The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1885-01-21
Governors Message.
ExEcuTIvE OfEIcE, HELENA, MoNr.
To The Council and House Of Represen-

% sdSICA sAlAd 7SAAlSi tiih IuStAtO ~ " A7O
" administered in Montana, as in the
States. Since the last meeting Of the
Legislature Assembly, the great increase
Of the Territory in population, wealth,
and the opportunities for the Develop
ment Of its exbaustless resources, wi
give to your deliberations and conelu-
sions an importance that has not char
aeterized any previous session. The
knowledge, common to the people, that
you are to make laws for vast Territory
which is unsurpassed in America for its
salubrity of climate and its wealth in
precious metals, and whose plains and
valleys are under,ain with fuel and
covered by the richest pastures, cannot
for moment escape your minds 1t is
fortunate that in the constitution If the
two branches, the choice has been made
of so many who have thorough ac-
quaintanee 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 instr
tutors established for an infant settle
ment are insufficient for the great in
crease of population. In the absence of
an appropriation by Congress to enlarge
the penitentiary some provision by you
will be necessary for the confinement of
conyicts.
| 2. 1t Is suggested that in the near
future the criminal law would probably
be enforced with less difficulty by
the election Of prosecuting officer for
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 III some cases, on
account of recently improved facilities
for travel and transportation, largely in
excess of a just compensation for services
performed.
4. Much Inconvenience would be
avoided if the official term OF notaries
public skould expire at some time dur
4 ing the session Of the Legislative Assem-
bly,.
5. As true expression of the popular
will can only be obtained through the
ballot box, it is submitted that it would
be wise to provide by law for ascertain
ing by proper proofs the persons en-
titled to vote at elections. Whether such
provision should be general, or limited
in its application to the more populous
portions of the Territory is also proper
subject for your consideration.
6. For the purpose of statistical infor-
n aticn, and the correction Of abuses, it
seems desirable that public officers, so
far as practical, should be required to
make both detailed and classified re-
port of their official transactions to some
supervising authority.
:. The condition OF the Territorial
law library is such that not only the
broken sets should be filled, but a
reasonable addition should also be made.
S. The commissioners appointed to
1 represent the interest of Montana at the
Worlds Industrial and Cotton Centen-
NAL Exposition at New Orleans, have al
ready performed work Of immense
value to the Territory itis reasonable
that the Territory, for whose benefit
their energies have been exerted, should
/ furnish necessary assistance for the com
plction of their undertaking.
4 9. The Auditor Of the Territory has
reported to me the fact that the expense:
of the Territorial government for the
past year we're SIS, 55s.77-l00 in excess o
the revenue. It therefore becomes nee
essary that the system Of taxation, if il
any respect faulty, shonld be so revised
or the expenses of government 50 re-
duced. that the revenue derived shall
honor all legal demands upon it. +
would be greatly to the advantage 0
Montana that it should long continue to
be fact that she owes not dollar.
10. 4sto cur Federal relations, the
right on petition will not be denied YOU
There is not pressing demand that thu
penitentiary should be made adequate t
the requirements OF largely increased
population. Still another question en-
crosses the attention of the people A
to that, it may be said that millions O
acres now idle, could. without detriment
or discomfort to human being, be opened
for use and production; but it is hoped
that no disposition of public lands, 2
reserved will be so madeas to retard tn
settlement Of the Territory.
The reports Of the several officers AM
boards, charged with the duty Of report
ing. will betrnsmitted to you at an earl.
day, From tie details Of these reports
YOU will obtain accurate information as
to the conduct of the different branche
Of the Territorial administration. 1t j
a pleasure ID state that no complain
of official misconduct has reached M
an,l.it is qualification TO know that on
common school system, excellent in itsel
and wisely conducted, il furnishing 10th
youth all the advantages to be found il
Il ol,;ar ..s.,,Yntt1,itiaS
Relying much upon those who com
nitted their early fortunes to new lam
to give me the benefit Of their wisdom
AMI exp1ience, it shall hereafter be ms
privilege - communicate With you upol
matters of public concern IS occasion ma
require. II is hoped that all ofthe Dc
parfments ofthe Territorial government
will cooperate fer the advancement Z
. every legitimate interest without SCI
tional prejudice or partisan bias, 50 tha
there maybea just, economical and en-
80 ~