Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-01-11

quisite to secure fair rates Of insurance, the
deleterious effect is obvious. l recommend
that the act in question be promptly repealed
or so modified as to correct its Injurious re-
suits.
RAIL ROAD COMMISSIONER.
The report OF the Rail Road Com.nissionsr
condenses large amount of valuable intorma-
ton into comparatively small space. 1t at
lords the following comparative summary Of
the aggregate rail road traffic in the State for
the rast three years as reported by the sever
al companies, the business year Terminating
on the aoth OF june r esp el w. ,e1e
Net earnings s94,soo i.oss $50 $50 III ,SSs 4sa
Passg. CARRIED 1919, sos se6,9ls l,l69,079
Tons 1t. moved l, 434,9l3 l,35O,l77 2,O79, 56a
Tons grain NOV. sos, 800 a372,O62 677; 9lS
1t will thus he seen that the railroad BUSH
ness aggregated larger amount, the last year,
than during either Of its predecessors, al
though the earnings were less than those OF
1874.
The sales of railroad lands tor the year end
ing Dec. 3lst, 1875, were unusually large,
reaching 179, $50 acres, which sold tor 81 ,3l7 =
779; willie for the first halt of 1876 the sales
were ia, 47s acres, Of the value Of ss7S, 43O.
For the eighteen months thus covered tue
sales were equal in quantity to 40 per cent. Of
the combined amount ofall prior land sales.
ascribes partly to the deprecated bonds Of
some OF the companies which practically
cheapened the lands purchased by them, and
partially to the extraordinary wheat crop OF
ISIS, which stimulated the demand for wheat
lands.
The only new railroad construction during
the year in the State, was the section Of thirty
miles OF the Worthington and Sioux Falls
road extending from Worthington to Luverne,
which was completed and opened for business
in September. The Commissioner expresses
his qualification both with the enterprise
evinced in pushing forward a remote frontier
work in a period Of depressed railroad inter-
ests, and with the tact thus evidenced, that
Minnesota is among the first to show re-
vival OF those great movements which are at
once the cause and the effect of material pros
perity.
In my last message | recommended such
enlargement Of both the powers and duties OF
the Railroad Commissioner rs shall insure q
constant surveillance OF the condition OF the
various railroad tracks, and provide against
accidents from detective bridges and other
insecure structure; The tata! casualty at Brai;
nerd, which had then recently occurred, and
the constant liability of 4 repetition of disas-
tiers from like causes, were deduced as justify
ing the precautionary measure suggested. Va
rious accidents OF the kind throughout the
country have continued to show the necessity
for the action recommended, while the shock
ing tragedy caused by the wreck OF a rail-
road bridge in Ohio, gives melancholy EN-.
phasis to such necessity. again solicit your
protective intervention in the interest not only
of the travelling public, but in that OF the
railroad companies themselves.
PIsCICCLTCRE.
That there is an increased appreciation Of
the practicability and Importance OF the cul-
ture OF the several varieties OF fish in the
II 1,1v - Sko$o -
in a gratifying manner by the voluntary aid
afforded by the different railroad companies
and individuals, in furtherance Of the laborS
OF the Fish Commissioners, which have beer
prosecuted under adverse circumstances,
invite your attention to the very interesting
report OF these gentlemen, from which it ap-
pears that 2l5, l25 fish have been introduced
into various lakes named, rs per their detailed
statement. and that other important services
have been rendered. The failure OF the legis-
lature to make the needed appropriation lo1
this work necessitated a contribution from the
Executive contingent, not only to insure its
continuance but to prevent the partial loss OF
what had already been accomplished. l ask
your considerate support OF this deserving
enterprise.
l refer with pleasure to the encouraging re-
port Of the affairs of the State Prison. The
number OF conylcts at the close OF the year
was 166; the average number during the
year, l53 ST. being an average increase OF Is.
The total expenses were $50, 406 10, and The
earnings $751; 1883 81, showing a net cost to the
State Of sci ,247 81, or 1888 per capita This
shows a decreased cost OF prison maintenance
from that Of any previous year, and compares
favorably with the conduct OF similar institu-
tions elsewhere. Notwithstanding an average
increase OF Is inmates, the expenses OF the
prison were less than those OF the previous
year, which the Inspectors ascribe partly to
the decreased cost of provisions, and partly
ment OF the Warden, by which the expenses
were kept within the current appropria-
ton. request your careful attention to
the various statements and suggestions
Of the officers of this institution and especially
to their complaints relative to the limited
conveniences Tor the profitable employment
OF convict labor, as we'll as to the correspond
ence res pecting the same. AS elsewhere an
nounced, the State has commenced suit
against the contractors for default in the pay
ment of rent and convict service, which pay.
ment was refused on the ground of alleged
performance of the States obligation un-
der the contract. respectfully ask that a
thorough denomination Of the condition
and necessities OF the Prison and its appur-
tenances be promptly made as we'll with a
view to the just determination of matters in
contest as to the end that the present efficient
management of the institution may receive
the enlightened and increased support it Just
~ merits. The want OF funds for the purpose
induced me to withhold my approval of the
appropriation made by the last legislature for
the erection OF prison workshops and other
priation asked for be made, in view Of the
funds available and in early prospect.
REFORM SCHOOL.
The permanent good accomplished and aimed
at, entities it to the countenance and support
OF the State,
The tenth annual report of the State Reform
School sets forth very fully and clearly the
objects of that excellent institution, as we'll
as the plans proposed and means requisite
for their realization, to which your attention
is respectfully requested. ask your special
consideration of the recommendation that
this institution he placed upon the same foot
ing as that npOn which tue other retormatory
and charitable institutions rest. As it is ex-
clusively the property of the State, its mana
gers icing appointed by the Governor and its
management controlled by State authority,
recommendation should not he granted.
The presentation OF bills to the commission
ers OF counties sending youth to this school,
elicits unfriendly criticism of an institution
which would otherwise call fsrth nothing but
those expressions of approval and sympathy
Wulcn lis merits Warr& nj, ana thus tends to
impair its usefulness. Another serious obec-
ton to the existing regulations relates to the
character Of the offence which governs ad-
mission to the institution. The provision
which binders commitments for incorrigibil-
ity tends to I'LL the school with young Grim
inals alone and hence operates to lower
the character of the institutions, TO these
and other suggestions Of the managers your
attention is earnestly requested, as it is to the
detailed information relative to the practical
modes pursued in turtherance OF its reform
atory work.
The whole number Of ySrths admitted to,
and connected with the institution since its
opening is 3l3, and the number remaining
under its control at the close OF the wear 139
INSANE.
The seyeral reports showing the condition
and wants Of the Hospital tor the insane. al
ford food for reflection. The capacity of the
permanent building, has already been reached
and passed and temporary Accommodations
have been resorted to tor the admission of its
over crowded patients. The number of in
mates under treatment at the beginning OF
the past year was 434; the number admitted
during the year, 353 ; the number discharged.
l57, and the number remaining at the end OF
the year, $50. twill thus he seen that tho
immediate action looking to the establish
ment Of another asylum becomes imperative.
OF all the State institutions this nxesanAa FnH,