McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1885-01-15


managed geological survey, are such as
In my opinion will warrant the necessary
expenditures for that purpose. 1t may
pe said Oh the other states lying in the
nlississippi and Missouri river valleys, a
majority OF which, In their general char
acteristics, are not unlike Nebraska, that
without an exception they have made
provision for such surveys, and so far as
am advised with results gratifying In
the practical demonstration of the ex-
istence OF resources before unknown. and
the discovery of which is inpoint of profit
or return to the state, not only commen-
surate with but vastly in excess of the
outlay made.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
Amendments to the constitution of our
state can be submitted to vote of the
people for their approval or rejection at
the general election at which members of
the legislature are chosen. and at no
other time. Proposed amendments were
submitted at the last general election,
and with respect TO one of them it may
be said that its adoption would have been
for the best interest of the state, and that
public opinion largely sustained this view
OF the matter. | may add that its rejec-
ton is source of general regret, and in
great measure. If not wholly, due to
the excitement of heated political con-
test in which personal and party interests
SO absorbed and engaged the public mind
that questions of Il. purely public
nature were neglected. The ques-
ton of change in the funda-
mental law of our state is one
upon which the people in their action
cannot well be too conservative, and
such proposition should come before
them III such manner, and at such time
as will enable them to Judge of Its merits,
standing alone, and relieved from dis
turbing side issues. This view of the
subject can be made practical by such
provision as will enable the people to
vote upon amendments at a special cleo
ton for that purpose, and by providing
for the canvass of the votes cast at such
election. would recommend that you
provide for re submission of the amend
ment to section four (4) of article three
(3) of the constitution, increasing the
duration of Legislative session, and COM
pensation of members.
IMMIGRATION.
The matter of the frequent requests of
parties residing in the east for pamphlets
containing reliable information concern
ing Nebraska has been repeatedly brought
10 the notice of the legislature, but thus
far no action has been taken upon the
recommendations made in connection
Herewith. In the absence of an immi-
grafton bureau, whose duty it would be
to prepare such documents for circula-
ton, would recommend that you au-
thorize and provide means for the prepa-
ration and publication of a pamphlet
containing brief historical and descrip-
tive statement of Nebraska, her develop
ment, resources, and attractions of soil
and climate, to be followed by statistical
information both vital and material.
Said pamphlet to be prepared under the
direction of some of the state officers,
and properly authenticated for general
distribution. This is subject eminently
worthy of your attention and favorable
consideration.
REoUIsITIoNs.
1t is provided in section three hundred
.nd thirty-four (334 of the GRIM
inal code, that the governor of
this state may, in any case au-
thorized by the constitution and
laws of the United States, appoint agents
to demand of the executive authority of
any foreign government any fugitive from
Justice charged with treason or felony,
and the accounts of the agents appointed
must be audited and paid out of the state
funds. Under our statutes the term
felony signifies such an offense as may be
punished with death or Imprisonment in
the penitentiary, which definition in
cludes what may be termed crimes of
lesser grade, such as it seems to me should
not be made the basis of requisition
unless the papers in the case come to the
executive properly certified to by either
the prosecuting attorney or the Judge OF
the district within which the crime is
committed as being in their judgment a
case in which requisition should issue.
Papers are filed meeting fully the re-
quirements of the law, and the party
asking that requisition be granted makes
his sworn statement that the facts set
forth in the petition are true, and thatthe
requisition is not desired for the purpose
of collecting debt, for the enforcement
of any civil process, or to answer any
private end whatsoever. The fugitive is
returned, the agent makes his return
upon commission under oath. and the
claim for expenses of the trip, making
arrest, and for the services of the agent is
AUDITED anu paiu ny TIC Ststte. Illus loi
all is well, but / am informed by those
who are in a position to know that but a
very small proportion of the cases above
referred to are prosecuted to conviction,
friends interceding and effectlng COM
promise, with the results as seen,
of the state funds being used for
the collection of private claims,
and not to satisfy the ends of justice as
intended by this law. The governor can
not adopt an arbitrary rule as to a certain
class of cases, and is powerless to pre-
vent the abuses that exist under the pres
ent law. A remedy is suggested through
the enactment of a law providing that in
all cases. excepting those of murder, as
sault with intent to kill, rape, or assault
with intent to commit rape, arson, rob-
berry and treason, the person applying for
the requisition shall advance the expen-
ses incident to apprehension and return
of the fugitive, to be reimbursed by the
state upon proper proof being made as
to prosecution and conviction. 1t may
be urged that such law would discrimin-
ate as against those who might be unable
to make such advance. For such, an