Morris tribune., 1881-01-13

be considered dd;,Gee BY the courts or 10
promptly and justly treated under general laws Of
uniform application, with benefit to all parties con-
cerned. This evil is receiving just consideration
evil and of the attempted correction, valuable in
formation can be derived. I commend
the matter to your candid considera-
tion and suggest the passage Of measure for sub
hitting to the people constitutional amendment
forbidding or greatly restricting special legislation.
MILITIA.
invite your attention to the necessity for q
thorough revision of the militia laws Of this State.
Mlnsesota has experienced her full share of those
sudden emergencies to which frontier communities
are peculiarly liable, wherein are demanded the
prompt services OF citizen soldiers and have had
more than one occasion TO commend not only the
cheerful prompttude with which volunteer organi-
cations have responded to my summons, but the
surprising completeness of equipment which has
enabled them to avoid delay. This is at once a
matter OF commentator and of surprise, in view of
the sacrifices required Of the members of military
organizatlons and the lack of support afforded
them by our laws
At convention Of delegates representing the sew
era militia companies of the State held at Farbault
IN MaTch last. an organization known as the Mime
sofa National Guard association perfected, and
committee appointed to draft we'll considered
bill to regulate the formation and conduct of State
military organizations. The bill thus prepared will
be presented at the proper time, and solicit your
careful attention to its several provisions.
The formation and maintenance of uniformed
elncient militia would doubtless be promoted by
granting companies the power to enforce the at
tendance of members by the exaction of fines, by
exemption from jury duty, after honorable dis
charge as well as during service, and by other ia
vorabe provisions such have proved beneficial
in other States As it is, the time and means de-
manded for the creditable maintenance of these
ganzations are so great that unless aid and
that they will be compelled to disband. The mat
ter is commended to your favorable action.
MIGRANTS.
invite you to inquire whether it would NO be
depredations inflicted by tramps and va
grants, by whom our State is liable to
be annually overrun. While in the older
States, in times of depression, laws of this
character may sometimes work injustice upon a
class OF unfortunate operatives whose idleuess is
enforced because work cannot be obtained, no
such plea can be urged in behalf of these classes in
new and growing State, where there is no lack of
employment for all who are willing to labor.
stringent aw providing for due discrimination
as to me properly subject to its operations
would doubtless have salutary effect, both upon
those liable to its penalties and the communities
suffering from their practices.
BOILER INSPECTORS.
The repeated explosions of the boilers Of steam
boats on Lake Minnetonka, resulting in shocking
loss of life, and the liability to further disasters
from the same cause, on that and other lakes in
protection of the public. The supervision
of the United States inspector of boilers
extends only to the navigable rivers of the
State State: and hence our lakes and insulated
bodies of water are without protection from the in
securities leading to such accidents. The impor-
lance of the subject impels me to recommend that
you provide for the appointment of o competent
State inspector of steamboat boilers. and cothe him
with ample power to condemn or alter unsafe boil
ers, and otherwise provide for the safety of passen
gers upon steamboats, in all waters not subject to
inspection by authority of the United States.
RIVER COMMISSIONERS.
The hopes and labors which have long pointed to
the mississippi river as the natural outlet for
defense against railroad extortion at length give
promise of practical results The con-
VENT ons which have been held in various
cities in the great valley have compelled attention
tinual importance to this natural highway of com
merce. Among other measures proposed to induce
the requisite aid from congress, the formation
of a permanent commission of delegates, to be
appointed by the governors of tho several States
bordering the river for the purpose of collecting
and disseminating information regarding the obsta-
cles to navigation and the means for its improve
ment. at first hesitated to appoint commissioners
from this State, because feared the purpose con-
tempiated might not be confined strictly to the i'm
provement of navigation as the common end sought
But becoming satisfied on further inquiry that my
dlstrust was groundless, appointed the commits
sioners as desired to represent the State
The united commissioners of the several States
nave held several sessions, and am persuaded
have contributed invaluable aid to the influences
which have secured more generous expenditures
from congress toward the general end in view
leo upon is the reservoir system, involving extern
siye work and expenditures within our own State
The commission has issued an address embodying
recommendations for legislative action, which will
be duly laid before you, and to which your fayora-
BILE consideration is solicited. As these commits
sloners serve without compensation, I recommend
that small appropriation be made to defray the
personal expenses incurred in the discharge of these
duties.
LAND MATTERS
Under the provisions of the act of March l, 1877
appointments were made at various places conven-
lent to settlers in order to adjust conflicting land
claims along the line of the St. Vincent branch OF
the late st. Paul & Pacific railroad. Testimony
in 225 cases. and claims allowed in eighty
eight covering IL 600 acres, which were duly relin
uuished to the United States to the end conemplar
ed by the act referred to.
Under the act of congress of March 8, L $40,
granting twentyfour sections to this State in lieu
of certain salt spring lands originally granted but
never received by the State, appointed an agent
to make selections of the regranted lands and sent
descriptions of the same to the several land officers
of the general land office on the alleged
ground of lack of evidence that the State
has failed to receive the lands originally
granted After some delay the commissioner waived
his objections and allowed the entries to be made
with certain conditions which have now been COM
pied with. and which will result in the speedy ad-
justment of the matter.
Under an act of congress, approved Aprl l. 1890
restoring to the public domain the Fort Ripley mil
itary. reservation, certain lands included therein
which had been inadvertently certified to this State
for railroad purposes were required to be recon-
veyed to the United States, the same never having
been disposed of or claimed by the State or railroad
company. A deed of REIMBURSEMENT was accord
ingy executed of the lands designated, but upon the
advice of the attorney general, who questions the
right of the executive to make such conveyance
without legislative authority therefor, the delivery
OF the deed has been deferred until such authority
shall be granted Your action enabling the con-
summation of the conveyance is therefore respect
fully requested at an early day.
Under the provisions of an act for the relief of
homestead and timber culture claimants on lands
claimed by the State as swamp lands, approved
March 10, 1873, lists were procured after long de-
lay from the general Lind office, aggregating over
ants. A proper deed of REIMBURSEMENT is being
prepared, and will be transmitted to the depart
ment at an early day.
The magnitude of the interests Of the State de-
rived from the various land grants received from
congress, and the complications growing out of
flicting decisions and legal constructions pertain
ing thereto, convinced me of the necessity of
appointing competent and experienced agent to
investigate and adjust the interests of the State in
all the various grants under the several acts of
gress.
settlers who were permitted to file upon State lands
required that the causes of this evil should
be ascertained and arrested. For these several
purposes Mr.. w. P. Jewatt, gentleman of ample
experience and capacity, was vested with authority
to investigate all matters relating to landed in
terests, and his labors have led to the correction of
well as to a more prompt receipt Of patents of
grants running to the State, and they give prom e
of further good results.
NATIONAL.
The present position of our common country
among the nations of the world should swell the
heart of every patriot and believer in the cause of
equal human rights Our nation has with
stood every strain by which national sta
bility may be tested, and its weak
ness has proved its strength. Whether for
the benefit of labor the opportunity of capital
whether for the security of person or the aeliora
ton of society-for all the ends of legitimate gov
eminent that political system is shown to be best
which most honors the merit of the individual and
makes the equality of its people the first condition
of its existence.
The result of the recent election for a national
chief magistrate exhibits that ready acquiescence
of all contestants in the solemn will Of the people
which is the boast Of self-government. 1t, more
over, reiterates the popular demand that the ideas
and forces which saved the nation shall continue to
govern it. 1t means that the costly fabric of popu
lar government, which has been carefully reared
upon this continent, shall stand as the refuge and
hope of liberty for all nations, and be transmitted
to posterity as the pledge of that
equality of right and opportunity which
should be the common heritage of
mankind. To this proud end am glad to discover
indications that our southern fellow citizens will at
last take fraterna part Behind the sulen front Of
malcontent, young South is beginning to assert
itself. The vigor Of new civilization is quicken
hat h1,1o ofa