The Grange advance., 1874-01-21
What the Governors Say.


ONES of the messages Of the (iovernors
Of different States, not only as q matter
of interesting news, but as showing the
spirit Of reform. which either real or
feigned, seems to be almost universal
throughout the States Everywhere
has the voice ofthe new movement, in ia
vor Of economy, honesty in the admins.
tration of the officers of State and equal
and just legislation been heard and not
only heard but needed and respected,
either through feigned compliance With
the demands OF the people or by earnest
endeavors to right all wrongs and t.
meet out equal justice to all.
ILLINOIS.
With regard to the railroad law now
in force in Illinois, the governor after
stating that the railroad commissioners
have prepared schedule Of rates tor all
the roads, says: '' What the railroad
corporations will do after the 18th Of Jan
uary: when the schedules are in full
force, I cannot say Should they fail or
refuse to comply with the terms Of the
act, it will he the duty Of the executive
and the officers Of the law t. execute
with energy, and enforce with riyor the
will Of the people: as expressed by the
legislature. The people demand that
public corporations shall subserve pub,
lie interests, and to this imperative
demand every branch Of govern
ment must and will conform. The
sooner the problem is solved, the
better, in my opinion, for all
concerned. Once solved, l feel as
sured the people will be just and reason
able in their Legislation toward corporate
bodies and, give them all privileges
consistent with the public good I rec
ommend full and fair trial Of the law
passed at the former session; and if,
upon trial, it is found that the schedule
Of rates prepared and published by the
commissioners is unjust or unfair to the
people or railroads, the commissioners
can change and revise the same, and
such action will meet the approval of a
candid and considerate people,"
OHIO.
The message Of Gov. Noyes shows
the state debt to be $32, ,314, 900, and
local Indebtedness to be rapidly increas-
ing. He recommends that corpora
tions be limited by legislative enact
ment from increasing their indebted
ness beyond certain bounds. He also
recommends an appropriation of FIVE
thousand dollars for the erection of
hatching-houses for the propagation of
fish; inquiry into the manner of doing
business of fast freight and transporta-
tion companies; law to bind Ohio
corporations under heavy penalties to
keep their transfer books, or duplicates
thereof, in Ohio; and to compel the
closing Of transfer books at least ten
days before the annual meeting of
stockholders; also some legislation that
will compel such companies to pay
their full share of taxation. An an
preparation is asked for the comnletion
Of the geological survey Of the state
it is recommended that the Miami and
Ohio universities be changed to normal
schools of the higher grade.
NEW YORK.
Gov. Dix, of New York, submitted
his message January 6. 1t states that
the debt is comparatively small, and
may in a few years be entirely paid :;
the laws are enforced with renewed
vigor, and great criminals brought to
exemplary punishment. He discusses
at length the railroads and canals of the
state. He thinks when all the locks
are doubled and steam adopted on the
canal, its successful competition with
other routes cannot be doubted.
COLORADO.
Gov. Samuel H. Elbert, Of Colorado,
submitted his message to the territorial
legislature, January 6. It shows there
is no territorial indebtedness. The i'm
portance of forest culture and the pres-
ervation Of timber are referred to. A