Morris tribune., 1883-01-11
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE,
Delivered to the Legislature In Joint
Session Thursday, January 4, 1888.

v
Delivered to the Legislature In Joint
Session Thursday, January 4, 1888.
Gentlemen Of the Senate and HOUSE Of REPRESENT
ltives: You assemble at this time under circum-
favorable for careful and consderate action
upon the questions that will command your at'eu-
ton You bring with you trCm your several local-
ties the assurance that the people of the State are
prosperous and enjoying that feeling Of content
ment that follows well rewarded industry. Inc
various material interests OF the State have deve-
Uped aud prospersd during the past two years. 10 an
extent not exceeded by any previous experience or
like period in her history, AMI al existing eondi-
lions favorable to continued rapid and healthy
growth. The exercise of a wise and careful judg-
ment upop your part IN the deliberations OF this
session, vii! greatly aid IN realizing for our state
that promise which the future presents before us
1t Is pleasure, gentlemen, TO greet you as the
frst legislative assembly convened III the new cap
itol building. Though in somewhat incomplete
state, K will doubtless afford you sufficient tacI!eS
for the proper Prosecution OF your duleS.
The Cd Territorial capitol. completed IN 1909.
vas destroyed by fire the ght CT March /,
1851, during the last days Of The session of the
legislature Of that year. 1t was thought probable,
Immediately after the fire, that the Foundation and
portion of the walls of the burned building could
De utilized for rev structure, and an appropra-
ton of $4,000 was made with the expectation
that the expenditure OF that sum wonld suDstan-
tally restore the old building. II was decided after
more tROfOOgl lnSpScuOu tnat II WCu!u % UNSAFE
to build upon the ruins OF the Old capitol
1t was then Diet ruined by my predecessor 10
eTec. IN entirely new structure, aud tho plans or
lids build NJ We're adopted by him, aud the foun-
datiCn laid during the summer OF lSSl. The
abandonment of the Old building and the adoption
of new plans involved much greater expenditure
than icipated or had been provided for. At
the extra session of November, 1881, an additional
appro pyialiou Of 100000 was made to finish
and furnish" the new building, which sum, it was
provided by the terms OF the act making the ap-
n,,Plor M ''rSmDletA binding
respects" The autumn months of 1881 were very
uDtayurabie for the prosecution OF building opera
tons, lie nee no work was done upon the suDer-
structure. though it WAS largely contracted for, and
= rorlUp of the material for the walls and Roof de-
lyeEej upon the GroUni.
Upon a careful examination OF the matter shortly
ST er my accession 10 the executive office, fet
1uurh doubt as 10 The sutficepcy OF the amount ap
psous.ated TO complete the building according 10
the plans adopted aud the terms of the act of the
legiS azure. therefore called upon the architect
for an estimate OF the amount required to complete
the budding, including what had already been ex-
pended. Il response thereto he submitted an esti-
Gate agGreGatlcg $40, 900.
This was largely in excess OF the appropriations
made, which were SlS4 900, including $4,000
znaie for repairs, etc. for the old capitol, which
were deemed available for the new building. This
s1 6I0ho w Es saogoa lucy o.
pEss to mauv who beloved tao appropri-
atiovs we're sufficient 10 complete the building.
VAS assured BY gentlemen familiar with the facts,
among whom were members Of the legislature to
whom the details had been submitted, that the final
appropriation for the purpose was understood to
De ample 10 cover the full Inmates OF the architect
further consultation with the architect disclosed
the fact that he had made, some months previous,
AMI submitted to my predecessor. estimate con-
templating cheaper construction and finish CT
quite different character, and which omitted sons
essential features OF the building altogether, not
ably the tower, ire proofng, etc, which reduced
his figures 10 point within the appropriations Il
appeared. however that the estimate was made at
q time when labor and material were cheaper.
and that he same figures even fer the cheaper fu-
Ssh, could not then be duplicated. l made
formal call upon the architect for his lower esti-
mate which was furnished, but which in my judg
ment it was not for the interest Of the State TO
about, as II contemplated very cheap Interior
finish Of the building, excluding all fire proof fea
GCres and n most respects quite cut of harmony
with the exterior construction, the contracts for
which were already let. The lower estimate was.
made upon the basis las stated by the architect Of
prices for labor and material below those prevail
irg or at which it was UossibA 70 obtain them The
cCTresI oDdsncs and estimates referred to are SUBJ
nj ted foe your further information.
The appropriations being entirely inadequate for
tke completion Of the building, had determined
prosecute the WORK so far as to complete the con-
traces already le7, and add sGch further expenditure
wUu enclose the struc u-C and protect i from
the e.erntS and await future action OF the legsla
CIre. Upon the announcement Of this determine
ton on my part, tender OF $4,000 was made to
ny the citizens of St. Paul. for the purpose of
quitting TIE building proper condition 10 be occu-
pied By tbs legs allure this session. The tender was
made without conditions and was accepted without
assurances upon my part (which, Of course, could
not gre1 as 10 the future reimbursement OF the
persons making il. ! was encouraged by this gem
erous action OF the citizens OF ST. Paul to continue
sh- work, and thereupon made additional contracts
and purchases of material necessary to prepare the
building Tor your occupancy. Though incurred
obligation 70 do SO in accepting this aid, yet
feel il is due the gentlemen whose libera!ity and
pubic spirit thus came to the rescue, as well to
the d entity OF the State, that should recommend
that the amount thus rendered and expended be
tU-B to them.
The estimates Of the architect for the work
already done and authorized are largely exceeded
BY thG actual cost CT the same: and to meet this
excess and 70 provide the dome to the tower,
stone steps to the several entrances and prepare
ana erc!osr the grounds an additional sum will
also b. required have called upon the architect
20 prepare final estimates coveringt entire sruc-
tVrc, which will soon be submitted and which will
CCobably snow that about $780, 900 will be noces-
fary 70 meet the full and final cost OF the building
INC QdiR&tLe $4,000 received from thesource
!erTed TO. therefore recommend that an appro-
priation Of the named be made. II will require
an additional sum to furnish the rooms occupied
by the several departments, careful estimate OF
which viii De- submitted at an early day, and for
which Appropriation should be made.
! have gwen tho work OF construction upon this
building much personal attention. have beer
careful that every Item OF expenditure should be as
carefully aud economically made So possible. be-
ieYe Iae State has received value for every dollar
expended, notwithstanding much of the work has
building in condition TO be occupied By your body
necessita ed tie employment OF labor with less
ecouoinT, to some extent than might have been
s:one had more time been allowed. The first brick
was iad the foundation on the 4th day OF last
April, hence the construction Of this almost COM
peted Structure has covered period OF but nine
months time. II s IN all essential respects q fire.
proof building. l. will furnish ample accomnota-
lion for all departments Of the State government
Tor generation 70 come. It will cost. when COM
pete in all respec :, about s30O.OOO; and state
yyiI a., half hot
be ma;e tC-6a5 to duplicate this structure for the
money II viii have cost when completed.
n this connection It is proper that should refer
10 the generous offer made by the city OF St Paul
o. their Market hous for the use OF the State pend.
ing ne construction OF the new capitol Before the
illumination caused by the burning of The old CAPT.
To- mad begun to fade, the city of 81. Paul, through
its authorities rendered to Gov. Pilsbury the use of
Inc Market house for the legislature and State OFF,
GERS and nearly at the hour for its usua! meeting,
OF the following dar, the legislature engaged in
tho routine Of its regular order II the new
quarters thus provided. The State has &C.
cupied the building since that time. Pc
inconsiderab!e sacrifice upon the part of the city
and her citizens to be deprived OF the facilities and
convenience this building was designed TO afford
them. Its use has been OF very great public bene-
fl. sui NIT that it would be but Just for the ate
to compensate the city in a reasonable amount for
the use she has made OF the building; that it Goes
In money values the beneficiary OF any citizens OF
municipalities. This suggestion is wholly my own.
intimation having ever reached me that compen"
saticu was desired or would be accepted.
FINANCES.
The following statement made by the auditors
department exhibits the financial operations of the
State treasury during the past two ears:
RECEIPTS.
1881. 1882.
Cash balance, Nov. 80. |
1880. $264,1 5l SO ........
Cash balance Nov. 80,
lSSl................. ......... $557,744 "a |
State taxes ............ 604,666 80 402,6J0 Ge |
Taxes from railroad, In
surance and telegraph
CONF anies 1000. 3G2. 294 70 SOC, 393 4s |
Fees of insurance com.
panies. 1854 90 1855 90 |
Payments by counties for
seed grain loans, 1877
observation-disclosures. $500 10 1s,4o5 SO |
ard Of I1nitnd