Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-01-10
THE GOyERNOR,s MEssAGE

tne treasury the governor reiterates his pre-
vlous condemnation in anticipation of re-
ceipts into the State treasury. He declares
that it is offensive to correct business prin-
ciples, forces the State into discreditable
competition for money accommodations and
exects higher rates of interest than her
actual necessities justify. In this matter the
GLOBE heartily concurs with the governor,
and trusts he will carry out his determine
ton to veto appropriations so made.
Considerable space is devoted to educa-
tlonal matters. The governors remarks on
these topics require no comment save an ex-
preston of the doubtful propriety of his
commentator of the Merrill school book
law, matter upon which even the most
honest men greatly differ. He almost ig-
nores the report of the Senate committee on
the insane asylum, apparently desiring to
let the agitation of the question of reforma-
ton in its management die out. He COM
mends the management of all
the other State institutions, notably
that OF the penitentiary, against which
SAssASoSo
agement have been preferred.
The reference to the Office of public ex-
amlner is needlessly diffuse and terribly
strained. His is new Office, and perhaps
needs executive bolstering. Yet it is ques-
ttonable If the wisdom of its creation has
yet been demonstrated. The gentleman who
fills the office has evidently striven hard to
prove that there is a great public necessity
for such functionary, and has made the
most of all the discoveries he has made dur
ing his nine months term. Still we fail to
see the necessity for the Office unless we pre-
sumo that all public functionaries are rogues,
or would be such except from fear of the
prying eyes of Examiner Knox. It is GER
talnly not of such paramount importance to
the welfare of the State as to merit so large
share of the governors attention.
The governors recommendation that the
legal rate Of interest be reduced is wise
one. In none of our neighboring States are
men allowed to charge more than ten per
cent. interest on loans, while in a majority
seven per cent. is the maximum limit. He
is right in his conclusion that low rates of
interest increase the wealth of the State.
stimulate the development of our aoricul-
tural, manufacturing and commercial indus
tries, and enlarge the field of employment
for both capital and labor, while high rates
of interest have the contrary effect, and tend
to discourage enterprise and to encourage
men to loan their capital rather than employ
it in the active pursuit or wealth.
On the subject of biennial elections much
ON be said both pro and con. While the
frequency of elections may have delete
rlous effect in some respects, it is by no
means certain if they were less frequent the
condition of affairs would be improved
The experiment of biennial sessions of the
legislature is now on trial. It may or NAV
not prove benefit. Indeed, the prob
abilities are that return will have to be
made to the old system. The State is vet
young, and there are matters constantly
arising that require legislative attention.
Many of our laws are imperfect and require
amendment as soon as possible after their
defects are discovered. Two years is too
long to walt for such amendments, for in the
meantime incalculable mischief NAV be
wrought. In older States. where ample time
to mature the laws has been had, the expert
ment has been failure, and it is almost too
much to expect that it will be success in
Minnesota. AS for the simultaneous election
OF all officers-State, county and municipal
we differ decidedly from the governor. In
the selection of local officers the question of
politics seldom cuts much of figure. Our
mayors, aldermen and other officials. ara
chosen on personal grounds, and as result
we are much better served than we could be
II the choice of them was complicated by
the progress of an exciting political cam
paisn. It is far better that the election of
local and general officers be kept separate as
at present, for then the real issues at stake
IN each will not be lost sight of.
Inc incidental reference to the swindling
brass kettle is timely, though the members
OF both house had already taken the matter
IN hand with view to remedying the evil.
The recommendation that bankrupt law be
passed IS also judicious, and will command
the attention of the legislature in due time,
The closing paragraphs of the message
were not only uncalled for but exceedingly
silly. The statements of the governor as to
matters at the South are of questionable
truth and his deductions very farfetched and
absurd. AS peroration to rather common
place message it is flat and nointIeaa Tho
governor seems to have overlooked the fact
that to introduce stump speech into State
paper is of doubtful propriety, but if done
it must be we'll done in order to escape fall
ing under condemnation as the stupidest
kind of demagoguery.
Mrs. BrMce,s Neau Yen~s