be erected as a whole ana not by sections , as being -nore economical , and for the further reason that it will be needed by the time it can be complete ! ! . These recommend ations are concurred in by the commis sioners of public lands and buildings , and have my approval , as do also the re quests for special appropriations for needed improvements. Your attention is called to the large amount due the hospital from the several counties having patients chargeable thereto , in many cases the delinquency being of long standing. It has been urged upon me that our hospital is , as its name implies , a place [ or the treatment of those who may be suffering from temporary mental de rangement , and not a lunatic asylum , a place for the confinement of the incurable ir chronic insane. And it is further j ! irged that in a new state like our own the ! i Bounties are not prepared to care for .hem in a proper manner , and that ipecial provision should be made for this ; lass of patients instead of returning theme : o their respective counties to make roomer or more recent cases , as is done under lie present system. The thought is sub- . nitted that the care of the insane is a ) urden that should be assumed entirely , ' ) y the state _ , for the reason that proper-5 ; are and treatment'canuot be or is rarely iven them in what are .known as county louses , that are intended more especially or the care of the needy poor. THE STATE REFORM SCHOOL. Under the law regulating the manage- nent of this institution , boys and girls mderl6 years of age found guilty of any ' j iriine except murder or manslaughter j nay be received. The school was es- ( ablished and intended , not for punish- j nent , strictly speaking , but rather for j : ducation and reformation. A place of ] estraint and correction for- those for \ vhom such treatment may suffice to re- j tore them to an upright life and fit them j nr future usefulness. Standing between i he youthful offender and the institution irepared for and which should receive lardened criminals , the interests of so- iety demand that a liberal policy should ' ie pursued in carrying out and promot- j ng the objects for which it was created. ' [ "he school has , at the present timesixty- hree inmates. In August , 1883 , thecon- ract was let for an additional building , .t a cost of $37,410. This building has pen completed , and is now ready for 1 ise , and I am informed that applications J or admission now on file will exhaust the nc.eased accommodation so furnished. would impress upon you the great im- lortance of the work we have undertaken n the organization of this reform school , md would recommend for it all reason- ible support and encouragement. EDUCATION. Nebraska is justly proud of her corn- non hchools , and much of their effi- lency is due to the wise planning and veil directed effort of our present state uperintendentof public instruction. The ollowing statistics will be found of in- erest as showing the development of out tate in the direction of her dearest edu- sational interest , the common school : total number children of school age , 109,403 ; boys , 108,998 ; girls , 100,405. total enrollment , 137.618 ; boys , 71- 180 ; girls , 65,938. Total number of eachers employed , 6,055 ; males , 1,906 ; emales , 4,144 ; school houses built in 884 , 309. Total number school houses , ! ,662. Total value school property , 2,786,385. The present permanent common school und is as follows : Jash In treasury November 30,1884. . ? 45,953 64 itate funding bonds 326,267 35 Registered county bonds 762,600 00 lortgages 4,00000 J. S. 4 per cent bonds 15,000 00 Claims in hands of attorney-general for collection 1 21.900 00 totes from sales of school lands. . . . 2,801,495 8U lotal. . $3,977,216 81 The following statement of the tem- > orary common school fund will show ; the ; ources of revenue to this fund , the imount apportioned since December , 882. and the dates of the several appor- ionments : J.ilancc in treasury November 30th , 1882 ? 170,457 43 , itate tax received 2U6.5S4 81 , nterest on school.land sold 262,99375 merest lease of school land 271,61673 nterest permanent investments 109,05873 i lent Glllesple property 48720 j Totalrccelved $1,021,223 65 t ? aid on auditor's warrants 856,39189 ! BalanctnovemberSOth , 1SS4. . . . ? 164,83676 * Jecember , 1882 170.50710 * lone. 1883 200.09648 I Jecember. 1833 18238426 t rune , 1884 303,40435 December , 1884 164tQ4 85 j Total 51,021,197 04 t Legislation is needed to secure a greater ; uniformity of text books in our common schools , and if such result can be ef fected , it will prove a source of great benefit to the people. STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. The attendance at the state normal school during the past two years has been 470. Number graduated , 89 ; the greater number of whom are now engaged in teaching in the schools of the state. This school is constantly growing in public favor , the attendance lor the past two years being 20 per cent greater than for any like period in its history. The entrance fee of five dollars for each stu dent is placed in the state treasury for the use of the normal library , and is paid out upon the warrant of the normal school board. An act of the legislature ap propriating the money so paid into the treasury is necessary to make it available for the purpose Intended. ' Tli < j library at this time numbers over two thousand carefully selected volumes. The rapidly increasing attendance creates a necessity for additional room , and an appropria tion is asked for that purpose. Trained teachers improve and influence others with whom rhey come in contact. This school is an important aid to our com mon schools , its object and purpose be ing to educate teachers. The beneficial results of this work are felt among the common schools of the state , in which the great body of the people are directly iuterested , and for that reason it shoulc receive your abundant care. STATE UNIVERSITY. This institution is to-day better fitted for its work , and is filling its place in the educational system of our state with more vigor and general efficiency than at any previous time in its history. At the meeting of the board of regents , Decem ber 18th , 1883 , a chancellor was elected , his term of office to begin January 1st , 1884. A much needed want was thus supplied , and the unfortunate contro versy , standing for so long in the way of the best interests of the university , has been forgotten in the new era of uros- perity , which is the result of harmony of purpose between the chancellor and other members of the faculty. The attendance during the last term in all departments was 282. In accordance with the provisions of ' 'An act to estab lish the university of Nebraska , " ap proved 15th , 1869 , a college of medicine was added. There are at present 54 students in attendance. The college of medicine should be .well sustained ; and as soon as practicable , provision should be made for the addition of a college of law , as contemplated by the organic .act. The industrial college has been , reorgan ized throughout. .This department of the university will now take itaf proper rank , and in point t > f relative importance should stand second to no other. An ex perienced stock grower and farmer has been secured as superintendent of the in dustrial college farm , the management af which had hitherto been in the hands jf the faculty , and the change of system has already proven highly beneficial , fhe various recommendations of the ward of regents contained in their bien nial report are referred to you. Their requests for needed appropriations should 36 granted. In all matters relating to > ur educational interests the state should jestow with a liberal hand. ESCHEATED ESTATE. It is provided by the constitution and statutes that all property that may come : o the state by escheat shall be managed > y the governor and superintendent of jublic instruction r and the proceeds ihereof be placed in the permanent school 'und. Official notice was received from he county judge of Kearney county in lie matter"of the estate of P'eter Ander son , deceased , proceedings had been ilosed in that court , and after diligent search for kindred by publication and ) thervvise none had been found , and that ifter the payment of the just claims igainst the estate there remained in his lands a balance of two hundred and orty-six dollars and sixty cents ( $246.- iO ) , which sum has been turned over to he state superintendent , and by him > aid into the state treasury as required by aw , the treasurer's receipt for the same , ogetner with all papers relating to the iettlement of said estate as furnished by he county judge of Kearney county , re- naining on file in this department. SECRETARY OF STATE. The secretary of state calls attention to he need of increased clerical force in his lepartment , made necessary by reason of lis duties as ex-ofiicio secretary of the everal boards. Also recommends a rraded fee in the matter of filing articles if incorporation , together with many ither valuable suggestions ralating to the > riutinglaws , registration of bonds , and natters ef general interest. AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE. Agriculture is the leading and most mportant industry of the state. You vill carefully guard its interests in all natters that may in any manner affect \ hem , or that large class of people whose vocation it is to till the soil. An examination of the report of the tate board of agriculture , which gives a * letailed statement of their proceedings , ] ) lainly shows that their work has been ( veil done , and that the aid given this loard has been well bestowed. While he prices received for our farm produce ire not as remunerative as at other pe- iods in our history , yetr speaking in eneral terms , our agricultural interests , is shown by crop statistics , were never in i more prosperous condition than at the resent time , The horticultural interests of the state ire in a flourishing condition , and it has teen established beyond a doubt that Nebraska is a fruit state. The matter of uccessful fruit culture is one that enters argely into the economy of home life , ind I am safe in saying that no- one thing las done more to attract favorable atten- ion to our state than the magnificent lisplays made by our horticultural society it the different competitive exhibitions in vhich , in the majority of cases , they lave xeceived for Nebraska the first prize or their display of fruits. 'he agricul- ural and horticultural societies deserve our fostering care as most serviceable "o igentsin developing our state-and as lids to placing her in the rank to which he may justly aspire. ( EliRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. By an act of the legislature , approved reb. 27 , A. D. 1883 , the Nebraska State listorical society was recognized as a tate institution , and by the terms of said ict it was provided and made the duty of , he presideut and secretary to make an- s mal reports to the governor , said reports o contain the transactions and expendi- I ures of the organization , together with ill historical addresses read or furnished ] is historical matter , said reports and adi Iresses to be published at the expense of i he state ; and by the terms of this act i here was appropriated annually the sum ' if § 500 for the use of the societyto be used < mder the direction of its officers exclu- ively in defraying expenses , collecting ] ' ind'preserving historical matter , data , and relies , for the benefit of the state. The appropriation having been ex hausted , the publication of the reports of this society could not be had. I would recommend specific appropriations In the matter of printing and publishing in ad dition to the amount named for incidental expenses , much valuable matter having been collected. The acquisitions of the society are becoming constantly larger , and are increasing in value rapidly. Great cure should bo taken to preserve what has been gathered at such expense of time and labor. To the cud that our historical collection may become such a source of attraction and interest as it of right should b , a room in the capitol building should without delay be set apart fur their use. . FISH COMMISSION. The work pertaining to the office of fish coramisslpners is in practical and economical hands. Needed improve ments at the fisheries , in the making of new ponds , spawning race , and repairs to the old ponds , have largely increased the facilities for successful handling. The matter of stocking the streams of our state with valuable food fish is progress ing favorably , with a comparatively small outlay of money , and the distribu tion of fi = h to private parties who have prepared ponds for their reception has be < ? n quite general. Intelligently con ducted this branch of industry has proven successful and profitable. All measures calculated to increase the food resources of the people are entitled to great con sideration. STATE LI1JRARY. The number of volumes in the library , as shown by the biennial report of the state librarian , covering the years of 1881 and 1882 , was 21,487. The number of volumes in the library , at the present time , as given in the biennial report for the years 1883 and 1884 , is 23,308 , mak ing"an increase for the last two years of 1,821 volumes. ' The library is in good order , a cata logue having been completed , and many valuable additions made. For a state ment of its management , wants , and needs , you are referred to the librarian's report. INSURANCE OF STATE PROPERTY. By section six (6) of chapter eighty- three (83) of the compiled statutes , the governor is authorized and empowered to insure the public building ? and other property belonging to the state liable to destruction or injury by fire. The legis lature of 1883 appropriated for insurance of public property the sum of § 10,000 , as recommended by my predecessor. An appropriation of 15,000 is recommended for the ensuing two years , 38,000 of which will be needed for renewals of ex isting policies before an appropriation by a succeeding legislature will be available ; the balance to be used in placing insur ance upon the central or main portion of the capitol building , and for such addi tional insurance as may be deemed ad visable upon other state property. ' In the appendix submitted herewith will be found a full and accurate statement of policies in forceat the present time. Contemplative- insurance will exhaust the small balance of appropriation heretofore made. MILITIA , The present condition of the Nebraska National Guard is clearly shown by the very full report of Adjutant General E. P. Ro.geu , which embodies the reports of Inspector General Major Franklin Sweet , Quartermaster General Cyrus N. Baird , and Leonard W. Colby , colonel commanding 1st regiment , and as ap pears from these various reports , the command is in excellent shape and has sustained and improved upon its high standard of efficiency. As at present constituted , the guard is composed of nine companies of infantry and one company of artillery. The law requiring that an encampment shall be held at least once n two years has been complied with , an incampment which was in every respect i successful one having been held at Crete , Nebraska , August 21 , 1883 ° , and jontinue'd for four daj's. The adjutant general recommends that provision should be made for the holding af annual encampments , and that the ap- jropriation for the support and mainte nance of the state militia should be in creased to at least § 5.000 per annum , t vhich recommendations I cheerfully en- a lorse , believing that it is for the best in- a erests of the state this organization s ; hould be encouraged and strengthened. v Neighboring states , recognising the need 0 ) f a properly disciplined "and well armed 0i 0t 'orce are taking an increased interest , i md are placing their militia upon a per- c nauent basis. We should not be behind f hem in this matter. 0 CAPITOL BUILDING. C y The contract for the erection and comr ) letion of the main building of the capi- B ol was after duly advertising as required > y the act of Feb. 24,1883. providing for he erection of said building , and the evy of one-half of one mill on the dollar , md the appropriation of the moneys irising from said levy to pa } * for said milding , awarded by the board of pub- ic lands and buildings on the 9th day if July , 18S3. to W. n. B. Stout , for he sum of $439.187.25 , the buildingun- ler the terms of the contract to be com peted by th-i first day of December. 889. The contractor filed his bond in he sum of § 300,000 , which was approved > y the governor and the work was en- ered upon under the plans and specifiea- ions adopted by the board and furnished ly W. H. Wilcox , the architect of the > lansfor the east and west wings novv iompleted. With you rests the duty of nuking an appropriation for the coiitm- tance of the work. CENSUS. Your attention is called to the neces- ; ity of passing a law and providing neans for the purpose of carrying into iffect the provisions of section two (2) of irticle three (3) of the constitution , in he matter of a census , wherein it is made he. duty of the legislature to provide for in enumeration of the inhabitants of the > tate in the year 1885 , and every ten ears thereafter. Ee ilts reached under he present law requiring precinct a = ses- ; ors to make an enumeration of the total lumber of persons residing in the several > recinets of each county , each year , are ar from being satisfactory. Best re- iults will be reached by the appointment > f special enumerators , and to their duty is such might be added that of collecting itatistics of a general nature , such as votild be of interest and importance as ; hewing our development and resources. STATE LITIGATION. W The attorney general in his report' ' j1 n.akes a detailed statement of all cases " low pending and those disposed of in n iinterested. . The e vhich the state i- ichedules hereunto attached , and marked ° -A , " * 'B , " and --0' " will show the * ' ixact status of the several cases. " I would call special attention to the re- )0rt of the attorney general as to the leeds of the law department , as well as g < jjjjjrjj - i to the general recommendations therein contained. NATIONAL LINCOLN MONUMENT. . By an ace of the legislature approved February 23dt A. D. 1883 , there was ap propriated the sum of five hundred (8500) dollars to aid in the completion of- tty ? national Lincoln monument , at Spring field , in the state of Illinois. I would hereby repqrt that In conform ity with said act a warrant was drawn on the treasury for the amount named , pay able to the governor , and that a draft for the amount so appropriated was for warded to the chairman of the executive committee of the Monument association , and the receipt of same by him acknowl edged. MONEY RECEIVED FROM Tlttt OfiNfcKAL GOVEHNMENT. The goVefriflf Is by law made the agent to receive from the United States all moneys that may be due the ntate , and as such agent I have received drafts for the following named sums , which have been ' * placed in the treasury to the credit of the ! permanent school fund as required by law , and for which I hold the receipts of the state treasurer. In the month of September , 1883 , 811,746.67 , being for the five per cent upon sales of govern ment lands in Nebraska. In the month of June , 1884. $17,495.95 , being five per cent upon the net proceed * } of the sales of lands within the limits of the state of Nebraska heretofore embraced in the Pawnee Indian reservation. In the month of November , 1884 , $485 upon claim of the state for expenses incurred in suppressing Indian hostilities. CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE REPORTED TO THIS DEPARTMENT. Of the amount by me reported as re ceived from the United States for ex penses incurred by the state in suppress ing Indian hostilities , twenty-five per cent is claimed by Patrick O. ll-twea for services as agent of the state , said service being rendered , as he sets forth , by vir tue of a contract entered into between Mr. Ilawes and Acting Governor W. H. James in 1872. which contract he Insists is still in force. The last legislature would seem to have so regarded it , as a claim by him made .for similar services was included in the net making appro priations for the payment of miscellan eous items of indebtedness owing by the state. This case i ? referred to you for such disposition as may teem proper. Filed in this office and audrc&-cd tome is entitled. "He- me as governor a report - port ot T. P. Kennard , state agent for the prosecution and collection of claims. of the State of Nebraska against the United States , " said report being in tended as an argument in support of Mr. Kennard's claim against the stateas will more fully appear. From the state ments therein contained and the report of the state treasurer , I find that in Sep tember , 1882 , there was in the state- treasury § 6,275.89 , being " the 5 per cent upon the net proceeds of "the sales of land. ? mbraced within the Pawnee reservation , igainst which 31r. Kennard filed his- jlaim for 50 per cent of that ari.ount. Ihe records of the proceedings of the legislature of 1583 show that a bill was reported making an appropriation of the sum claimed , the bill passing both house md senate , but through neglect did note receive the signatures of the officers of : he house and senate , and thus failed to- jecome a law. Since that time there las been received § 17,495.95 , making a- : otal amount of § 23,770.42 , against which Mr. Kennard files hi ? claim for 811,885.21 , being the amount due him ay the terms of the contract under which : he services were performed , ns set forth u the report. The legislature of 1873 by oint resolution authorized the governor 0 appoint an agent or agents to prose- : ute to a final decision certain claims of .his state , the compensation to be agreed ipou between the governor and agents so ippointed , payable after the collection of aid claims in whole or in part. The overnor , by virtue of the power con- erred by this resolution , entered into a iontract for the state with Mr. Kennard , vherein Mr. Kennard , as provided by he contract , agreed to prosecute these ilaims , and was to receive for his ser- ices 50 per cent of the amount , collected. la view of the entire record in this inat- er , and without discussing the question s to whether the contract was or was not . provident one upon the part of the tate , I venture to suggest that it would ie in furtherance of the idea that the bligatiou of the state is no less sacred ban that of an individual , as well-as be- ng in the line of economy to cancel this lairn in full , stipulating , however , fora nil and absolute release irom further bligntion under said contract , and all ontracts with collection agents , as it , -ould seem , that the time hud been eached when Nebraska , through her snators and representatives in congress , ould be fully protected in her interests 1 this regard. NEW COUNTIES ORGANIZED. Since the last session of the. legislature , ie necessary papers have been filed in iie executive of lice , asking for the rganization of the counties of Loup , Iherry , Brown , Dundy , Sioux and [ ayes. Proclamations in form required by the tatutes have been issued , providing for lie organization of the counties named bove. Organization has been perfected r is now progressing in all save and ex- epting the county of Sioux , in which ounty the parties commissioned as tem- orary officers having refused to serve as Lich , and no further action having been iken by this department , the county of ioux remains unorganized. ORMATION OF NEW COUNTIES OUT OB- EXISTING COUNTIES- Pursuant to the provisions of chapter 8 , sections 10 and 11 of the compiled tatutes. relating to the formation of a ew county out of one or more of the lien existing counties , it ha * been cer- ified to me by the honorable the fiecre- iry of state , tnat on the 8th day of No- euiber , 1881 , the majority of the lectors of the county of Wheeler at a eneral election then duly held , voted term ) rm a new county of taid county of Wheeler , to be known as Garfield aunty ; and that on the 4th day of No- ember , A. D. 1884 , at a general lection then duly held , the majority of ie electors of the county of Brow n voted ) form a new county of said county of ro\vn , to be known as Keya Paha junty. The constitutional and statutory re- uiremeuts having been fully complied ith , I have , by virtue of tn'e authority i me vested by the statutes of Nebraska i such case made and provided , isAied ly proclamation ordering that an lection be hi-ld for the election of county Ulcers' , and lor the location of a county sat , respectively , in the couutieof Gar- Bid and Keya Paha. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. Results hoped for and that may rea- mably be expected from a properly