Nebraska Newspapers

    TITI3 OMAHA DAILY MKKi VI ? I DAY 0 , 18)0. ! )
whrlher they rcprcucnt fictitious capital , nnd
were Issued without conHldorntbn , or winch
for nny rcnwm tlo not represent an honest
Investment of capital actually put into thi *
entcrprloe , b considered In ( Mcrmlnlng the
fair value of the property far the purpose
of ascertaining what nro reasonable rates ?
"May the market vnluo of the stock of the
connrntlon , nuctuntlnn ai It doca , ntnl sub-
'Ject to the manipulation of Block exchanges
anil stock Knmblers , be made the test ? If
thefo Blocks , by manipulation , or subject to
the Influences of chambers of commerce nml
boards of trade , be Increased In market
% alue , shall this be a reason for Increasing
rates , and shall earn Increase In the value
of stock be followed by an Increase of rales ,
thereby establishing nn agency whereby Ihe
wealth of the producers may , by means of
on endless chain , be transferred at pleasure
Into the top of the otock broker ? Is not
the most just and equitable method the
reasonable present value of the property
thui nse-1 for the public ? All other prop
erty Is subject to the livv of dcprccli'lan '
and diminution and the cheapening process
by reason of new Inventors' discoveries , In
creased skill In operntlon and progress In
many directions , and shall this one. class
of property bo made an exception to the
general rule ?
"lly reference to the report of the boatd
of secretaries It appears that the present
test per rnllr- for construction mid equipment
of two of the principal roads of Iho btalo
Is from $23,000 to J2'.f > 00 per mile. Shall
an estimate of this character be taken as n
Lorrect basis , or shall n road that Ins been
Blocked and bonded In the past for t\\lce
ami three times thtso amounts ha\o values
fixed upon Iho Insls of the amount of capital
as represented by mich stocks anil l nda7
I.UJM Doit ii .No DiIInlliItulr. .
"Tho opinion in the maximum rate case
does not , I regret to say , lay down wllh
nny dcsreo of satisfaction any dellnltu ru o
or basis whertby the reasonableness of the
rates may bo determined. There > ot 10-
malns great unceitalnty touching Ihls phase
of the question , which , perhaps , will only
Jio settled by perseverance In an effort to
establish by legislation Just legulatlou of
the charges by railroad corporations for the
transportation of persons and property
which Is subject to the authoilty and con
trol of the legislature. "
The governor then quotes extracts from the
opinion In the maximum rate case and tiajs-
"Krom the foregoing It Is qiilto clear lhat
the legislature has the po\\ei , by direct leg-
Islallon , or undir legislative enactmenl , to
gUo authority for the reasonable regulation
of railway and other corporations of a public
character In the mailer of charges for serv
ices rendered the people under the franchise
granted them lo conduct Ihc business for
which Ihe corporallon was crcaled. The con-
fitllullon provides lhat railroads In this state
nro public highways and shall bo free to all
persons for the transportation of their per-
Bens and property thereon , under such regu
lations as may be ptescribed by law , and that
the legislature may from time to time pass
laws establishing reasonable maximum rates
of charges for Ihe tiansportallon of passen
gers and freight on the different railroads
In thia stale. It Is also provided that the
Si legislature shall pass laws to correct abuses
and prevent unjust discrimination and tx-
tortlon In all charges of express , telegraph
* ! and lallroad companies in Ihls slate That
the public may rightfully demand such pro
tection from their legislature none will
question. As lo how best to exercise Ma
nulhorlly and discharge Ihe duly thus Im
H posed upon the legislature , there may be and
.1 doubtless Is a difference of opinion. It ap
. pears to me that the legislature may \cry
properly lakt acllon upon this subject , and I
respeclfully tmggesl Iho wisdom and jus
tice of modifying and ro-cnacllng the present
maximum freight rate law , to the end that
the objections now existing to Us enforce
ment may bo obviated and that , within the
llralta of the decision of the supreme court ,
the people may bo afforded the relief from
unjust exactions In Iho charges of freight
rates to which they nro reasonably entitled.
It Is true that It may be years before such
a law could bo enforced , because of litigation
which may follow Its enactment , and jet wo
can hope to accomplish nothing In this ro-
epect unless wo persevere , and , Inspired by
0 laudable dcslro of dealing justly with bolh
the people and the corporations , we ought
not to hesitate or halt until equal and exact
Justice shall bo established and discrimina
tion and unjust charges bo made more ob
noxious , If not impossible , under Ihe law.
"With the maximum frelsht rate act In
operative , whatever protection and relief
Khteh the people may have from unjust
charges and discrimination must como
through the Hoard of Tiansportotlon. I am
aware that the operation of Ihls law through
that board , or Us secrelarlea , has not been
cnllrely sallsfaclory lo the public at large.
1 am and have been of the opinion that nn
elective railroad commission la much to bo
preferred. This , however , Is unatlalnable
until Iho supreme law of the slate Is
amended , and Ihls , perhaps , cannot bo done
for several years. In the meantime the
people are cnlltlcd lo the best protection
which the legislature may lawfully extend to
them. To repeal an laws and leave the pco-
plo wholly at the mercy of corporate greed
and subject to unjust discriminations would
subservo the interests
nest
,
not , In my judgment
terests of the people. "
COMPETITIONJJEATS THE LAW
Stock Yiir.lfi Rule Hill Hold Vl > . > ' <
Conumiiy VoluiUnrlly He-
ilucfN CliiirBC * .
"The last legislature passed an act tc
regulate ceitaln stock yards by declaring
them public raarkeU and defining the duties
) f the persons or persons operating the samt
Inrt regulating all charges Ihereof and pro-
riding penallles for Iho violation thereof
The Union Slock yards of Soulh Omaha. r
torporallon subject to the provisions of thli
ict , had llself , or , perhaps , more accurate ! ]
( peaking , Us managing offlclaK who wen
creatures of its own making , enjoined froir
pulling in force Iho rales of charges ai
Ihercln provided and the case seems to bi
traveling the same road as the maximun
frnight rale case , except moving by evei
Blower stages , If that were possible. Ai
humorous , It not ludicrous , Incident trans
plrlng in the proceedings of this case 1
worthy of note. If I am correctly Informed
after the stockholders had applied for an in
Junction restraining Ihe managing olllcer
from putting In force the rales of charge
provided by slntuto and from lowering th
rales then prevailing , and the court hoi
granted the Injunction , the Kansas Cit ;
Slock Yards company reduced Us rates I
conform lo Iho requirements of nn act passe
by the Kansas legislature and upheld b
the courts of that state. The Injunction wa
doubless ( applied for and granted upon th
theory that the company could nol conduc
Us business vlh profit at the rates pro
vhlecj by statute , but the law of compcllllo
proved more cffecllvo lhan the statute an
compelled the lowering of rates at the Soul
Omaha stock yards. This necessitated an
other application to Iho court to be pit
milled lo reduce Iho rales which Ihey Ihem
bclvcs had declared would bring rulu an
bankruplcy. Relief was graciously extende
by the court and the rates were reduced a
that the average charges ate no higher tba
allowed by the act In controversy. How
ever , what the company does voluntarily
Is not willing that the legislature shall I
statute require It to do and the cose !
etlll pending.
"The mine general principles seem to 1
Involved as In the maximum freight rat
rases. The people have a right to have tti
case speedily tried. If the net In questlo
la not valid we ought to ascertain In a rtv
1
tenable time wherein It Is defect1 ve , so tin
Iho leglslaluro may remedy Ihe defect un
by suitable legislation give to tba peopl
Biich protection from unjust exactions t
they may rightfully demand. What I nav
N
\
said regarding the delay In the final ad
judication of the maximum freight rate
ens" applied with cqunl force to the litiga
tion over the stock yards regulation act. "
ABOLISH THEJttlLROAD PASS
AdvNrn l.rulilntlim 1'rnlilliltliiK Tlii'lr
INIIIIIn Any i\ ; M-it | Hull-
oil >
"On the Bubject of free transportation to
persons traveling over the rallwnjs of the
state , 1 beg to submit for > our considera
tion views expressed by me In my Inaugural
|
address to the leglslaluro then assembled ,
as follows-
The sublect of granting free transporta
tion to persons holding the more Important
olllces In the stale has occupied the public
mind more or less and been a fruitful theme
of dlbcussloii lit Nebraska for several vcars.
It Is n cuslom of Innc slandlng and uni
versal practice for railroad officials lo grant
frcv > transportation to stale ( inkers ntid mem
bers of Iho legislature. I do not apprehend
that thcso n.isses uru given wllh Ihe Intent
of unduly influencing ofllcial acllon or Icgls-
l.illon favorable lo the corporations , nor do
I belltvo the users of Ihls trausportntlon
feel that they nro placed under any obliga
tion that would render them Incapable of
honest and unprejudiced action. They are
doubtless given as a mailer of courtesy and
accepted as such. The motive Involved Is
perhaps different from that In the case of
Iho Individual who carries frco transporta-
llon becausit of alleged political Influence or
the Indiscriminate use of frco transporta
tion ill i-olltlcal conventions and during
campaigns whereby a fair and Impartial cx-
presblrn of the will of the people Is pre
vented I nm of the opinion that the very
general Issuance of passes to Individuals Is
pernicious .11 Its Uifltutiee. has a tendency
to debauch the uubllc mind , and should be
opposed to the same e\tcnt us the posses
sion of free trnnsporlnlion by Ihose In
olllclnl lifeIn either Instance there must
naturally follow a corresponding reduction
In the net curnlncs of the railroads and an
Incidental Increase In the cost of transporta-
llon to Iho individual citizen not thus BO
favored. I can see no difference In princi
ple In discrimination In passenger tralllc
than in fielcht tralllc. the tyatem Is wroug
In principle and I respectfully recommend
to your careful consideration the propriety
of enacting u law to prevent the Issuance of
free transportation und its acceptance by
ofilclals or persons In private life , save the
bonn fide employes of Iho railroad com
panies.
"My views on Ihls subject during the In
terval of tlmo between then and now have
undergone no material change , and I herein
renew the recommendations therein made.
Two years ago I again called the allenllon
of Iho legislature to Ihe subject , especially
with reference lo the granting of favors by
railroad companies In political campaigns
and for political purposes , and a law was
very properly passed piohlblllng such cor-
porallons from contributing to campaigns in
the way of free transportation , or otherwise ,
which I think has had a beneficial effect.
Whether the law has been obeyed In all
respects , I am not prepared to say.
"Tho platform of Iho convenllon nominat
ing my successor and Ihe olher state officers
ho were elected declared In favor of a law
bolishlrg frco Iransporlallon lo all save
iona flde railroad emploves ; and during Ihe
mpalgn Iho opposition press and speakers
torn the stump quite generally In strong
erms condemned the use of free passes ,
t will surely not be contended by the mem-
ers of any one party that It Is wrong for
nembers or olflcers belonging to another
iarty lo avail Ihemselves of free transporta-
lon while entirely proper for the parties
: ius criticising to engage In what Is con-
emned in others. It would seem , therefore ,
hat unlcas the people have been trifled with ,
nlces these ulterances were but words of
nslnccrlty and hypocrisy , there ought to be
tile division of sentiment as to the wisdom
, nd jusllco of an adequate law which would
orevcr set at rest this perplexing and much
exed question. The abolishment of free
ransportatlon would perhaps open the \vay ,
.hough I do not speak with full knowledge ,
a reasonable- reduction of passenger
ates. "
Tin.NHtliinnl Gnnrd.
Concerning the National Guard the gov-
rnor cites the fact that through mustering
nto the national service the old organiza-
ions have practically all disappeared , but
hat the reorganization is now well under
ay and It Is commended to the consldera-
lon of the legislature as having demon-
iratcd Us worth. The steps taken to secure
rom the general government the return
f money expended In mobilizing the
oluntcer regiments are set out at length.
KiillltiiiK Committee.
The work of the famous legislative In
vestigating committee , better known as the
'sniffling" committee , comes In for con-
Ideratlon , and while It is admitted that
, ho direct benefits have not been large the
hope is expressed that It may result In
better business methods being employed in
ho state institutions.
Appropriation for Pronocutlon * .
"An appropriation of $5,000 was made for
he prosecution by the attorney general of
cases wherein the state was a party , and
especially those with a view of recovering
moneys known to bo due the stale by reason
of defalcation of state officers and money
! est in depository banks. This money has
been expended upon verified vouchers , ap
proved by the atloruey general , all of which
are mailers of record In the ofllco of the
auditor. For the successful prosecution of
cases now pending , many of them of great
mportancc , and In order to secure as
speedily as possible what may bo due the
state , will require a further appropriation
upon your part for Ihe use of Ihe altorney
general , and I recommend an appropriation
of the eaine amount as heretofore made. "
Ilnport of Attorney Grncrnl.
"Attenllon Is called by the attorney gen
eral lo the great number of boards which
have been created from time to time , com
posed of the executive officers of the state ,
and the added burdens Imposed upon them
thereby. Ho suggesls that thia may possibly
bo remedied in some degree by obtaining
from the supreme court , after full argument ,
an opinion more fully construing the
provisions of the constitution limiting the
number of execullve slate officers.
"Tho attorney general makes some
pertinent suggestions concerning a revision
of the lawn of the state. The laws are
certainly In many Instances poorly con
structed and badly arranged , No thorough
examination has ever been made of the
action taken by the leglslaluro In Ihe pas
sage of the laws now upon the statute book
The question as < to whether a law has beec
legally enacted may bo raised by a roccnl
decision of the supreme court In every casi
and submitted aa a question of fact to th <
Jury to bo by It decided In the rendition o :
a verdict. Much confusion and lltlgatloi
would probably be prevented by a revlslor
of the laws ns recommended. If a revlslor
U undertaken It ought to be under thi
supervision of those who are competent ant
thoroughly qualified lo perform Ihe dlfflcul
task. "
llcnlclt'iu-c- llic Oovernor.
"Upon Ihe cvo of my retirement fron
office I may , I hope , with propriety , spra !
with reference to providing the chief exjcu
ttvc of the stale with a residence at th
capital during his Incumbency of the office
Such a provision baa been made in man
states with less population and wealth tha
Nebraska. It is duo to the office that th
governor of the state shall have a fixe
and permanent residence while In office. To
n , number of years the legislature' has mad
temporary provisions respecting a resldenc
for the governor by an appropriation fo
house rent. This sum was usually $2,00
J for each blennlum. When I was firs
e elected the appropriation was reduced t
s $1,500 for the blennlum. This I found t
o be sufficient for the. purpose for which I
was Intended , Loss than the amount Ap
propriated for each hlranlum has been used ,
the mirplus lapsing Into the treasury. I am
aware that nome objections arc advanced to
niich an appropriation , for the Alleged rcairon
that It conflicts wllh constitutional provi
sions limiting salaries of state officers. If
such i contention bo true. It would doubt-
los follow that a permanent residence could
not bo provided for. I nm satisfied , however -
over , that there Is nothing In the constitu
tion to prevent the legislature from provid
ing n residence for the executive , and It I
am correct In this there can be 110 legal
obstacle In the way of making temporary
provision lo servo the same purpose In the
meantime.
"In rellrlng ti prlvale life I bear wllh mo
n love and solicitude for the stale and Its
Institutions , growing out or the years of
labor In their Interest , and my efforts as n
private citizen shall ever be devoted to the
welfare of Nebraska ,
"SILAS A. IIOI.COMD , Governor.
"Kxecuttvc Chamber , Lincoln , Neb , Jan
uary 5 , 1S03. "
TO PREVENT LANDING
( Continued from First Page. )
ore necessarily reserved to the authority of
the United States , private property , whether
belonging to Individuals or corporation * * , Is
to bo respected , except for cause fully es
tablished. The taxes end duties heretofore
pa > able by thu Inhabitants 10 the late gov
ernment , become pavablo to the authorities
of the Untied States , unless It bo seen fit
to substitute for them olher reasonable rates
or modes of contribution to the expenses
of government , whether general or local. If
private property be taken for military use ,
it shall bo paid for when possible In cash
at a fair valuation and when pajmcnt In
cash is not practicable , receipts are to bo
given.
1'urtH Opened to Commerce.
All ports and places In the Philippine
Islands In control of the actual land and
naval forces of the United States will bo
opened to the commerce of all friendly na
tions. All goods and wares , not prohibited
for military reasons by duo announcement
of the military authority , will be admitted
upon pajment of such duties and other
charges ns shall bo In force at the time of
their Importation.
Finally , It should be the earnest and para
mount aim of the military administration to
win the confidence , respect and affection of
the Inhabitants of the Philippines by as
suring to them In every possible way that
full measure of Individual rights and lib
erty , which Is the heritage of frco people
and by proving to them that the mission
of the United States Is one of benevolence ,
substituting the mild sway of justice nnd
right for arbitrary rule. In Ihe fullfllmcnt
of this high mission , supporting the tem
perate administration of affairs for the
greatest good of the governed , there must
bo sedulously maintained the strong arm of
authority , to repress disturbance and to
overcome all obstacles to tha bestowal of the
blessings of good government upon the people
ple of the Philippine Islands under the flee
fiag of the United States.
WILLIAM M'KINLEY.
MANILA , Jan. G. President McKlnley's
proclamation to the Filipinos , cabled to
Major General Otis , from Washington , has
been Issued here.
AKiiliiulilo'N l'i I
VIENNA , Jnn. 8. The Neue Wiener Tage-
blatt publishes this morning a statement re
ceived by Prof. Blumentritt from a friend
of Agulnaldo , who says that the latter holds
as prisoners 11,000 Spanish troops , Including
two generals , forty staff officers nnd 400 su
perior officers. Ho ha * also 1,000 civilians ,
Including several provincial governors and
numeroue officials.
MAKING THE FILIPINOS GOOD
nx-Pre ldent Cleveland Commentii
Smrcmitlcally on the Expan
sion Program.
PRINCETON , N. J. , Jan. 5. Ex-President
Cleveland , In reply to the request of a
representative of the Associated Press for
an expression on the question of expansion ,
said :
"I do not care to repeat my views con
cerning the prevailing epidemic of im
perialism and territorial expansion. Assum
ing , how over , that my Ideas on the subject
are antiquated and uneultod to these pro
gressive days. It la a matter of surprise to
me that the refusal of certain natives of our
new po 3tslons to acquiesce in the benefi
cence of subjecting them to our control
and management should In the least dis
turb our expansionists. This phase of the
situation ought not to have been unantici
pated nor the Incidents naturally growing
out of It overlooked. The remedy Is ob
vious and simple The mligutded Inhabi
tants of our new territory who prefer some
thing different from the plan for their con-
Irol which we proposed or who oppose our
designs In their behalf should be slaugh
tered. The killing of natives bos been a
feature of expansion since expansion began
and our Imperialistic enthusiasm should
not bo checked by the prospective neces
sity of destroying A few thousand or a few
hundred thousand Filipinos. This should
only be regarded as one etago In a trans-
cendantally great movement , a mere Inci
dent In Us progress. Of course , some un
prepared soula would then be lost before wo
had the opportunity of christianizing them ,
but surely those of our clergymen who have
done so much to encourage expansion could
manage that difficulty. "
MEXICAN HERDERS WOUNDED
Shooting Affrny In Which Two Men
Hecelve Chnricei from
Revolver ! .
CHEYENNE , Jan. 5. ( Special Telegram. )
A shooting affray between sheepmen , In
which two Mexican herders were wounded ,
occurred near R&wllnB yesterday. Frank
Williams , one of the parties to the contro
versy , surrendered himself lo Ihe authori
ties today for trial. Ills story Is that a
band of sheep belonging to Cosgrlff
Dro6. , vvaa being driven across land
which had been leased by himself and as
sociates , Ho says ho rode up to the herd
ers and asked them If they did not know
they were on leased land. One of them
said : "Is your name Frank ? " nnd upon
his replying , "Yes , " they began shooting at
him. Ho pulled his revolver and began
shooting also.
Williams gave bonds for a preliminary
hearing. The story told by the Mexicans
Is that four of their party wore driving
1 the sheep toward Brown's canon , when
three men In ambush attacked them. One
of their party was wounded In the fore
head , the bullet lacerating the skin , but did
not fracture the skull. Another was shot
In the side and Is In a critical condition.
They claim Ihey only fired when It became
necessary to protect themselves. An In
vestigation will bo made and other arrests
will probably follow.
HIGHWAYMEN JN CHICAGO
Six of Them While Trjlntr to Ecnic
After Ilo1d-U | > HiiKnKe In
Shooting Affrny.
CHICAGO , Jan. 5. Six highwaymen , whc
> were endeavoring lo make their escape nftei
having held up the dry goods store of L. C
1 T. Doorman at S32 Twenty-first street , en-
r gaged In a shooting affray with Policemen
3 Edward Walner and John McCauley this
3 evening and both were wounded. Walnei
r died three hours later In the hospital ,
) Doorman and his clerk , Charles Carlson
t were alone In the store when five of tin
3 robbers entered , one remaining on guard
i They robbed Doorman of $35 and a watcl
t and took a watch and { 5 from Carlson.
' 4 lIXMI PPPP I IT KM ITIlfin
iEADDRhSSLSLEGISLAlORfc
Governor of South Dakota Bends in Ills
Official Communication ,
REVIEWS THE CONDITION OF THE STATE
llci'uiiiiitpiiilntlnnii .Mnilc for thu At
tention of tlir liint iiiiiUfrci Oiim-
tnlttocH of llotiKie Annoniiuvil
nnil llllli Introduced ,
riERHE , S. I ) . . Jan. f" > . ( Special ) The
message of Governor Andrew E. Lee to the
Joint session of the sixth legislative as
sembly was read this afternoon ami goes
at length Into general subjects of
the slalc's welfare. The finances of
Ihc stale ar shown lo be In n flour- :
ishlng condition. "During the last
four years , " Governor Lee says , "the state
has been liquidating its obligations at a ,
gratifying rale , and with prudent manage
ment of our affairs there seems to be hope
that within the next wo years we1 may. If
disposed , bo practically free from debt. This
fortunate change in our affairs has been
duo to the Improved Industrial conditions , ,
better admlnlsratlon , to the economy of two
legislatures and the addition lo our revenues
of moro than $60,000 from liquor licenses.
The total revenues collected for the last
four jears have amounted to $3,003,021.40 ,
and the disbursements have been $8,403-
DOG.02 , leaving a nel casJi balance In the
treasury on July 1 , last , of $499,518 41. The
treasurer reports that our bonded debt on
July 1 , 1S98 , was ? S01COO The auditor's
report shows It to have been $7S9COO at that
time. Thia disagreement Is explained by
the fact hat Ihe treasurer included In his
report of debt paid prior to July 1 , $18,000 ,
which wan actually paid after that date.
Since January , 1897 , the tolal debt reduc
tion with Interest has amounted lo $551-
C01.C3 , and at this time our net debt Is
but $738,300. While this rapid debt paying
has been In progress the people have be'gun
to reall/e Its benefits , for at the last meet-
lug of the Stale Board of Assessment the
levy for sUto purposes was reduced 23 per
cent. I can see no reason why It cannot
bo reduced to the constltullonnl limit at
the next meeting of the boanl If Industrial
conditions remain gooj , and economy In
management and Industry In seeking untaxed -
taxed property Is the rule of public con
duct. "
VHI' Hi bOllOOl MOIK'J.
The message treats of the proper use of
the large amounts of school money at pres
ent unemployed. Speaking of this matter
the governor sas : "Among the depart
ments of the state government having the
Greatest responsibility lo the people is the
commissioner of school and public lands.
For the support of the common schools sec
tions 1C and 3G of every township In which
the land had become a part of the public
domain , were granted to the stale. In addl-
lion to the foregoing , a grant of 5 per cent
of the proceeds received by Ihu government
from the sale of public rands within the
state was made for the benefit of the com
mon schools. The principal derived from
these sources , including the C per cent re
ceived from the general government , con
stitutes the permanent school fund of the
state. The amount paid In and distributed
to the various counties amounts to $943-
671,41 ; the amount of deferred payment is
$1,302,372.89 , making a total permanent
school fund of $2,240,044 30.
"Tho stale has had large sums of school
money lying Idle for some tlmo and the
amount Is likely to greatly Increase. Under
the present Jaw It can onry be loaned on
land security and the amount which can bo
loaned to any one person Is limited to $500 ,
regardless of thw alueof the security. The
commissioner recommends that the law bo
modified so thai school fundn can be In
vested In county , school , municipal and elate
bonds. While the state can place Its bonds
at 3V4 per cent. It would be better for the
stale to pay a larger per cent of Interest
to the atato school fund than to have these
funds lie Idle and pay Interest upon stale
bonds to foreign tnveslors and I heartlry
concur in his recommendallon. "
IiiHiimncr Itutvn.
Attention is called to Insurance rates In
the following -words : "The enormous profits
being made by Insurance companies doing
buelncws In the stale are a proper subject
for Inquiry and leglslallon. The commis
sioner of Insurance presents a Ublo of pre
miums received by the various companies
doing business In South Dakota since 1889
and Institute a comparison between the in
come and outgo of money on Insurance ac
count which Is astounding. Our people have
known that rates for flro Insurance were
high ; but they will hardly be prepared for
proof that for the last ten years the Insur
ance companies have taken out of the state
nearly two dollars in premiums for every
dollar which they hove paid In losses. I
quote the following table from the com
missioner's report :
Total Losses
Year premiums. paid
1S97 $350,517 S3 $141,371 00
Jc . . . .30144100 13.1,37100
Is93 ' . 3SS-6238 : 216,06329
j ( 313,39200 , 189.J6909
Urn . . . .44325095 199,46952
Jn , 462,142 SO 141,821.49
jcoT " " 342,01727 102,11517
, si 318.21202 1C2.2MOO
ISM ; " ; ; ; ! . . . . .335,31931 157,350.19
The message emphasizes Ihe Imporlance of
the report of the railway commissioners ,
which delalls Ihe operallon of the railroad
6evenly-two applications
rate law and specifies
tions for relief made by shippers which
have been passed upon.
"They have transacted more business In
two years , " the governor says , "than wa
done during a period of eight jears by
previous commissioners. New stallon housen
and olher necessities , demands for which
i have heretofore been Ignored by the rail-
i roads and which the old commissioners
found themselves powerless to secure , have
been granted by the present board till the
evidenceof improved shipping facilities
may bo ceen In every community In the
slale. These minor reforms , while not gen
erally eupposed to be nearly so Important as
a reduction of railway rates , have con.
trlbuted greatly to the public benefit and
have been worth to the state many times
' the amount of the commissioners' entire
appropriation. The commissioners not only
have under their conslderallon Ihe railway
I lines of Ihe state , but an Imporlant part of
I their duty Is lo look afler Iho grain ele
vators situated along these highways of
trade. Their recommendations concerning
thcso Institutions are very valuable. "
MlitliiK Condition * . - '
Referring to mining conditions Governor
Lee eays : "The report of the mine Inspector
specter , James Terry , Is a comprehensive
dUcussIon of the wonderful mineral develop ,
went of the Black Hills , Justly characterIzed -
Ized as the 'richest 100 square miles on
earlh. ' The report shows that for the > car
1897 the precious metals laken from twenty-
seven mines nggrcgalod $7,949.77310. The
resources of that wonderland of the west are
yet In Iheir Infancy In point of develop
ment. Year by year moro mines are dis
covered , more worklngmen are employed
and more wealth Is added to the resourcea
of our state Laws for the utmost protec
tion of life and limb of the men who work In
the ralnee should bo enacted and carefully
enforced. "
The proposed enlargement of accommoda
tions for old soldiers Is mentioned as fol-
Ions :
"The general condition of the Soldiers'
homo is excellent , and no similar number ol
men In any walk of life could evince a
greater deslro to observe the rules and reg
ulations or show a more cheerful apprecia
tion of the Interest taken In their welfare ,
There are 15C members In the homo at
present , with forty-Qvc out on furlough and
thlny applications for admission on ( lie ,
which have been Approved , The ho | iltnl Is
overcrowded and the main building Is very
near the limit of Its capacity. If the legis
lature deslrc.s that the home and the hospi
tal fctiall bo open to all veterans who seek
admlnton from thU time forward , some pro
vision must be made Immediately for the
rapidly Increasing membership until thu
new regular appropriation Is available. "
An open letter to Kirk G. Phillips , state
treasurer , la published , making Inquiry Into
charges made that the Intler has been re
ceiving Interest on state money deposited In
various banks ,
llcuil.
After some Jangling over the manner of
spreading the governor's mcssago In the
records of the houses It was Unally decided
to lead It In joint session , although thorp
was considerable opposition In the start to
such aclton , Wllmarth of Deadlo taking the
position that If the governor had a mos-
eago to present bo should bring It before
the BCffilon and read It and not semi It up
by a clerk. The rending took considerable
'time ' , but nt last was rushed through and
at a late hour the joint session was dis
solved. 7 ho committees of the house were
then announced and an adjournment taken
to 2 o'clock tomorrow. The following bills
were then Introduced and fllinl , but not
read :
House bill No. 1. GlassTo provide every
assessor with a seal lo stamp nil noteK , mort
gages and all such documents , when the
same are listed for taxation , making them
uncollectable unless } stamped.
No. 2 , Goddard. Providing lhat nil honor
ably discharged Boldlers and Hallortt may at
tend stale educational Institutions free of
charge.
No. .1. Goddard To provide for carr > lng
Into effect the Initiative and referendum.
Main provisions lhat all bills submllted by
initiative must be filed with Iho legislature
not later than the twentieth day of thu ucs-
sbn and accompanied by affidavits of the
signers that they understand the provisions
of the bills. That all measures to which
the referendum applies shall be submllted
to a leferendum board , consisting of the
governor , secretary of state and attorney
general.
No. 4. Bras : Protection of fluh and pre
venting the killing of them by polmm or ex
plosives.
No. 5 , Glass : Making- the legal rate of
Interest 10 tier cent.
No. 0 , Wllmarth : Providing for carrying
Into effect the Initiative nnd referendum ;
the referendum to apply when a petition Is
filed with the secretary of state within ninety
dass after adjournment of session.
No 7. Wllmarth Ucglstrntlon law-
No. 8. Wllmarth- Providing for the
restoration of the circle at the head of the
ticket and that constitutional amendments
shall bo submllted on separate ballot.
No 9. Wllmarth : Providing for procedure
In the contei't of a state officer and the man
ner of securing a recount ef votes.
House. lolnt resolution No. 1 , Goddard.
Provides for an amendment on section 1 ,
article xxlll cf the constitution to require
n vote of two- thirds of the members of each
house to present nn amendment to the con-
stlutlon to the people.
The railroad commission held a meeting
today and besides transacting some unimpor
tant detail work , selected Its officers. W.
T. La Folletto was elected chairman and the
toard selected H. A. Sawyer of Sioux Palls
as secretary.
While there has been a delay of two dajs
in beginning the contest on the governor
ship It Is tonight definitely slnled that the
papers will be served In the morning.
PINGREE READS HIS MESSAGE
Joint Semiion of Michigan Iionlilntnre
Llnteiii to the Ail\lce of the
Executive.
LANSING , Mich. , Jan. 5. Governor Pln-
gree today read his message to the joint ses
sion of the legislature. It Is a voluminous
document of about 25,000 words and deals
with all the governor's proposed taxation
reforms , declares against expansion and In-
volgha at great length against trusts and
corporations. Following Is an abstract of Us
more salient features :
Governor Plngrce In his message congratu
lates the state on Us progress and tha era of
prosperity which Is opening up before It.
Equal taxation he treats at length , saying
that it was the most Important question In
the state today and that the present admln-
IstratUn was put In power expressly to take
some action looking to an equitable system
of taxation. It is desired that corporations
sl'oulrt be brought under the general tax law
Instead of being assessed upon their gross
earninRH as at present. Governor Plngree
then recommends the repealing of the spc-
1 ctal charters of the Michigan Central and
i Detrblt , Grand Haven & Milwaukee rail
road , so as to bring them under the general
tax laws. The attempt at the special seislon
J last spring to pass the Atklns n bill , which
has equal taxation for Its object , In rofcrred
1 to , and the governor criticises some federal
officials for alleged lobbying against It. The
governor recommends a moderate. Income tax
upon all Incomes above $1,000 a year. The
progress made by the trusts In recent years
has alarmed the governor. H advocates
that congress should take this matter in
hand , as elate legislatures , he says , are
pow rle 9 , because corporations would simply
b driven from one state t another by any
attempt at legislation on the part of the
1 states.
Decided opposition was expressed < o the
annexation of the Philippines. Governor Pln-
gree claiming that they are In no- way a
necessity for our safety or even usefulness ,
as are the Hawaiian Inlands or the Antilles.
He says : "Tho scheme of annexation Is sim
ply a weak Imitation of the policy of Euro
pean monarchies , conceived in apparent
Ignorance or Indifference respecting the
vastly different conditions which have forced
those powers into distant colonization.
I.MU..V "I.KOIHI.ATUHB MEETS.
Lynch Molin , Strike * nnd Louu > lnta
Are Scored by Oo > eruor.
INDIANAPOLIS , Jan. E. The Indiana
general assembly convened today. All the
caucus nominees of last night were In
stalled. Governor Mount's annual iressage
. was also read. The message , which was
i very long , deals moslly with state ulfalrs.
The general assembly will elect a republican
successor to United Stales Ssnalor Turple.
Governor Mount , In his message , wild-
1 "Tho good name of Indiana has been < ' .ls-
I honored by a lawless mob that took from
the Jail In Illpley county and lynched live
men , charged with burglary. Even If these
men had been by a court found guilty , as
charged , ttio punishment would have bei-n
Imprisonment , and not death.
i "Every person charged with crime has
' the right to a fair and Impartial trial. Tor
a better guarantee of this rlijht and to
, awaken a moro lively Inlorest m the coun-
I ties against Ijnchlugs and white capping1.
I rccomcnd the enactment of law inking
the county responsible for such condltl' ns
and liable In a civil suit for damigea. In
the case of lynching the nearest of kin
sohuld bo authorized to Institute the suit ,
and for the defense of white-capping 'he
aggrieved party whould have the right to
secure damages. "
Referring to strikes , the governor said :
"I believe the tlmo has come when dlffer-
onoes between employers and emplojes
should be adjudicated In a lawful court of
arbitration and Ihnt the finding of such
I courts should be mandatory. Provisions
| should bo made whereby the oggrleved party
could Immediately appeal to the circuit
court , the decision of this court to bo bind
ing and duly enforced. It Is a menace to the
peace of the state and to life and property
for corporations to bo arming men to de
fend their plants and for discarded labor
to bo arming for revenge upon the newly
emplojed labor at Ihe business that gives
them work. "
In scoring lobbyists , the governor ad. !
"Hired lobbyists are a menace to free gov
ernment. The time Is rapidly approaching
when the hired tools of corporate Krecd will
bo excluded from the balls of legislation
The just law that commends Itself needs no
schemer , wllh doubtful methods , to secure
Its enactment. It becomes , therefore , the
sacred duty of lawmakers to look after the
Interest of the people and lo SPO lo II that
no Inronds i.ro made upon Ihelr rights "
HOtSIJ AM ) Nr.NATIJ l > .MlftMH III.
I'rrinnni'iit Orunnlrntloii I'oriuril nnd
I'niiii1 for < ! oriiiir > Mi-K iim' ,
ST. LOUIS , Jan. fi. A special to the Pout-
Dispatch from Jefferson City , Mo , , sayi
the house and senate completed their per
manent organizations today. In the sen
ate' , the republicans had no randldatco anl
'hey voted for the democratic nominees.
W. J. McCllntlc , Marlon county , was elected
president pro tern and Cornelius linieh ,
Jasper county , secretary ; W. J. Word , Stod-
dard county , was elected speaker of the
houee , with Major Henry A. Newman ns
chief dork. All the other democratic cau
cus nominees were also elected. Both
bodies then took a recess until 2 o'clock to
aw nit the presentation of nny communica
tion that governor Stephens may make1.
The legislature reconvened soon after 2
o'clock , but nothing was done for two or
three hours , when Governor Stephens' mes
sage wns received and read In both holism ,
The message , which contained al least 15,000
words , waa confined almost wholly to state
Issuttt , Governor Stephens demanded nn
Investigation by the legislature of munici
pal affairs In St. Loulu , saying that charges
of bribery and boodllng there had become so
persistent that he must take notice of them
At some length Governor Stephens called at
tention to the evils of trusts and combina
tions and recommended Iho repeal of Ihc
proviso of the antl-tru t law exempting lire
Insurance companies In cities of 100,000 In-
hlbltantu or over from Its operallon and
elfcct.
MAI.MJ'.H ( JOVmiMHl IXAIIfil'IlATttD ' ,
AdvUcH Hnillcnl CliiiiincM In I.IIVX.H
HcliilliiK to National ( iunrd ,
AUGUSTA , Me. , Jan. 5 Governor L.
Powers was Inaugurated today for his second
end term Governor Powers In his message
opened with congratulations to the people
of the state on their present prosperity and
expresses himself as very decidedly of Ihe
opinion lhat there should be some radical
changes In Ihc laws relating to the National
Guard , and ho thinks It very desirable to
form the guard In every particular upon the
regular army standard. The address con
cludes as follows :
"Whatever new obligations changed con
ditions shall place upon us In our career as
a nation , wo shall not shrink from them ,
but , j\a In duty bound , accept them In honor
and good faith , confident In our ability nnd
realizing our Imperative obligation to as
sume nnd solve Ihcm In the Intcresls of hu
manity , of progress and of good gov em
inent. "
< ; OVLH.M > II WOI.COTT OPTIMISTIC.
of tlu > War AVIII Lead to
Clilllinlloii.
BOSTON , Jan. S. Tuo Inaugural e\erclsc3
at the state house today passed with the
customary smoothness , Governor Woleott
taking the oath of office as supreme magis
trate of the commonwealth for the dilrd
time. The governor's message opens with
a brief resume of the war with Spain and
the part taken therein by Massachusetts
troops.
"There is no doubt in my mind , " the gov
ernor says , "that this war was entered upon
by the great majority of the people of the
Untied States without distinction of party
or locality , with high nnd unselfish purposes ,
nor do I doubt that Its results will lead to
olvlllzallon. "
Oricunlrlni ; MlNNOiirl
JEFFERSON CITY. Mo , Dec. C. The
democrallc caucus tof the house has named
W. J. Ward of Stoddard county for speaker
and ho will be elected today. Colonel Henry
A. Newman of Randolph has been nominated
chief clerk. In the democratic senatorial
caucus W. J. McCllntlc of Marlon was
named president pro tern of the senate.
llnmimlilrc'H At-w Uotvrnor.
CONCORD , N. H. , Jan. G. The Inaugu
ration of Frank Rollins as governor of New
Hampshire took place today In the pres
ence of both branches of the legislature urd
a large company of distinguished public
men and friends of the now chief Magis
trate.
HAVE FAITH IN GENERAL WOOD
Cltlreu * of Snutluao Show Their An-
preolntlon of III * < tcr > ! tcM In
Their Uehnlf.
SANTIAGO DE CUBA , Jan. C. The ex
planation of the War department at Wash
ington of Its Intentions regarding the trans
fer of customs receipts from the different
ports In Cuba to Havana Is met here by
statemenls from the Cubans that the plan
IB similar to the one adopted by the
Spaniards when requisitions on Havana ob
tained less than G per cent of what the
requisition called for. The merchants , busi
ness men and Influential people hero say
Havana has grown rich and prosperous at
the expense of the rest of the inland und
Ihe Cubans and governmental officials at
Santiago say the Cubans of Havana are re
sponsible for Major General Brooke's order
on this subject. The people hero add that
the Havana Cubans are still anxious to
maintain the same system of centralization
of funds that was In force before the Ameri
can occupation. Dr. Castillo nnd Mayor
Hlcardo have proved true In this crisis and
have urged the citizens to remain peaceful
while awaiting the results of the visit of
General Wood and Dr. Castillo to Washing
ton. General Wood , , accompanied by hU
aide , Lieutenant Hanna , and Dr. Castillo ,
representing the merchants and business men
of thU city , left nero for New York today
on board the United States transport .Mlsslu-
slppl. They were accorded an enthusiastic
departure from the palace and during their
passage down Marlanl street to the wharf.
The municipal band preceded General Wood ,
who was accompanied by the major and his
staff and large numbers of officers nnd
Cubans , who walked Iho entire distance amid
continuous applause and cheers for General
Wood. The latter was deeply moved. There
were between 0,000 and 6,000 persons In the
procession , and the women wept and wished
the general ban vojugc. Cuban gratlludo
was never more clearly expressed. Men who
a few weeks ago were antagonistic to the
American commander were today among his
moist enthusiastic supporters.
The members of the supreme court and
the band of the Fifth regular Infantry were
on board the auxiliary gunboat Hist , which
saluted the Mississippi and hade It farewell
In the usual manner. The Mississippi , which
was brliriantly decoraled , was also saluted
by the I'unta Gorda battorlo. Though the
situation IE critical , It is doubtful whether
any overt act will bo committed unlets the
populace is aroused by further irritating
orders from Havana.
LOST CREW OF THE CATANIA
OVMIITX of VMH -M Stntitlmt Only
Tucntj-Klv < Arc oil ti < > .SupiiHi-il |
rolllldrrrll V < - N < 'I.
NEW YORK , Jan. 0. United States Ship
ping Commissioner Day has given out a list
of the Catania's crew when that ship Is
thought to have foundered In mid-ocean ,
outward-bound , in November. The owners
of the Catania stated that only twenty-five
wore aboard. The list Is as follows-
Charlea A. Furlong , captain ; J. Kllnklc ,
first mate , J. Auld , chief engineer ; Charles
Fallen , becond officer , H. W. Oeaso , first
assistant engineer , T. Kallaher , second as-
alaunt engineer , Henry Hughes , chief
steward. J. II. Yancy. colored , assistant
steward , C. E. Freeman , colore-1 , cook , W.
Honor , assistant cook , J. McOarry. mew-
man. J. I. Carlson , boatswain , Nell Thor-
sonaen , carpenter ; John Redden , M Law
rence and Manuel Carabo , oilers , Eugene
Sleybert , Thorno * Magulre , Max Welgel , F
Scott , Otto Pens , A. Molnmlo , 0 Kroger nnJ
Prcil \ . Knun , sailors , X Nolnou , T 1'elcr-
Ken , T , Engelfat. I1. Ing.illH , T T Erlksrn ,
A , A , Eden , John Uuetis and William Yar-
wood , firemen.
WOMAN ACCUSED OF MURDER
In Killing of Two Mrn on'
DrnrrlrronliMl In
NEW YOIIK , Jan. t. . A dUpatch from
Sjracusc says that Mrs Winifred Mjcrs
was nrrcslrd nt Gouvcncur today , charged
with being Implicated In n murder and
was taken west by Ogden detectives , by way
of Duffnlo.
The woman Is said to have been an ac
complice of John Hancwck In Iho murder
of two travelers In the Nevada iieMort In
Api II , 1S < H , Mrs Myers and Hancock , It ll
learned from Salt Lake , left Nyet county
Nevada. In company with two mon , ueltbel
of whom has been hoard from since.
SPORTING NEWS.
nt > MIrliniiK. .
Niw Jiin 5
OULKANS. -Thlrtv-sevontr
day of Ihe Crescent City Jockey club'tt win
ter meeting Shiiwer > , Ir.u-k heuvv llrllc
of Memphis was the onlj winning favorite.
llosults
I'lrsl nice , peven furlongs : Hello of Mem-
pblH won. lliinlsh Kceond , Duv Id third.
Time : 1 31
Second i.ice , soiling , six furlongi ! Moroni
won , Mlnnlo Weldon second , Henrlca third ,
Time. 1:1C\ : .
Third lace , one nnd one-quarter miles ,
selling : Possum won , Babe Fields neooiuli
Lnkevlevv Pnhu-o tblril Time 2 15'4
rmuth race.selling , one mile. Ould <
Hook wan , Basijull .second , l'ltike > 1'oltti
third Tlmo. 1 13
Fifth race , one milennd twenty ynn1 j
Oxnnril won , U.ilgrettl second , School Olrf
third. Time. 1 ! 5Vi.
I'nlitiit' Turf Oricnnlxntlon.
CL12VHLAND , O , Jnn C A unique turl
orKiinlrutlon Imi Item formed by 12 A
Tlpton , recent nmn.iKer for Marcus Daly ir
Montana nnd formoly secietnry of the lox
ItiKtnn association , and W. 1) ) Kaslg , sec
retary of Cbniter Oak park nKHnrtforil ,
Conn Iloth gentlemen nre known by
horaornrn all over tha country The cor
poration will be known as the Ka lg-Tlpton
rompnnv. It will cnenge In the Hiilo nt
horses , but Its specialty will bo the man
agement of races It will take the respon
sibility and cnllro nianaBeineiil whenever
nnd wherever desired , whether at a bin
counlry fair or on the giand circuit.
'I'd Snl I ( he Mniiiirnck.
LONDON , Jnn -Sir Thomns Llpton In *
forms the Associated I'resy that be baa
111 ally signed nKrcomejiti with Captains
ArchlHogarth , formerly of the Isolde , and
Hobi'it Wrlnge to command Ihe America' *
cup challenger Slminrnelt. Wrlnge sue-
( reded Captain Sycamoio In command ol
the Alsla.
_
Ilolilicil 1i > a C'j prlmi.
C T. Johnson , a prominent business man
of Hssex , l.i , came to the city last night
and started out to see the nlghls. In May
Coleman's house , nt 117 Norlh Ninth street ,
ho was robbed of $10 by a woman named
Anna King. The matter was reported to
the police and Ihc King woman arrested.
On her way to the station she was detected
trj Ing to get rid of nome of the stolen
money by dropping It In a gutter. When
searched $26 wns found In her pockets and
this amount was returned to Johnson , wlia
will remain to prcweculo Iho
Voti * for Sunntiir nt Illmnni'ok.
BISMARCK. N. I ) . , Jan. 5. The republican
legislative caucus tonight cast eight ba'lota '
for United States senators and adjourned
until tomorrow , not having agreed upon a
candidate. The eighth ballot resulted :
Congressman Johnson , 21 ; Marshall , 12 ; Lit
tle. 10 ; McCumber , 8 ; La Miure , 6 ; H.inm ,
5 ; Cooper , 4.
Horrible agony Is caused by Piles , Burni
and Skin Diseases. These are Immediately
relieved nnd quickly cured by DoWltt's
Witch Hazel salve. Beware of worthless
Imitations.
TODAY'S WEATHER FORECAST
Snow nnd Vnrlnblc AVI mid for
. \fliriinUii , limn ami the
LInUotiiN.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 5. Forecast fol
Friday.
For Nebraska , Iowa and the Dnkotas
Light snow ; variable winds.
For Missouri Threatening weather , with
snow , tinning Into rain ; warmer ; easterly
winds.
For Kansas Threatening weather , feN
lowed by snow In eastern portion ; varlablo
winds.
For Wyoming Threatening -weather ;
warmer ; soulherly winds.
Local Itt-tMird.
OFFICE OF THE WEATHER BUREAIT.
OMAHA , Jan C Omaha record of fin
pernture and rainfall compared with tha
corresponding d-iy of the lust thr-e jears :
18U9 18K7 1S96.
Maximum temperature . . ID 42 2 <
Minimum temperature . . 8 42M 3 J
Avcrngn temperature . . . . H 34 ' ) M
lialnfnll . 00 . ( K > T 00
Ileconl of temperature and precipitation
nt Omaha for this day nnd since March 1 ,
Ncrmal for the day . 19
E\cisn for the diy . 5
Accumulated excess since March 1 . 6S
Noimnl laliifnll fin the d.iy . 08 Incli
Delleloncj for the day . 03 Incli
Tola ) i.ilnfall Klnrt. Mm oh 1 , 1S9S 2fi Ki Inohrt
Deficiency nines March 1 . 26551nrhea
Uoiiuriii } fi iue March 1 . . 3 81 Incliuj
Dotlclenc-j for cor. period 1897. .11 05 Inches
Exce.sa for cor period , 1390 . . . . B 21 Inches
ItruortH from Station * at < l p. m.
mil. I
Wo huvo a mall HtorK 0 ' * No. 3.
Order of us BHim.MA.N
UHUU CO , , Omaha , Neb.