Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1889-01-17
HIS LAST ANNUAL.
MESSAGE. OF GOV. CHURCH TO THE
DAKOTA LEGISLATURE.
He Calls Attention to the Reckless Extrav-
agance of Appropriations TIE Manage.
ment of Territorial Institutions "Roaste,r"
Laws Which He Would Like to See En-
acted, Etc.
[Risrnarck special. al


appropriations, and INDUCES In q severe
roast on the management OF territorial in
stf .utions. He says the total bonded indebt-
edness expended In building and furnishing
the public instftu ions of the territory IL
81 OBS, 800 The credit OF Dakota never was
letter, and the message says:
pred let that when Dakota is state ber3 per
cent bonds will sell more resdily than the AZ
per cont bonds did Nevertheless, 1t 10 the
first me in the history OF the United States
that territorial bond sold for less than per
cent, and we have conc usive proof that Drko-
ta's credit is better than many of the states
and rich municipalities OF the east. Even IT
Paul with all her resources and moneyed
power. sold her Az per cent. bonds about the
same time at IS per cent. less premium than
our territorial bonds.
The total receipts for the year ending No
vember 80, 1885, we're al, 1888, 1885, and the dis
burssments for the same time were Sl,7a3,-
1882 The total value OF proparty in the terri
tory, as shown by the assessment roll for the
year 1888, amounts to sl61 42o,974.3o. As 800
miles of raj road u other proper y in the ter
ritory belonging to the railroads, with valGa-
ton of over S4,000.000, is not assessed and
forms no part OF the above valuation, the rail
roads being taxed upon their gross earnings,
and as property is usually assessed at from
one-half to two-thirds of its actual value, 1t Is
moderate and safe estimate to place the act
ual property values or wealth of the territory
at $323, 100000.
The unsurpassed development of the terri
ritory has necessarily led to. large increase
of government expenses. l am Of the opinion
that the public welfare will in no instance be
promoted by an appropriation for any new in
stitution, or for improvements or additions to
the present institutions. On the assembling
of the last legislature some of our institutions
were not completed, others not completed to
the extent necessary to place them in condition
for the object intended. The Yankton asylum
undoubtedly nee led enlarging; the Madison
normal school had been destroyed by fire and
rebuilt under tn encouragement that ap-
preparation therefor would not meet with ex-
ecutive disfavor. This condition of affairs does
not exist. ALI of our institutions are completed,
and as completed are ample for the needs of
the territory or future state or states for years
to come. / earnestly recommend most
rigorous scrutiny in matters of appropriations
The last legislature appropriated a sum of $780,
500 for the construction of tAo additional
wings and other improvements at the Yankton
asylum. Charges of irregularity having been
made against the majority Of the board Of trus-
tees Of this institution, and an exanlina ion
q report Of such examination having been
law, upon careful consideration Of
said report and the testimony taken 1 deemed
it my duty to withhold my sanction to the ex-
penditure Of this appropriation under the then
existing board. After due consideration Of the
so, 1857, suspended from further performance
of the duties Of the Office of trustee a majority
of the members Of the board, and ON the I'd day
of November, after further considering the
report of the public examiner and the evidence
submitted on his examination. removed for
official misconduct and neglect of duty the
majority of the board affected by my order.
September 80, the balance Of the board having
rendered their designations thereupon ap-
pointed and commissioned an entire new
board consisting OF five members. The re-
moved members took legal proceedings to test
the power of the governor to make such re-
movals, which proceedings were decided adj
versely to the old board and action Of the gov
ernor sustained. The new board have proceed
ed with the construction of the two additional
wings provided for by the act of the Legislature
above referred to. and such improvements are
rapidly approaching completion.
respectfully submit the report of the public
examiner and the evidence taken on such ex-
animation.
The trustees of the jamestown insane asylum
exceeded their appropriation by some S29T7
for the two years ending MBrch, 1887 which de-
fciencv was provided for by the last legisla-
ture, In their report now submitted it appears
that deficiency again exists. At this time,
January 8, the amount is $S,923. 05. The evil
dence shows a laxity of management of funds
appropriated for its maintenance.
The manner OF managing our public institu-
tions 10 extravagant Until the passage of the
public examiners act there was connecting
link between the territorial government proper
and the various boards, and while that law has
proved very beneficial in its operation, yet
there is no law which enables the governor
auditor or any official to restrain extravagances
and curtail the expenses of the various boards.
An examination will show the payment OF
large and excessive salaries and the employ
ment OF unnecessary help in many instances
when good management and the application of
business principles to q reasonable degree
would result in the same being rendered to the
public at large saving to the territory. be-
heve the whole system of boards of trustees for
our different institutions hould be abolished
and the establishment of q nou-partisan board
of charities and corrections. which should have
charge Of the charitable and penal institutions
with power to appoint the warden and superin-
tendents and chief officials of said institutions,
said board to regulate the number of employees
and the salaries of the same and to have general
control thereof, and board of regents with full
power to regulate and control our educational
Institutions, are suggestions worthy OF Your
consideration.
The cost to the territory during the past two
years for the different boards has amounted in
the aggregate to $29 7.32, certainly exhor-
bitant amount, considering the nature Of duties
performed. If the above suggestion is not fol-
lowed the number OF meetings of DO trds for
which they receive compensation should be linn
tied and the amount of compensation therefor
fxed, and no other compensation should be al
lowed, save for such services as may be per-
formed by the order consent of the governor
and allowed by the auditor. Large bills for the
expense of travelins and services rend red with
out the territory are frequently presented.
The cost of conveying the insane to and from
asylums, and prisoners to pen1tentiarles,
should be a charge upon the respective coun-
ties, and the expense appertaining to requis-
lions should likewise BE- chargeable to the
counties. Excessive bills are constantly being
presented in matters OF this kind. Were these
matters referred to the counties the. county
commissioners would exercise q care and
scrutiny in allowing bills or claims that would
result in a large saving and in no way interfere
with the public service. The expense of carry
ing the insane for the last two years was 3d.
0S4 3d. transportation of convicts, S7,536.9S
requisition, $7,7l4G1; total SA, 1882. This
amount together with the cost to the territory
for various boards of trustees 1929, 777.32l,
amounts to $74. 1924
The auditor is powerless in many instances
to prevent Overcharges, having no power to ex-
anime into the business thereof The power of
the audit or should be enlarged SO that he may
examine into and allow or disalow in whole or
in parf, claims against the territory.
There should be some restriction regarding q
class of insane that come within our borders
There can be good reason advanced why
those entitled to admission to our insane asy
lums should not have resided in the territory
for a certain period of time.
In case the trustee system for our public in
stitutions is not abolished thu law req uifing q
majority of any number of trustees for our pub
lie institutions to he appointed from the
county where the institution is located should
he so amended AS to abrogata such require
ment The result of the law it now stands
Iocslizes many of our institutions and deprives
them of their rritorial character of manage
ment. The territory, in effect, has o minority
representation on these boards Our institu-
ii 1ns not only localized, but controlled, by
local influences and too often to the detriment
Of good financial management.
The governor favor the following laws;
]. Enabling tho terrific ial auditor to cover
back into the treasury oil appropriations not
expended at q certain ixed time.
& Empowering the governor TO restore citi-
zenship to such persons as may have lost the
same.
3. Prohibiting unity commissioners from
drawing warrents on the treasury in excess of
funds therein.
A. CurtaiIing theiprivileges of bogus corpora
lions in issuing lueie stocks.
8. Providing for better organization and con-
troll of insurance companies.