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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 4, 1889)
THE DAILY FKIDAY , JAJSTUAKY 4 , 1880 , TIMER'S ' BIENNIAL. The Governor's Mossacro Dollvorod Before the Legislature. STATE PROGRESS AND NEEDS. Increased Funds Nocosaary to Run the Publlo Institutions. BETTER ASSESSMENT LAWS. Ono Fund Rooommonclod For Both f County and Stato. 1C. EnPX PX THE QUESTION OF RAILROADS. KeconuncMiilntlon Not Con- ourrcil In An ISIcctlvo TrntiHpor- ( ailini llonrd Tlio Omaha I'o- IV i llco Commission A IMoa I ft Kor ( ho .Militia. r The Message. I ? GnxTt.r.ui : * * or TUB Sn.v.vrn AND HOUSB or Hl'l'lliSINTATlViS : : : Under the blessings of Divine Providence you iiro permitted to meet in the twenty-first BCBslon of the legislature of tlio stnto of Ne- brnslcn. It Is a subject of congratulation Hint you meet under such favorable auspices. During the year that closed , general licnlth and prosperity linvo prevailed. The labors of the husbandman have been followed with bountiful crops , nnd on every side there are evidences of general contentment and satis faction. The excitement of our national quadrennial election has ceased , to bo succeeded , ono 'may 'safely ns- Biimc , by a lienllhy confidence In permanent public policies which shall guard nnd foster American Industries and Ameri can labor. Under tlio Influence of fixed systems it la reasonable to anticipate n new impetus to bo given to the various brandies of business pursuits , to bo followed by a degree of im provement in all our material interests not hitherto reached , The constitution makes It the duty of the executive at the opening of each biennial session of the legislature to furnish a state ment of Ilio condition of our public affairs , iftid to recommend the adoption of such 'measures as , in his judgment , will best sub serve the Interests of tlio state and promote the public welfare. FINANCES. Your attention is invited to the reports of the treasurer of tlio state and of the auditor of public accounts , which will give you n clear idea of the financial affairs of the com monwealth. The treasurer is the general receiver anil disburser of nil the public funds , while the auditor is the general accountant of the state. The reports of these ofllcers contain complete and most valuable information in regard to the finances , which arc , of course , of deepest interest to the people. It will bo your duty to give to them an exhaustive ex amination. I believe the financial condition of the state to bo highly satisfactory. iiRroiir or THE STATH TUEASUKCK. Balnnco In treasury November 130,1880. . . : $ 044,852.70 Receipts December 1,18SO to No vember 80 , IbSS -1,230,528.01 Total receipts $5,180,831.70 Disbursements December 1 , 1SSO , to November 'M , 1883 * 4,214,5S2.08 IJalanco In treasury November 30 , 18SS $ 030,203.73 Receipts during the fiscal term to November 30 , 1883 4,230.528.04 State tax received from counties , 2,237,003.43 Revenues from laud and other sources 1,031,130.43 Transfers from other funds 203,299.01) ) Disbursements during the. same time 4,244,532.93 Legislative appropriations war rants redeemed 2,2 0OG0.55 School fund apportionment warrants - * rants redeemed 1,000,025.18 Bonds purchased and miscellane ous C04.092.1U Transfers to other funds SGS.i.'OO.OO Disbursements greater than re ceipts 8,034.04 Balance in treasury November 30. 1880 044,333.70 , Balance in trciisury November 30 , 1888..i 030,293.73 Balances November 30 , 18SS , of the various funds on and in the office of stnto treas urer : General $ 05,444.29 Sinking 181,081.41 School , permanent 270Hi3.70 ( School , temporary 20i,07.53 ! ) University , permanent ' . 7,198.14 University , temporary 50,120.0. ; Agricultural college endowment. . 0,50i.5j : Insane hospital 127,420.02 Normal endowment 0,255.05 Normal interest 731.51 Normal library 1,024.32 RtJito library 4,100.00 University library l,3STi.OO , Capitol building 1,4 55.07 Institution for feeble-minded. . . 07.57 Live stock Indemnity 1,003.10 Sullno Land stockyard ' 1,150.30 Sallno * Capltal'salu of state lots 180.17 Total * 030,203.7'3 , iti-vixti : : ANMI TAXATION. The assessed valuation of the taxable prop erty of tlio state in 18S7 was $1 < JO,50I0(5.25 ( , being an increase of $ li,573,0)5.74 ! , ! ) , as com pared with the assessment of 1SSO. The asscssmont of 1883 gave the value of the property of the state for the purposes of taxation at ? 170,012S.U45 : , giving n total in- crcaso for two years of $ ' 2,030,219.0' , . The rate of taxation for state purposes for the year 18S7 was $ ' mills , nnd forthoyoar 1888 , 7 } mills on each dollar valuation , and there lias been collected during that timu the sum of $2,230,031.30 , distributed as follows : General fund f 1,427,923.41 Sinking fund lOS.H.Vi.Oi * School fund 2tO,072.r > 5 University fund 110,170.71 Penitentiary fund 08I.5U State bond fund 40.43 Capitol building ruud 180,794.02 Reform school building fund 30,2111.52 Normal building fund ; . . . . 71.53 Institute for fcoblo-mludcd fund. 35,5$4.ii-j Llvo stock indemnity fund 4 0,01-1,10 Total ? 2,2SO,031.80 The levy of 1687 will yield the followiuff amounts : General fund , 4 0-10 mill $ 703,431.85 Sinking fund , 4-8 mill 00,800.M School fund , linill 1GO,500.'JO University fund , % mill 00,180.72 Capitol fund , 0-8 mill 120,8ii .4l Hoform school fuiid.j mill 20,003.'J4 Institute for feeble minded fund , Xmttli 20,003.24 Live stock indemnity fund,2-Snilll 40,120,43 Totfll 1 * * * ( ) ft.iO * 7R * * ' ' ' ' ' ' i The levy of'iss's 'will 'yi'eid'Yho follbwiiis amounts : General fund , 4 05-100 mills fs71OiW.Ul ( Sinking fund , 1-0 mill , , , . , 27,500.40 , School fund , 4-5 mill 140,001,87 University fund , % mill 00,001.80 Capitol fund , 0-8 mill 133,000.00 Hoform school fund , } mill 22,001.00 Institute feeble mludud fund , V ' mill , . . . . 22,001.00 , Live stock Indemnity fund , 2-3 mill 44,003.20 Total. . . . . fl , 023,887.79 Appropriations askou for the operating expenses of the state government to .March 31. 1891 , nnd for additional Improvements as estimated by heads of respective depart ments or the state auditor , and by the heads of public institutions , are as follows : Legislative expenses 21si ses sion . , . . . $ 180,000.00 Governor's oftlco . 18,800.00 Adjutant general . . . , . 03,200.00 Commissioner of labor. . , . 4,200.00 Secretary tato. . . . . . 10,100.00 Auditor public accounts . 81,100.00 Treasurer . . . , . 12,000.00 Superintendent of public instruc tion . . . 18.33.-i.00 Attorney general . 12,500.00 Commissioner of public lands and buildings . 80,030.00 Board of public lauds and build- M'8. . , . . . . , . . . . . . . 05,810.00 Uonrd of educational lands and funds . . ; . . . . 8,320.00 , Hoard of purchase and supplies. . 'fOO.OO Supreme court 40,010.00 .State library 10,000.10 District court 102,310.03 Normal school ( Vi > 10i.00 ) Penitentiary . , 127,723,00 Hospital for insane , Lincoln 323,000.00 Hospital for insane , Norfolk 170,0(11.1-3 ( Asylum for insane , Hasting1 * . . . . 117,0)0.00 Industrial school 215,3'.H.OO Institute for blind 43OO.OD ( Institute for deaf nnd dumb 73,150.00 Homo for the friendless M.SOO.Oi ) Industrial homo 53,110.00 Soldiers' nnd sailors' homo 180.500.00 Institute for feeble minded H0ss2.0i Live stock sanitary commission. . 8 * > ,7ut.OO Stnto board of transportation. . . . 10.45n.00 Fish commission 10,000.00 Stnto board of pharmacy 701.50 State university 20. > ,000.K ( ) Miscellaneous 210,050(10 ( Total -2,8' 0,2' ' . } .57 Items in detail will bo found in the report of the auditor. This , ns compared with the estimate11 of two years ago. Is an Increaseof $ .34U,72."i.S | . This Increase is easily accounted for when wo consider the growth of the state , new institutions , etc. These estimates cover the furnishing nnd the running ex penses for the next two years of thn new institutions created by the legislature of two years ago and for the new buildings now asked for. DCSIIU : or corsTins TO nit-Arc STATE T\XA- TION- ONE FUND ron cot'NTV AND STATR. Under our present law governing assess ment of property for taxation , In my opinion there is Just cause for complaint , nnd In a majority of cases the trouble arises with u dcslro on the part of the counties to escape as nearly ns possible taxation for stnto pur poses. The auditor , > vhose duty by law Is to make such recommendations as lie may sco lit for securing uniformity and efficiency In the levying aim collection of taxes , has recom mended that the law be so amended that in stead of levying a stao tnx.to bo extended upon the tax list of a county , a certain sum ob tained by proportion after nn equalization of property values has been made by the state board of assessment , bo certified to by the different counties nnd paid Into the state treasury in quarterly payments , That for the support of Both county nnd state there bo but ono fund. This recommendation , It seems to me , Is a step in the right direction tn simplify the work and entirely do away with the strife to escape taxation. The assessed valuation of nil property In the state for the year 1333 wasM70,01SS20.25 , while if property hnd been assessed In Its true value , this amount would have been ton times as largo. The auditor in his report shows n large in crease of insurunco business in his ofilce nnd recommends an additional deputy to take charge of that , business. In my opinion the recommendation is a good one , and I trust the same will meet your approval , AMOUNTS I'AII ) TO TUB ST.VT1 ! OX SALES OP rrm.ic LANDS. I have received from the treasury of the United States , two drafts , one for $27,030.07 , the other # 10,0)1.50 ! ) , which wcro paid over to the state treasurer for which I hold receipts. These funds wcro found to bo due the state for the 5 percent of the sales of the public lands. DEI'AHTMRXT OF TUB 8ECUBTAIIY OP ST.VTB. Tlio report of the secretary of state pre sents a comprehensive showing of the busi ness and labors of his department during the ' last two years. It gives a succinct history of all the institutions of the state , the cost of the buildings , the value of the lots occupied by them , nnd a mass of valuable information , which is thus placed within the reach of every citizen who takes an interest in what ever concerns the honor and welfare of the stato. It furnishes conclusive evidence of the wonderful development of material in terests and the remarkable progress and en largement of all business enterprises. As an evidence of the rapid increase of business in his office , it may bo stated that there were recorded in 1835 and 'SO. 271 arti cles of incorporation , while in ' 37 and ' 83 there were recorded 510. Total number of bonds recorded in 1835 and 'SO. 2,253 ; in 1837 nnd ' 33 , 4.,8iM. Number of notarial commissions issued in 15S.V8I ) . 1,500. Number issued in 1387 and 1SSS , 2,231. There were recorded In his ofllco 200 moro pages of written matter in the last two years than in the preceding fourteen years. These facts illustrate the increase in business in all the public offices. The report gives the average cost per week of the inmates of nil our state institutions. It recommends that u property account bo kept by every officer of furniture and sup plies in his custody , which.shall.be inven toried to his successor , und receipts takeu from him. It also recommends that pro vision bo made for the sale of all abandoned property , or which has become apparently useless. I concur in thcso recommendations. rUlIUC LANDS AND IIUIL1MXO3. The report of the commissioner of public lands and buildings furnishes a largo amount of valuable information in regard to the dif ferent institution and properties of the state , especially in regard to the school lands and funds. The tabulated statement shows that the number of acres granted nnd confirmed to the state for educational purposes is 2,834,303 acres ; 102,051.00 have been deeded , leaving a balance of 2,722,310.34 , acres , title to which Is yet vested in the state. There nro now under contract of sale O.)0,451.10 ) acres , and under loose contract , 1,427,400.10 acres , and G5 * > ,431.00 ncres that have not yet been leased or sold. The In crease In the permanent school fund in the last two years has been about 13 4-5 per cent. There is now in vested in United States securi ties nnd registered county bonds the sum of $1,807,142.35 , unpaid principal on sales $4,432.0-18.51 , and cash on hand in tlio treas ury 1-203,002.10 , making a grand total of the permanent fund of § 0,533,702.05. Pursuant to tin act of the legislature approved March 31 , 1387 , the board of educational lands or dered n reappraisemcnt of the unsold educa tional lands in about thirty counties. From the returns received n marked increase In value Is shown , being more than double that of former appraisement. ATTOicNisr OHNKKAL'S DKPAIITMBXT. The report of this officer furnishes n state ment of the business transacted In his de partment during the past two years. Sixty cases have been heard before the supreme court in which the state appeared us plaintiff or defendant. The attorney general in his report suggests that I call the attention of the legislature to the great injury that would result to the people ple of Nebraska should the bill now pending in congress become a law ( meaning the bill providing for un extension of time of the payment of the debt now duo the govern ment from the Union Pacific railway com pany ) , and to ask that our senators and rep resentatives in congress bo requested by you to oppose such a bill. Theuttornoy general further says ; "The only fair method of solving this grpat Union Pacific problem is to declare ttio road in solvent and to order it sold for cosh , and then the state could control It. " After discussing the matter further , ho says : " 1 have challenged your | my ] atten tion to the above facts for the pur pose of having you line ] Inaugurate some method to determine this much-vexed question , and if , through our executive and legislative departments , our congressmen can bo made to act ki behalf of thu state of Nebraska , the day Is not far distant when the whole railroad problem will bo settled in this state , the same as in OliioPonn.sylvuiilu , , Now York und other Btutos. " It will thus bo seen that the attorney gen eral asks mo to inaugurate n method by which this whole.vexed , question can bo de termined , while he had just previously de clared the sale of the road , by the govern ment to the highest bidder for cash to bo the only fair method of solving this great Union Puclllo problem ! I am frank to ad mit that I am not equal to the tusk of adjudicating this controversy , which has vexed the statesmanship of con gress and the country for several years. Jt may bo easily settled on paper It may bo readily disposed of by a dash of the pen It may be laid to rest by a simple assertion , but When It comes to a practical , permanent ad justment of the matter , it Is moro than prob able that very grave difficulties may con front these who attempt the settlement. What becomes of tbs first mortgage bonds ! Who liquidates the first indebtedness i It must be borne In mind that the government holds only the second Hen upon the road and Its franchises , If the government should pay off or assume the prior Indebtedness , It would undoubtedly Una Itself far moro deeply Involved than before , for this Indebt edness , both principal and Interest , must now amount to moro than fifty millions. I submit this matter to your honorable body without making the recommendation proposed , for the reason that I am not clear that the extreme measures advocated by him ire the ones to afford the necessary relief ; : iut ou the contrary , I fear moro disastrous I to tlio goveruuieut if tUoy ' should bo adopted. My own Judgment I * adverse to such n recommendation , Further more , congress has the supreme and only control of iho whole sunloct , nnd at this very time that body has It under consideration. In the discussion of this question I divest myself of all partiality , friendship , prejudice nnd hostility , seeking neither npplnuso or evading condemnation. But while declining to concur In these recommendations to you. 1 distinctly nsicrt that the Union Pacific railway , and every other railway and corporation dhlng busi ness in this stnto , must bo subject to ttio constitution and Inw.t of thia stnto. No corporation can rlso nbovo the Jurisdiction of the state In which It transacts business. Thn Union Pacific cau- not claim that it Is a foreign corporation chartered by congress , and therefore exempt from the operations of state laws , nnd yet claim thu right of eminent domain in the state nnd the protection of its laws. This view is sustained by the decision of the supreme premo court of the United Status , in voluino 8 Otto's Kcpnrtft , page 010 , Hallrond Com pany vs Pcnlston , which say.4 "that the company Is not a mere creature of the United States , but that while It owes duties to the government , the performance of which may in n proper ease bo enforced , it Is still a private corporation , the same as other railroad companies , and , like them , subject to the laws of taxation and the other law * of the states in which the roiul lies , so far n t they do not destroy Us usefulness as nn In strument lor government purposes.1' Sustained by this decision , 1 am utterly averse to any action of ours which shall concede the absence of jurisdiction on the part of the stato. That policy should bo adopted nnd vigor ously pursued in connection with this road , whk'h will best promote nnd protect the rights and interests of the government and the people. This uind of settlement which the Union IMcillc makes with the govern ment does not Interest the people of Nebraska nearly as much as the question of lower and reasonable rates. la the bill now before congress , known as the Pacific railroad funding bill ( for extend ing the Unie of payment ; , to wliich refer ence has already been made , there Is a pro vision subjecting the company to the power of the states through which the road runs in respect of state legislation nnd control , affirm ing the decision above quoted. And yet your interposition is sought to aid in defeating that measure. In regard to our delegation in congress. I have this to say , Unit I have always found Its members ready and anxious to carry out the will of their constituents. In regard to all railroads In this state , this principle this right , must bo asserted and maintained namely , that no higher schedule of rates shall exist In Nebraska than prevails In Kansas or Iowa , or other states. The board of transportation now posscssi > s full power. If , howovur , anything is wanting , it should be given them. The members of the board should bo chosen by the people. I recommend the adoption of n constitu tional amendment providing for the election of the members of the board , throe In num ber , by a direct vote of tlio people. TIIUNATIONAL nfAIUIS. The report of the adjutant general will give you full Information as to the condi tion and operations of the national guards since the law providing for its maiytenance and increase went into effect on the 1st of July , 1837. Under that act ono regiment of infantry was organized and added to the force , also ono troop of cavalry , thus forming a brigade consisting of two regiments of infantry , one section of a battery of artillery , and ono troop of cavalry , the whole numbering 1,2JO men. New uniforms have been purchased for the whole command , also now arms and equipments for all , though a part , of the arms were furnished by the general government and the balance was purchased by the state. These expenditures have largely increased the cost of the national guards for the two years ending the 1st of July next. The two regiments are now armed with now muskets , and the cavalry are furnished with now equipments , with the exception of car bines. Reasonable appropriations only arc nsltcd for the support of the national guards. It may bo stated that the annual expense of the militia in Nebraska is considerably less than in several states which have a lesn number of inhabitants. In accordance with the provisions of the law , nn cncam pmcnt of a week's duration was held In Lincoln in 18S7 and iu Wahoo 'In 1SS8. These encampments are designed to be and were schools of instruction , and the two which have been held certainly proved to bo of much advantage to officers and men. Their whole time was constantly occupied in hard work in both drill and battalion move ments. The command Is composed of excellent personnel and material. They are a body of intelligent , energetic , and public-spirited young men , and nat urally take an interest In seeing the guards raised to a greater degree of profi ciency. ' That the clamor emanating from certain quarters against the national guards is not the expression of the popular will is evi denced by the fact that a spirit favorable to the military organization Is manifested in every community where companies are lo cated. Applications from more than sixty different towns and cities have been made tome mo asking for authority to bo organized into companies to bo admitted into tno guards , which have been declined. The constitution of the United States expressly provides for the organization and use of the militia of the several states , and the constitution of every state in the union also provides militia. These constitutional provisions prove , con clusively , that in the judgment and wisdom of the able men who framed our national constitution , nnd the constitutions of the states , n well-trained militia was regarded by them as a necessary safe-guard under our farm , of government. Wo maintain no stand ing army , as that term is used by the nation. Our regular army is but the nucleus around which to gather n strong force in time of war. Our reliance In such an emergency is upon the volunteer soldiery , and the more practiced and trained it is , .ho more efficient it will bo ; f Its services should bo required. The trained militia of the older states furnished excellent material , in both ofllcers and men , for active service , when the nation was sud denly confronted with the horrors of civil war in 1801. Congress has aimed to increase and strengthen the militia as shown by the act msscd Bomn three or four years ugodoubllng the quota of allowance to each state , nnd by luthorizing tlio details of officers of the regu. ar army to act as Instructors in the military art in the universities , colleges and schools of the different states. A nation's surest guarantee against war is n being amply prepared for war. And what s true of the nation is applicable to a stato. 1'hatHtato which is best prepared to sup- iress riot urn ! insurrection is the least 11I I kuly to b caltuii upon to employ the mill- .ary arm * u sustain the civil authorities , 1'hls is economy for the state. The expense of prevention is always far less than the cost of cure. Tlio military power must ever bo In coin- ilcto subjection to the civil power. It can inly bo called into requisition as an aid and support to the civil authority. When that Is subverted nnd overthrown , hen this reserve force of the state must be employed to reinstate unu support the elvil luthorlty , and to protect life and pronerty. It "may bo called out , " says the constitution and statutes , "to execute the laws , suppress nsurrccllon , riots , ami repel Invasion , " Sucli emergencies have arisen In all the states. Within a year the governor of the state of Kansas was obliged to put into the leld two regiments of state troops to put lown an actual war between the adherents of two rival county scats , In whmh several lersons had boon slain. The gov ernor of Wisconsin was compelled two curs ago to have recourse to the lutional guards of the state to suppress an anarchistic insurrection. What has occurred nay occur again. It cannot be denied that a plrit of anarchy exists in many of our cities , tllirdsu lodgment in this state. There is a icst of anarchists in Omaha. It is only kept n subjection by wholesome fear of the law mil the power of the state to enforce it. It Is cd by demugbgulsm. It is nurtured by' hoSa who care naught for the public good , jovernoii by no correct principles , they lourish best In times of excitement , for heir purpose is to create strife , incite diso rder , Inflame the passions and prejudices eCho ho unreasoning , aud thua weaken the safe guards of society. Those who create and xclto mobs are opposed to the existence of my power to suppress them. They would bo bust satisfied were the restraints of law ind order to bo overthrown , These men nro ho pests of society , Some ono has tersely vrlttcn that "if the demagogues wore hung here would bo no anarchists to hang , " bTATB UMVBUSITr. Tlio niiHu aaiaual report of the board of ro- gbnts of the university presents a concise statement of the affairs of this institution which appears to bo In n prosperous condl tlon. It IIIH made rapid growth In every do p.irtmcnt , save In Ilio medical branch , which wa * suspended In KS" , The number of stu dents has been ineronMiu ; regularly. The enrollment for the term just closed show 130 In the colleges'ISA In the preparatory department partmont and nlnotytfoiir in tlio school o line nrts. i Tlio university fUftnil < nt the head of the public School system of the state nnd should lie directly connected nocted with the Wuh and common schools It has already effected such a connoctloi with twenty-seven.high schools In difforen portions of the stfiti , and graduates fron thcso are admitted to regular standing In the university without further examination upon the presentation of their diplomas Tliln relation between the university am the public schools Is ono which will ulll mutely prove of great benefit to the state and to our young men nnd wonion in sccur Ing to them the opportunity of preparing thpinsolvos fora full university o.lue.ition. The university library contains about cloven thousand volumes. It gives mo treat pleasure to slate my con viction that this institution lias , during the past few years , made rapid advancement u | to a higher crado and rank ninong the uduca tioiml Institutions of thu country. It is ex erting n healthy Influence upon cducatloi throughout the state. 11 is an Inllucnco which Is felt not only for the present , bu through all time. All the people of the state must feel nil interest in its success aud pros purity nnd a pride In its good nnine It dc servos your fostering care , for its advantages are open to all the children of the state , rrw.ir iinrcATioN. In no commonwealth in our union is there n more general Interest in education than in our state. The report of the state nuperln teiidont of public Instruction shows tin. schools to bo In n very prosperous condition Tlio total nmomit contributed for public i-ilu cation for theyoar just closed reached the sum of f 1,037,274.Oil , an increase of K.1II0 ) * > IJ.S4 over thoninnuntof the previous year. The value of school property is reported atf."i,123. 17 ! ) for 1SSS ; iJI,77DlI.2-J ( ! for iW. aiidtJ ) , ! , 317 for ISS'V ' The total attendance of pupils has increased from 101,021 in 1837 to 215,350 In isss. Ono of the most striking features of ttio rapid growtli Iu our educational system Is the marvelous Increase In our town and cllj graded schools. In 1SSO there were 1SS graded and partially graded city and town schools. In IS'-S'JI3 such schools are regularly larly reported to the state superintendent. These reports should receive careful study , showing as they do for the first time , the education afforded , the condition of finances and the cost per capita of education In the cities aud towns. The schools In the rural districts are making commendable progress. A united effort ii being made to bring a largo per cent of all children into school , anil then to give them a systematic course of Instruction. There were 73 per cent of the entire number ol school children in the state netuallly nttond- school in is ss. in 1SS7 , 70 per coat attended. Seventy-five counties held teachers' normal institutes during the summer of 1SS3 , These institutesj wore attended by 0 , ISS toucher. * who received training aud instruction from the host schoolmen , to establish a higher professional standing among teachers , that the schools nnd pupils may receive corresponding spending benefits. The condition of our permanent school fund is as follows : Cash on hand Nov.'SO , 'S3 S 270,003.79 United States bonds. . ; . 15.0IID.OO County bonds . . - . 1,377,200.00 State funding bonds 32r > ,2l'p7.ir ; > Claims in ally , gen's hands 5.3S0.75 Dal. duo on notes' ' ! f 10111 sale of school lands.J. ' . 3.053.203.41 , ! Total $ -,047,721.30 Till ! STATH XOIIMAIi SCHOOL. No public institution of the state is moro deserving of the fostering care of tin ; legisla ture than the State Normal school located at Peru. Four yoars'apfo it was found neces sary to enlarge materially the Normal school building in order to meet n rapidly increasing attendance and to gWe < suci ! facilities for the education and training of tlio teachers , as were demanded by'lhe ' growing importance of our schools. " " ' ' The aggregate attendance for the last two years was 015. Thero'Vero ' graduated from the elementary anrf advanced department 111 teachers , nearly all of whom are notv en gaged as instructors i.u the schooU of the stato. The attendance for 1S37 was 453 and for 183 , 492. There are 310 students in the nor mal classes the present term besides forty in tlio training classes whoso names do not ap pear in the catalogue. As the advantages of employing teach ers specially trained for their voca tion becomes known the demand for such teachers Increases until every part of the state participates directly or Indi rectly In these advantages. That the normal school may bo prepared to meet these demands and take a foremost nuik in the onward movement , I bespeak for it the continued generous patronage of the legislature. Till ! STATi : LIIllUllY. The report on the librarian shows the num ber of Volumes on hand at date of last re port 27,379 Uecoivcd by exchange , donation , etc. . l.Siil Supreme court reports 5,500 , Total 31.740 Supreme court reports sold and dis bursed 5,042 , Duplicates and session laws sold and exchanged 87 Laws , journals and documents sent to other states and public libraries. . . . 201 Total 5,030 Volumes on hand 23,610 NUW I.IIIH.UIV IlOOMij. The now rooms sot apart for the perma nent quarters of the library in the mam building of the capitol are ready for occu- puncy , but no appropriation has been inudo or is yet available from which funds can bo drawn to move the library and to furnish the rooms as well as those set apart for the supreme court. A suftlciiiiit appropriation is asked to cover thcso expenses , IIUIIEAU OF r.Aiioit. The deputy commissioner of labor presents a comprehensive nnd exhaustive report on the various subjects relating to the aim and purposes for which the bureau was estab lished. His report discusses the following subjects : Uiso and progress of the bureau of labor , labor organizations , views of labor ing men , strikes , arbitration , manual train ing , compulsory education , fanners opinions on needed legislation , prison labor statistics , farm areas , tenure and value of crops , comparative valuoof farm proaucts , of manufacturing establishments , railroad reports , wages , farmers' reports and statis tics. It Iu to be hoped that the extensive re searches made by the deputy commissioner on thcso various subjects , will prove of much benefit in so shaping legislation as to advance the in terests of the laboring classes wherever legislation la needed , AIUIITIIATION' . Conflicts still arise-between employers and employes. In my Judgment the establishing of a board of arbitrationis the most prtTo- ticable plan for the settlement of thcso diffi culties and which would bo fair and just to the interest of both' 'parties. I therefore recouimeud the establishment of such a board. " SOI.TIKU'9 HOME. The Soldier's homo wus completed for the reception of inmates on the first of July last nnd it pow has fifty-two * Tito report of the commandant proscnts.tho operations of the home thus far. It Is made u. homo in reality where old soldiers cart lire In comfort and trnnquility , * > It stands to the honor of Nebraska that this Btiito was ainong-Um first to establish u homo for the soldlcntitvhero families are not separated , In order to accommodate lami- lies it Is proposed to erect cottages ou tracts of land of say two ami ono-hul f or live acres , which may bo cultivated by raising vegeta bles , etc. , by the soldiers. The plan seems far moro preferable than gathering together many families and other Inmates in one building. The main buildlncrcnn bo occupied by those who have no families. According to the best estimates which can DO formed we may calculate on an average of 250 to 300 Inmates at tha establishment. To accommo date them It will bo necessary to add two wings to the present main building or to erect another main building or two buildings in addition to the cottages. There was donated to the state by the citizens of Grand Island the munificent gift of fHO acres of land on which to establish the homo. This tract of land Is equal in value to thu original amount ; appro priated by the legislature. The state thus far , therefore , has boon reimbursed for Its outlay of $30,000. Liberal appropriations will bo needed to enlarge lUo canucltlctof the Institution nnd ma'tn It commonsurat with the demands that will bo made upon It 1 trust you will deal wltli It in & liberal spirit Congress enacted a law nt Us last scsslot providing for the payment to each stnto which has n soldiers' homo , $10(1 ( n yonr fo caoh Inmate of that homo. This will ah largely in the payment of the running ex penses of this Institution. The present strnc turo is nmong the best In the state of ou public buildings , , nnd was erected under Iho ttmnndlato supervision of the commandant Captain John Hammond , who has organize ! the institution nnd has put it on n succcssfu running basis. TUP. iio.M'iT.M , rou run IXIAXH. .Tho report of the superintendent of the INobraskiX hospital for the insane will show that there were present December 1 , ISSO U74 patients , 227 male * and 147 females ; tha' ' there have been admitted 421 during the two years , 221 males and 107 females ; that there have boon discharged 40.1 ; recovered , ir mak's , 71 females , total 10S ; Improved , 23 males , 17 females , total 40 ; unimproved , ' . " males , * ? females , total 30 ; eloped , 0 males , 0 females , total 0 : not insane , 3 males , it fe males , total 0 ; died , 32 males , 2-1 females total All transferred to Norfolk , 51 males 43 females ; total 07 ; xvholo number undei treatment , first year 570 , second year , ( US average number daily under , treatment for the two years , 3SOiif ; percentage of recoveries ios on whole numtKr admitted In two years 30.0 ; percentage of deaths on whole number under treatment ) first year , 5.33 , second year , 4.04 ; for the two years , 4.71 highest number In hospital , 411 remaining In thu hospital November 30 , is\s , : u ; males -U. and females , 173 ; total expense - ponso for maintenance per capita , $213.1 : annually , $1.00 weekly . The report also acts foith the fact that the hospital would bo crowded witii 300 patients , anil that there hail been prem-nt as many as 414 at one time. It will be evident from those statements that , oven with the most stren uous exertion , it must be difficult for tha phy sicians to do full justice , either to the patients or ihemsolves. The report also shows that the hospital docs not possess the facilities for properly classifying patients under treat ment , owing to the limited number of wards It urges strongly tlio necessity for additional and much smaller wards. XOlU'tll.K ASVI.l'.M roil Till ! INSANE. Tlio rcportof the superintendent furnishes a complete history of the n Hairs of this insti tution , which was completed and opened for the admission of p.xticnts on tlio 15th day of February , 1SSS. Pursuant to tlio provisions of the law the board of public lands and buildings sot aside the following territory to comprise the Norfolk asylum district , to wit : The following counties , Antelope , Mlainc , Uoone , IJox Hutte , Urown , Hurt , Cedar. Cherry , Colfax , Cuming , Dakota , Dawes , Uixon , Uodge , Oarficld , Oreoloy , Holt , Ivcyn Palm , Knox , Loup , Madison , Nance , Pierce , Platte , Sheridan , Slou.v , Stunton , Thomas , Valley , Washington , Wuyno and Wheeler. All Inmates of the Nebraska hospital for the insane at Lincoln who were originally resi dents of the above named counties , were tnmsforcd from Lincoln to Norfolk. On the 15th day of February , isss , : \ transfer of ninety-seven patients , fifty-four males and forty-three females , was made from the Ne braska hospital at Lincoln to Norfolk by n special train iu charge of the superintendent of tlio Nebraska hospital for tlio insane. The transfer was safely made and without accident. The total number of patients under treatment since the opening of the hospital has been 119. During the year there have been fifty-two new cases admitted iu the Norfolk asylum district. The two now wings provided for by an act of the last legislature huvo been completed and are now ready for occupancy. When they arc furnished , thcso wings will accommodate 120 patients. The Lincoln and Norfolk asylums lira now filled to their utmost capacity. The two wings at Norfolk and the asylum for the ineurablo at Hastings , which are Hearing completion , \yill relieve the pressure- for the present : but it must be borne in mind that after these-new buildings urc filled , there will still bo a largo number of insane persons in poor houses and jails throughout the state not yet provided tor. There is one satifsctory conclusion in connec tion witli this subject , numely.the proportion of insane In Nebraska is far below most of the other status. The United States census of ISSO shows that there was one insane to every 545 of imputation. More recent local statistics indicate that the proportion at pres ent is probably ono in 500 or less. Australia has one in 300 , Knglnnd one in3l'2 , Massachu setts one in 370 , Now York ono in 3SO , Cali fornia one in 370. Nebraska ( estimated ) ac cording to the number of our insane , and the population , one in l,00i ) . This estimate is made by Dr. Ivnapp , of the Lincoln asylum , who has given the subject much attention. The superintendents of tneso institutions the Lincoln and Norfo'lc asylums have clone all that possjbly could bo tlono to meet the constantly increasing demands made upon .hem to provide for additional patients. And [ can say for the satisfaction of relatives and Friends of inmates , that every thing which cindncss and intelligence , devoted care and- nttcntioii could do for their comfort has been done. A'.Yl.UJl FOIl IXCUKAIII.C9 AT HASTINGS. This building is fast approaching -complo- .ion ; but an appropriation will bo necessary for furnishing and fitting it for the reception of patients. As to the amount necessary ref erence is made to the estimates. IXDUSTIIMI. 1IO.MB AT MILFOIll ) . This building is nearly ready for use , but an appropriation will be nccessuiy in order to furnish it and prepare it for occupancy. IXSTITL'TE FOH TUB IBAP AMI DU.M1I. The Institute for the deaf and dumb located it Omaha , during the last two years has made good progress in the work for which it wus organized and is sustained. There huvo > con 150 children cared for and in structed during this period. It is the design of this institute to give its lupils n good common school education ; also , o instruct each in some handicraft , by which they may bo enabled to gain a liveli- lood on leaving school. This institute was .he first in the country ! to introduce what is cnown as thu aural method of instructing mrtlally dnaf children , and was the first in Vmorica to establish a seporato "auricular Icpartmout. " It will thus bo soon that in .ho . methods of instructing this unfortunate class of our country , Nebraska is among the advance guard. XbTiTL'Tii roil Tin : nuxn AT NKnuvittv CITY. There have been admitted to the olind in stitute during the biennial term ending No- ember 30 , 1833 , thirty-ono blind children , vho for the first time huvo enjoyed the ad vantages of the institution , nnd the total ou- ollmont has reached fifty-six. The number > rcseiit at this date is forty-one. The vork in the several departments has ) regressed steadily and In a satisfactory naiinor. Tlio reuulur school department is organized upon iho same gpneral plan , nnd he course of study pursueu is identical to hat of our best public schools. It embraces among'lho higher branches , algebra , geomo- ry , physics , astronomy , rhetoric and Kng- isli literature , nnd Is ordinarily completed in line years. The report in detail will bo found of much interest. INSTITUTION I'Oll FKlfllI.n-MIXW'l > YOUTHS. Thu report of the superintendent of the in stitution for fcoblc'iiiindcd youths exhibits ho condition and needs of the institution , t was opened for the reception of inmates May 25 , 1BS7 , rapidly filling up until ttio full capacity of the present building was reached. There nro now 143 applications for admission. The building just completed and ready to occupy will aucommodate sev enty-two boys. This will not increase the capacity of the institution to that extent , lowover , as the increased number will re quire more room In the present building for lining rooms , school rooms , etc. Thus it will bu soon that the two buildings already reeled will not bo sufficient to accommodate hose for whom applications have been made up to this time , The number of inmates at ircscnt is seventy , The school department ms been organized but llttlo moro than a year. Three teacher ! * have been employed , 'ho results of the training have been beyond expectation. All show improvement in dis- lositlou and deportment. Individual work s necessary with all , and It , ulono will no omplish any result in the beginning. The naUiods used nru a * * nearly ns possible daptcd to the peculiar needs of each hlld , much prominence being given o object teaching nnd kinder- union work in connection with ihysical work , such a * gymnastic * mil calisthenics. Thn law provides that the nest improvable cases between the ac'es of ivo mid eighteen hhall bo given preference vor others Iu admission. Thu must unfor- unato and helpless , and those over eighteen 'ears of ago , have boon practically debarred ty this cluukc , being compelled by reason of ho crowded condition of the institution to eject all such applications. lie nays uu syluin department for the care of these por- ons , who are not suitable nubjects for the raining school , ohouM be established In collection ection with the institution at un early day. 'here are at least two hundred of this clans n the stato. Tlu-y are distributed tn county ) oor house * , and in homes made cheerless ud iu SOLUO cuica oven di'solute by reason of the great carp necossarv for their mainten ance , making life , n burden to frtther and mother , and even preventing the education nnn training of their moro fortunate brothers nnd sisters. The superintendent report * that there nro over seven hundred feeble minded ncr.ions of nil ages In the state , and now that the Institution is in successful operation , nnd Its necessity nnd utility nro demonstrated' , ho nsks that n reasonable appropriation bo mndn in order that the institution can bo thoroughly effect ual and useful. STATR tvnr < Titm , sritoot. VT Kiunxnr. This institution , known ns the state reform school until the session of the legislature of 1837 , Is In n prosperous mid healthy condi tion. It is operated under the open or fam ily system in contradiction from the conijro- gate or prison system. No high walls or fences , no grated windows or doors to terrify the boy or girl on his or her arrival. Instead of these , the school room , tlio reading room with Its attractions , amusements and an abundance of elevating readingtho lighter forms of shop nnd out iloor work , the play ground , kind words and firm discipline , nil Indicate u good homo nnd wholesome restraint. Suf ficient and healthy food , such as is character istic of a well regulated country household , is provided for the Inmates , and comfortable clothing , beds , budding and sleeping apart ments are furnishoil them. Iu audition to moral reformation and physical development , each inmatu has an opportunity te obt.iln a common school education. As far as prac ticable , each is required to attend school four hours a day and work the same number of hours. Ample time is further Riven for recreation , reading and self-improvement. Ono of the most Dressing needs of this insti tution Is a system of workshops , in which each inni.Uo of sufficient ago aud capacity can learn u useful and prurtic.il trade. The sup'Tinlciidont , in his report , says ; lt is thu imperative duty of the legislature to give the school facilities for teachiuij trades. No argument should bo required to show that such facilities are badly needed. The organic law contemplates their establishment ; the interest of the In mates demand them ; the state nt largo ex pects them. " There are now in ntlomlanca ( il girls and 1S4 boys a total enrollment of 215. The present attendance shows a not in crease of 10'J ' over that of two years ago. Since the organisation of the school , but one death has occurred and this was the result of an accident. Tlio results of the teachings and training of this school are very com- mondnblo. It Is safe to assert that 7 , " > per cent of these honorably discharged are doing well. From personal visitation nnd observa tion , IIH well an from current reports , 1 am confluent the children are kindly treated and cared for , that they linvo a good homo and proper influences exerted in their behalf , and that the school is managed In n praise-worthy and beneficent manner. I therefore advise that encouraging support which this responsible character building work requires. , IIOMB rou Tin : riitnxni.vss. The report of the homo for the friendless shows what has been done by that Institu tion for the last two years. Number inmates la home December , ISSO. 72 Numb or admitted sin cc 375 Total 417 Number of children surrendered to friends. 123 Number of children placed in homes , . . . . . 75 Number adults returned to friends 33 Number for whom work was found 35 Number sent to other institutions U Number of deaths 44 Total 331 Number now iu home no Total 417 In this institution the wulfs of humanity find comfortable homes and kind , motherly care. It is conferring a blessing upon this state and upon humanity. Those in charge are imitating the example of their Divine Master in relieving human suf fering. They are gathering in and saving the abandoned ; their institution is in reality the liomeof these who have no home. I trust you will regard it with favorable consideration. " XCIIAMA ! I'lIXITKXTIAUV. The report of the warden of the penitentiary with the accompanying statistics presents with minute details thoaff.urs ami operations of that institution. There have beenjreceived II to the penitentiary since it has been cstab- .ishud. 1,405 convicts ; number of those who : iavo been discharged or pardoned , 1,118 ; lumber 01 * deaths , ' .I ; leaving iu prison. No- vemoer 30 , 1838 , 333 ; number in now , 323 ; showing an increase of ten in two years. S'umbcr received by committment during this same two years , ending November 30 , 18S3,310. The number discharged in the same time under the good time act , .i'l'i. ' Important changes and improvements uivo boon made since the lust biennial re- > ort. A two-story brick building72x300 foot , las been erected , and is now fully occupied jy work shops , laundry , bath rooms , etc. L'his building adds largely to the capacity of .ho working departments of tho"prison. . } thcr improvements have been made which mvo resulted in increasing the efficiency , comfort and security. Measures should lie iiken to give u better system of sewerage to ho prison. 1.1VB STOCK SANITAIIY COMMISSION . The work of the live stoelc sanitary coin- mission has been quietly and steadily curried on during the two years last past , and the results therefrom , as embodied in the report ecently submitted , show a benefit to the armors and stock raisers of Nebraska not lasily calculated. The law creating this board ms been proved an excellent ono in its general - oral purposes and adaptability to practical vork. Stringent measures have been adopted for the purpose of preventing the ntroduction of contagious plcuro-jmou- nonia and Texas fever. Tlio report shows hut four outbreaks of the latter have oc curred during the last two years , but in each use owners had purchased native cattle vhich hud been exposed before shipment mo tills .state. There have been no viola- ions of the quarantine rules during this ) onoil. The state veterinarian was directed o make an examination of the dairy herds f the state for the purpose of usccrtHining f tuberculosis existed , and , after thorough nd careful work , tut six cases of tubercu- osis were discovered , these being among the attlo in Douglas county or in the vicinity of Dmaba. Those animals were immediately ostroyed. and no further developments of lie disease have occurred. Too great value annul be attached to the extirpation of uboroulosls , which is so readily communi- atcd to man through dairy products. No uses of plouro-pncuinonin have developed vithin the state , us thorough quarantine rog- latlons nro In force against all plouro-pncu- nonia districts , and liltlo danger need bu up- irehended. Among contagious and infectious ilisoiiscs in this state , ( -landers and fnrey , in horses nnd mules , is the most widespread and destructive. At the beginning of the work if tlio board , it existed in nearly every county in thu state. The fight against Its in vidious ravages has been and is still u deter mined ono.nnd so fur successful thnt at the present time forty counties nro reporting no cases. Tim law , as amended at the last leg islature , allowing the payment of indemnity for animals destroyed by the state , has greatly facilitated thn reporting of suspected cases , and prevented the secreting of the disease. It has proved n blessing to poor and deserving farmers , many of whom are entirely depend ant upon their horses and mules for n means of support , nnd to whom the payment of this Indemnity Is n boon , while the state is being relieved of a terrible scourge , dnngorons alike to man and beast. Several persons have died of it during the past two years in this state , having contracted it by caring for afflicted animals. Klght hundred and thirty horses and mules have been destroyed by the llvo stock commission since November HO , 1830 , to December 1 , 1833. The amount af Indemnity allowed for the same was fiMJ , . U71.no , averaging $13.50 per head , These animal * were destroyed in sixty-six counties , showing un immense amount of labor , nro to- cut od in all seasons of the year : and it nns only been by the most energetic efforts upon the part of the board that such a result can bo shown , The work Is most satisfactory to the people of the state whoso interests are directly connected therewith. I'lio labors of the live stock agents und vet erinarians have been arduous and unremit ting. They have been soul for by farmers In all tioctfont * of the state. Thu cails for Ihoni huvo benn mnro numerous than they : ould give attention to. Tliolr services have peon ino.st useful nnd effective. on , ixsi'KCfiox. The report of the state oil inspector covers n period of seventeen months. Thu number if barrels of oil und gasoline inspected wus U9.200 ; total fee * collected , # 14,020.00 , Sal- tries und expenses of inspector and deputies Tor six months ending December 31 , 1337 , f4,537,27 ; turned over to the state treasurer January 1 , 1838 , 1701.03 ; sulurlo * und ox- iionsosof liiMioctnr and deputies from Jan. jury 1 , l-UjS. to December 1,1838 , $3.003.18 ; balance on hand December I , ISiS , (723.82. i'ho work has been done by the inspector nnd live deputies located in live different part * > t tlio statu. Tiio law Is buing regularly en forced and Is giving general satisfaction The Inspector recommends that the law bo so amended ns to prevent the sale of ono grade of oil for thnt of another of a higher crude. l'\ir Instance , there nro n number of brands of oiM known ns "prima whlto , " "water whlto" anil "hoadllght. " The latter commands n hlchor price on the market than the former. There should bo seine provision made to protect the consumer from fraud In this way of substituting the cheaper ( -wiles for the higher. Ho also recommends a change in the law regarding the ni > | > ointmcnt of deputies similar to the Iowa law , where the stnto Inspector can appoint u suit-able number of deputies and their compensation bo regulated according to the amount of bust ness done. The olllco is piitircly self-sup porting , I'onsoquently I think the law should bo amended so us to got the best service pos sible for all Interested. The result of the op eration of this law has beer , to give the con sumer bettor grnnos of oil , whllo all the ex penxo of Imprvtion Is borne by tjie shipper nnd the price has not boon inerea'Uil. The doings of the fish commlssloiunnd the operations of the state hntehorles fully sot forth in their detailed report. .Tlio work of the commission has been carried forward during thn your 18S8 with good sue eosfl. The total number of young fish , thrco to six months old , nnd fish frv produced nt the slate hatcheries durini : t ho year ending December ill , 18S8 , Is I7,7VJ,721 ; , against 10,500,100 in the year 1S37. All of these fish have been planted In tnn lakes , , ponds and streams of the stnto. Tlio per colitngo of loss in transportation has boon less than In any former your. The number of ouch species of fish handled during the year 1833 Is as fol lows : Wall eyed Pike fry , Ul.050,000 ; lake herring fryA4r > ( ) ,0H ( > ; brook trout fry. JMP.OOO , rainbow trout fry , Wt.ikH ) ; gornmti carp , ,200 ; blnok bass , -3,000 ; spotted catfish , 52. ) . In addition to the foregoing the com mission obtained through the courtesy of Colonel McDonald , United Status commis sioner of fish and fisheries , ami lion , S. 1' , Hartlett , of the Illinois fish commission , 00,000 native fishes of the state of Illinois , consisting of bass , rockllsh , pike , pickerel , croppies and porch. They were transplanted from Illinois into the interior of Nubrushii iu two United States llsli cars of 300,000 each , without loss and deposited In the waters of. the state. These fish were from a few months to a year and over old. It will bo borne In mind that wo have nn area of territory two hundred by four hundred miles ; that a largo part of thoVwut- era to be stocked with valuable food fish lies west of the sixth prlnrii.il | meridian , n distance of ono hundred to four hundred miles froin-tho hatcheries , and too far to ad mit of the carrying of the young fish sa'cly by the heretofore only method within the reach of the commission , namely , the ordin ary tin can by - : - - t * or by u special messenger songor In the railroad baggagL oar. Kella- bio information from persons * o whqui young fish have been delivered for Btoi'ltiue streams and ponds , both by letter and in person ailords Incou testable evidence of success In this good work. A largo number of lotiors annexed to the report will afford to the skeptical n source of instructive reading upon this subject. The labors of the commission have been attended with very gratifying success , and they have been of great utility to the people of the com monwealth , Many of our streams have been stocked with various kinds of fish , and they have become nn important element of food In the economy of life. Some have stocked ponds for raising fish for tlio market , nnd already nro reaping a fair reward on their in vestment. The fish commissioners deserve encouragement at your hands. They have for years given their time to this work with out fee or liopo'of reward. Their labors have been entirely unselfish , and for the public good. IlOATIIt OP TIIAN8POUTATIOX. The report of the board of transportation shows that at the time of the taking effect of the law creating the board of transporta tion ( July 1 , 1SS7) ) , there were throe casei pending before the board of railroad com missioners. Since that date thirty format complaints have been filed with the board , making a total of thirty-throe considered since its creation and until .Iiino 30 , 1SS3. December 20 , 13SS , llvo of these cases were stitl pending and undetermined , lour had been dismissed , four had been withdrawn by the complainants , and twenty hud been de cided In favor of the complainants , and the order of the board In each case has been carried into effect. There have been nearly twice as many informal complaints uiado In the form of letters , which have been consid ered by the board , and wherever the board has had Jurisdiction of the subject mutter it has succeeded in securing a satisfactory ad justment of the differences. UAII.ItOAIl rilKKIIlT IIATRS. While railroad freight rates are a neces sity to the people , the people are a necessity to the railroads. The relations they sustain to each other must bo mutual nnd should bo so adjusted that the interests of both would be promoted and protected. These who In vest their means in railroad property have n right to expect a fair return on their invest ment. These who labor have the same right to expect a fair reward for their labor , which is their capital invested. K.ilwuys.should ! so adjust their tariffs of charges that farmers. grazers , manufacturers , merchants , aud nil who ship over them , can do so and receive a remunerative- profit from their business. Tlio power of the legislature to establish nnd en force reasonable charges on the part of com mon carrinrs has been 'fully established by n ilccision of the supreme court , und that power must bo exorcised in all cases where the pco- lilo arc subjected to extortionate charges. The rights of the people must bo protected. The power that creates is greater Lluin that which is created. The people create and their power is supreme , and they speak through the legis lature to the agencies which have boon oro- Uod for executing their will. ASSESSMKXT AS1) TAXATION. Your earnest attention is Invited to the necessity for n revision and amendment of present laws regarding assessment and taxa tion. That great injustice and inequality Drevalls under our present system is too np- mrcnt to require argument to induce con- Diction. Furthermore , it gives rlao to u "alHO impression and does great injustice to .lie stnto. Upon the face it Is inudo to up- ioar that Nebraska sustains tlio highest tux- itlon of any state in the union , save No- . udu , which is utterly untrue. The statement Is thoroughly deceptive mil pernicious , and it results from our ex ceedingly low rate of assessment. 1'roperty n Nebraska is assessed at u smaller vuluu- .ion than In any of the states. To prove the .ruth of this assertion in regard to four states , for Instance , the following table Is iresantc-d of the assessment vuluti of the irlnciplo kinds of property In Minnesota , vansas , low.v and Nebraska , which will at a 'lanceshow the correctness of my statement : Minn. Kan. Iowa. Nub , Land per acre. . . * 7.40 ? 4.21 7.03 J 3.53 Uorsos 07.30 31.01 31.50 10.07 Cattle . 21.21 O.MI 10.07 fi.Ki Mules . 03.53 10.07 23.01 Hogs . 2.47 1.00 1.01 1,07 These figures nro taken from the ottlolal re- > orts of those states and are authentic. You , vill roudily observe that land , horhos , cattle , nulos and hogs are rated at fur IOHH value n Nebraska than in Minnesota , ICundiis mil lowu , Land at loss than one-half , vlmt it is In Minnesota and Iowa ; horses In Minnesota at moro than thrco times the aluo of the same animal * in our stato. This ow adse.siod valuation oxplul ns this apparent ileh rate of taxation , and also shows the 'allucy of the statement that Nebraska is the liighust taxed state in the union. The truth s , the rate of taxation Hero is , In reality , iiolow what It Is In the three states named , mil in KOIIIO other Hiatus. Our tax per capita n 1H35 upon thu basis of the population im oturnud by thn ceimim of ISiO , was f2.47 , , 'hile the tajc per i-apitu for the same your ipon the assL'Hsud valuation of the thrco itatos united , which have been selected for sompnrUon , was according to the aggregate uiiount raised by them ? J.b5 as nnulnst $2,47 n Nebraska , The state cunsusof 1SS5 showed nir population to bo 740,045. The amount if taxation fur the HIIIIIU year , raised for ituto purposes was ? I.W7OI8.U3. Taking tlio inpnlatloii for that year and the amount of ax raised us Just stutod. the tax per capita vas f l.U3 f. Nonrnsku hu * thui been made o suffer from the reputation of being the ilghest taxed state , except one , which ruim- alien rests on un entirely false basis , This vrong must ho remedied. This fnlve 1m- irosiloti must bo rumovod. The rate ofas - lestmont must bo largely Increased. It Is a veil proven fact that a vast amount of iropcrty , both real and personal , escapes axutlon. Mcn who maintain un un'uon- ' loncd reputation for Integrity whoso word me ] bond are good in ull business circles , vlll deliberately cheat the assess- irs , and will regard it us mi ) Vldcnco of shrewdness and sumitncs * f they succeed , They conceal tlio iiossos- iloh of notes , certificates of stocks and mart- ages , while the property und little homo of h'j toUor Is soon and known by ull. and ilpcs [ Continued l'u < j .i
