aixxml
m
WHOLE NUMBER 1,287.
COLUMBUS, NEBRASKA, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1895.
VOLUME XXV. NUMBER 39.
.
V.
1
. f
S
GOV ERROR'S 31 !SS AGE
.VEBRArK A-FAIRS EXHAUS
TIVELY REVIEWED.
4tecoinn-e.I:-.ttOTi for vr Le-r;i-":'tion in
tnro.c.. I)-eetwi- V P. an for Kn
- Jr-jciiir !- " inanrr of the -title
Crratir i:-ti-mv I rged - Imniediiite
K-ief fr !rot.n -offerer- Kom
nifpdr'i Rbrr Matter- Toarhed 1'pon.
'.. rrndM-'- !.:- Wont.-.
The r ; -1 a". n.eshni i f .". ernor Lorenzo
: !&.- a- r i to th - uate and th ' house
. - v.re--utativ -sterd'iv i a.- f .IIws.
i. -jeris. . f -h- rnate lad K us..- of
-titi-. In o!!ieni-- to a con--.'
.'- ..al ieqi-irert.er.T it fi-im-s my
". n- wed a, it !-. n.y pie-isure
.oc nr.r.i -n'e f -r "our nsidera
tjj4.ih mf i ii a. ! mcv t"- iiin-
:.:n.- The ritTiT. f 1 1. - -ra - .ge-iier
with i;-h r"Ai -"da'-ion- t- 'hiig r.eedei
tc-i-liU. a a- . r--rv:.n arid ei-enesce
tenBg HgtMT 5irsiia the -edict; ofr chief f
c-x-cuTtve hv np-otted
: -. -i T-T 'Lie i e i 1 dged tn.-duryot
tUa. i ; ia t ir ti -TV a !. v which m-
. . r '. irnt re-f. :i- : ' . r'--:! -ome
--' f f.i.....i;.' . .u f: &.i-lid- or
'V-.-la'i in. r (r -..ii " i thorough
ii. A'.'iui" i !:- -rv a'.i'Mi aud
;- r . f' r-.:.d. -cm kti-.'. Lg'- m great
. " "... U require-. i r.er of the xer-.-ra.-tme:..
and f ill t.j pjiuir in-
" . .:.-. t. i.utxe a r-r-.r? .' t.-.. i- .udmon.
. . f. -.-:.: iu' I .-xp ..- f the,.- -tkhI
' - in; intitcu-ii Tr-c rf r- h.v-
I u'.-- f ." The 1 !-!: 11 pT:i Jl-t . I-j-i
ti tn: i mc- tm-i r- - x. 1 h. y hav.
- 'r-;r..t pir.' oii-l r. i.'a u 3i': 1
. .::' rt: . I O-mni-ri-i Tfa-m v
an-f'il -'.-iv
ltMt'f Tor Irxtth ntr.r-r-
".- i-r -1 infT 'ti.ri lrf n fK- :r--t-
. ,. r ,"!t"-i:r ant '. ." ;r-M .it
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i i:e M.-t I're Ir.c: Matter
-pi-.
tr- 1 r-t n.' 1 n:.- re-inz -1!. Te.- .je-
n..vn: r -. .- t i-ti- u ":. r. f re. -ui . .
th' a.-i ; a -.. '.-1 - .:;: r tn- '
l:ef . f urTer-r-. !v '. ; 1- .- ..n. '.''. th
th .n . f '.''-: ..' - .:.... inder 'u
c n-Tit.: . r. .- rix-'i 1 ti''.' aireo.1
rtn-h : . ... ; . 1 :' ... : - -,a".r" J
l-'-i :-: -i :---. .! 1a t. n-i- i r a i.
: ,- ." ..": c.- te:: ral :'umL mrn ::.;
b " -I :- f r- '.tri.1- f ioLar. 1..
. ,- is ." r - zr .n;id wrrran"y. y. u
..-.." .lr-.c-- i wit i ne que-r: .a f nxht.
h- -''i. f wwi.-m. in v.tiri nay tae
j ." r.:v n..ui tl.e ;rivin.r of dnati n.
-. thf- -!..'.-. a-ury is f ! i.btr'ul pr-
,e'- arid ,. . ..i,;v be .ion- in extreUie
-- -. .n ' !' ..-. a 1. a. iw tady and
f.-;-.e-. r -L-. r.-e Vy the -rate ijrets de
: . :. . r.-e. .! t ' maaiy pride and eniour
- - i:upr. -. : .er..-. Jlv idea is ttat the
---rai i-'.:;.'--;. ;1 i (-.ti-e for their oa 11
rt-iiy Mi . . -':i are fn from d!-t
un: at:n..- ;. at'e a:id wilLiaj: to do s.
". i.:i h' v : few-r to rn: nwsirs 0:1
! i.i." J .. .- . .-iT-a-arT, tii.i donate
:;-. tr-r:: he.r tiii-a w'i. art ji
t. -i :' r - . c t..::- and . n -uoh trra3
. may --r. be-t Elaifa ountv
ii- : 1-- a r----p-asibt!ity ar.ii
L-vin-: a r.. -rn f r "it.- .Mi-a ceui-le
vr.,i -.'.ve Tht r ;u .i.v .tuati. n ;a all -.-air---a:..i
di'-'Tnjr'i'sh n .1. f- -m -r-Trn 'e-i ia-e -f
r. -i- !.: " . -. r- iz .iia U; br ttiht t"
tae de'r in t . a jarvr or le -f te -1-p-fn-e
tiat ; w Id .----t the tate Ti. -rlaa
n. .i i c. : r.I". -ervo for tht pre-en.
Lot would re apLiabo in other years
sb-'aki tb"ri be a n-pi-ritionoi udc eipen-M---cf
l"4H. Fartttrmor the bonds is-neu un-d-r
such 1 ro. ha a : i furnish ri.i in-"e--tiat:
t f.r th- t-rmaaect schii fund .'f
the taze I: aay ru-k wre to be taken n
cay of the- Umii-.he state m:,bt a- ueu
taie it a " aake -i. nati .c.- outxi-rhr frtsi
its treasarv. I jr.i-rhr firther suewst tha:
as an enrj"t'-y r-sast- the powers of count""
comm'ssioaer. or hoari .f supervi.-rs
n-a-rht le temporarily enlarged so tta:
warrants, ntnier certtua restnetioas. m:M
be i-e-nil. fin-itble later in the bos-is "?--omsnn-ied
The --Dite"- Flnnnclal Condition.
The financial condition of the state is bad
tad I trust you will not allow the session to
etui without hav:i; taken -;-ps u mil.. ;
From the report- :' th treasurer and aud-it-r
it iii t- seen thai on the 1st day of De
cember ia-st: there w re.iUtstaniiincwarrinL
drawn "a the cent rai fund to the amo'int '
g5t7.?l !r nl "n the fe-bie-minded institute
femi t r -jr-LiStf.-.', miiaa-r an aCbrecate of
Sr-vi-h-ir. with onJy S".-V)3.o7 m those
fend: fr"ta which to pa" them At the iae
Uate there wai m the treasury f--lT.3l3 61 of
l-iir n." y leyiiCJC to the cermanent
.".-- i r-.n.! la ith-r w.rds. the state was
i- u. .- .- --.-t it tht ra: .1 T per ceni per
'a-t4 u.i upvrards six Lnndred thousand
. u-jiiars a.ai jpras buiirr; mteres: on over fpur
hucirl thousand :oiiar?. If ustler the law
f l'i -he jTTiiant-ai fhool fami could
I a-'- l-i iriv-y-i-.i in tbee warrants ts it
'"as iaTiiiit-1 m : : vf th.s . it;rjst. insteaii
f c :zz t Aarra.'it hr'.kr. w uid b savrI
f..r u:o bnetit jf ti-srfaiL-of tbe state But
:...rrti:!-a,v!y rla- -:i.r-m-? .-oart has dei:dHl
rha" la-v iniprari-. x- -ill be referred to
.a m...!;iier tart t thi 'ijrumnnicatioa. Tbi.
!-.ad of hih inft.rest-brin? debt has tm
i':farrei by appr.pnaaoii3 "made by more
r nt i-ai.-littir' s. citahly tha of -!?A. in
T'-ss .f taie-, rn.it e.'jl i I isTieil and ct)l-1-
..-i uiiOer oar j.--"ii'! r-.'nu- Ui "3. Tb
i-tor5 vif th sta. vn wiii .ne another in
their efforts in rwJutj th- validation . I prop
rty la thi- rhey ar" -r:i .uracil and sud
rrti by th nature! -Iiajx.-iti .a or' ae rrt---Lac.
or ii tun to -Uitr st.- burdn .t taxa
tion on tae others. A.- a result th proi-;rt j
of the stat-i. which by thn. censu- o IsOO is
umatei at l.:J7j, ?., "14. l a.i-o--i at
a' out SiO.KH1'. or lis.,- thm 15 pT c;ut of
i- valu- L": r rhf irt.t haiit ,f 3 inu!s
l-rvy ou the dod.tr f. r Tfte jrec-ral fund it !
hariiy p .Wc. vritu tb nbyrvacii' of the
-nt" t e"nomj.to mie on -o Io.v a valua
ti r. ?ut5ient inoaey to mi-et the n-eii3 of
:!: -tr
i n rmily for tin-lies cither in an in--f'asi'd
v.t uation of tne property of the
f lite or in rttendin,; the limit .f the levy,
fv extenI Th bant of tne ievy is simple and
:. :nerea.-ed va uation can be effected in
diilereiil ways. - One is. by-providing- for th
acesmnt of property thmnh state or dis-
tri -t a.-ve!5i5.)r'-. an.l tii'i ruiiv:nz the worlc
from iu-al intl:e::i- Anotuer L-i by jrivinz
."vatfr piwr to stati- and t.ucrv Piiualizin
bmira-j. The tate eijuaiizir. tn iri. con--iiia
of rne coveruor. trea.-i.rer and aud
itor, under the pre-nt iav .-an make no
luiuiTe jn the a.-tre-:.ni--Mt rob a.- it comes to
ta-in. I:i e-jua.lzini -tate taxation amonc
:h- -4-veraI - untiea ir jmer l- restnctel
r r-ry'.mrthe ra'e und-r the i'-nit fixed as
i;. i:ei to one o'unty ami an. ther Its an-u-
r:' shoulii he enlarged pQ that it could
. t :Jy raise tn.' valuation ot any particu
ar .ur.ty or eoizati--. but inereasp the as
. .iict of all the pn-ierty returneil to any
T'.'nt not ex tr-iiin;r its true value.
i ii th auditor- report mil be found a
-.Ti-ment -h iwimj the exc--5 of appropria
i - f r several year. the penv-ntair of de-.nj..-:it
tax anl -.rher in'ere-'inc and in--"
11 nv-- infTtnation bearing on this sub-
Iepolt of 'tate Fund
TV. V-.-iature r.f -u passeii an aot pro
...i j f -r th dero-it ..f -tae and county
. . :i!- n ba:.W-. The wi-iim jc -ucfa a law. as
'r as it .im-ern- the nvney .if the state, to
iv nitnd. is d-vubtf 1! In .T-iin try or nor
mal ; ne-. it- operation aiirht bi attendel
.. .th : rtl. ri-'t. tut m tune- f tinanctal
i -.n-u.-v and uT.i-erta,nTv. -urh A' have
r -..ai..-.i f. r the tiv.j yer- !a-t past, it is
i.abie T.-I be accompnnie-i with much hazard,
t eitperieci-e has -ho- a. 1 he law lmpive--11
officers ho a.-- -u -i-a with no -;p-cia.i
.-fieoce to then- times- for the task tee
:.'. f i -'ermminc: the -o.vency of the
. r ;oh1 dp. Mone and the financial abil
v i tte obii-.rs n the several bonds of-.--i
as -ei-ur:ty for depir-Hs akeil for
;"' t-t d - n.t ev n fro vide that the
r : le-, -Aall n.alfe mrh as to theT nvpi3ni
. ,..:.. r.or f r a:' " - -rn stitt.n.ent of the
t.:..'..nT. characti r and var.e . f the prup
" . rned iiy ea.-h ".twi-htandin this
e i-pp.:r.r fic-er-. .in-istin of the
. ve-'i. .-. sti-retarv of -rae and attomey
. n. rai. f-.!i.m the pra.'ti.-e f the court -...
e. -tsa "i!e. lieraand-ii of ail -ureties au
a-L -.huwi'iij tht-ir luibi.irv rv.-r and above
-ni;iri.'U.'. Ii'- -n th t precaution has not
. rl a pnite. ri n. f r .a ! notable in-:t...i-
.ie reij':.: -d -trh a- taken rbbly
n..- unr.e.:a-inK- a: t a rotten can wnicn
i -..' s: 1 .Iiy .ie.-..-.vAi oxpert bank
...-..! p- a-i hu-idre.i-i .f mno-
. : .s.i,,.s -.:cc .-.!,..! ra -.iTtiiig apin
a.: aim ist r.rtiie- b.ii: f.-r a
trze i;i: I..'k.k'. in th- -tine r-ferre.l to.
. .-.r :' rh a; -a. Natiocai bank, it wiil t
.-..i. I be.i.'V". tn.i no diD-it was made
: : r.ie ln.i and th.- state " not
I -. r '. y tne transaction Duriaj
a-1: two year- of financial
- r.nfcC'y the law was bH-a an invitation
. ru.- baaks of the stare t apply, for funds
.-. J.jcii i.rne of rhe;u .1 nl.i -et in no other
if--..on eemialv. ail no less than fifty-...i-
a I'licaTi. n- an.l a.-'ioipanying bonds
, i i-i re.-, ne.1 t" these forty even
.1. re a(.r.-. d en.iua-h to many time- al-
- ro ti-.e -r:ipRra:iveiy httie idle money :n
'r rr a-:-r; . '.- i' tn the perm-vneat
.. 1 . . ..J. ' "r.. 1 he .'. r-me court in 'he
... : rt-'"-tat - v- rurtiiy has deiidi-l
. ; -i.i.j-1 1 1 .-it iin-'-er the Lvw Thi
. - .i -.js!T.ri- :nc!"id many bank- "f
.. ."il el standir. -.rue f which were
' .'e.i to apply .'I .rl-r o furnL-h the
-a-urer a" en--e- n whica ro -afeiy put out
-ta:.e - ;ji. n-y
:. i ui-.ti-er j-ie-tt .n ari-ing umier this
a i tit., fc. w long thl- apppival of anv
I- :torv is to ho 1 The conditions which
varraa" "i.e apprcvai .f a l.nd Hiay may
. :ii.e 1.. the ii.r-eof a few months in
:;.-. tiiue . f -.n.-ei-raiaty. and it is hardly
.';H-a le 'l-ac the imard ciiuld keep track
; -..a iiaa'r" Still, it 1- m behalf of the
' . k ":th -.. n fa.Img -f ur".y that tue
-:roiiiret j :-- cal and ri,..ticai ir.ficence
iii : t ' '""' ntit to b.-ar. a. id tne treasurer
. -': vi.-d -t;.-'i ici.orr:ni""7 without
,. -s nal r--.rn-it i.jtv .r liability on hi--
o-r Ir :he law is . r i 'lf.aneii it may
.-.',1'. .-i-niler whether it -h. Mid not
: r i.ie f.-.r p-r:xii.-il examii-a'toa.- into the
Ti.-ier.. -f the several o..nis an I a Iimi-
-; nte rivrilto me hie f them without
; i-'.n.v .1. and -uch other amemlmen's as
si'i Ljivf ailitiooal iei-uriry m dpcositing
- .it--' a.. v
' . l. - nr.t, .p. I may add that as a
a--;r.- f ad-tiTi-nal afet-y ;a dei-iiiinj " 1
"... i.ue..f -r;i.- f th b.nd--trereiL th
1 ..r t .-nit l '. eij 1 he -ervi-es f one of the
'. Mi -'i iiinier-ia2 aren,-,e--. havia; aa of
:I t at the .-apita! The -erv i.t-. liave been
. 1! r.ab. the price agree, i uvn reasonable.
a .! I .o.i' in-i tamer, i the j.ayment cf -he
aarg- made t;.erf.re
! 11 v tnient 01 I'crn men r-ehool Fund
T the -tar- have U-L-n -riven the sirfi-enth
-trd thirty ;.t:h seer.. ,n- f land for the ben-
". f ii piiLlic -eh .1-. The constitution
1 .a.- tixe-i ctie mimini; m pn at which tec e
la.i. i- " '-' ."1 1 at JT ; . r a;r Tt m:aey
'lenreii . m the -"il f th--e land forms
a tj..rman-ut .':. i fun 1. tae interest
which. -gather with tae rents
fr rn uald land-, ft-ratshe- a tempirar--
.-"d uhi.-h i app !- to the -urpiirt of tne
publi- schvts. I: ;- t'aep-fore imrrtant
ha 'his permanent si-h.i fund -had be at
.i riu- - im 'ste-L and at the be-t rate -)f m--.;.t
obri:nabie A- a merat?r of the board
; '-.iu.-a lonal lands and funds I have
.bored enrnestly t. -.fee: this. The law
hLiits the investment of -his fund to Tnired
States .-r state -e.urities and recr!-"tere.I
unty toiniis. N state bond- have teen ,f.
fe:ii dunnst the La-it few years an-L
x:az to the low rate of intere-t
ar.d high prem-im i-ommandeil. and
:a the hope of tin- able to :uvest m county
I- iiis. which oniiaariiv pay the be-t interest,
the a"nev ha- n. t bn tie.1 up in T'tu-ed
Star -- bond . Bit oa.a-t. rtie depression
:' l;.-iness. fad ;.. f r p.-an i othereause-.
but few :nties have made nw i-sue . .f
Uads acl th. -e E-u9 have ten eagerly
- cght by blind broker-. Wher the bard
Las h-Hrd .".f any 1 r po-ed 1 ue it h.i- t-ee 1
u!..mpt t. a.--ure rhei-onary authorities that
titi- -Late w.ii.i purchase them at c- -cc-A r
Letter rate than obtainable elsewhere ia
soae few in-ta;..-co'inty bnds have thu
been secureL but in other-, through priv.-.-e
.-.rranc-iiient- ;rh ag-c--. b the lmpi-sin.-a
i.f teriris nurh the biani had no power t.
.--mpiy with and by other method.- not
ritcAsary to recite, the offer of the -tate
to pay to the county direct -uch better pr..
Las been .iisregarded and the binds ha veha.i
to be obtained, ir. at aiL through second
hands, and at an ;i.reast-ii price
In order to keep the entire permanent
i-hooi fund at all time- invested and .''.
ng some interest I w. aid recommea 1
tae enactment f a law dirv ting the board
f educational laa.i- and fTin.b" to invest a:i
moneys of tna: fund n-r .tnerv"rise mve-te-i.
a Taiti-d State- lon-l.-. wrh authority t
-eli aad convert them from time to tame
. iuu h- r j-iij. and fcttt-r interest paving
-e.."ant".es whrn opportunKi-s offer With
out an act of the kind suggested the board
is p. .weries to make -uch conversion. This
was s-i decide.! in aa opinion given by ?h;
supreme court as will be seen by reference
to page rS4. fifteanth vjiumeof Xebraska re-x-r--"
la answer to que-tions submitteii to the
h-"u-:e of reprerentati.es the supreme cour
gave aa opinion to o found on cage -.") .
volume t-5. Nebraska retorts, holding tt
-rate warrants issued m pursuance of an ap
propriation made bv the legislature and
"ocured by the levy r" a tax for its paymrat
are -rate -ecumie-" is the meaning of the
constitution, which -ay- that educational
funds may be uivesti in state securitie-.
Following this Avid. n the legislature by a
Liw, found m :he -e-sion laws'cf
1-91. chapter 4--. d -lareil that when a
warrant of that !- nj.tioa shall be pre--euTc-i
r the -tate treajiirer for payment
aii tjere -had not bv money in the propc-r
fund to pay said warrant, the state treasurer
' shall payjheamount due on -Awjrraat
from any funds In the state treasury be
lonsinp to the permanent school fund.
and shall hold said warrant as an in
vestment of said permanent school fund.
Early in his term of office and even before a
levy 'had been made for their payment and
they had become state securities, th pres
ent" state treasurer bail, for some reason.
a lar-re number of warrants drawn in favor
of members of the leirislature and others.
and for the payment of which there was no
money in the treasury other than the -hocl
fund.but later and "after tEe levy of a tax
had been made for their payment, the treas
urer for some other reason declined to pay
any more warrants and turned them into the
permanent school fund, contending amon
otcer things that he must first have the di
rection of the board of educational lands to
purchase warrants.
Court Sn-atalned the Treasurer-.
In order to compel him to comply with
the law the attorney-general, at the instance
of the board, instituted proceedings in the
supreme court. That tribunal sustained the
tr-a-urer. holding that inasmuch as the
constitution had constituted the governor,
secretary of state, treasurer, attorney-general
and commissioner of public lands and
buildings a board for the investment
of the permanent school funds, it was not
rompetent for tha legislature to empower the
treasurer alone without specific direcuon cf
. . " J. .1 1
sz??,'z.rJ?: .ztuirz: r
ujw .uui. .uu.a. x. mianciiu i.ic aiuiiuu
1 tee attorney general, who cont-euueti in-u
it was never intended that the board should
remain in continual session from Janu
ary I to December 31 of each year
in order ) pass upon warrants pre
dated and to make orders for their
payment from the permanent school fund.
Chief Justice NbrvaL who delivered the
opinion of the court answ-red this by say
ing: "The construction we have placed upon
the constitution will not have the effect out
lined by the attorney general. It is the duty
of the board char-jed with the management
and control of the school funds to determine
when, and ia what sum said fumis shall be
in veste-L as well as what eiurities of the kinds
authorizeil. by the fundamental law -hall
be purchasPiL and 'he price that shall be
paid for the earner When the board has -o
determined and ordereil. it may by resolu
tion. enterM upon the reoopls of its proceed
ings authorize and dir""t the state treasurer
bo pay out the money therefor It may.
pnor'tothe purchase, examine the particular
-ecunty offered for sale if deemed desirable
and expeiiient, but it is not indispensable
that it -hould do o The beard may direct
the treasurer or any o' her member of the
board to do that."
With a view to meeting the direction of
the court, which st-emed to point out the way
in which the objection of the treasurer could
be overcome, the board was conveneii. when
I submitted the following resolutions, which
were unanimously adopteii. namely
The Governor's Resolution.
Resolve.! That the sum of "FiCO.COO of
the permanent school fund of th state of
Nebraska, or 0 much thereof as may be
necesary. be and hereby is set apart from
which to pay outstanding warrants drawn
upon the general fund. vhich warrants are
regi-tered and bearing numbers from ".
IX'SJi to li',-.i) inclusive, together with ac
crued interest, it being determined by this
board that aid warrants are drawn
in pursuance of an appropriation made by
the legislature and secured by the levy of a
tax for their payment, and therefore are
-tare securities, and the state treasurer is
instructed to at oni notify the several par-tie-
in whose names -aid warrants are regis
tered . .f his readme-"- aad purpive to pay said
warrants- that the interest n th same -had
ease as provided in chapter '.) of the iom
pileii statures of Nebraska aad when so paid
tue warrants shall beheld bv the treasurer as
an mve-tment of the permanent school fund
and shall be stamped and signed as provide.!
by law
"Resolveti. Also, that rhe further um of
i" .;) of the t-ennanenr schi?ol fund of the
-tate. or so much thereof a shall be nects- '
sary. be and hereby 1.- -et apart from which
to pay current, unregistered warrants
already drawn, as well as those- which may
hereafter be drawn, against the general
fund under appropriations made by the last
legislature, it being determined by this bi.ard
teat such appropriate ns are secured by a
levy of a tax for their payment.and th state
treasurer is hereby directe! tn pav -Mich
warrant- as they mav te presented at the
state treasury and stamped, -ignei. and hold
the -ame as an inve-ttnent of the permanent
-ch ml fund as provided by statute.
P-esolveiL Further, that the state treas
urer, a member of this beard, be and hereby
1- empowered to act in its behalf in deter
mining questions as :o the genuineness and
ownership of any and all warrants pre--ented
under the foregoing two resolutions,
and when in doubt he will refer the matter
to the chairman to he -ubmitted to the
bi.ard for it- decision.
The people of the state have the right at
ail times to demand the practice c-f the
strictest ecoaomv in the appropriation and
expenditure of their money Especially can
they insist on a rigid adherence to this rule
when they themseivos are straggling under
an enforced observance rf it m their in
dividual affairs. The greater trtion of the
money which finds its way into the treasury
g -- for the -upport of the several penal,
reformatory, charitable ami educational in
stitutions oi the state. On the way in which
these institutions are conducteti. therefore,
depeniis to a great extent the expenses of the
-tate They need tha: attenrion and super
vision withuut which extravagance, waste
and even peculation grow up. In my several
relariocs a- appoinrmg rtScer and member
.f the board of purchase aad supplies I have
giv-n mucu studv to tneir managemeat. and
I think I ian safelv -av that most of these
institutions were never more ably and
eit-nomically conducte-i than they now are. ,
In fact, the "limited appropriations fir their '
support made in 1-'.S have demanded the
exercise of more than the usual car? and
e.-onoav- You may recall my remarks to
the legi-Htur- two years ag" when I said.
"Nebraska-is. in tb main, are a plain
people. With most of them life is a perpt- 1
ual struggle. Hard work, frugality an i
economy are their constant companion.-. '
Tne v indulge in iitrle extra vagaace theui--elve-.
and thev may reasonably exp.et
tueir representative to govern themdv s
in hie manner The tendency of the day is
-..ward extravagance aad it nowhere mar:- .
fests itself more than in the conduct of pur
I.c affairs. Extravagance begets extrava
gance. Aa unwarranteil or too liberal
appropriation of totiav forms the prei-eden:
for tomorrow, and I submit to you whether
your predecessors have nor always pa--d
the high water mark. Such l- my opimoa.
and in my judgment the aggregate of a
propnatious made by the Last legislature
-hould be cut down fully three-quarters of a
million dollars, notwithstanding the growth
of the state in the meantime
Made a Beg! lining.
Whether ou; of deference to rav advi.e or
not the fact is tha the sum of appropria
tions male by the legislature of 1'.E1 was'
?:2! .! -iti."as agaiast fi. . 573.6:1 ia lyi.
r iO;7.r""l5.:i7 of tte three-.uarters of a
million reduction recommended by me .
'urrent expen-es for the -appor: of -a-'
victs in the penitentiary are fixed by a con
tract made by the legislature The affairs
of the normal sch.ml and the university are
under the control of a hoard of education
and a board of regents re.peetiveiy Hence
the-e institution are omitted from the fol
lowing comparison -
During 1-yJ the remaining eleven institu
tions supported 1.3,54 inmates at a et for
current expenses of $.. or ?2-tr per
caDita. or ". percapra Liuv
During I!!"! tney -a"p.'rte.i l.;Si inmates
at an expense of ?4!!."'.7. or Tiit; per capita.
or f2 cents per capita daily
Durig 1;34 they supported 3.042 iamatis
at aa expense of "f3JCi.-ti. rr ?l'J2.5t per
capita, or 52.7 cents .er capita daily
fhus it is shown that during the "years of
1-93 aad 1-04 these institutions sustained aa
average number of l.Kfi inmates at an ex
pense of 50.'V.-i;4.
The institutions produced $4-. TOO of this
amount in cash, farm and garden products.
a.theugh the two years just dosed have
teen very unfavorable to agriculture. Ia
arranging for a wider and sharper competi
tion in bids for supplies, in providing for the
slaughter of beeves at the larger institutions
and its purchase by the carcass at wholesale
prices in others instead of purchasing
through local butcher shops, by analysis cf
coaL the manufacture of soaD "and other ar
ticles of large consumption, by tne largest
production of supplies for use of the institu
tions and of products for saie from their
lands, and 121 other ways the expense of sup
porting these institutions has been greatly
reduced. What has contributed more than
anything else to their economical conduct
has been the requirement of perKxiical re
ports from each of them.
Section 21 of article 5 of the constitution
requires that the officers of all institutions
of the state shall make a semi-annual report
to the governor, under oath, cf the moneys
received and disbursed. A compliance with
this wise requirement it seems had never
been insisted on. and except In the case of
tfco universitr. whiclijs under the control of
neither the governor'nor the board of rubhc
lands and buildings, scarcely any reports .f
the kind were supplied. In.'tou'.v insiste.1
upon the reports b-ing fira'shsd. bus
adoDted for tuem sica a form as would
Ir,
employes, inmates, money ued for b3:h cur
rent and extraonimary e-pease-i, wpit: aa.
been prc-iucei, consumed aad S..11J. bit
what it has cost the state per capitn d ::-"r
the given pen-xi for b.ianb for c!o;h:u.;. t r
fuel aad other items of expenditure. lh-
reports f iirnish the data from which to as
certain the r-lauve cost of mainta in.- ia
mates and for c'mpar:nc it with the -o f
other states, as well as for a.tii taiaia the
relative expense for different f er. -.L--. While
these rDorts. with a .'jnovvii.l.-e that they
nice that they
iocentJ pubii--
averfrvei as a
are before the executive an
inspection and criticism, ha
check to extravagance and isti;:iula- to
creater care on the part of heivls of inst:"i
tions, they wilL I trust, serve as a valuable
jruide to you m makin- appropriations.
I would '"all your attention to the need of
a revision of. the laws rela'iu to the ost-i:-lishment
and g-ivernmeut of sever il -f tiie
.state institution-. Some were provided for
before the aiioption of the eonstitatiou,
ot
were "Blaced.undar. tedir-ctiorL
1 - -- ---W.a-----v ii Z
- tI anp-msion
won or trustees ci'-en oyuie-
te"'islature.
I nuer the oonsti'ution wnicn
makes the commissioner . publ:. lauds ai.d
buiidings. the -ecretary : -ra"e. tLe tr-ea
urer and attorney -general a I ard instriste-i
with the supervis-oii anil contn I f ai. i-v-lums
and other in-tituti-ins exn-pt th.)-e f- r
educational purpi-e-. om- i-.nfii.-i: a ha?
arisen and sot .e Conflict . atKLonty relit
mg to the appointment ' orf'c r- and uj..i
other points, which have Leon tl. . -,ubj-ct ..-f
decision by the courts. In one in-titnnoa
tae tenure and d'lties of an c:H vr nr fixL
while in a similar one. aad f.r no appareat
reason, tli.-se ara left tindeHue-i. The whole
matter should be careful! v n.iib?re i aad
the laws made clear aad specific
Governor lioulil Appoint All.
In the case uf some- of rhe in-titu-ioas of
the stare the governor app-nnb- the -uperia-tecdent-and
.'tiier o.fi.-er-. while in other;
this authority is given to -he board f pcbii-
amis and building-. Tht is wrong. Ti.
governor should Iv charged with th- ap
pointment in ail the-e ca.-e and he :il-in
-houl.l be responsible Ti the people tor his
actions. Th? re-p-insibility fr a bad ap
pointment should not be a divided one und
one not directly tractable or chirgeaLle to
any one person ' 'ousideraf ion- of a po.iti
raf or partisan eh ira.rter miy be onp.?e i t
a favorable a'eptaace of tui n . nmeadv
tion at this time, -till-ound iegt-iati .a should
not be avoidi f.jr fear of the I .- of -oaie
p:irtisan advantage. It is unf rtuna:e that
the heads of some institutions, incuse; vvh're
to fitness expi-nence ha.- I.v. -v.: iei. sho'ild
become the sport of p.ol.t..al fortun". and
for gl reasons only -h.""ii 1 tne-l and ex
penenced otHcers b repla.-eii
Actions? Brought by tlit -tati.
Sx.Q after my inaugurntioi the Capir il
National bank of Lmc In failed aa 1 its
affair- and asser-. pur--iiint tothefnitel
State statutes, were plai-el in the hand- of
a receiver for -ettieuieat aat bi'iiidation.
State Treasurer John F. KuL du.-.ng both
his terms of ..Si-e. had d-po-.i.-1 large
amounts f -tate fund- in that bank At 1.1
vestigari. .n by a iegi-lafva cuniaiitfe .-clo-e-l
that he had turned over f.. h.--uc-ce-sor.
State Tra.-urer Uarriev. vh-, hid
reiiveti th.m in lieu -1 m)m-, .--r iri.te
of -iepo-it L-ueii by -;.-h tank :.- The a.a -i:it
of -fi.".:5."7 -j- that the-e w.re the:--:p n
-urrendenii by Treu-.irer farilcv aa i th-'
amount thereof creiited t;p--n an a. Mir.
with the bank ofenei by hici a- -tare rpea. -urer.
aad that pr'or to and inclu l.ng J-mti-
ary "J I, l-'M. he had heeke 1 or drawn o ;- 1
pi)rtion- of -his amount, leaving to nis cre-nt
on account of the surren.!---red certiricate
the sum of .5ri..im - " part of tn has
a- yet been realized by the -rate rro-n asv
source, and for that amoin' eT-lrea-ure.-Kiil
has failed in any mauner to account. I
wa- advi-ed that it would be prejudicial to
the rights of the -tate upon hi bond to file
or authorize to be filed any ciaim in its be
half with the re.eive- and I did n- i s
I am informed that -om cl-urn in th- -oi-ise-
was present-Mi by T.".-a-'irer lkir!-; br
that a- yet no divi.i. ud has been paid to
him .n a.f tint thenar
I deeuieii it unr-"r,"ant that an actini for
the recovery of this de.ii i- -houid fce-eiiiily
commenced up)n the bond of ex-Tr-a-.urer
Hill, for his last term f otil.-e. and in "f-i-formity
with my advice aad dirc-fi r.s ti
the attorney-general as provided by law
such aa action w a- conineacetl .-n the " )ta
lay of March. !-.3. in the .iiitrur ciurt f ji
Douglas county
Irresrtlnrltleo tn fntlttitlon.
Other investigation.- ia-t:rn-d by rhe leg
Llature usclo-ed vario'is aLpurear deiia-
quencies. malfeasances and embezz!euents
' on rhe part of persons cotineote i -.ith -tab
Institution-, esp cullv The asvl'im ror tne in
sane and the -tate penitentiary In e-ia-e-quencej
presumably, cf these discl'ire. 'he
legslature by chapr-r -v- of the law- of l-!.i
apprnpnattii 'tad piaceii 13 r the dirc-i 3
and control of tne goer....r rue -urn of .. -A
t. h-e u-ei by h.m -o '.ir as deeoiei u.v-e-ary
m employing atr-rney to pr.sevit
criminal cx-es and pav the expense- coa
necteil therewith whr- :ne s-a.re had 1-n
defrauded bv its odi'r-. emto;. es or he -s
dealing with -.uch institution-, or havi.sr ia
their p. --.-esei. -n or ca-.r 1 mono-, fu 1 Is.
property or effe.r.- Iel..ngiag to the -ta
or to pro-eiute civil acti. u -r froio img
agam-t otiicr-. rer-ou- or it:erpnrati.:i.s
indebted to tne rate or a.tw' :at of money-,
funds or effects bel. aging theret or ui.a
1 any official bon.i. .-nTi.-: or obligation
the sale seeping or .iisponi ot s-;.-a mic .-.
funds or effect-, and a -upplemenrary a -propriation
of -SIxMO wa.-. aiaiie for the -a:i:-
general purposes. Port, .a' of these :-:m-nave
been expand ii in t-.e proeeiiag- h-.;-- -inafter
mentioned, bi: a coosid.'rabie ;ir"
thereof remains unex, cade b applicable t .
the same or -nular p" ding.
T'ader this authority I em-i-oved e.t-Ja.ige
E Wakelev rf Cnnaha to a-c;:;t th -at- -. ."-
general in prosecuting t!.e action referr--1 1
upon the tend. Do:.- as ''unty wa- -c-Ic-ias
the f .rurri : .-n adv-.ti ... c.ij-i-sel
f jr the state, who be. ev-i that its inter
ests would be jeorar a-ed by the bias and
lal prejudice wli; -a w aid jervade a jury
trial in the distr.ct .-nirt of Lanca.
county, where the tran-actions con-iite-i
wih tee breach cf the Uje-! nad the failure
of tte Capital National ba.:k had . cirred.
attended with much local excit meat and
feeling It was. h wever. determined by
the dtstnet an! s.:rrme c-trts tht r,-.
cause of acton upon the b-.nd arose 1 1 Laii
ancaster ounty. aid tha- there only tue
action cculd te pr periy brought.
Although the percentage of t..- ia-aie 11
Nebra-kahas net increased and is no g-eater
than the average in other state-, jet tae lib
eral policy a-.ip-d by the l-.gi-iatiir '-f
Is'il, under h,."h the stite ass ;uij- the ex
pense of canug f. r ail t.ie ins ne of the staro
without making in turn any barge to the
counties or to the e-ate r relation f t..e
patienr. has resulted La a larg' ialax .:'
putients which is tax. ug the full i-a'-a.-ity .:'
tne three a-yi in-. Ifthi- pdi-y is to be
i-.ntinueil there is a demand f. r more r.n.
This should cot be met by a m iltipii a'l-ii
of asylums By alteration f and &liit..
to the three a-ylums -!;. stae n-v La
ample room .ran be provide I ti anJ"ipa".
tn- wants of a c iipl of dei-ade-- and a a
small fraction of the .xrtn-e atte i.lio t rhe
estabiihmeat of
new ora. L"o j
- Z:i
aumb.r of patients can be itken in c.iarg
by the same officers and ma.ntaiieii at
reiiuceii per capita expen-e. Whether al .
or which one .-rone-, should be thu -nlarge-1
i "or y .i - determine, aa 1 it would to
wise if your action were guided bv som
commntee attendeii by a wo jetent arefcitei- .
who should first examine the.-e different in
stitutions These three h.t-pitals. located at Hastlug-.
Lincoln and Norfolk, under the sup-m-.-teadency
: Drs. Johnston. Hav and L.'1".
respectively, have been aoiv manage'l and ;
desire to testify to the hearty cro-operati'-'.
and sympatbv of th--? gentiemou aad ' '.
ste wards unier them in mv tT.jrt- to re-du
the -xpmses f rhe- iasttutions to t
minimuni A rierence to t Ie table f i. -nisheti
yoc will -h .w that the annual "
'"apita tvx expense w relutei frj-n TT". '
in the year I-j2 t.) 132 in l-.t a: Hast
ins. from 5iiy.?2 to ?1j.J.o" at Lincoln aa .
from J??, ii to ?25 "4 at "orfoik dunn
the cone-ponding pernxi ail ex.rell-at
showings an i about equally gxI c-!isM-.
mg the difftreac- m popc'ation cf eaL,
which of ciir-.. aTecrs :he result.
The institution a: Eastings hears tb1
name "the asylum for the incurable ia
saae." To those who are taken there wii
have n-a-on eaough to understand the -:?-nificance
of the amplication and to th?t
fnends the nam' stands as a terror and i
should be chaaged to the hospital f-"r the
chronic insane." Whether there shoafci be
a -.-'parate h.wpital for the chronic insane "
not is discc-seii in the reports of the severa
supenatendents and their discussion is worth.
nniii .-- . - - - r uuui uuuuxxiii.v ituu ecuuoiiiv 11, aj
nrwon mivh lnrnrmfltl..n Vflil:lliiil in Ktrll- 1-.-l. .... :- i r.. i.
r- i .. .i. am. .. ....... .. tj .a. I . I ...2. m T - , - .
uoa-iiu.a :i.u.u.n . , tojrsnenns to convev lunatics
H..r-. m.-.rw- .-.r .-...-rna nnm rr ill .-.-ii-s
1 C Wi U 3.JV" i..J 'JU.J fcii ... ..-- 'J '-... ..,
ywir study. For reasons 1 cannot under- J
taae to set forth 1; is my opini:
clse3 referreil to should
araong the several iaititutioas.
4 Tninportatloa of litleats.
In ojnnecnon with tha forecoiar I doin
to make a recommendation in the interest of
usuai
from their
respecti--- c unties to the hot-pita!. The
common fear of a Crazy person which pos
sesses people, generally leads rhee ot5'i! in
soma ca3 which have1 been brought 0 my
attention to htnd their subjects with irons
and straps, both cruel aa.l unnecessary anil
teniiusg to aggravate the malady of the
patient. Their transposition should be by
astillsti and experienced attendant from the
institution, and" money provided for the pay
ment of the actual expense incurred. This
wonm resi-lt in a saving ot &) per cent t
more of the amount now paiiL
......
? .. Irrlsntlon.
The subject of trrigation is of such im
portance as to demand special consideration
atithis tirue. The fact that nearly or .uite
half the Ian Is within the state lie west of the
line of hum dity sutlicient tn insure an un
broken suices-,ion f er.p- renders irriga
tion nci-esiary to protect the people against
disaster in unusually dry year. The par
tial failure from drouth in IrO'Wi-lW, and
X&JiZJZZStZi
the almost total failure ot lsi,hasawaaenea
EUtT UCiUK? Ill til- UTTKyM. ui
-hrth-Tiecesty"oC-proviUn-r-tor r
rf th. ,TOI croc.
watering the growing croc a aninciai
Il.e
to
f.-r
us ine sou ot western -
j me extec". want ?.&
ilea.- that ? any portion
W I J '
braska. where,
prevaib', is as
of the I'nited
tare-. and iii years past nas viemeii
ab'ii.laa Larve-t m resrjou? r.. the efforts
of ii.dastrio'is -otlers. T"his fact has fostered
aati-irngation -etitiuient and retarded work
rending to lue es&iblishmea -. of a ysten of
irrigation, but the more rweut failures fnm
liroiith have dissipated all false opposi
tion ar.il star e-I active op.rations
1.1 -evera! counties of the state. And
iio-v while irrigation ia Nebraska is in its
ittfanvy aad neces.-ariiy exreriniental. it will
be well r the ire-ent legislature to give
the -abject -arful -tudy. to the end that
wise legislation may be eiactel providing
fo: 'he protection of individuals m their
nga's to the u-v of water for irrigation pur
j ,i. The right to the use of water from
th str-auis should be -.1 safeguardeil by
"aw as to prevent the very appeaii'ice of
m riopolv and to preclude ali p-i ibility of
err, .neon.- rendition of the laws which ma
be j.a-s,Hl covering tte qurion
The ,;ermtv ciminiLti 'ue:
IiKir a d tn-
ifu-tnai -tatistic- has prenare.1 a iareful re-
pint upi)n irrigation, se ting lortn tne extent
ro wai'-h it ha.-been carneit witiiin the-tate.
including a tabular -,fa-eme-.r. accompanied
bv a map. -bowing all statistics as far un
obtainable at tin- time The question of
water -apply and be-: meth-xL- of applying
ille -iime to the land is discu--ed in the re-p-
.t oameil. to .vhuh y. u are referreil for
i.i rr ef'enlei lafoiinat'-oD upon thi- que--
.. .u.
i'eot Nisnr Industry
Etj eriment of the mo-t convincing ami
cnc'iisive charact. r ha-demon-trite 1 the
rn-ouiiur titn" of N-bri-ka'- -oil and cli
mate for the pr diwtiou of sugar beets. ln
d.r The stun'il i- if the act tasted by the
legislature of ! '. offe-iag a b-Hinty of 1
if ami th" furthei acti-n of .-ongre-s in
!-'. giving a tHmty f - i-eats tor ovo y
;o'inl.f -ugiir o.-o'lucv.L the nmuufact.re
'.? -ig-ir sprang up aad rapilly grew into
iji-o-m rtion- win' ii ga nin.h pr m - to t he
-at . n.. 1 ef -:igar factory --tiblished a:
1 -iad I-iaud wa- - ...1 f..i'o-v-l by the erc
ti . 1 of an ither at Norou. b th r:.r.-entuvg
.1.1 iave tmeirt f -..m-rhir.g like a half mil -a
f d'.-Iar-. em-Cvmg -iinngaLart of
he V.
i.a i
ar -i lie '- '
eiudove- and du-Lur-ing
y tuousan is
t'.ircfaa-e of
f doiLi!" :n wage- aui m
beets. l"ndr proper m-
I'-toru m.gii' ce multiplieii
"11
11. mnt th-
earned in: :na:i
i.f the ii.i.cTie- ot the
e T-;- ..11 'e-i.l ,- a
h-nee.le.1
diver-ification in our agriculture, ia smaller
holdings ia lua i andr insivpien- n.-.' ia value,
a largely increased pop..Iat.oa. the employ
ment of'n vast army of workaie.x and add
ing in the end very "largely to the wealth of
th'-tate Furthermore it is deniocsfrit. I
that beets, as a crop, will succeed m dry -ea-son
when other -rop- fail a matter worthy
of much cocsiiir ration, in view of our recent
experience.
T!;o Hotiuty ym st'oa.
By rhe acti--n of the I-ci.-Ia:ure in '-''' the
state bounty tlier- -fore iJer'-l 'a. wita
dnin and "congri-.- has r-l.;o reivn-lv re
pealeil the law giving the Vi an-y of "2
i eats p r poiii.d. As a Pisr.'.t one of t :e two
fa-ti r.i- : the state La- ju-r : a .1 -ed
an 1 ir w a mat r f doub wuetiier rhe other
wnl -ntiaue under pre-ent cnditocs.
i -liotild regar i it a- a en..u- misfortune to
-he-a-e if an ladtistrv ...f -.u.h mio rtance
aid 'vhicfi !as 'tiawn m mucn laicnst to
Nebraska should Jie mr. and it is we'i
worta yar -arce-t -ons-deration whether
aavt..mg can to d-n-. by von to kep aliv.-ta.-efae-.Tie
we al-eady hav- aa 1 t- ".-
e. irage thcrs-aLbshaieir "f ither-. Shoiill
von ...ccl-ido t. do -o 1: -nigh- be by a loun
ry c- the rraniifacfirer A --..gar coniiiuone.1
tLar ue piv for beer- u.-ed not !- rbau a
pris' riratiL and that the pmyaient ' siic'i
1 . int.. : n-r '-aria.ie Ley ud -he Who
wra the general gc.run;eat may give -nl-iicieut
pri. t.i.-tion to the iaditry
m i-miium icito l.:iv.
At th-1 ia.-t osiou of the 1-gislar.ire a law
wa-tassi'i 1 la-sifving f-igur. a.;i titiag
r--iiir,.'iLIi' raaxini'ini rare- to be ehargt-d
f. r t'ie rranspivr-ariou ? tr- sim- on th
rail." wids of the stat.. Before the law went
iut.-. effcr, hrw.v. r. parti.-- interbred in
n--evral nuiti- lc-titut.-t f r cee-hugs tn
the Icieral .-ou."t to rest irs "aiidity and
ju-t: i.i by a r.nvnt dfi-i-.n remie-eii
bv a judge of "the l'nifi-1 State- .ourt the
overarioi f the a--t ha- 'nvn -tispemieiL
The ie:-u-..a '. th. curt, as I nr. ieritaud 1'.
while u-ser-ts th-i ci)n.-tit'iti -nah-y of rh
a- and con -e-i - the right ..f the legr!a:nre
ti enact laws of ti.i sin.1. nciils that the rato
t ii..i ar.- .1 r ilici, n.ly n-mi:: -ninre ti
th.- : ad "ad fop tiaf r rtsoi -ij 'ins rheir
enfon-omea:. 1 ha opinion -f f h in.!ge is
disai.U!:n'ir.g ar.d ur. -a"i fa-ro- .' It 1- to
or re-rett" i ttiit in savins; t'a -"a'etha:
cert.u iailvav raie? srab.i-h.il by it amu
un.i a cnarue th.' ;-urt d. I notgi' e th" .tate
sum- rule bv which reasonable ra'es migh:
be deteriii"i--l.
Ilie o..-; .1 leaves t.Uii-termir.i.! also
an ..her imrrirtinr aad '.ong-a titited qaes
tion. wheth-r fic:irioi- capitalization of
rai'ima.is -h.-uld e ai.iel ' th'."..- ieal value
when tix.ag a ba-I- up-.g wh.-'i iaom'--hali
be pennitft N"t on'v vnth a . ier
to ie-e.-ru.ning the - -.-.mdnes.- of t!:e decision
re- .jere-i but with the p;irp.?o of settling
the que-t.op.s I bae peferre-i to au.i any
other- wii ch mar t valua: i a- a guide to
f iture lem.- art m. i would a Ivise that pio-vi-ud
b..' made and direction gir.a to pre-u-e
the ca-e nail ir shall have reache.1 the
ourt of last res .rt. if nei-e.-.-ary. ;n onler t
definitely establish the tights of the state.
If this bo not die it will be for yo.; to e)C.
-iler whether a new law be enact-ii. or
whether r let the present one -land uati:
the l.u-ines- of th state -hall have grown no
to it, when, under the present rulinj. is
could be put ;a .perat: .n.
'Hie
The Rassiaa
Kit-.! m
riii-rle.
1 tu.-- daagprons
pe-t and one whica ha.- ;-ov. d
aciag cm - f tbe -cat.'s :x
La- mvadeii .ir: -r-it .rvaiin;
ve.y liarr.
ur aorta,
fif irt -hoOid
be mitte.1, t.. ex-! 1" ih" mafer na ben
cgiieil to t&.- atrentioa of our pei-ile 1.7 Pro
fess jr 3---":-v f ta -.t-ir r.nlversi: aa I b .'
e.''t"r.R taiea by the state b ,.i '- f
a-rr.-al'-tfe u"-1 a rtic rlr i-e. Aay ai i fiat
ieglation can giv-- fc-war-Ls its extern jma
ti.a and re-gting iti- invasion sh.;ul : te
givoa.
li.)llc -school.
The report of the -uperintenleat of public
instruction -how- that owiag. no d ibw '.o
r".:e -tnage-n-y ' .' -lie tim-s there wa- a fall
ing off t". th ui 1 y expended for tie -up-pori
: puLhi--h lis ia the vear i-'J a
i-omsirel w.th the vear 1-13 from 63.11'.-.-71S
in 1-!"J fi. 743. 53-5 in 1-14. At
the same tune it is gratifying to note -aa:
the averasre dailv attrrn.tac-'e at -cn'ml rose
from 141.152 in I-'.fl to 171. U- m !- H.
Tlie -tate Normal School.
The tat normal school at Peru L in a
SoaTL-hi g : edition and is doing much
good a ui-eti g the iemaad for a t:ghcr
grade -f teachers f -r the .-irnmotfs'.-iio.-Ls of
the stat A pleasant visit to that 1 .-titn-tioa
asoure-i me ha: th"- work Uae there is
taofM'uti. au 1 the co d.tion of things as I
found tbeui te tiSc, to the lealia.- care :-errise-i
by thr b arl of ..dui-atiou and tue
pride it ha.- ia its charge
Hy attention - been caile-l to the far:
stas the sup; iy -i water there has reeentiy
faded. As the buildings are not lasur-l this
matter should have prompt attention.
The tate tilver-Iry.
The state university, under the active and
energetic direction of iti present chanci-itor.
has .tuned a wonderful growth in atsrn !
aace ami has taken high rank among simi'ar
iastitution.- of the laa.i In considering tht:
wast- of tiie university a.- repe-:t- room r.
ia eil to cacider that quits a large fractiou
0; those enrolleii is-in attendance upon the
)n tnac ue crpnaratorv school and they are not uaiver- states, to the end th.it amemiments may u
te distributed t ,.r,r,Lnr nmwr This nreriaratorv-de- m.L rn.fen'ni.- hriberv and undue mnuencs
! raii-rtnent is in a l-o a hi h I'h.wL which, of tho voter more nearlv imp"aibie anil
cartment 1
with its superior advantages, naturally in
vites a large Ioal attendance f the 1. 1."5
rupils in attend."" "cc. and w?ii-"',iiiof resi
d2nc2 is given in the last report of the regents.
5T1. or about 3D cent, are cretlitjd
to Lancaster county ami presumably mostly
from the city of Lincoln. The regents an
nounce their deterailnation to gradually
drop tho preparatory work. This conclusion
is a proper one. It "will cot only iunit the
work of She institution to the object con
templated in the law establishing it aad fir
which the bounty f the- general govern
ment and the support of the sate are liber
ally given, but will be sometaing of a guide
in " determining whether any aiditional
room should be provided, and "f so. how
much.
The comprehensive report of the regents
covering the biennial period just closed will
be laid before" you and will give you much de
sired inforiua'tiou respecting "the institu
tion. It closes w-th a statement of its
ueeils. which include the largo sum of $4.m.
Om) for new building and a, jurtenances,
and repair of old one-, beside the usual
amount for current expen-es. The re-ue-t
comes at a time when both the condition of
the treasury and the condition of our iwple
!,ir rwDonii to - ir While I
i-jaViath'e "1st pride the ifcoplSof'tSs state
.- jn th ,lnIver-itv. and aanreciafe the un
portanee ami desirabiLty of providing the
nigher education f. r our youn.r yet I can
not repre-s the suggestion that with the
stato. as with the famny or individual, the
question of cost and ability to pay it niu-t
be considered in coanecti 'ii with the question
ofdesirability.
Other State Institution.
I cannot undertake in the compass of this
message to make pectal referetioe to all the
stafe institut iius. I have only done o in
cases where" I harp -bought such reference
desirable. In the reports made by their -ev-eral
heaiL will be found aa a.-iount of their
transactions and aa estimate of their
wautsj while in the table which will be ap
.ended to this commu.ucatt.'ii will be found
an account uf the amount of money that has
been expendeil for The maintenance of each
aid for what purpi-e expended
.Money Hecolred anil lu!t Into Tren
11 rr.
Received and paid over to the state treas
urer funiLs as follows:
Drafts frem rVJera! gore "arnetir in be
half nt ciliiie!-. iir.i -jiilnrs' home . . . -19. EM
jrive p,. cent t)f nt briHre.l. or -ales
pubm: land in N'ebrasXa. .
Id..gi W
I Jj
a: :
XT "..
1 insciece monev
Jloney ieiurr.e.1 ironi .i'.r of n-orUl's
fair furniture
OSl'-e fees
Total 536.535 -.;
Couclti 0:1.
Fc reiinquLshicg aa oiSce which came r
me in a manner bighly compumeii-ary I
so v ith the oasirioasiiess "f bavi::g tneii ,
b1 of service to the j.eople of the state wh
have si' frequently houo.nl me. Hjw weii
I h ive -uitee led they m.ist dei-.d- I -hall
carry with me plea.-an red llec ions of the
kindly reititions which have etlsted between
myself and those with whom I have a. -caitetl
or had to deal with ia an otntiai
way.
I'ov. Ki-.lrumS" Hrut'
Foliovrtn? i the mc-.-arre ot rftp n
comin!r rroveruor dc'ivered to r tr.
branche of the legislature
FeUow Citlea.-. f he 1 eg-.-LiT.ve lMprt
ment if the Sta.e of Nebraska: i tmy-t
tn-'i i-alitd by my fellow ciriias of Ne
braska to serve th-m a.- govpra.r of rhe
-tare. Ia rour presence I have i5-t tak.a
the precrib.-ii oath of odice. anL agrt-nl
to time-honored cn.-toni. I w.li n- addfe
y..;i brietlv before entering actively upo 1
the discLargeof the important dutie- of th.
vJlTcv
I ani indeeii rffHrplv impresse.! wun tg
crave respinsibi itie- I have assum-: I a: :
fully aware of the manu'old and arluo'".
dutic attachiag to the ofiiceto tvti-h I tave
just been inducted v ere I calle.1 upon to
ercounter at rnc tini- a: I rne
pi'rp.exmj
ditli-ulties to be me', '.veu ni.g i i re at
palleii at the magnitude of the in VrtaXing.
b it. en.i'iirage.! by an eurne-t de-ire to
la'thfniiy administer tne -.. ! of h
otlic I am hopeful of being aLl- t i:'a.-r.'r
these dirtie.jlrie singly a.- they ane!i:i
a Miaal.'J degree -f -atisfactir-i ; h
p.,rle of th- -tiite. of whom I am b-t au
huir.r.le -r-rvant
it -ha;l te my dismrereHted a:.d un-elti-ii
purposs to direct my entire ejer's to th-
fai'Lfal and impartial oi.'-ervanc.- .f the
cintit'itional provision whi'h dec'ar
that the supreme exe'-utive powrr shall be
veatiI in the governor, who -hali tak care
that the law-,' ere faitbtnliy xe-.it.-L" t
th" end that .goiii government may ; revail
and the rights cf e-oh and e vry citi.ten te
zt-uiouslv guari'e.! and pntee-eii
In assuming the one-ous duties rf rhLs
office. I am al le tr e,-ateat c-ejf wl.u -he
thought tha: there is a right way and a
wrong way to decide each rerpieiug ,;;
t ion. and. with a ti...n doterrcinati.m to as
certain ri ' igrt and then aiihen- to ;r. I
hope the burdens mav te le-.-eni. tb" w. rk
riaiphfied an.l the iu'tie- fully b.- ' - d.
Although pi?-easing variou- plni :' tr -Iwf-
we as leglslaror-n.l exeit'.tiv... Lmi"!
have but one great object in view to ilis
- Large the du. .es inrumb nt upon u in a
Ui uie-s-Iike manner i r the or;ri r. i
of all. Each rf y u a- a 1 gi-lat. r has U 1
clcceii as theaiivccrite-f the pnn.ipl - '
some politscil par-y. but t.'a ;."ii r'.r. --eut
all th- pe..( le -if vtit i rr;. r Ii mv
capacitv I -hali earnestl.- "iidetiv r t ' trie
g vernor f all tae peopV. A- the r-prer-tative-
of poh'iciii i.leas vou at:! jr bwl 1 "
have tut ore duty M perform the election
of a L'n.teii States renati -. in y.ur ' ;y
as repre-'Ctatives f the p-Hir . f ...tr .;..
tri'ts y.-n will dcubtlos haie aacy raattcr
i.f -reat !mrta:io to ion-ider
The pronour!i"e.l u-ajonrv f one p!:t:' 1.
purtv m both ranch. . r" th- U-r-latire
will il.ii.Lr!-.-- ir.-ur-'. '. . Vctioa ? cri.r
seirra'iv tl.c rtaie 1:. re r.ao f tao
nation with'Hit nnu.f srarv & -
In disposing of tLe b in:es rf my fcli-.w
crtigecs in the taracity go-, -mo'. I s
licit vonr 'junel anil faeir-v iw,i.nison
I app-ehet.1l that our reUiti.)ns will io mutu
al! v cardial and agreeable and ieiiumi to
the g ci o" the entire people, whom e alike
s-'rve
Porrs-ing r.o kn-'wleiige of the 'vndm. n
of the varii u department- of th ar-' Tr-ernmenothe-
rh-ia that en jo- e.i ia --..n.u-ci
by all o::r ci-iztc-. 1' :- r.ot my i..nt.-a a-r
:" I derm :t '' ! e t.;v .bitj. t.'. -nTi r t.:to a
detaileii diseu-siotiof the manac uer.r and
reip.;;.emect.s -f td--e .Vprtir.ei--. In h -rue
a:. m !!-' .t-g:.:-h." " i.n-.l..es- -fioverr.or
Croir..- ha- gi--r. n rav.:
valuable ;nfoni:aea and .uiv e to ml v 'i
in the di-cl a.;- t y ur ds ... Its -n -ureten-ivene-sasd
i-ruile-.er.ess ".!'. 'iet.Tui
--mmeiid ;t to r n a-legr-iators arl : me
a-hfa sUcor f .: o;ir ccr-iui -t.asidera.-loa.
I" lit ::i:l I 1 -'ifT :g .
'ihepn-eri.-i.'.i i ta- -an- -' of the
oadot t-nccessa.-y to the ....-" ti'n !
lf-gi.verrae-r.t It 1-. the Laiitthar
th 1 ". : ,h- :eip?- 1- t'-. "d -ind fhe.r
i.i rjci-itere! f ."' .-ng r.ii :
(dw-a ;Le arfiir-- f -ti
"t-r
A
Liceci.-
fa;.. iftr t
:" -s.-is
-. &rr jri-
-. .. -S. t(,
. r-..ci"ut
. . .ai'- hi-e
- -. in ex-
i.ii.-.drtal
bis owo
n. ci'i-
n life, hi-
fc-gr e of
Ii eU-!-. eil
duty t
.r felio
I ie min-
.v. t-. ea.-h i- ? r rhe pr; ;.. -.-
!..- bate-- i li'-. :Va. r ;-. '.
ur to tiied-cta f '-."- :-'
t ia" ettent a fsilm r -; i-.-g
rrr-; n'lgea . " ' s -i - ' r L'.
h.i-!ttave ciMtiri d '.. - di
rrrM- g by '..:- v.--- i .-.
sent.miat. ayrteauL- "
c tceptwin f '''' j
zert. without rega.d '- bis -.ai'a
oiucttti "a. hi . .: . ;o,i
:a li.e---; vr-.tii -.tau-h '!
fe
. bur
iy Ll- ir.a-or It :- ?-. :
Icre-ity giard tii tuir f y
leetorj actl to re . ii-p t tae abt.
iruim anv :nfriu.-e:"-tr. of ir. ilspeca.lv
L''. it -.-em to me trat :Le . ia'.lt.yes r.f th
lirzef corporaii-ius ah .1.! J. by wise iisla
ti-i. have sciii jrot.-"iag ca- tLrown
cb .nt them t'iaz Ucy B-ay ..i i:e exer-e ,r
tie ngnt of suffrage act w.'hos' any fear
wtatsi-ever fn.m tt t-pi i-arr of thir
-u-tJovers. wh5se pr-Iiiic&i i-"nvlctirj- may
lie differec: from tJi-.r r.f. i
I: t-usder.ic.1 -hat rhe - .. aL.:.i lailc
law was a nt-dsd rr.'o.ur ai i has riotre nu'h
towarLs panfyic-g . .-n- m Nebrx.a.
bet la-ncoafidestt st w.jiM grant a ; r. i
lege without mischief if the law should b
am. mie.i by you -o tta". tL- lecto.- -sa des
igaatr. where" it i- pr--ib!e L- chci; of can
didates aad at the -an-e uiae expre by his
. ballot hr- p;hti-ui cocictu-u-..
I would rcspec.fuliy sugge-- that each po
litical partjf having a fai tvcoatage of the
vote in any distil i sbHiUi tavo n-presenta-
ti;a on tne eJectioa burb and that not rm.'
i than two judges -beni! te .-.Vcte-i from airy
i one political party-
There can be :t ti m-ant sudj "t
I'..r the earei'id s3.-nV:a-.. n ' .mKiaJee:"-
. . ban :h pm'eetii.n :' : unty of th
! Lal!of. and I wooid Bn.-i rej.-trfttBy call
your atti'aufic to our xstiag tlecou la
anft invite a comparison with" these of other
facilitjtting tht nior; rapid and accurate
counting cf vote.
Urouth sufferers.
I regret the necessity demanding a careful
consideration of the acttial want of a great
number of our people caused bv the drouth
of last vear Nature has bountifully blessed
Nebraska. Her climate is unexcelled and
her soil responds generously to the labor of
the husbttnilmar For years prior to 1S0J
there was an ninterrupted era of good
crops. Rapidly the ilomaia of the rancher
was eccroacfaeil upia by the farmer From
various states came an energetic class of
gooi citizens to make their homes in west
ern Nebraska, (renerally they were poor
and depended upon the first season' crop
to supply themselves aad families with all the
immediate necessities of life, and until I!S)
they never relied in vain. Then came one
season when the accustomed rams failed to
fall and hot winds swept owr the country,
carrying devastation to the fieldsof growing
grain. Since then there have been alternat
ing gi'i'd and poor crops, culminating in the
general drouth of 1-1M.
While this drouth extended practically
over the entire country, it was particularly
disastrous, in the western portion of the
state. Distressed bv- combats with previous
partial crop failures, many farmers with
onlv moderate means were wholly unpre
pared to meet the drouth. Many had been
unable, on iccoimt of rhe -h. .rt time of their
residem-e. r store tip gran sufficient to meet
the exigenciesof thisextraordinary Kcasion.
Sonie removed fnsm the -tate. buC the great
majority, possessing the utmost faith in the
country. remaineiL. determined to hold on to
their posses-ions tn the drouth-stricken dis
trict. " If patience and long suffering make
people d erving. the harvest of li'X should
te bountiful.
Our great state is able to take care of its
own poor and manv cf the county boanls
have, with commendable energy, provided
woric with -mpensutlon for the able-boiied
needy in their own counties, but there l
stili "nece-sity for quick relief to be extended
to many portions of the stat so that all her
pH5pIe may be comfortable during; the pres
ent winter anil have an opportunity to seed
r.nd work tfteir ground for the coming har
vest. I know some claim that the legislative
body h.as no right to make the people donate
to tne needy aad that such work should be
left to individuals who are charitably m
clineiL but every government is ir duty
bouud to provide at public expense the
necesities to sustain life to its own needy in
habitants and e-pi-cially is th;.-. the ia.-e
when the needy are wu'h:ut fault on their
oart.
The Relief Commission.
The relief commi-sion created by tue law
of I-M) is still in existence. It ws revived
and the vacancies filial by my predei-e-sor.
Governor (.'rounse. and has teen actively
engaged n the work of assi-f.ng the de-erv-mg
needy by distributing food and cloth ng
furnished by charitably inclined people f rvru
every section of the country.
These commissioners have doubtless ex
pended considerable money in the work, re
iving n the lerri-lature to make pro
vision to indemnify them for neces
sary expen-es incurred, and their
-ervices will be required until seed is -own
in the spring for another crop In order to
effectively carry ..n the work of assisting
the deserving drouth sufferer with the least
pisibie expen-e. 1 would respectfully -ug-ge-t
that the la.v- of l-'Jt) bo remodelled aad
that relief appropriations sufficient to -up-ply
the cpces-ities of these people during the
winter te placed in charge of the iimnt
ioners for distnbnti u. under -uch -afe-guar'is
as may to deemed ifw in unier that
only the needy receive aid and tha: no un
necessarv expenses te incurred
I feel ionfidnnt that the great railways of
tn.- -rate will a-sit the distribution with
free txansportation.or. at least, wisn ereatly
reiiuceii rates. I would further -ugges: that
legis atioa be had -o that eacn .tunty :n the
ts," re severely aiilicted portions of the -tate
may be able to vote bond-, which may be
made a verv proper mode of investment for
a large -uniof the now idle permaaent school
fun.L in order to provide ready means to
eiure seeii t x'w and gram fr stoci tor
the coming crop season.
If on inve-tigation it l- deemed wt-e and
practicabe.it will be well to consider whether
spiiual a-e-menr may not te lev ied on the
land where the -er-ii is furnt-heiL or by sime
other means require of the beneficiary to re
pav in installments tho value of the gram
f.irnished. together with interest com
mensurate with the rise tne bomb. tea
It well to bear in mind tha: the people
thus to be favored are not asking for chan:y.
They are a haniv -e: of farmers who have
been -trugzlini against adver-ities over
which they had no control and they ask temporal"-
assistance merely to tide ..v-er the
pre-ent difficulty and will gladlv make re
pavmen: for ail the ;eed and gram thus fur
nished. fhis -ubjecc I regani a one of pressing
importance, demanding your first energies
in vour work as legislator, m order tha:
suitable enactments" may bo made as peed
ilv as po-sible and a: the -ame rime with due
consideration of the work to be done. that
the restiit of your labor- shall meet the
exigencies of " the occasi n and also re.eive
that degree of deliterat.-n ami care which
should characterize all iegi-iation. I trust,
gentlemen, that you will at once direct your
attention to thi- subject and make such dis
' po-ition of it as in your wisdom, you may
leein proper
Irr'.SHtfoti.
I'ne of rhe most important subject.- tha:
you wtli have to .leal with during this ses
sion, and one far-reaching ia ,ts results a
irrigation. The subject ha be-n gradually
growing in favor with th? p.ple. ejp-cially
we-r of the one humlreth principal merniian.
Its merits have teen investigate.! and
nrov
en bv actual te-:- aad it is now an. ac-
rer.ted fa.-: that verv large artas in the
wi-srern portion of the 'Kite, where the
small amount of rainfall render the. matu
rity of crops precanou-s. can. by a proper
-y-rem r f irrigation and because of the ex
cellence of rhe'-oii aad the otherwise favora
ble climatic conditions. r made to yield
most bountiful! v and with unvarying cer
tantv The sub;.- : is a live one. Too
much care caanot'te given to th enactment
of laws to met- evMr- reipnremeat of our
lixitl cocditi t- in thi- regaiii
The Te.r warerwavs in the state and on
spread devastation ove- the f-rtiie bottoms
of flliaoi. 5ti.-.-o.i-i. Kenrucity. Tennessee.
Arkan-.vs. II-. issippi ar.l I- ntsiaaa while
ti vegeati n -f a p.m i f Nebraska wa
inu-aiv pla. . wi hering and dying for
want of wa'er Th- g-.vern w-R has seen
fit to expend mill", u- f '..Par- in the con--tmcTi
n anl ma a'-nar. - i great levee
to pr.-.ce'. the pr-.tie .-y ."v-'id lives of the peo
pV rt-if.iiig aioug 'l;e ri ' in the south.
V.'.-uld it not -on it- a d- uble purpo-e and
be productive of .n .'!m-'.:ie goid to both
-ecrions if the g..v--isaM-at wi.uid direct iris
efforts toward turn.nr b waters of Tihe
western tnLi ari- f the Mi--i-ippi river
into g.ta: resn v. ir- and thence into imga:
rnc ti'che-t,for the ifevelopm.-n: of sections
of t'-e country va:.h n -w proiince very
HIT :e;
A i ri per v--e,u
ii.iirte-s ina-ce tlie
f .rngati.a wouM
fertile flam of N--
hra-ka mvi -inilar -tig-s .-lice an utex-hau.-
ibie -:rr':v ' :f-' seee-t vegetables
aa! best ivririi ar. i tiu by spreading the
warr in "ue -.ag.m. wculil reclaim the
great river bottom.- cur -outhern neigh-trH-
and make thr-m the kings of corn asd
cott- a countr . .
I a a i t fami.-a.- w.th the practical work
ings o lpngiti -a but your boly- contains
some mt-ruDers wn-, have given considerable
time to the investigation cf tee -ub"ec: and
afrv who have ha i . -ars f practical ex
rerieice m im rati -i." Th-v wtli doubties
ren.U'r valua1-' servf :a advising and
framing practi-al !eg-..dat. on. From the m-ve-tigation
I have been able to give So thu
hnportac: -ubject. I ! - not hesitate to
r-commenil a dt-f nr- irrigation lav. to be
fra-ned from the g- 1 which may te found
in Wvomicg laws on '.he subject, and to be
guardwl bv a cLa t enabling the users of
the water"" control it .L.-:nbution and
price so that it miy be t- hem a sour-e of
pecuniary beaelt rather than aa engine ...
oppression ir. the haa-i- f speculator. A
good law on tms sub.-t f rameii as to pro
tect tte nghr- .A raot-e : - -ly ntereied tn
irrigate ow-.:i -n'"Hta itit.1 encourage the
work aad .:ri.L- m: oa-.-'juen: uffermg
will no lou-r ae-ai- rhe vwelfare of the
people
UallroHil I.egt-lr.tlon
The f -inda-iiearai law of the state declares
that the railway- in Nebraska are public
highways and -hail bo free to all perso'as for
the transtsorTarion of their property and
person then. a. uiai-r -uch ri."ila:iois as
mav be pre- .be.1 by la-v It gives to the
lerxdatnre power uj ui; law- from time t
, tune establisiiiug a reasonable maximum
" rate of charge-j for the. tra-snorta-ion, cf
i he great warerwar, m ce-e a. on , a j ,, jjca,;!-- indebtedness exiotiag
its bri-r have heretofore 1 1 earlv spring .aLI13t the state, evidenceii bv register-.
run backfill ."f water Ir.th? e..riy sum- u 0Q re itaw tr-a-urv ' These wi
mer r hey have joined with the water- .f the MU o( undoubted securttry. there;,.
iis-is-i: : ar.d i h.iand many-easons have .. ri, much ough:for as an invest
passengers and freight. It also declares
that the legislature shall enact laws to cor
rect abuses and pnvuc unjust discrimina
tion and extortion in charges by express,
telegraph and railroad companies.
The railrcails of this state have been one.
of the most important factors ia bringing
about its rapid development, and it is of ut-
mot; importance to an citizens ot .eora-ia
that this great mtere-t be -ustmned aad ec-
eourageiL To the construction of the present
extensive system of railways in Nebraska
may be ascribed tn a great measure the ma
terial prosperity of the -tate
It is an erruneouslv conceived idea, anil
quite prevalent, that the interest.-of the rail
ways and tho people of the state are mimical
In fact, tht' suovss of each lies principally
in the ppx-penty of the other The earning
of the railroails depend on the amount of
business the people are able to do, ami the
people m turn must look to the railways for
the transportation borh of their surplus coin
moiiities to market and of the artioies of con
sumption they must obtain fnni otherj.
Between the two there should naturally ex
ist theutm.-st degree f recipn'city.
Notwithstanding the f.-ehug known to ex
ist among the people that they have been
burdened by oppressive rato oa transporta
tioi. lam i-ertain that there is no demand -9
on their part for any unjust action thaS
would tend to cripple tho great highways of
,?
commerce. I ne people are wining to deni
justly by the railway corporations and in
turn demand only rair treatment in tne mat
ter of charge. for freight and pns-onger
transportation.
The subject has been one of constant fric
tion and annoyance between the people and
the railroads for several years past. In. vari
ous ways and at different times attempts
have been made at legr-lation for the par
rose of -etthng this question, but so far tivy
have teen without complete succe-s.
Recommend- Railroad Comnil-Hloner-
The boanl of transportation as it now
exists under the law in entirelv unsatisfac
tory and w generallv regarded a of little
value to the people. Railroad ounini-Sstoners
etei'teil by the people, with power to regulate
all charges of this character, woulii, in my
judgment, neurest appmach a ppper-oln-tion
of tht- ditliiiilt pp.blem. Thi-s how
ever, cannot be done without amending tht?
constitution. There hit- been one inbmis
sion of the question to the people and it
failetl to receive the requisite vote, yet I am
persuaded it was more the re-ult of the ex
citemeut attending a phtii-.il campaign,
causing the people to overlixik this important
question, than it was of dt-approvti! or want
of real intere-t in the matter on the cart of
the peoplt
I am of the opinion that if a constttmtionl
amendment creating a board of railroad
commissioners, with ample poer in the.
premise-., iouId le submitted to the peopfe m
would receive their approval by an owr
w helming majority, and I believe tha vexed
que-tiou could le nearer -ettled SUtlsfac-
toruy m tha: than in aay other manner.
The Maximum Unto ItUL
Different attempt- have been made to en
act into law a maximum freight rate bilL
culminating in the pa-snge of the house roll
No 'SI during tho s-sion of the preceding
legislature This bill was approved by tho
governor and but for the proe- of injunc
tion issuiil out of the federal court would
now be i 1 operation. You are each
doubtless -omewha: familiar with the
history i f the ia.-e anil the re
cent dfctsicn hamleil down by Judge Brewer
of the I" lined State circuit court. The
question now namrally arising is whether
the deciston shall be accepted a final or pro
vision temadef. r ap-wiuing the iase n-i.
thereby obtaining ri'ial de.-isi..n .n this, very
important matter in a court of last restut
The points in controversy are . f vital inter
est to the pe.ple of Nebraska. It wooUi
d ubtle j te tetter if an early and dna! !"-
lsion bv the highest judicial tribunal of the
land could t obtained, in onier that Sbp
might be a full, fair and accurutp under
standing as to the respective rights of tht
r-)ple and the railroad cymtjanies. touching
the question involved
I have no intimate knowledge of the bis
, tory of the rase, of the t ues r.tsel therein
1 or of the evidence adduced on the hearing of
the cause. From reaikng the opinion of She
learned judge deciding the .a-. I nmter
stand than every disputed question is foand
in favor of the -tate -ave the . ne of the al
leged unreasonableness of iiiaxuntun charge:
as dxe.1 bv the bill With .til due respect to
the distinguish! judge and thoroughly ap
preciating the difficulties as expressed bv
him surrmading a question of tats kind.
am inclined to the beli-f that the coBflfcn
reached is base.1 on an erri.neous neption
.i.-. to the proper bast.- f. r e-nmnUng the .t:
and eamingi of the r ails In the first plac
i: occurs to me that justice and equity would
indicate that the pr .per basis for the purpose
of fixing fair and ju-t rate would be a prev
ent resonable value, of the roads rarher than
what may have teen e-cpemled in their cun
stnictionby u-eles--xtravagini-e. bad man
agement or the increased expenditures ar
such time as compared with the present.
Another elemen: in this case whica seems
to be worthy of -onsideration and which I
fail to find Inv notice of in the decision of
the honorable jn lge is that of the reason
ableness f the expi-nititures for operating
the rads. and which are taken out of the
gross earning1, thereby retiucin; the net
earning-. If rhese .penitmg expense-an
unreasonable it reiin rhe amount which
gi:- to meet the demaniis of the bonlhoUl-rs
am! stockholder.
It wonid seem tha: If the stocfcholricrs
come into court alleging that the rate
fixed by the bill ar tco L w. they shoJ I N
rjmreii & make a full and complete saw
mg. not only as to the net earning of th
rails. but also the tniome from ail -ource-and
all expenditures aad for what purpoi
made r ree transportation, rebate-, if en
and other like sources of e.xCJniliture or fa.I
ure to collei-t revecno nghtfully bbngi:.
to the rad are all elements to t "n'
ereii tn orir to arrive at a wise jimi ju-t
dei-ision in a ca.-e of that kind With th
mformarioc you have already receive.! and
after consultation with :h.se who have had
-harge of this ase. if you. in your wtli.ni.
deem it expeiiient to aitpiie-i-e is the de
cision rendered by Judg-J Brewer. I have a
doubt of vour ability to enact a law whid
' will be fair to the people, just to the rai' -p-aiia
and at the same time violate no en
stitutaonal rf?hts of either
Intercut on state Warrant.
There u now and haj been for some tinu-
miikmg them much oug-
men: bv tho engaid ha that busine--t'nder
the law they iraw Inerwt at r
rate of 7 per cunt, caus-gig them zo comma; :
in the market ai n a refistereii .
premium, of from ! to i per rtsnT. Is oc .
-o me a great aving anjh: b raaile to
state and an injury done to ao one if tn
interest on state
warraa-- ce reduced i
rer .ent I am 11 to teileve teat sta'
warrantis drawing laUritt a: the rate of ',
or ti pr cent will always be worth their fa -valu
as an inTwtnsc"".
celty of Economy.
I: U needless for m to attampt to impre,.
on von, the neceaaisy for tha greatest pi.-.-i
ble'jGnociy in tie public busine-M consia-
with the proper od-aiaMtration of the affai--of
tate. Bv economy is not anieant su
panimony as will curtail the usefulness
state mstitusions or render lesa fficient a.
branch of tea state cosiness, du: suca i. .
fui care is. the expenditur-s as will re-i , -to
tha minimum the burdens of the ta -
tonclnston
Th press of other business has pr-venti-i
mefromgivlngmor-i.:tentiontosuojectsy .
will probablv have to .-onsider dunng y-j-i.--essioa
If cccaJion reiviire- I shall con.
municate farther by pei.iai message.
I am desirous of extending to you as leg
islators all maa- within my cower which
mar in any way assist you in enacting wise
md just legislation. And I trust when th
work of this ssion fcs done is may redourd
to the good of all the people of the ensi."
state I trust that your work daring Ti.
shors tune your labors will be required wl.
fully deaaocssrate. the wisdom, of the peoj .
in selecting you as their representative .n
the Iegialasive department.
Relying for guidanca upon the Ail 5Vm
Ruler of she dessime of nations. let ru to
up the work to whin we have been caL!
bv our fellow citizens and iiis-harge ot
liusierj hone-tiy, fearlessiv aad fair h ft; Iiy
Oricinally there were no pews iu
she old Encash churches. iton
benches along" the sides of the cburca
were the only fixed seats.
A dojr thirty-three inches hJh, six
fees and eleven inches long" tan-l
weirzhtng Ij0 ponmls belongs to E.
W. Abbots, Elkton, 3Ia3.
pavers, which have been rendered especia.
oppressive by the present depresse.! coc?!
Uonairiall braachea of busine-s. t