The Columbus journal., 1881-01-19
Synopsis of the Governors
Message.

mary greeting, cautlOneu the DOu!
against hasty legislation.
The state treasury contains $342, :
0lS6l, against a balance of $780,
1899 two years ago. During that
time the state debt has been dimin-
ished 100000. The twO-mill tax
is found inadequate to pay state ex-
penses, and a larger levy is advised
for the general fund. The total
bonded Indebtedness of the state is
S499, ,26735. Total delinquent state
tax, $S6l ,2l3.56.
The auditor, having failed TO pay
into the treasury of the state ST.
56Q.37 of fees collected by him, suit
was commenced against him and
judgment obtained. He having fail
ed 10 pay the judgment, suit was
commenced against his bondsmen
and is now in progress. Auditor
Leidtke having left the state, Hon.
John Wallichs was appointed to fill
the vacancy.
The number of persons of school
age in the state is 1928. Number
attending school, 92,559. Number
of graded schools, 20. Average wa,
ges paid to male teachers, S36.l2 !;
females, S3l.92. Number of school
houses, 2,790. Value of school prop
erty, s2,O64, ,76S.
The number of acres of school
lands unsold, November. 30, is ST.
OH, ,565.Sl. Total amount of money
placed to credit of school fund, last
two years, S543. .506.96. As indemni-
ty for lands lost in sections l6 and
30 resulting from the sale of the
Otoe and Pawnee reservations, the
state has received an addition of
22,272 40 acres to its school lands.
The total lands owned by the
state is 1886, ,3O2 80.
Immediate action is recommended
with reference to the saline lands, to
secure the development of salt
springs so as to yield a revenue to
the state.
The state university and normal
school are in a very prosperous con-
ditiOn.
In the penitentiary are 266 con-
victs, eleven of whom are u. S.
prisoners and fifty-nine convicts are
from Wyoming Territory. An ar
tesian well and the introduction of
gas is recommended for the peni-
tentiary as a safeguard against fire.
The efficacy of the "Good Time Act"
is demonstrated. Health of prison.
ers is good, only three deaths having
occurred in two years and one of
these was accidental.
The number of patients in the
hospital for insane is 1872. The
present building will not accommo-
date more than 200. Room for 800
will probably be needed within two
years. An institution for feeble
minded children is recommended.
The institute for deaf and dumb
contains seventy-five inmates. More
room will be required for this in
stitution within two years.
In the institute for the blind no
improvements are asked for. The
number of inmates is 27.
The completion Of the reform
school at Kearney demands imme-
diate action to provide for the or
ganization and management of the
institution.
The wing of the new capitol build
ing could not be completed at the
time specified in the contract and
additional time is asked for. The
contract for this building was let at
$4,000.
The report of secretary of state
shows complete list of companies
that have been incorporated the past
two years and also of all registered
bonds OF counties, districts, etc.
The appropriation for insurance
on state buildings has been exhaust
ed, and several buildings are now
uninsured. An appropriation of
$1,000 or $4,000, to cover insurance
for a series of years is recommend
ed.
Twelve companies ofinfantry, and
one of light artillery, numbering 59S
officers and men, have uniformed
themselves without expense to the
state. Appropriations should be
made sufficient to place the militia
upon a substantial basis.
The fish commissioners have done
much work, paying their own ex-
penses. During the two years they
have hstched and placed in the
waters of the state about 100000
young salmon. A recommendation
is made for an appropriation to as
sist them in their work.
The state should be divided into