Nebraska Newspapers

    THE OMAIIA DAILY BEIG : JIRIDAY , JAJSTUAKY 4. 1880 ,
. , TIIAYER'S ' BIENNIAL.
The Governor's Message Dollvorod
Before the Legislature.
STATE PROGRESS AND NEEDS ,
Increased Funds Nooossary to Run
the Public Institutions.
BETTER ASSESSMENT LAWS.
Quo Fund Recommended For Both
County and State.
i m
THE QUESTION OF RAILROADS.
nt.
IJPCSO'S Itccotninrnilntlon Not Con *
utirrcil In An Hleotlvo Transpor
tation Hoard The Omali.a I'o-
nt ,
tv lluo Commission A Pica
tvbl'
bl' Koi- the MUltin.
bl'M
tl Tlir
elM or Tiin SKSATK AND Hotsu OP
M KFriti.si'.NTATivi.s :
Under the blessings of Dlvlno Providence
W you nio pel milted to meet in tlio twenty-first
T session of the legislature of the stuto of Ne
ti braska. It Is a subject of conprntiilatlon
1 ! tlmt .you meet under such favorable auspices ,
b During the year that closed , geneinl health
and prosperity have prevailed. The labors
of the husbandman have bcon followed with
bountiful crops , and on overv side there are
evidences of goncinl contentment and satis-
faction. The excitement of our iintional
quadrennial election has ceased , to
bo sticcecilcd , ono may 'safely as
sume , by a healthy conlhlcnco in
pcimancnt public policies which shall guard
and foster American industries nnd Ameri
can labor.
Under the Influence of fixed systems it Is
reasonable to anticipate a new Impetus to bo
given to the various hi inches of business
uursults , to bo followed by a degree of im
provement in all our material interests not
iiithcito reached.
The constitution makes it the duty of the
executive at the opening of c ich biennial
session of the legislature to furnish 11 state
ment of the condition of our public affairs ,
atid to recommend the adoption of such
measuies as , in his judgment , will best sub-
servo the interests of the state and promote
the public welfare
Your attention is invited to the reports of
the troasuicr of the state nnd of the auditor
of public accounts , which will give you n
clour idea of the llmmciul affairs of the com
monwealth.
The treasurer Is the general receiver and
dlsburscr of nil the public funds , while the
auditor is the general accountant of the
state. The icpoitsof these oflicors contain
completes and most valuable Information in
regard to the finances , which are , 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.
itproin or THE HTVTB Tiinvsuuut.
Balance in ticnsury November
30 , 188(1. ( . . : . $ 044,35270
Receipts December 1 , 18SO to No
vember 30 , IbbS . 1,230,523.04
Total receipts $6,180,331.70
Disbursements December 1 , ISbO , '
to November 30 , 1SS3 $4,214,532 08
Balance in treasury November
30,1333 $ 030,233.73
Ilecetpts timing the fiscal term to
November 30 , 18SS 4,2'W.G2S.04
State tax received from counties , 3,237,01)3 ) U
Itovenues from land and other
sources 3,031,130-15
Transfers from other funds 2W3.200 00
Disbursements during the same
time 4,244,332.03
Legislative appropriations war-
runts redeemed 2,2bOOG655
School fund uppoitionmcnt war-
* innts redeemed 1,090,02518
Bonds pui chased and misccllano-
ous 00-1,092.11) )
Transfers to other funds 203,200.00
Disbursements greater than re
ceipts 8,054.01
Balance In tioasuiy November
SO. 18SU 044,333.70
Balance in treasury November
30 , ISbS. . . 030,298.73
Balances November 80 , 1888 , of the \anous
funds on nnd in the olllco of state treas
urer :
General $ 05,14429
Sinking 181,031.41
School , permanent 270,1101.79
School , temporary 2G J,07'.53 )
University , permanent 7,108.14
University , temporary 50,120.05
Agricultural college endowment. . 0,501.5J
Insane hospital 127,48002
Normal endowment 0,255 05
Normal Interest 73451
Normal library 1,024.32
State library 4,10000
Univcisity library 1,36500
Capitol building. 1,455 07
Institution for feeble-minded. . . . 67.57
Live stock Indemnity I.OOJ.IO
Saline Land stoekjuiU 1,150.30
Saline 3,22034
Capital sale of state lots , . lbG.17
Total $930,298.72
iiKViixt n A\n TAXVTION.
The assessed valuation of the taxable prop
erty of the state In 1687 was f HjO. ! > OC,20t > 25 ,
being an increase of $10,573 , < > ' ) . ' > 74 , us com
pared with the assessment of 1SSO.
The assessment of lbS3 gave the value of
the property of the Btato for the purposes of
taxation at 8170,013,83) ) . Ir > . giving a totnl In
crease for two years of * . ,030,2IO.OI. , The
rate of taxation for state pin poses for the
year 1887 was 8' ' mills , nnd for the joar IbSS ,
7) mills on each dollar valuation , and there
bas been collected during that limo the sum
of $3,260,0U.30 , distributed ns follows :
General fund 4-1,427,02341
Sinking fund UiSiV : , OH
School fund 240,072 r > $
Unlvoisity fund 110,170.71
Penitentiary fund 081 fill
State bond fund 4043
Capitol building fund 180,70402
Keform school building fund 80,204 fii !
Normal building fund ' . . . . . 71.58
Institute for feeble-minded fund. 8' ,584 3'J
Llvo stock indemnity fund 411,0.1 10
Total $2,2Si5,0lli9 !
The levy of 16S7 will yield the following
amounts :
General fund , 4 0-10 mill f 701,43185
Sinking fund , 4-S mill OO.b'JO .T
School fund , 1 mill ICO.MXJ.'JO
University fund , & mill 00,16972
Cnpltol fund , 08 mill 120,37041
Reform school fund , mill 80,003M !
Institute for feeble minded fund ,
jrfmllli 20,00334
Live stock indemnity fuud,2 Suilll 40,120 43
Total $1PU5OM.78 , )
The levy of ISbS will yield the following
amounts :
General fund , I 93-100 mills $571,0158.0.1
Sinking fund , 1-0 mill. , . , , -.7,50040
School fund , 4-5 mill 140 , ( > 01b7
University fund , Jtfmill Grt.OOJ.SO
Capitol fund , 0 8 mill 133OOy.K ( )
Reform school fund , ' mill 2J.001.00
Institute feeble minded fund , }
mill . 23,001.00 ,
Llvo stock indemnity fund , 2 8
inlil 44,00320
Total ? 1,323bS7.70
Appropriations asked for the operating
expenses oP the state government to Match
81.1891 , and for additional improvements us :
estimated by heads of respective depart
ments or the state auditor , and by the heads
of public institutions , are as follows :
Legislative expenses 2lst ses
sion , $ 160,00000 :
Governor's ofllco IS.bOO.OO
Adjutant general OJ.200.00
Commissioner of labor 4,200.00
Secretary state 10,100.00
Auditor public accounts .11,100.00
Treasurer 12,000.00
Superintendent of public instruc
tion 18,32300
Attorney general 12,500.00
Commissioner of public lauds
and buildings , 80,030.00
Board of public lauds aud build-
05,810.00 ,
Board of educational lands and
fund- 8,32000
Board of purchase andsuppllcs. . f.00 00
Supreme court. , 40,910 00
Stnto library . 10,00010
District court 102,31900
Noimal school fio.10000
Penitentiary 127JS,00
Hospital for insane , Uffcoln . . . . : U3MO00
Hospital for Insani ) , Norfolk . . . . 170,001 43
Asylum for insane , Hastings. . . . 147,05000
Industrial school 21.\3'.H.OO
Institute for blind 4',0000l ! >
Institute for deaf ntid dumb 711,15000
Homo for the friendless SViOODi )
Industrial homo 53,41100
Soldiers' nnd sailors' home 1S'J.500.00
Institute for feeble minded . . 140S'2 9 * >
Live stock Military commission. . V > ,7iH ) m
State board of transportation . . . 10 400 CM )
fish commission 10,00000
State board of pharmacy 701 50
Htato university 2T..OOO 00
Miscellaneous 240,05000
Total ? 2,8' 0,2j7 57
Items m detail will bo found in the report
of the auditor This , ns compared with the
estimates of two years ago. Is an Increase of
IOJ3 SI. This increase Is easily accounted
for when wo consider the growth of the
state , new institutions , etc. Theseostlmates
covc'i the furnishing nnd the running ex
penses for the next two years of the new
liistilutlons created by the legislature of two
years ago nnd for the now buildings now
nskod for.
DDsiunor COUNTIES TO ncvi > B STXTHTVCV-
TIOV-ON'n FUVIHOHCOCNTl V\t ) STVTR
Under our present law governing assess
ment of property for taxation , in my opinion
there is Just cause for complaint , and in a
majority of cases the trouble tulseswith a
dcslro on the part of the counties to cstapo
ns nearly us possible luxation for state pur
poses. The auditor , yvhoso dut } bv law is to
ninho such recommendations ns he may sco lit
for securing uniformity nnd cfllcieiicy In the
levIng and collection of luces , has recom
mended tlmt the law bo so nmunded tlmt In
stead of levying n staotav to bo extended upon
the tax list of a counly , a corliiin sum ob
tained by propoitlon nfler an oquallzitlon of
property values has been made b } the state
bo rrd of assessment , be cci titled to by the
different counties and pild Into the state
treasury In quaiteily payments , That for
tlio support of Doth county and state there bo
but ono fund. This recommendation , It
seems to me , is a step in the light direction
to simplify Ihe work and cntlioly do away
with tlio stilfoto escape taxation
The assessed valuation of all property in
the state for the j car 1333 w.is17tl,012SJO ! 25 ,
while if propel ty had been assessed In its
trno value , this amount would have been
ton times as largo
The auditor in his report shows n large in
crease of insurance business in his olllco and
recommends an additional deputy to take
clmrgo of that business. In my opinion the
recommendation is a good one , mid I trust
the same will meet your approval ,
VMOLNTS rvin TO m n STVTI : ox HVLES or
rt mic i. vvns.
1 have received fiom the treasury of the
United States , two drafts , ono for S27,0y ) 07 ,
the other $10,034 fi ! ' , which were paid over to
the state ticasuior for which I hold icccipts
These funds were found to bo due the state
for the 5 per cent of the sales of the public
lands.
DEPVItTMr.N'T OF THE SUCIIKT VIEV Ol' STV1I3.
The report ot the secrctaty of state pic-
scnts a compiehcnslvo showing of the busi
ness and labors of his department during the
last two j oars 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 , and a mass of valuable Inform itlon ,
which is thus placed within the reach ot
every ct/cti ! ! who lakes an interest in what
ever concerns the honor nnd welfare of the
stalo. It furnishes conclusive evidence of
the wonderful development of material in
terests and the remarkable progioss nnd en
largement of all business enterprises.
As an evidence of the rapid increase of
business in his office , it may bo stated that
there wore recorded in 13s5 and 'SO , 271 at ti
tles of incorporation , while in ' 87 aud ' 83
there were recorded 510.
Total number of bonds recorded In 1S35
and 'M5. 2,233 : in Ibb7 and ' 33. 4,8(5(5. ( (
Number of notarial commissions issued in
"i-fetl. l.WJ. Number rssued in lbS7 und
l , 2,221.
Thoio woio recoided in his office 200 moro
pages of written matter in the last two years
thun in the preceding fouitecn years. These
facts illustrate the increase in business iu all
Iho public oMces. The report gives the
average cost per week of the Inmates of all
our state institutions.
It iccominends that u property account bo
kept by every ofilccr of furniture and sup
plies in Ins custody , which.shall bo inven
toried to his successor , und receipts taken
from him. It also recommends that pro
vision bomada for the sale of all abandoned
property , or which has become apparently
useless. I concur in these recommendations.
rUIILIC LANDS AJ > I > IIUILDINdS.
The report of the commissioner of public
lands and buildings furnishes a largo amount
of valuable information in regaid 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 01 acres granted and confirmed
to the state for educational purposes is
2,834,303 acres ; 102,051.00 have been
deeded , leaving a balance of 2,722,34031 ,
acres , title to which is } ot vested in the state.
There are now under contract of sale
( U'1,45-110 ' ucics , nnd under lease contract ,
1,437,400.10 acres , and CS i,431.09 acres that
have not yet boon leased or sold. The in
crease In the permanent school fund in the
last two years has boon about 13 4 5 per cent.
There is now invested in United States socuii-
tics and registered county bonds the sum
of $1.507,14235 , unpaid principal on sales
$1,432 048 51 , and cash on hand in the treas
ury $ i03C02.10 , making a grand total of the
permanent fund of Sti,53-J,70J 05. Pursuant
to iin act of the legislature approved Match
31 , 1837 , the boaid of educational lands or
dered a reappraisemcnt of the unsold educa
tional lands in about tbirly counties. From
the returns received n marked increase In
value is shown , being moio thin double that
of former appraisement. . .
ATTOKNia aiixiiitvi.'s PEPUiTJinNT.
The repoit of this olllcor furnishes a state-
incnt of the business transacted In his de-
pat tment during the past twoeats. Sixty
cases have been hoard befoio the supreme
court In which the state appealed as plaintiff
or defendant.
Tha atlornoy general m his reporl suggests
that I call the attention of the loa'islatuio to
the gioat injury that would icsult to the people
ple of Ncbiaska should the bill now pending
In congress become a law ( .meaning the bill
pioviding for an extension of tune of the
payment of the debt now duo the govern
ment from Iho Union 1'acillo inilway com
pany ) , nnd lo ask thut our senators and rep
resent itlves in congress bo requested by you
to oppose such a bill.
Thaattornoy general fuither says : "Tho
only fair method ot solving this great Union
I'ucillc problem is lo doUaio tno road in
solvent and to older It sold for cosh , and
then the stuto could control it. "
After discussing the nmltor further , ho
says : " 1 have challenged your | my ] atten
tion to Iho above facts for tlio pur
pose of having } ou [ mo ] inaugurate
some method to determine this much-vexed
question , and If , through our executive und
legislative departments , our congressmen
can bo made to act ki behalf of the stale of
Nebraska , the day Is not far distant when
the whole railroad problem will bo settled in
Ihis state , ihesamo as in Oliioll'onnsy-lvanlal
Now York und other slates. "
It will thus bo seen that the attorney gen
eral asks mo to irmtiguiato a method by
which this whole vexed question can bo de
termined , while ho had just previously de
clared the sale of the toad by Iho govern
ment to the highest bidder for cash to bo the
only fair method of solving this great Union
1'acillo problem ! I am frank to ad-
mil tlmt I am not oquul to Iho [
task of adjudicating this controversy ,
which lias vexed the statesmanship of con
gress nnd the country for several years , It
iiiav bo easily settled on paper it may bo
readily disposed of by a dash of the pen It
may bo laid 10 rest by n simple assertion , but
when It comes la a practical , permanent ad-
luslment of Iho mutter , it is moro than piob- ;
iblo that very grave dllllcultlcs may confront -
front those who attempt the settlement.
What becomes of tbs ill st mortgage bonds )
Who liquidates the ilrst indebtedness ) It .
mist be berne in mind that the government
iolds only the second lien upon tlio road and
Is franchises. If the government should .
lay off or assume the prior indebtedness , it
ivould undoubtedly ilnd itself far moro .
Iceply involved than before , for this indobt- ;
iducss , both principal and Interest , must
low amount to moro than fifty millions ,
I submit this matter to your honorable
„
x > dy without making the lucommondatlon
iroposed , for the reason that I am not clear
hat thu extreme measures advocated by him :
ire the ones to afford the necessary relief ; l
mt on the contrary , I fiiar moro disastrous
lousoauunces to thu govcruiueut it they
should bo adopted. My orvn Judgment Is
adverse to such n recommendation , t'urthor-
morc , congress has the supreme and only
control of the whole suujcct , and nt this very
time that body has it under consideration.
In the discussion of this question I divest
myself of all partiality , friendship , prejudice
and hostility , seeking neither npplmtso 01
evading condemnation ,
But while declining to concur In these
recommendations toou. , . I distinctly assert
that tlip Union Pacific railway , and every
other railway and corporation doing busl
ness in this state , must bo stibjoc
to the constitution nnd laws of thl
stato. No corporation can rise abov
the Jurisdiction of the state In which I
transacts business The Union Paclllc can
not claim that it is n foreign corporatloi
chartered b\ congress , nnd therefore oxcmp
from the operations of state laws , and ye
claim the right of eminent domiiin in tin
state and the protection of Us laws Thl :
view Is sustained bv the decision of the supreme
promo court of the United Stutes , in velum
8 Otto's Hoports , pauo 010 , Haltroad Com
puij vs I'cnlston , which siys "that th >
company Is not n more creature of th
United States , but that while it owes dutlc :
to the government , the performance 0
which may in a proper case bo enforced , It I
still n private corporation , the same ns othe.
railroad companies , und , like them , subjcc
to the laws of luxation and tlio other laws o
the states in which the toad lies , so far a1
they do not destroy its usefulness as nil In
strument lor government purposes "
Sustained by this dci-lsion , 1 am uttorl
averse to any action of ours which slnl.
concede the absence of Jurisdiction on the
pai t of the state
That policy should bo adopted nnd vigor
ousli pursued In connection with this road ,
uhlih will best promote and protect the
rights aud interests of the government and
tlio people This itlnd of spitlumcnt whicli
the Union Pacific makes with the govein
inent does not interest the people of Nebt.islu
nearly as much as the question of lower and
reasonable lates.
In tlio bill now before congress , known as
the P.icllic uiilioad funding bill ( for ovtend
Ing the Umcof pavmcntj , to which reference
once has already been made , thoioisapto
vision subjecting the comuanvto thopjuoi
of the states through which tlio load runs h
icspcct of state legislation and coiiUolullini !
ing the decision above quoted. And yet iou
Interposition is sought to aid in defeating
that measure.
In regard to our delegation in congress , I
have this to say , that I hivoalways found its
members ready and anxious to cauy out the
will of their constituents.
In regard to all railrouls In this state , Mii <
principle , this nirht , must bo ivsspited am.
maintained namely , that no higher schedule
of rates shall exist in Nebraska than prevails
in ICansas orlo\va , 01 other states. The board
of transportation now possesses full power
If , however , anything is wanting , it shoulc
be given tiiem.
The mumbcis of the board should bo
chosen bs ; the people.
I tOLomnicnd the adoption of a constitu
tional amendment pioviding for the election
of tlio members of the board , three iu num
ber , by a dhect vote of tlio people
T11U NA1IONAL Ot IUDS ,
The rcpoit of the adjutant general will
give you full Information as to the condi
tion nnd operations of the national guards
s'uco the law pioviding for its maintenance
and increase went into effect on the 1st of
July , 1887.
Under that act ono regiment of infantry
was organized and added to the force , also
ono troop of cavalry , thus foi mlng a brigade
consisting of two regiments of Infantry , ono
section of n battery of. attillcrv , and ono
troop of cavalry , the whole numbering 1,2JO
men , Now uniforms have been purchased
for the whole command , also now aims and
equipments for nil , though a part of the arms
were furnished by the general government
nnd the balance was put chased by the state.
These expenditures have laigcly increased
'ho cobt of the national guilds for the
two jcars ending the 1st of July next.
lha two regiments nio now armed with now
muskets , and the cavalry aie furnished with
new equipments , with the exception of car
bines
Reasonable appropriations only aie nsltcd
for the support of the nntrun il guaids. It
may ho stated that the annual expense of the
militia in Nebraska is considerably less than
m several states which have a less number
of inhabitants.
In accordance with the provisions of tlio
law , an encam pmcnt of u week's duration
was hold in Lincoln in 1SS7 and iu Wahoo in
1SS3. These encampments are designed to
be and were schools of instruction , and the
two which have been held ceitalnly proved
to bo of much advantage to ofllccrs und men
Their whole time was constantly occupied in
hard work in both di ill and battalion move
ments.
The command Is composed of excellent
personnel and material. They are a
body of intelligent , energetic , and
publie-spiiitcd young men , and nat
urally take an intoicst m seeing the
guaids laiscdtoa greater degree of profi
ciency.
That the clamor emanating from certain
quarters uglinst the national guards is not
the expression of the popular will is evi
denced by the fact that a spirit favoinble to
the military organizition 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 oigaiuzed into
companies to bo admitted into tno guards ,
which have been declined. The constitution
of the United States expressly provides for
the organisation and use of the militia of the
several states , and the constitution ot 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 , a well-trained militia was regarded by
tliem as a necessary safe guard under our
form 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 a 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 ,
the more efllclcnt it will bo
If its services should bo required. The
trained militia of the older states furnished
excellent matciial , In both oftlcors and men ,
for active sciviec , when the nation was sud
denly confronted with the horrois of civil
war in IbOl.
Congress has aimed to inercaso and
strengthen tno militia as she vu by the act
passed some tliieo or four .y cars agodoubling
the quota of allowance to each state , and by
authoiuing tlio details of ofllccrs of the regu.
lar at my to act ns Instructors in the military
ait in the universities , colleges and schools
of the diffeicnt states.
A nation's sui est gu irantco against war is
in being amply prepared for war. And what
is true of the nation is applicable to u state.
Tlmt Htato which Is best prepared to sup
press riot and insurrection is the least
likely to bd calli il upon to employ the mili
tary arm * o Eustain the civil authorities.
This is ULonom. ' for the state. The expense
of prevention is always far less than the
cost of cure.
The military power must ever bo in com
plete subjection to the civil | > ower. It can
only be called into requisition as an aid and
suppoit to the civil authoiity.
When tlmt is subverted nnd overthrown ,
then this reserve force of tlio Htato must bo
employed to reinstate and support the civil
authority , nnd to protect life aud property.
It "may bo called out , " says the constitution
nnd statutes , "to execute the laws , suppress
insurrection , riots , and repel Invasion , "
Sucli emergencies have arisen in all the
states. Within u year the governor of the
state of Kansas was obliged to put into the
Held two regiments of state troops to put
iown an actual war between the adherents
Df two rival county scats , In which several
ictsons had boon slain , The gov
ernor of Wisconsin was compelled two
tears ago to have recourse to the
national guards of the state to suppress an
inurchlstlu insurrection , vVlmt has ocuuried
may occur again. It cannot be denied that u
ipii it of anarchy exists in many of our cities.
It lliftis a lodgment in this stato. There is a
icbt of anarchists in Omaha. It is only kept
n subjection by wholesome fear of tlio law
ind the power of the state to enforce it. It is
fed by dcmugogulsm. It is nurtured by
.hoso who care naught for the public good ,
Governed by no correct principles , they
lourlsh best in times of excitement , for
.heir purpose is to create strife , incite dis-
irdor , intlamo the passions and prejudices ot
.liouuicasouing. aud thus weaken the safn-
uurds of society. Those who create and
ixcito mobs are opposed to the existence of
my power to suppress them. They would
10 best satisfied were the restraints of law
md order to bo overthrown. These men uro
ho pests of society , Some ono has tersely
vi H ten that "if the demagogues wore hung
here would bo no unaichfsts to hang. "
t > T\TE UMVBUaiTV ,
Tito uiutu aauuul report of the board of to-
gonti of the university presents a concise
statement , of the affairs of this institution ,
w liich appears to bo In a prosperous condi
tion. It lioa made rapid growth In every de
partment , save In the medical branch , which
was suspended in 1 7. The number of stu
dents has bcon increasing regularly The
enrollment for the term Just closed shows
ISO In the college1.1 ! ! * ) in the preparatory de
partment and ninety-four in the school of
line arts.
The university stands nt the head of the
public school system of the state ,
nnd should bo directly con
nected with the High and common schools.
It has nlreuly offi-Uod such n connection
with twonti-sevou Ijlgh schools in different
portions of the state , and graduates from
thcso arc admitted to regular standing In the
university without further examination ,
upon the presentation of their diplomas
This i elation between the university ntid
the public schools is one which will ulti
mate ! } prove of great bimellt to the state
and to our young ninn and womfti in sccur
ing to them the opportunity of preparing
themselves fora full unlvcisity olucatlon
The university library contains about
olev en thousand volumes.
It gives mo great pleasure to stale my con
viction that tills institution has , dm Ing the
past few years , made lapid advmiccinont up
to a higher crado nnd tank among the educa
tional Institutions of the country U is ex
erting a healthy influence upon education
throughout the state It is an influence
which is felt not only for the piesent , but
through nil time All the people of the state
must feel an Interest in Its success ntid prosperity
pority und : r prldo In its good nnino It de
serves your fostotliig cue , for its advantages
ute open to all the children of the state
rt nut nni CATION
In I'D commonwealth m our union is thcto
n mote goneial Interest in educition than In
our state. The icpoitof the state superin
tendent of public instruction shows the
schools to bo iu a very prosperous condition.
The total nniotuit contributed for public edu
cation for the year Just closed icichod the
sum of $1,057,2" ! 01) ) , an incroise ol $ JtlO.V.S4 )
over the amount of the previous jeai. The
value of school propot ty is renortod atSS , 12,1 ,
170 fet 1SSS ; { .1,779,110 'J for LSS7. audfr.Sl- ) !
317forlSS The tot il attend nice of pupils
has Incioasod from 191,031 in 1887 to 215,350 ,
in isss
Ono of the most striking features of the
lapid growth in our educational s\ stem is the
uiutvolous inctcase in our town and city
giadcd schools. In l Mi theio weie iss
gi aded nnd partially graded city and town
schools. ItilS S.'U such schools ntoiegu-
lirly icportcd to the state superintendent
These reports should icccivo careful stud } ,
showing us they do for the Hist time ,
the education afforded , the condition
of finances and the cost per capit
of education in the cities and towns Tlio
schools In the iiital districts aio making
commendable piogross. A united effort is
being made to mii > g a largo per cent of all
children into school , and then to give them a
systematic couiso of Instruction Theio
weic 7. } per cent of the entire number of
school chlldton In the state attuallly attend
school in 1 3. Ill 1SS7 , 70 pel cent attended
bovonty-livo counties held tea < hci-'noinial
institutes dining the summer of l SS These
institutes wore attended by 0,4Sb teachei i
who icccived training and instruction from
the best schoolmen , to establish a highoi
professional standing among teachers , that
the schools and pupils may receive corro
SDondlng benefits.
The condition of our permanent school
fund is as follows :
Cash on hand No v. 30 , 'S3 S 270 GO ) .79
United States bonds lr , ( ) ( ) D 00
County bonds t 1,377,20000
State funding bonds 3jr > ,2l7.n !
Claims in atty. geu's hands f > ,3i9 To
13al. duo on notes ifroin sale of
school lands. . . J. ' . 3,053 20J.4t
Total $ VJ17,7.2130
THE STVTBOI1MU , SCHOOL.
No public institution of thcstiteis mnro
deserving of tlio fostering care of the legisla
ture than the St ito Normal school located at
Pciu. Four jears'affo it was found nocos
sai v to enlarge materially the Normal school
building in order to meet a rapidly Incicasing
attendance and to gl o-such facilities for the
education and training of the teachers , as
weio demanded by the growing unpoitiinco
of oui schools. ' '
The aifgiegato attendance for the last two
years was 015 Thero' ' were graduated from
the elementary and advanced department
111 teachers , nearly all ofivhom are noiv en
gaged as instructors H the schools of the
state
Tlio attendance for 1837 was 4 3 and for
Ibib , 403 Theio are .HO students in the nor
mal classes the piesent term besides forty m
the tram ing classes whose names do not ap
pear in the catalogue.
As the advantages of employing teach
ei s specially ti anted for their voca
tion becomes known the demand :
for such teachers Increases until every pait [
of the state participrtes directly or indi
rectly in these advantages. .
That the not mal school may bo prepared
to meet these demands and take a foremost
milk in the onward movement , I bespeak
for it the continued generous pationugo of
the legislature. ,
TIIL STATI. i.iimuir.
The report on the librarian shows the num )
ber of
Volumes on hand at date of last re
port 27,370
Kecoivcd by exchange , donation , etc. . l,8bl
Supreme com t reports 5,500 , .
Total 31.740
Supreme couit mpotts sold and dis
bursed 5,042 ,
Duplicates and session laws sold and ,
exchanged 37
Laws , journals and documents sent to
other states and public libraries. . . . 20L
Total . 5,030 , ,
Volumes on hand . . . 2sblO
M.W LIHUAlll' ItOOMS.
The now rooms set upait for tlio perma
nent quarters of the library in the mam
building ot the capitol are ready for occu
pancy , but no appropriation has been
nuiUo or is yet available from which
funds can bo diawn to rnovo
the library nnd to furnish the rooms as well :
ns those sot npart for the supreme court. A
suftlcient apptopiiation is uskod to cover
these expenses ,
num. vu or I.VIIOH.
The deputy commissioner of labor presents '
n comprehensive and exhaustive loporton
the various subjects relating to the aim und '
put poses for which the bureau was estab '
lished. His report discusses the following
subjects : Hisu und progieasof the bureau
of labor , labor organizations , views of labor
ing men , strikes , arbitration , manual ttain-
ing , compulsory education , fanners
opinions on needed legislation , prison labor
statistics , farm areas , tcnuie and value
of crops , comparative valuoof farm prooucts , .
of manufacturing establishments , i.iilroad
rcpoits , wages , farmers' icnorts und statis
tics. It is to bo hoped tnut the extensive re
searches made by tlio deputy
commissioner on these various
subjects , will prove of much benefit m so
shaping legislation as to advance the in-
tcicsts of the laboring classes whcrcvoi *
legislation is needed.
AIUIITIUTIOV.
Conflicts still uriso between employers and
employes. In my Judgment the establishing
of a board of arbitration - la the most prfTo-
tieublo plan for the settlement of these ililll- .
cullies and which would bo fair and just to
the Interest of both 'irties. I therefore
iccoinineud the establishment of such a
board.
SOI.niKtt'3HOME. .
The Soldier's homo wUs completed for the
reception of minutes on tlio Hint of July last
and it pow has llfty-two . Tlio report of the
commandant piesents the opciations of the
home thus fur. It is made 9 homo in reality
where old soldiers can * live In couifoit and .
It stands to the honor of Nebraska that '
this state was among the llrst to establish a
homo for the soldienMvliero families are not
separated. In order to accommodate ! lami- 9
lies It Is ptoposed to otoct cottages ou tincts
of land of say two ana ono-hul f or live acies ,
which may bo cultivated by raising vegeta
bles , etc , by the soldiers. The plan seems
far more preferable than gathering together
many families and other inmates in ono
building , The main building can bo occupied
by these who have no families. According
to the best estimates which can bo formed
wo may calculate on an average of 250 to 300
Inmates at Urn establishment. To accommo-
flute them It will bo necessary to add two
wings to the present main building or to
2rctt another main building or two
buildings in addition to the cottages.
Ihere was donated to the Btato by
the citizens of Grand Island the
munificent gift of 010 acres of land on which
to establish the homo. This tract of land U
jqunl in value to the original nmom.t appro
priated by the legislature. The state thus '
tar. therefore , has boon reimbursed for its
outlay of | JO,000. Liberal appropriations
will bo needed to enlarge the captivities of
the institution and mn'tn It commensurate
with the demands that will bo mndo Unon It
1 trust .you will deal vvltli it in TV liberal spirit
Congress enacted a law at its last session
providing for the payment to ouch state
which has n soldiers' homo , $100 a year for
each inmate of that home This will aid
largely In the pivmcnt of the i mining ex
penses of tli is Institution The present struc
ture is among the best in Iho state of our
public buildings , and was erected under the
Immediate superv islon of the commandant.
Captain John Hammond , who has organised
the Institution and 1ms put it on n successful
running b isis
THE inni'iTU rou Tim ivuvn
Thoreport of the superintendent of the
Nebraska hospital for the Insane will show
that there wore present December 1 , is ,
374 patients , 2J * males and 147 females ; that
there Iwvo been admitted 421 during the two
voam , 231 mules and 107 females , that there
have been discharged 40.1 , recovered. 07
mules , 71 females , total 10 ; improved , 2.T
mules , 17 females , total 40 , unimproved , ' . " - !
malesS females , total 80 , eloped , 0 males , 0
females , total (1 ( , not liisaiu1 , U males , : ) fe
males , total 0 , died , : U males , 2-1 females
total 50 , transferred to Noifolk , 51 mnloi ,
40 fen.alcs. tot U 07 ; whole number under
treatment , llrst vcnr 070 , second year , Olb ,
aveiago number dnlly under treatment for
the two > oars , UsO , percautaire of recover
ioson whole number admitted In two ycirs.
30 0 , percentage of deaths on whole number
under treatment , llrst year , 5113 , second
joar , 10-1 ; for the two years , 171
highest number in hospital , 411
remaining In the hospital November , ! 0,1M
Il'lj ' * nmlos , 214 , and females , 173 , total ox-
ppnso foi in imtcnanco per capita , § 21 , ) 11
annuall.v , ? ! . > ( ( weekly' .
The report also sets forth the fact that the
hospital would bo ciovvdcd with 1)00 ) patients ,
and that theiu hail been piesunt as many us
114 at one-tun It will be evident fiom these
statements that , even with the most stton-
uous exertion , it must bo difllcult forthophv-
aiclaus to do full justice , cither to the patients
01 themselves i'ho icport also shows that
the hospital does tint possess the facilities
for pioiioil } classifying patients under tioat-
inunt , owing to the limited nunibet ot wauls.
It urges stiongly tlio ncccsslt } for additional
and much smaller waids
MiiU'oi.iv ASVI.I vi rou Tin ;
Tno icport of the superintendent furnishes
a complete history of the affaii s ot this insti
tution , which was completed and opened for
the admission of pitionts on the 15th diy of
February , 18SS. Puisuimtto the provisions
of the law the board of public lands and
buildings sot aside the following teiiitor } to
comprise the Norfolk ashim distnct , to wit
Tire following counties , Antelope , Hlamo ,
Hoone , Box Hutte , Lit own , Hurt , Cedar.
Cheiry , Colfax , Cumnm , Dikota , Dawos ,
li\on , Dodge , Gai Held , Oreoloy , Holt , Key a
Paha , Knox , Loup , Madison , Nance , Pierce ,
Plutte , Sheridan , Sioux , Stauton , Thomas ,
Vallov , Washington , Wavne and Wheclei
All Inmates of the Ncbiaska hospital for the
ins moat Lincoln who were origin illy rcsi
dents of the above named counties wore
transfered from Lincoln to Noi folk. On the
15th day of Fobiuniy , ISM , a transfer of
ninety BOVOII patients , lift } four males mid
forty-tin eo lemiiles , was mndo from the No
biasku hospital at Lincoln to Noifolk bv a
special train in charge of thu supuuntendunt
ot the Ncbiaska hospital for tlio ins mo.
The transfer was safel } iniulo and without
accident. The total number of patients
under ticatmcnt smco the opening of the
hospital has been 110. During the .year
thoiohavo ueeu lift-two new casts admitted
in the Norfolk asylum district. Tlio two
now wings piovided for bv an act of the lust
legislature have bcon completed and are
now ready for occupancy. When they are
Cut inslicd , these wings will accommodate 120
patients The Lincoln and Norfolk asylums
me now filled to their utmost capacit } . The
tuo wings at Norfolk nnd the nsi lum for the
incuiablo at Hastings , winch mo iicaring
completion , will relieve the mcssuro for the
meson t but it must be bonus m mind th it
after these now buildings aic tilled , theio
will still bo a largo number of ins mo petbons
in poor houses and Jails throughout
the state not yet provided lor.
Thcto is one hatifsctoiy conclusion m connec
tion witli this subject , nauielythe mopoi tion
of insane in Nebraska is far below most of
the other states The United St itcs census
of IbbO show- , that theio was ono insane to
BV cry 545 of population. More recent local
statistics mdic/alo that the propoi tion at pi cs-
unt is piobibly ono in 500 or less Austi ilia
has ono In 300 , England one in JOS , M issachu
setts one in .570 , Now Yoi k ono in "ibO , Cali-
foiniaone in : t70. Nebraska ( estimated ) ac-
Lfliding to the i umber of our insane , and the
liopulatioii , ono in 1,000. This estimate is
made by Dr. Knapp , of the Lincoln asylum ,
K ho has given the subject much attention
rho Bupeiintcmlonts ( if tneso institutions
tno Lincoln anil Noifo k.tslums have done
ill tint possjbly could bo done to meet the
constantly incicasing demands made upon
hem to provide for additional patients. And
can say foi the satisfaction of relatives and
friends of inmates , that every thing winch
.dullness and intelligence , devoted caioand-
ittention could do for their comfort has bean
lone.
AMM/vr FOU IMUIIVI1I.CS AT HASTINGS.
This building is fast approaching complo-
,1011 ; but an appropriation w ill bo necessary
tor fuinishing and lilting it for the reception
f patients. As to the amount necessary icf-
jrenco is made to the estimates.
IMlUblUIU. HOVIK A1 MILFOlll ) .
This building is neaily ready for use , but
in appiopiiation will be nccessaiy iu order
.0 furnish it and prepare it for occupancy.
INSTITUTE von mi ; nivr AM > DUMII.
The institute for thu deaf and dumb located
it Omaha , during the last two } cats has
nado good progress m the woik for which it
vas organ i od and is sustained. There hiivo
wson 150 children cared for and in
structed during this period. It is the
lesign of tins institute to give its
mpils a good common school education ; also
o Instruct each in some handicraft , bv
vhlch tbcy may bo enabled to gain n liveli-
lood on leaving school. This institute was
ho Urst in the country Ito introduce what is
cnown as the aural method of instructing
urtially deaf children , and was the first in
Vinorrca to establish a scporato "uuiicular
lepartment. " It will thus ho soon that in
ho methods of instructing this unfortunate
lnss of our country , Ncbiaska is among the
idvanco guard.
.ssTiruri. ton THD nrivi > IT XKBUVIKV CITV.
There have been admitted to the olind in-
itituto during the biennial teim ending No-
'ombcrHO , 1833 , thirty ono blind children ,
vho for the llrst time have enjoyed the ad-
'outages of the institution , and the toial on-
'Ollmont has i cached Jlfly-six. The number
piesent at this date is forty-one. The
voik in the several departments lias
irogressod steadily and In a satisfactory
iiaunor. Tlio regular school dopaitinent is
irgiini/ed upon the same gcncial plan , and
he course of study pursued is identic il to
hat of our best public .schools. It cmhiaces
.mong the higher brunches , algobia , geomo
ry , plijsics , astronomy , rhetoric und Dug-
ish literature , and is ordinarily completed in
line .vents. The rcpoit in detail will bo
ound of much Interest.
INSTITUTION I'OII iriflll.n-MIVDIU ) lOL'TIB ,
The repot t of the superintendent of the in-
titutlon for feeble-minded youths exhibits
ho condition nnd needs of the institution ,
t was opened for the reception of inmates
rlay 25 , Ibb7 , rapidly tilling up until ttio full
apaclty of the present building was icachcd ,
'hero are now 143 applications for
Emission. The building Just completed
.nd ready to occupy will accommodiito sov-
ntv-two bos. This will not increase the
apaclty of the institution to that extent ,
lowcver , as ) the inci eased number will re-
uiru more room In the present building for
inlng rooms , school rooms , etc Thus it will
10 seen that the two buildings already
reeled will not bo sufllclent to accommodate
hose for whom applications have bcon made !
p to this time , 'lho ' number of Inmates at
resent is seventy , The school department
.as been nrgani/cd but llttlo more than a
ear. Three tcachora have been employed ,
'ho resulls of the training have been booud
xpcctiition , All show imptovomont in dis.
ositlon and deportment. Individual work
nccessaiy witli all , and it ulono will no
omplish any iesult in the beginning. The
iotbods , used are us uoarl } as possible
daptcd to the peculiar needs of each
hild , much piominunco being given
0 object teaching and kinder-
ardeit work in connection with
hyslc.al work , such as gymnastics
ml calisthenics. Tholnwprovii , that the
lost improvable cases between the ages of
vo und eighteen hhidl bo given preference
vor otlieirt In admission The most unfor-
unato and helpless , and those over eighteen
ears of age , have boon practically debarred }
y this claiibc , being compelled by reason of
no cioudcd condition of the institution to
uject all such applications. He BIIJS an
sylum dcpiutment for the care of thcuo per- ?
nns , who are not suitable subjects for the
raining school , ohoulJ bo established In collection
ection vvltli tlio Institution at an oatty day.
'hutonioat least two hundred of this claKs
the state. They are distributed In county
uor house * , nnd in homos made cheerless
ud in somu cases oycu desolate by reason of
the great c.tro necessary for their mainten
ance , makinp lifea burden td father mid.
mother , nnd even preventing the education
nnd training of their moro fortunate brothers
and sisters. The superintendent reports
that there nro over seven hundred feeble
minded persons of all ages in the
state , and now that the Insiltutloa is in
successful operation , nnd Its necessity
and utility are demonstrated , ho asks that n
rcasonablo appropriation bo made In order
that the institution cm bo thoiouifhl } elToel-
ual and useful
STATE tsw smut SCHOOL VT KI invrv
This Institution , known ns the state reform
school until the session of the loRlslntuioof
1S37 , is in a prosperous nnd health } condi
tion It U opor.itcd under the open or fam
ily R.V stem Iu contradiction front the congre
gate or prison sstcm. No high walls
or fences , no grated windows or
doors to tcrrlf } Iho boy or trlrl
on his or her ni rival. Instead of those ,
the school room , the reading room with Its
attriclions , ntnusemonts and an nbmidineo
of elevating i ending.tho lighter forms of shop
and out door wet it , the play ground ,
kind wouls aud firm discipline , all Indicate u
good homo nnd wholesome restraint. Suf
ficient nml licaltla food , sueli as is character
Istlc of a well regulated country household ,
is provided for the Inmates , and comfortnblo
dothlng , beds , bedding nnd sleeping apart-
incuts nro tut nlslit > d them In audition to
moral reformation and ph.v stealduvolopmont ,
each inmate has an opportunity to obtain a
common school education As fur as jn no
lle iblc , each is rcqulied to attend school four
hours a day nnd work the same number of
hours. Ample time Is futther given for
iccioation , leading nnd self Improvement.
Ono of tiio most Dressing needs of this insti
tution is nsystem of workshops , in which
each inmate of sufllciant ago and cap icily
can icain a useful and piiu tic.ll trade. The
supi'riiilemlont , in his repoil , siis. " * t is
thu Impelutlvo duty of tno legislnluro
lo give the school futilities for
toichiiiu trades , No argument should
bo lequliod to show that such facilities are
badly needed The oiganio law contemplates
their cst iblishmunt , the mloresl of tlio inmates -
mates demand thorn ; the stale at huge ex
pects them. " Theio uiotioiv in attonduiuo
( II gitls and 1S4 bo.vs a total enrollment of
215. The present attend nice shows a net In
crease of 100 over thut of two youis ago
Since the oigiinUatlon of the school , but one
death has occurred and this was the icsult of
mi accident , The icsults of the teachings
and training of this school uro veicom , -
mcndiiblo It is safe to nssei t tint 75 per
cent of thaso honoiably discharged nio doing
well , rioni personal v islt.ithm and obsui \ n-
tlon , OH well as fiom ctiricnl lepoils , 1 am
conlldcnl the chlldien aio kimtl } tioatcd nnd
c tred for , tlmt they huvo n good homo and
proper influences cxorlod iu their behalf ,
and that the school is manngcd In
n piaiscvvoitby and beiiollcont inaiiiici.
I theicfoio advise that oneomaging support
wlilch till * icsponslblo character building
work requlics.
HOME 1 OK THE 1 IIIEN'Dl ES4.
Tlio iepoit of Iho home for Iho fiiondless
shows what has been done by that institu
tion for the last Ivvo } oais.
Number inmates In homo Dccoinbe1530 7J
Number admitted since J75
Total 417
Numborofchildron surrendered to friends 133
Number of ehlldtcn placed in liuntcs , . . . . 75
Number adults rcluinod to friends. . . . 38
Number foi whom woik was found 35
Number sent lo olhei institutions 11
Number of deaths -11
Total 331
Number now in home 110
Total 417
In this institution the wulfs of humanity
llnd comfoi table homes and kind , motherly
cue. It is confeiiiug a blessing upon
tins htitc and upon hum unity.
Those in chat go are imitating the example of
their Divine Master in lelioving human suf-
fenng Thov aio gathering In and saving the
abindonod ; their institution is In leility the
homo of those who have no home I trust you
will icgaid it with favorable consideration. *
NiiutvMvV rixinsruKi
The repoi t of the win denof the penitentiary
with the accompanying statislics presenls
wilh minute details UiQufTaiisaiidopciations
of th it institution. Theic have betiirecoivod ! |
into the penitentiary since it has boon estab
lished. 1,405 convicts ; numboi of those who
have been discharged or pinioned , 1,118 ;
nunibei or deaths , 0 ; leaving in prison. No-
vemoer .SO , Ib33 , IUS , number in now , 3JS ;
showing mi increase of ton in two years.
Number icceivod by committment ( luring
this same two } eais , ending November 30 ,
lb3S , 310 The number discharged in the
same tin.o under Iho good time act ,
21/J Itnpoilanl changes and inipiovemuiits
have boun made smco the lasl bieimml re :
port. Atvvo stoiy buck buildmg72x300 fuel , j
lias been elected , and is now fully occupied '
by worK shops , laundry , b ith rooms , elc.
This building adds largel } lo the einacity of
the woiking departments of the pu on.
Other improvements have boon made which
have resulted in inci casing Iho elliciency , '
comfort and security. Measuies should bo '
taken to give a betler system of sowoiugo to i
the prison i
I.IVH STOCK SAMTVIIV rOMVUSSIOV. I
The work ot the livestock sanitaiy com
mission has bcon quietly and steadil } carried i
on during the two years lust past , and the I
results tlici ofrom , as embodied m the report I
lecently submitted , show a beneilt to Iho i
farmers and stock raisers ot Nebraska not <
easily calculated. The law creating this boaid '
has been proved an excellent ono in its gen
eral purposes and adaptability to practical
work. Stimgont measuies have been
adopted foi the purpose of preventing Iho
lull eduction of contagious pleuro pneu
monia and Texas foyer. The report shows i
that fouroutbicaks of the latter have oc- 1
currel during the last two yoais , but In each '
case owners had purchased native cattle
which had been exposed before shipment
into this state. There have been no viola
tions of the quarantine rules during this
period. The state velerinaiian was directed t
to make an examination of the daily hcids I
of the state for the pin pose of usccUnlning I
If tuberculosis exisled , and , after thoiougii v , '
and cincful work , tut six uses of tuboicu f
losis were discovered , these being among the t
cattle in Douglas county or In Iho vicinity of 11
Omaha. These animals woio immediately
destroyed , and no fuithci developments of ,
the dtsoaso have occurred. Toogioat value
cannot bo attached to the extirpation of
tuberculosis , wliich issoroidilv communi
cated to man through daliy products No
casts of pleuro pneumonia have developed t
within the stale , as thorough quarantine regulations - t
ulations ute In foice against all pleuro pneu
monia districts , and llttlo danger need bo ap
prehended Among contagious and Infectious
diseases in t'ns stuto , glandcis and fate } , in
horses and mules , Is tlio most widespread und
dcslrticlive. At the beginning of the work
of tliu hoard , it existed in nearly every J
county in thu state. The light against its invidious - I
vidious ravages has been and is still a dolor- (
mined one and so far successful that at the
present time forlv counties aru repotting no
cases. Tin ) law , as amended at the last leg
isluturo , allowing Iho payniciil of indemnity r )
for animals destro.yed by the state , hasgioatly v
fncililulcd llio icportingof suspected cases ,
and prevented the secreting of the disease It
has piovcd a blessing to poor nnd dusei ving
fat met s , many of whom uro ontlrol } depend
out upon their hoisos and mules for a means
of support , and to whom the payment of this
Indemnity Is a boon , while the state is being
relieved of a teiriblo scourge , dangerous
aliketo man and beast. Several persons
have died ol it dui ing the past , two years in
this state , having contracted it by eating for
uflllcted animals. Eight hundred and Uiltty
horses and mules have been destroyed by
the live stock commission since November
tO , 1880 , to December 1 , ISbS. The amount
of Indemnity allowed for the same was f.10-
071.50 , averaging $1350 per houd. Thojo
animals woio destroyed In sixty-six counties ,
bhowlng mi immense amount of labor , inoio
cuted in all seasons of the year : and it tins .
on ) } been by thu most cneigctlo otfoi U upon
thu pai t of the boutd tlmt such a result can
bo shown , Tlio vvmk is most Bitlsfuuloi.v tu
the pcoplo of the stuto whoso intoiosts
are dnectl } connected theiovvith
I'ho labors of the live stock agents und vot-
oiinurhtns have been arduous nnd unremit
ting. They have been sent for by farmers
In all ticctionti of tlio state. Thu cailh for
them have bann moro numoioiis than they
could KIVD attention to. Tholr services havu
peon moil useful and effective
on , ix i'C'rioK (
The report of the stale oil inspector covers
ii period of seventeen months. 'Ino number
f b trrcla of oil und ganollno inspected was
140,200 ; total fee * collected , * I4,02UO'J. , ' Sal-
iries and expenses of inspector and deputies
for six months ending December III , 1SS7 ,
4,537,27i turned over to the state treasurer
lanuary 1 , 1833 , $701.03 ; salaries and ex-
ileuses of Inspector nnd deputies from Jan-
Jarv 1 , Ibbb. to December I , IbSS , M.003 18 ;
tmlunco on hand December I , 13SS , 7 lbJ.
J'lie vv 01) ) ; hub been done by the inspector arid
live deputies located in live dilTeiont parts
jf the stato. Tno law is bohig regularly en-
forded and Is giving general satisfaction
The inspector recommends that the taw bo
RO amended us to prevent the s Mo of ono
grade of oil for tlmt of another of n higher
grade. Per instance , there nro n number ot
brands of oils known as "prime white , "
"water white" and "headlight" The latter
commands a higher pi Ice on the mnikct than
the former There should bo some ptov tsion
made to protect thu consumer from ftutid In
this wnj of substituting the cheaper grades
for Iho higher Ho also recommends n
change In the la.v regarding the nmvolnttnent
of deputies similar to Hie Iowa law , where
the state Inspector can nppolnl n suitable
number of deputies ami tlieli comicnsatlon |
bo logiilntcd according to the amount of bin !
ness ( ione The ollleo Is eiitnely self sup
potting , consequently I think the law should
bo amended so as to get the best service pos
sible for nil Intelestod The result of the o\\- \
eintloa of this law 1ms beet , to giv o the con
sumer bettor grades of oil , while nil the ex
penoo of inspection is berne by tjio shipper
and the prlco has not been increased
Nl IIIIVXKV 1 ISM l nVIMS4OV | |
The doings of Iho llsh commlssiom % s nnd
the operations of the state hatcheries -\t
fullr set forth In their detailed rcpoitTho \
work of the commission 1ms been earridd
fet w.ud cjuring the } n ir 1SSS wllli good sue
cess The total number of joung llsh , thiee
to six months old , and llsh Irv pioduced nt
thoBintohntclietlcs dtirimr the } ear oiidlng
December 31 , l1 , is 17,7U',725 , against
10,500,101) ) In the } ear 1SS7 All of these Jlsli
have bcon planted In the lakes , , ponds and
streams of the state The per eelitiigoof loss
In transportation has been less than In an }
iprmur year The number of each species ot
Hair handled during thecar 1SSS is us foi
lows- Wall in cd Dlko fr } , liOMCOO ! ) , lake
herring frV.4" > l > , OiX ) ; brook trout fry ! i P,000 ,
rainbow trout fry , NMiiH ) , gorinan crttp ,
' 11,200 , bhuk bass , -I,0 ! ( > 0 , spotted cattish ,
fi25 Iu addition to the foiogolng the commission -
mission obtained through the courtesy of
Colonel McDonald , United btutos commis-
sloiioi of llsh and llsheilcs , mid lion , S 1' .
H.utlett , of the Illinois llsh commission ,
00,000 native llshes of the state of Illinois ,
consisting of hiss , lockllsh , pike , plckcrol.
croppies and poicn The } wciottansplantod
from Illinois into tlio Interior of Nchiaskn
In two United States tlsh cars of
; ti)0OiX ) ) each , without loss and deposited In
the w.itois of the Htute These llsh wore
from a few months to a j car und over old.
It will bo berne hi mind that wo have an
iitea of territory two bundled by four
bundled miles , that a laigo iiat t of thoVwat-
ers to ho stocked with valuable food fish
lies west of the sixth piltulpil meridian , a
distance of ono. hundred to four hundred
miles from the hatcheries , and too far to ad
mit of the cair } ing of Iho young llsh 8afcly
bv the hoietoforo only method withlu the
leachofthe commission , namely , the ordin
al } tin can bv e- ' ! or b } a special messenger
songor in the lallroad baggngv. ur. Kella-
blo information fiom persons .0 whqtn
.young llsh have been dollvricd
for stocking streams and ponds ,
both by letter and in peison ntloids incon
testable evidence of success in this good
woik A laigo nunibei of letters annexed to
the icpoit will allot d to the skeptical a souico
of instructive leading upon this subject. The
labois of the commission have boon attended
withvci } gratifying success , and they have
been of great utilit } to the people of the com
monwealth. Man } of oui sti cams have boon
sleeked with various kinds of fish , and they
h ivo become an import ml element of food In
Ihe economy of life. Some huvo slocked
ponds foi i .using fish for Iho nmikcl , and
alicady are leaping a fair tovvatd on llielr in
vestment. The llsh commissioners deserve
encouiagement at jour hands. The } have
for years given their time to this woik with
out fco or nopo'of rovvnrd Tlieii labois have
been ciitiiel } unselfish , and for tlio public
good.
noviiDor TIUNSPOKTATIOX.
The ropott of Iho boaid of transportation
shows that at the time of the taking cftcct
of the law creating the bond of transports-
tion ( July 1 , 1 37) ) , there w ere Ihice cases
pending befoio Ihe boaid of railroad com
missioners Smco Unit dale Unity foi mill
complaints have been Hied with the boaid ,
making a total of thiity-thioo considered
smco its cieition and until Juno 30 , lsS3.
December 20 , l SS , live of these cases were
slill pending and undetermined , lour had
been dismissed , foui had been withdrawn by
the complainants , and twenty had been de
cided in favor of the complainants , and the
older of the bonrd in each case lias been
can led into elTect. There have been nearly
twice as many Infoimal complaints ui ulo in
the foi in of letters , which have been cousid-
01 ed bv Iho boaid , and wherever the boaid
has had jurisdiction of the subject matter it
has succeeded in securing a satisfacloiy ad
justment of the differences.
11V11 ROAD t IlKHIIIT UlTRS.
While raihoad freight rates aio a neces
sity to the people , the people are a nccu , sily
to Iho railioads , The tolatlons they sustain
to each other must bo iputunl and should bo
so aujusted that the interests of both would
bo promoled and piotected. These who in
vest their means in tallioid piopoity have a
light to expect a fair rctui n on their invest
ment. Those who labor have the same light
to expect a fair toward for their labor , which
is thcii capital invested. Hallways should so
ndjust their tanlls of charges that farmcis ,
giazeis , tnanufactuicis , mot chants , aud all
ivho ship over them , can do so and receive a
leinunoiiilivo wofll fiom Ihcii business. The
Dowcrof Iho logislatuio lo establish and en
force icisonablo chaises on the pail of com
mon car nuts has been fullv established by a
Iccision of the supreme couit , and that power
must bo exoicised in all cases where the pco-
ilo are subjected to extorlionatc charges ,
rho lights of the people must bo piotcclcd.
I'ho power that creates is gi cater
than that which is created.
I'he people cieato and their power
s supreme , and they speak thiough Iholegls-
utuio to Iho agencies which have been cro-
ilcd for executing their will.
VSSCs-MUNl AM ) r A V ATI ON' .
Youroaincst attention is invited to the
icccssity for a icv islon and amendment of
present laws icgni ding assessment and taxa
tion. That gieal injustice and inequality
itevnllb nndct our present system is lee ap-
micntto requite ai umentlo induce con-
'icllon. ruitlieimoio , it gives ilso to a
'also impression and does great injustice to
lie sliite. Upon tlio face it Is made to up-
Kiai that Nebraska sustains tlio highest lux-
ition of any btato In the union , hove No-
-adn , which is utlorly unlruo. The
itatemonl is thoiouchly deceptive
ind ncinlcious , and it icsults fiom our ox-
jocdlngly low rate of assessment. Property
n Ncbiuska is usso-Hcd nl a smaller valua-
ion limn in any of Hie slalos To prove the
mill of ibis assertion in regard lo four
itatos , for Instance , the following table is
iresentcd of Iho assessment vnluu of the
irlnclplo kinds of piopeity in Minnesota ,
vans is , Iowa and Nobtaska , wlilch will nl a
fiance show the coi redness of my htatomont :
Minn. Kan. Iowa. Nob.
Land per act o. * 7 10 $ 121 * 70s ii nj
ilorsos 07 ! iO ill 01 111 50 10 07
Jattlo Si 21 OMI 10.07 5.5i
ilnlus 0. ) 'd 1007 2.101
ilogs 2 17 ICO 1.01 1.07
These llifin os nio taken fiom thu otllcial 10-
oi ts of Ih'osc si itos and ai o authentic You
vill loadllj obsei ve th it land , hoihus , cattle ,
pules anil hogn aio tatod ill far less vuluo
n Nobiaslca limn In Allminsota , Kansas
ind lovvii. Lund at less than one-half
vital II Is in Minnesota and Iowa , horses In
ilinnesotu at moio than ihren times tha
ratuo of the mime animals in our state. Thin
ow assessed valuation explains this nppnicnt
ilk'b rate of taxation , and nlso shows thu
alhicy of the statement thut Nebraska Is the
ilghcstlaxcd state in tlio union. The ti nth
s , the rate of taxation hcio m , In reality ,
lolow what H is In the three states mimed ,
nd In Bomo other ntntos. Our tax per capita
n 1833 upon thu bisls of thu population as
oturnud by the COIIHUH of Ibso , was $ . ' .17 ,
I'hlle thn tax pur capita for Iho same year
ipon the a 3ecsod valuation of the three
talcs united , which h ivo been solocled for
ompaiUon , was nccoidlng to the nggierfato
.mount raised by them $ i.b'i as against f J 47
n Nebraska The stale censusof I6h6 showed
iur populutlnn to bo 740,01' ) . The amount
f taxation for the sumo year , ntised for
lulo purposes was ? 1 037,018 a I , Taking the
mpiilatloii for that } car and the amount of
ax raised as Just stated , the tax per capita
i-as f l.)34. ! ) Nc > nrnsku bus thus been made
a HUftor from the tcpiitatlon of being the
ighest tnxod Htntu , except one , which ropu-
ation icsts on an entiiol.v false basin. This
nong must bo remedied. This falsa Im-
irnsilon must bo lumoyiiil , Thu ralo of as-
cstmunt must bo largely Increased , It Is a
roll proven fact thut n vast amount of
loperty , both real und personal , escapes
iixutlon. Men who maintain un unquog-
lonoil r opulation for Integrity whoso word
nd bond are good In all business circles ,
irlll deliberately cheat the nswss-
rs , and will regard it as un
ividcnco of shrovvdncsii and smartness
f they succeed. They conceal the posses-
Ion of notes , ccrtlllcalos of slocks and mort-
ages , while the property und lltllo homo of
hglollor is goon and known by all , and does
[ Continual on Fifth J'i