Morris tribune., 1883-01-11

/
ment of new section. providing for the method OF
i removal by legislative address for any reasonable
cause, Improbable or otherwise.
The moderate encouragement given the militia
organizations Of the State by the act OF 1881 has
had the effect considerably stimulate the zeal and
martial spirit of the volunteer companies then sx-
listing, and to induce the formation OF additional
companies to the limit Of the full quota allowed by
that act As appears by the report OF the adiutant
year companies IN St. Paul. Minneapolis. Albert
| Lea, Fairmont, Mankato, Austin, and Fergus Falls
| The Minnesota National atard now consists OF ten
companies of infantry, two troops OF cavalry. and
two sections Of artillery, all armed az infantry ex-
| cept one section Of artillery. which ts we'll
| equipped In that arm OF the service: This force
Is organized into two battalions OF infantry and
| one Independent battery. The guard has greatly
advanced IN digcpne and efficiency during the past
year. much OF which is due to the instruction re-
ceved during the encampnfent held last July. The
oppor. unity that occasion afforded for practical
experience Of soldiers on duty was fully improved
and the beneficial results Of the experience acquired
have been most manifest In the improved esprit au
CORPS of the entire organization and the stimulus
given to its growth. deem 1t important that all
proper aid and encouragement be given the State
militia. These annual encampments are very use
full in imparting such instruction as will enable the
organization to act together with intelligence, and
secure that degree Of efficiency that will make the
militia reliable for such possible service as it may
be called upon to perform. The expense ID moder-
ate and therefore recommend an appro-
priatiou for the purchase OF tents and
There are several localities now awaiting authority
to organize companies. moderate increase in the
organization would seem to be suggested by the
growth Of our population. therefore recomm end
that the authorized aggregate force of the Mime
sofa National guard be increased to sixteen compa.
dies of infantry and two sections Of artillery, and
the annual appropriation lot It's maintenance De
Increased to $4,000
The adiu!ant generals Office has procured the
allowance Of pension claims during the past two
years to the amount of 1881 ,6S7 SO. There
M pau6ip0 I HDl of which the once has
charge New claims are being filed in number suff-
Gent to prevent the list of those pending to become
psrceptibly reduced.
The advantage accruing 10 the State by the hdop-
ton Of biennial sessions OF the legislature Is SO
generally recognized that doubt if the wisdom OF
the change Is questioned In ery quarter: IL Is
longer regarded as an experiment, but demon
strated benefit In the economy OF our state aHafS
believe experience would INDUCE similar 3udg.
ment in behalf Of biennial elections: The people
are surfeited with the agitation and excitement at
tendant upon our often recurring elections. ILey
| would accept as measure OF relief a pfopo:"oi
have no doubt they would emphallcaHy
approve an amendment to the constitution
emb9dying this proposion ana earnestly n
| such an amendment at the next general elecnon.
As question Of economy 1t recommends itself with
especial force. The expense q each general eee
tion held throughout the State Is estimated TO De
fully 100000. The saving of this sum every al
ternate year would prove an appreciate RELIEF 10
the burdens imposed upon the people / 6eheSe
this change would also have healthtul influence 7
upon and elevate the character OF our political
community. feeling it less a tax up
attention to their political duties, and the tendency
would be to eliminate much that is Objectionable,
which now marks and demoralizes our politics.
BONE changes would nave TO be maue IN the terms
Of Stats and county ofhcers and elections must be
held the year In which members Of congress are
chosen. In this connection ! would also suggest
hiatt 1ota IN yuhi ftf
the State shall commence, The Indebtedness and
uncertainty which now attaches to this matter
renders possible complications OF an embarrassing
character.
The growth OF population In our State institu-
tons involves q corresponding increase in the
sumption of every class Of supplies. A portion of
these supplies; more particularly fuel, could IN
doubleday be purchased with greater economy If
done by some Officer OF the State, who, b. in
vtting bids. could secure the benefit OF competition
from abroad. The consumption OF coal at all the
institutions amounts to several thousand tons Der
annum. This could be purchased in the manner
indicated, for delivery at different points in guam
titles required, at much less relative prices than
those now paid Your attention is invited to this
matter.
/ transmit for your information and such action
as You may deem best to take thereon, 4 petition
from number of citizens Of the State who held
claims against the TTansi: Railroad company, which
were filed for adjustment under the act of 1881,
"pto yi6ing for the adjustment of certain alleged
claims against the State" asking that the balance
Of their claims be paid by the State.
In July last. received from the treasury OF the
United States, drafts to the amount OF $37. 2O357
in allowance OF claim of the State under the act of
congress, approved Feb. 20, s57, for per centup
of the net proceeds Of the sale of lands the Win
nebago and Sioux reservations The agent appointed
by the governor in 1874 (Gen J. B. Sanborn), under
the joint resolution of the legislature of that year,
"autnoriZng the appointment Of an agent 10 pros
ecute certain claims against the United States,
made claim TO 10 per cent of the amount so al
lowed for services in prosecuting this claim, unde:
his contract made with the State concurrent with
his appointment. The matter was submitted to the
attorney general, who gave it mis- opinion that
authority did not exist for paying the claim. IL
that opirion hs says: THE joint resolution AL
thorizes the governor 10 appoint an agent for the
purposes therein named. and directs that stipula-
ton or contract be made with such agent of the
tenor stated in said resolution. No other or fur
Their power in the premises is conferred upon him.
l am therefore of the opinion that when such
agent was appointed. and a contract made with him
by the Of the State, that the duties Of tile
executive department relative thereto were at an
end. That al questions arising under such con-
tract were reserved by the legislature and must be
settled and adiudicated by it: that your excelency,
therefore, has no authority to adjust or pay this
claim. Other questions were raised by the attor-
uey general which need not he quoted, as his
opinion in fall, together with correspondence had
with the treasury department upon the subject,
herewith transmitted.
The Joint resolution under which the agent was
appointed provides that his compensation shall
only be paid in of successful issue Of said pros
ecutton, and only out Of moneys realized from the
payment Of said claim and not otherwise" At the
request of the agent and under the advice Of the
attorney general. ! have retained u per cent of
the amount received as above stated CS5, 5Su5 3l,
and deposited the in bank to the credit Of the
governor of the State, to await your action in the
matter. If you shall decide 10 allow the calm ts
payment should be authorized by Joint resolution.
The State has made claims through the aceut to
other sums on account of public lands located with
military land warrants and otherwise disposed Of
the allowance of which will probably depend some
what upon the zeal and industry with which they
are prosecuted. 1t is due to the agent, and
think would prove Of advantage to the State, that
authority be granted the governor. within well
defined limits, to adjust claims for this service OF
the State agent
CONCLUSION,
The foregoing reflections and recommendations
are suggested by such examination Of the facts
bearing upon each subject referred 10, as have
been able to make. They the expressions of my
Judgment submitted for your review You are
fresh from the people, and presumably acquainted
with their views and their demands. Your action
here will no doubt reflect their wishls. and result in
the promotion of their best interests. To o-oper-
ate in securing that end will be the earnest wish
and purpose of the executive department.