The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1875-01-14
GOVERNOR DAYlS'S MESSAGES.

The message of Governor Davis,
delivered to the Legislature at noon
Of Friday last, is An able, finished
and comprehensive business docu-
ment. Our readers were supplied
with the message in full, in supple
ment form, and we will here merely
refer to some Of its leading points 49,
The total receipts for the fiscal year
wero 1881, 21O.S7; total disburse-
ments, 81, las, O59.96 leaving a gen
eral balance of $1S3,150.91. The to-
tai recognized bonded indebtedness
Of the State is $4S0,00O.
The Auditor commends the tax
law which was passed by the Legis-
lature, aud states that = bill will be
presented containing provisions which
have been found necessary to its eff
Gent operation.
The management Of the Treasury
by the present incumbent is highly
commended.
Referring to the report of the su.
perintendent of Public instruction,
Governor Davis says concerning Nor
NAL Schools:
He attests the benefcent and increasing
influence of the Normal Schools and in
these views entirely concur. Much of the
obloquy which has been expended upon
these institutions has been excited BY un.
due expectations that their general benefits
ought to DO more immediate. That this is
not reasonable is apparent from the fact
that while in the year 1874, 5,4S2 teach
ers were employed in the common schools,
the: total enrolment, doubtless limited BY
their capacity, was 905. To this consider
alton is to be added that their work is one
of recent beginning and that sufficient time
has not elapsed to enable their pupils to
Pervade the entire State with their labor.
These figures, however, show that these
schools are rapidly advancing to q point
where their results will be practically COM
mensurate with the demand which they arc
intended to supply.
The report of the State Normal Board is
also herewith submitted. It's members
have administered the business interests of
these institutions with most commendable
fidelity. Appropriation are requested a.
follows, for current expenses in addition to
the $1,000 permanently appropriated to
each:
For Normal School ut Winona, $1,000
For Normal School at Mankato, 5000
For Normal School at St. Cloud, 1000
A suit against the Southern Min
nesota Railroad Company for taxes
due the treasury of the State has
been prosecuted to a successful issue.
A suit against the Winona and St.
Peter Railroad Company for $61 $685.
% unpaid taxes is at issue in the
District Court of Ramsey county,
Suit has also been brought against the
First Division Of the St. Paul & Pa
cifc Railway Company for the pur-
pose of vacating its charter on &C.
count Of certain alleged abuses and
usurpations.
The suit against ex-Auditor Nell
rath for 1914, 541.69 will be brought
to \ speedy trial.
The condition of the different pub
lie institutions is spoken of at length
and favorably.
The Governor calls attention to tho
unfortunate results of the change
made in the law regarding capital
punishment for homicide whereby the
infection of the death penalty in
cases OF murder in the first degree il
left discretionary with jurors. The
number of murders has multiplied to
a fearful extent and there has not been
a single execution.
He urges the submission to tho
people of constitutional amend
ment which will place entirely BE-
yond the power of the Legislature or
any officer of the executive depart
ment the school fund. The Legi,la-
ture should not fail at the present ses-
sion to make provision for thus guard
ing this large and steadily increasing
fund.
In behalfof cheaper transportation,
he favors the construction of canal
to connect the Mississippi river with
Lake Superior.
He asserts the right of th" State to
regulate the rates for the carrying of
freights and passengers on all rail-
roads within its borders. AS to how
this right shall be exercised il to bs
determined by the people themselves.
His remarks concerning tho extern
,ien a; line. Of the SARaul & Pacific
Railroad are Of so much local in
terest that We transfer them entire to
our columns.