Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-01-05

of official bonds be made definite and man
datory in all cases.
The exhibit the examiner presents of the
banking interests of the state is interest
ing and suggestive. The growth of this
branch of our commercial interests IS in
dicated by the following summary:
1881. 1882.
Capital stuck ,...... 81, $50 S9,S51, 2OS
Surplus fund. -. 80. 1,191, 425 l,6u0,977
Deposits. ............. 20, 100, 435 22,01O,3O6
Loans and discounts. 22,91,6O9 N,l47 ,S43
These totals would be largely augmented
ii full reports could be obtained from the
private bank, OF which there are 1I6 de-
ing business in the state. The examiners
suggestions relative to this class of banks
are worthy Of your consideration. The
examiner gives the disbursements of the
county treasuIers of the state as follows:
1881. 1882
Receipts .$5,836, ga 70 $1,000, 405 80
Disbursements " 4,474,457 81 6,267,5OS G2
''The total absence of checks upon
county treasurers" is a subject upon
which the examiner dwells with much
earnestness, and his exposition of the de-
fects il the existing system of conducting
the business relating to county finances
makes apparent the necessity for changes
in the law. The remedy he proposes
''that all receipts for money, whether paid
for taxes or for other purposes, should
originate in the auditors ofic," though iu-
volving some radical changes in existing
statutes, IS a proposition so evidently
based on business principles that it ap-
peals to the judgment at once. 1 ask your
candid consideration of the coucise state
ment of facts with which he illustrates
this subject.
The present system of accounting, under
the law of the state auditor and treasurer
is also seriously defective in some respects
A like absence of checks as in the case of
county officers is revealed in the present
method OF keeping the accounts. Under
the existing system funds to large
amount are paid to the treasurer, of which
Che auditor has no knowledge, and no
means OF check except as furnished by the
treasurer himself. 1t also appears that
money is paid III considerable sums to the
auditor, of which the treasurer has no
knowledge until it is turned in to the treas
ury. remedy FOR this state of things
will readily suggest itself in the require
ments that all claims of the state, of what
ever character, shall be collected by the
treasurer upon the auditors draft.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
The state board of health has done eff
fective work the past year in checking the
spread of epidemic diseases and in the en-
forcement of sanitary regulations through
out the state. In my judgment this board
should receive larger recognition and be
clothed with more positive authority.
Under the statutes the health officers are
charged with certain important duties,
whose discharge involves the exercise
of authority not sufficiently defined by
the law. 1t is of course admitted
that there is no question in which the peg
pie at large are interested in greater de-
gree than the preservation of health. The
establishing of sanitary regulations is an
essential feature in the proper government
of every community. A constant influx
of immigration is liable at any time to
bring with it contagious diseases which
may become epidemic and, unless summa-
rily dealt WITH spread beyond control. 1t
is of the highest Importance that boards of
health be vested with the authority neces-
sary to efficient action in such emergen-
cies.
The report of the state board of health
q suggests many changes in the law wherein
experience in its practical operation has
shown it to be defective. l commend the
requests and recommendations of the re-
port to your favorable consideration.
BOARD OF IMMIGRATION.
The state board of immigration reports
the expenditure of $9,90o.45 in the prepa-
ration of pamphlets, circulars, ETC., in diff
ferent languages, which were distributed to
the extent of 1890 pamphlets, $4,000 cir
,culars, with map of the state, and 3, 800 re-
ports Of a statistical character. The Sec
rotary estimates that the population of the
state has been increased the past two
years over 100000 by immigration alone.
/ have no doubt this board is efficient in
the work it was created to perform. The
judicious distribution of printed matter
representing the resources and capabili-
ties" of our state, throughout those COM
tries from whence there is continuous
flow of emigration, should be continued,
and recommend a moderate appropr1a-
ton for that purpose.
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER.
The insurance commissioners report pre-
sents an interesting review of the business
of his department since the establishment
of the Office in 1872. The history of in
.surance in the state, as illustrated by the
comprehensive tables and other data of
his report, is an interesting subject for e1-
animation. The growth of the business is
shown by the following comparative state
ment:
Risks Written. Premiums. Losses
1881 $122, 070,500 $1,596.353 $9l4,950
1872. w 4S,71S,I76 6S9,738 BOG, 1899
Increase $7S,352,324 $906,615 $608, Ill
The commissioner remarks that stem
years ago, from an insurance standpoint,
MINI esOta was q small and inconspicuous