Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1889-01-19
CHuRCH'S LAST ANNUAL
The Governor Of Dakota De-
livers His Last Annual
Message.
Refers to the Reckless Man
agement Of the Territorial
Institutions.
Dakota's Credit Is Better Than
Many OF the Rich Eastern States
and Municipalities.

call attention to the reckless extravaganza
that Is esting up the substance OF appropria-
lions, and INDUCES In \ severe roast" on
the management OF territorial institutions.
He says the total bonded Indebtedness ex-
pended In building and furnishing me pub
lie institutions OF the territory is 81 ,09S, 500.
The credit OF Dakota never was better and
the message says:
l predict that when Dakota is a state her 3
the Al per cent. bonds did. Nevertheless 1t
is the first time in the history OF the United
States that q territorial bond sold for less
than 5 per cent and We have conclusive
proof that DakOta's credit Is better than
many OF the states and rich municipalities In
the east. Even st. Paul, with all her re-
sources and moneyed power, sold her Al 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
80, 1888, were 81 ,Soo ,3oS. 50, and the
disbursements for the same time were 81, 193,-
49S. 32. The total value OF property In the
territory, as shown by the assessment roll for
the year 1888, amounts 10 Sl6l 20,914.3O AS
1900 miles OF railroad and other property In
the territory belonging to the railroads, with
u v 10 hSb
and forms no part OF the above valuation, the
railroads being taxed upon their gross cain
ings, and as property is usually assessed ut
from one halr to two-thirds OF its actual value,
it Is a moderate and safe estimate to place
the actual property values or wealth OF the
territory at $500, DOC, 200.
The unsurpassed development OF the terri
tory has necessarily lead to a large increase
of government expenses. am OF the opinion
that the public welfare will in no instance be
promoted by au appropriation for any new
institution, or for Improvements or additions
to the present institutions. On the assembling
Of the last Legislature some OF our institutions
were not completed TO the extent necessary to
place them in condition for the object In
tended. The Yankton asylum undoubtedly
need charging; the Madison normal school
had been destroyed by fire and rebuilt under
the encouragement that an appropriation
therefor would not meet with executive dis
favor. This condition Of affairs does not ex-
list. All 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 a most
rigorous scrutiny In matters OF appropria-
tiOns. The last legislature appropriated a
sum OF 500, 500 for the construction Of two
additional wings aud other improvements at
the Yankton asylum. Charges OF ~irregularity
having been made against the majority or the
board OF trustees OF this institution, and an
examination having been made by the public
examiner, and a report OF such examination
having oeen hled in this office as provided by
law, upon careful consideration Of said report
and the testimony taken / deemed IL my duty
to withhold my sanction to the expenditure
Of this appropriation under the then existing
board. Aftef due consideration of the report
OF the public eX miner, on Septemoer3O 80, 1887,
| suspended from further performance OF the
I,.sI -, - yta ~ - 80 q 80 at
the members of the board, and on the 2d day
Of November, after further considering the
report OF the public examiner and the evil
dence submitted on his examination, | re-
moved for official misconduct and neglect Of
duty the majority Of the board affected by my
order. September 30, the balance OF the
board hayiug rendered their designations, !
thereupon appointed and commissioned al
entire new board consisting uf five members,
The removed members took legal proceeding,
TO test the power OF the governor 10 make
such removals, which proceedings were de-
cidcd adversely TO the old board and the ac
ton Of the governor sustained. The new
board have proceeded with the construction
OF the two additional wings provided for by
the act OF the legislature above referred &c
and such improvements are rapidly approach,
ing completion.
respectfully submit the report OF the pub
lie examiner and the evidence taken on such
examination.
The trustees OF the jamestown insane asy-
lum exceeded their appropriation by some
$2S, 371 for the two years ending March, 1877,
which deficiency was provided for 10y the last
legislature. In their report now submitted /,
appears that a deficiency again exists. Al
thist time, January :, the amount Is IS, 1928. 05.
The evidence shows "A laxity OF management
which amounts TO a disregard OF care In the
management OF funds appropriated for It's
maintenance.
The manner OF managing our public insti.
tutiohs Is eX~trayagant. Until the passage OF
the public examiners act there was no con
Meeting link between the territorial govern
ment prope' and the various boards, and
while that "a aas proved very beneficial In
It's operation, yet there is no law which ena-
bles the r. vernon or auditor, or any other
official, T. s>rain extravagances and curtail
the expel If 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 a reasonable degree
result in the same being rendered 10
the public at Il large saving to the territory.
] believe the Whole system OF boards OF trus-
tees for our different institutions should be
abolished and the establishment OF a non
board Of charities and corrections,
which should have charge Of the charitable
and penal institutions with power to appo'ut
the warden and superintendent and chief
officials of said institutions, said board to
regulate the number Of employees and the sal
aries OF the same and to have general control
thereof, and a board OF regents with full
power 10 regulate and control our educational
are suggestions worthy OF your
consideration.
The cost to the territory during the past
years for the different boards has
in the aggregate to $40, 777.32, GER
tsin!y an exorbitant amount, considering the
OF the duties performed. If the above
suggestion is not followed the number OF
OF boards for which they receive
compensation should be limited and the
Of compensation therefor fixed, and
no other compensation should be allowed,
save for such services as may be performed by
The order "r consent o; the governor and al
wed nv the auditor, Large bills for the ex-
pense Of travelling and services rendered with
cut the territory are frequently presented.
The cost OF conveying the insane to and
from asylums, and prisoners 10 penitentiar-
should be q charge upon the respective
counties, and the expense appertainiDg to
acquisitions should likewise be ~chargeable to |
the counties. Excessive bills are constantly
h. ing presented in matters Of this kind. |
Were these matters referred to the counties '