Omaha daily bee., 1883-01-06

progress. 1t Is entirely unnecessary
for me to urge upon you considera
tlons in support of the proposition
that our common school system should
be carefully and steadily developed TO
the end that il shall most fully meot
the high purpose for which it was es-
tsblished; and we can devote our
time, or our strength to no higher
purp )se than that of devising meas.
;es calculated to strengthen and i'm.
prove this sacred interest. We all
agree that upon the widespread and
thorough diffusion OF knowledge de.
pends III great measure tho happiness
of our people, and tho iafe'y Of
our system OF government. Rec)g.
nizing this fact the nation has made
provision iGr the most generous aid
from the public property, and this
trust will receive conscientious guard.
ianship at your hands, that in the end
the results rightiu!ly to be expected
from proper use OF our educational
resources may be fully attained. For
no other purpose will the people more
willingly and cheerfully give than in
support If the cause of education 1t
they can but have reasonable assur.
snce that their means so contributed
will DO economically and wisely used.
Your special attention is called to
the question of text books for our
common schools. The frequent change
of books Is attended with al expense
to parents that in many cases is bur-
densome in the extreme, and it is
hoped that you may devise some plan
looking to reduction of the expense
to which parents are subjected on this
account.
II it is the policy Of the state to
maintain its military force, there
should be ample appropriations made
for equipping it in thorough aud
efficient manner.
While it is to be sincerely hoped
that the day may never again come
when the civil authorities of Nebraska
will be under the extreme necessity
of calling for military assistance, yet
should that time come, the most Seri-
GUS consequences might result # there
were not u well disciplined and prop
erly armed militia to answer such de-
mand.
We can scarcely hope to always es-
cape tunults and disorders such
as have arisen in oihor safes,
tumults or outbreaks that are as a
rule, or ia az least IN q majority Of
cases, jnoitej, cue )uragad and led by
a lawi9as and diSrsp1tabin class Of
persons. those who, LACKING haolts Of
thrift apd industry tkem2e!yea, sesk,
by f;moutiog puolic disorder and q
spirit Of djaconteuy among thCsc Oi
stoaly habits, to reap Tho ban, u 3 that
under such oircu instances inuro tc
them alone, for in the end, almost in,
variably, honest labor mseta the ex.
pence aud is the loser Oar militia i!
for the protection Of honest industry
and homes. labor, whether If high ol
, low degree. 1t is therefore of interes
I, 60 all, as well as the part of prudenc'
! and economy, to make such prepara
. tion as experience has shown to b'
needed for the suppression of sucl
outbreaks as may be too formidabl
TO hs controlled by the civil suthori
: ties, and liable TO arise at any time
u You will no doubt take such action II
the promises as In your Judgment l
deemed bast, for the interest and wei
y fare of toe state.
: PROTECTIVE LEGISLATION.
There Is aa evil of considerable
:, magnitude, which of late years ha
prevailed in many local. les of ou
a state 10 the great injury Ct large mum
;. bsrs of our people. refer psrticu
larly to the sale of bogus or iraudulen
! patent rights, and Of stock in tictiti
:. tious or pretended corporations, b!
which unsuspectlng persons, through
n various devices. have been induced t
n make worthless purchss Is, and give i,
!. payment their negotiable promissor.
notes, which, By transfer to limo
cent holders, they we're finally com
!. PEELED to pay.
~ There seems 70 be a well tounde'
Il doubt in the minds of many whether
- in toe present condition of our crimi
Il nal law, such fraudulent prsctices ca
;. be reached and punished, which prob
;, ably accounts for the fact that sue
Il sales are made 30 frequently, an
with seeming immunity from punish
- ment. / would, therefore, respect
"a fully suggest the propriety of incor
"a porsting into the law, by amendmen
=. or other wise, suitable provisio
!. renedying this defect.
>, RAILROAD PASSES.
at The custom on the part of railrCa
l. corporations Of granting passes
10 state Off ,ials and members of the leg
r. islsture is one Of long standing, and
ir might say of Amos; universal prsC
s. tics. While ] do not believe tha
y passes have been giyoa or intended il
n. tho nature OF bclbe, or for the pun
r pose or with the expectation of in
t. properly influencing the ac'i ion Of IN
OF divlduaIs, or that they have been cor
o, sldered by those who may have take
q AID used them % placing them undt
u any Obligation, direct or indirect, th
be fact yet remains that a pass represen
ne yslua and Its acceptance is for thu
as reason OF doubtful propriety. To th
ar end that representatives of the pc sp
as may be enabled to avoid even the ba
O. suspicion of having been improper
influenced in their action or in Il
faithful discharge Of their public d,
g. ties, it is recommended that law |
I'd enacted prohibiting the granting
1t passes to officers of the executive d
at psrtment of the state, members OF Il
in legislature, aud to auy of the class
10 officials who, by reasons of their pu'
TO lie positions, msy have it within the
re power either to confer or withhold {
Or vors or benefits to railroad eorpor
vs tions