The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-01-21

EXECUTIVE OFFICE, HELENA, NJ. .T.s'
To the Council and House of r pre-,
! SentativeS:

1t Is cause for cOngratulatiOn th
~ you have convened at time VIII
IN order Is as firmly established. life al
~ property as sacred end secure, 81
p p justice as wisely administered
N Montana, as in the States. Since Il
L. last meeting of the Legislative A
e. semb!y, the great increase OF the TIE
'e ritory in population, wealth, and tt
n opportunities for the development {
n its exhaustless resources, will give
's your deliberations and conclusions a
L Importance that has not characte
lied any previous session. Th
knowledge, common to the peopl.
D that you are to make laws for vas
! Territory, which is unsurpassed Ii
D America for its salubrity of climat
and its wealth in precious met lis
E and whose plains and valleys ar
! underlaid with fuel and covered o.
the richest pastures, cannot for mo
ment escape your minds. It is for
sunate that in the constitution of th.
two branches the choice has beer
made of SO many who have a
thorough acquaintance with the
varied interests and industries of the
Territory.
| 1t seems proper that your attention
should now be invited to some of the
matters that have been deemed
worthy of consideration by the
people.
l. Although the percentage of
crime has largely diminished, the
penal institutions established for en-
infant settlement are insufficient for
the great increase of population. In
the absence of an approt ration by
Congress to enlarge the penitentiary,
some provision by you will be neces-
sary f"r the confinement of convicts.
z. IL i suggested that in the near
future Tie criminal law would prob
ably be enforced with less difficulty
6y the election of prosecuting Of
1cer Tor each county, instead of one
for each Judicial District.
3. There appears to be good ground
for the general opinion that the fees
Of public officers in the Territory are
greatly disproportionate, and in some
cases. on account of recently i'm
proved facilities for travel and trans
poration, largely in excess of Just
compensation for services performed.
4. Much Inconvenience would be
avoided il the Official term of notarles
public should expire at some time
during the session Of the Legislative
Assembly.
3. AS a true expression of the
popular will can only be obtained |
through the ballot box, it is sub
United that it would be wise to pro-
vide by law for ascertaining by prorer
proofs the persons entitled to vote at
elections. Whether such provision
should be general, or limited in its
to the more populous
portions of the Territory is also a
proper subject for your consideration.
3. For the purpose Of statistical in-
formation, and the correction of
abuses, 1t seems desirable that public
officers, so far as practicable, should
Oe required to make both 3 detailed
and classified report of their official
transactions to some supervising au.
thority.
I. The condition OF the Territorial
law library is such that not only the
broken se's should be filled, but q
addition should also be
made.
8. Tne commissioners appointed to
represent the interests of Montana al
,he Worlds Industrial and Cotton
Centennial Exposition at New Or
ears, have already performed work
)f immense value to the Territory,
L. is reasonable that the Territory,
or whose benefit their energies
nave been exerted, should furnish
necessary assistance for the compile /,
ion Of their undertaking.
y. The Auditor of the treasury has '
'eported to me the fact that the ex- ,
penses of the Territorial government
ur the past year We're .$2S, ,558 II.
n excess of the revenue. It there {
ore becomes necessary that the sys-
EN-, If in any respect faulty, should
'e so revised, or the expenses Of gov>
nent so reduced the revenue derived
nall honor all legal demands upon
t. 1t would be greatly to the advan-
age OF Montana that it should long
ontinue to be fact that she owes I
lot dollar. 6
10. AS to our Federal relations, the
light ct petition will not be denied >
ou. There is now pressing demand a
nat the penitentlary should be made ..
dequate to the requirements of a
argely increased population. Still =
mother question engrosses the atten- !,
ion of thepeOple. AS to that,it may :;
e said that millions of acres, now y
lie, could, without detriment or dis y y
omfort to any human being, be y
pened for use and productions: but It y y
hoped that no disposition of public - y
ands or reserved tracts, will be so .
lade as to retard the settlement of
ne Territory.
The reports of the several officers
nd boards, charged with the duty of ts
porting, will be transmitted to you +,
an early day. From the details of '.
lese reports, you will obtain accu- n
ate Information as to the conduct Of b
le different branches of the Terri 9:
'rial administration. It is a pleas 81
re to state that no complaint of Of N
ciEl misconduct has reached me, G
nd 1t is gratidcat on to know that st
lr common school system, excellent al
itselfa wisely conducted, is fur CT
ishing TO the youth all the advan-
Iges to be found in elder commune q
es. NJ
Relying much upon those who ty
their early fortunes to a
ew land to give me the benefit of
leir wisdom and experience. it shall
ereafter be my privilege to COM
unjcate with you upon matters of a. ..
lblic concern as occasion may re- "a
lire. 1t is hoped that all of the de- al
lrtments of the Territorial govern al
ent will cooperate for the promo ~
on of the general welfare and the "
lvancement of every legitimate in al
rest, without sectional prejudice or
artisan bias, SO that there may be q -:
st, economical, and enlightened ad- "