Sun River sun. [volume] (Sun River, Mont.) 1884-1885, 1885-01-22
Governor Carpenters Message TO the
Legislative Assembly.

NONernOr carpenters Message to th,
Legislative Assembly.
Governor Carpenter in his messag,
to the Council and House Of Repre-
scntatives calls attention:
]. Although the percentage O
crime has largely diminished, til,
penal institutions established for nr
infant settlement are insufficient fol
the great increase Of population. II
the absencnce Of an appropriation b,
Congrets to enlarge the penitentiary
some provision by you will be neccs
sary for the confinement of convicts
z. 1t is suggested that in tho nea,
future the criminal law would prob
ably be enforced with loss difficulty
by tho election Of q prosecuting Of.
ficer for each county, instead Of one
for each judicial district.
g. There appears to be good ground
for tho general opinion that the fees
OF public officers in the Territory arc
greatly disproportionate, and in some
cases, on account Of recently improved
facilities for travel and transportation,
largely in excess Of a just compcnsa-
ton for services performed.
4. Much inconvenience would be
avoided il tho official term of notaries
public officers should expire at some
time during the session Of the Legis.
lative Assembly.
8. Al u true expression OF the popu.
lar will can only DO obtained through
the ballot box, il is submitted that it
would be wise to provide by law for
ascertaining by proper proofs the per-
sons entitled to vote ut elections.
Whether such provision should be
general, or limited in its application
to the more pcpulous portions of the
Territory is also proper subject for
your consideration.
9. For the purpose OF statistical
information. and the correction of
abuses, it seems desirable that public
officers, so far rs practicable. should
bc required to make both detailed
and classified report OF their official
transactions to some supervising au-
thority.
T. The condition Of the Territorial
law library is Gueh TINT not only the
broken Gets should bc filed, but a
reasonable addition should also be
made.
8. The commissioners appointed to
represent the interests Of Montana at
the Worlds Industrial and Cotton
Centennial Exposition at New Or
leans, have already performed work
OF immense value to the Territory. 1t
Is reasonable that the Territory, for
whose benefit their energies have been
exerted, should furnish necessary AS
sistancc for the completion of their
undertaking.
D. The Auditor of the Territory
has reported to me the fact that the
expenses Of the Territorial govern
m"nt for the past year were $2S.555.-
77-lOO in excess of the revenue. II
therefore becomes necessary that the
system of taxation, il in any respect
faulty, should bo revised, or the ex-
pcnscs OF government SO reduced that
he revenue derived shall honor all
cSal demands upon it. II would be
greatly to tho advantage Of Montana
hat it should long continue to be
act that she owes not Il dollar.
TO- As to our Federal relations,
he right OF petition will not be de-
lied You. There is now a pressing
lemand that tho penitsntiary should
No made adequate to the requirements
II n largely increased population.
still another question engrosses the
ttention OF the people. As to that ii
nay be said that the millions OF acres
ow idle could, without detriment or
discomfort to human being, be open
d for use and production; but it is
oped that no disposition Of public
snds, or reserved tracts, will be made
$ to retard the settlement of the
'erritory.
The reports Of tho several officers
nd boards, charged with the duty of
'porting, will be transmitted to you
IN early day. From tho details OF
lesc reports you will obtain accurate
formation Us to the conduct Of the ! !
iferrnt branches of the Territorial !
administration. 1t is q pleasure to !.
alto that no complaint of official mis- y
'nduct has reached mo, and it 10 n !
to know that our common l.
hool system, excellent in itself and b
isely conducted, is furnishing to the $
'uth all the advantages to be found J
older communities.
Relying much upon those who com
ittod their early fortunes to new j.