The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1889-11-29
HIS FIRST MESSAGE.
The Governor of North DakO-
ia sends in His Mess
age.
He Discovers a Necessity for
Strict Economy in
Finances.

day for United States senator. Ex-Gov.
Gilbert A. Pierce received all the votes in
either house, except twelve Democratic
votes, which were cast for ex-Secretary NJ.
L. Mccormack Both houses adopted
resolution designating Pierce for the long
term. The houses then went into joint ses-
sion to receive the governors message.
Following are the salient points of the
message:
The history of that portion of the North
west which is now included within the
boundaries of the State of North Dakota
contains much to inspire confidence in the
future of our commonwealth. Little more
than decade has passed since the1ndian and
buffalo were driven from her fertile plains.
In 1880 its sparse population was confined
to the few counties along the Red river and
the line of the Northern Pacific railway:
But the fame of the rich fertility of her soil
and especial adaptability to the production
of peculiar variety of wheat of superior
excellence and the healthfulness Of our
climate spread rapidly throughout our own
land and to foreign shores. Then came
period of growth and development that has
of the progress of any other state or terri
tory. Many thousands of our countrymen
and hardy and industrious citizens OF lands
beyond the sea found in North Dakota new
homes.
Thus, within brief period, we find our
population increased to 225,OOO, popula-
ton unsurpassed for intelligence and thrift
representing all the enterprise and push OF
the young men of the most progressive COM
munities of the East, energiZed by the vigOr
of our incompatible climate, each year add
ing thousands of acres to our cultivated
fields and demonstrating the adaptability
of our soil and climate to greater diversity
Of md f,1ro1
Our railroad system that in 1880 COM
prised one company, with only one line ex-
tending partly across the state, now includes
nearly 1000 miles of completed road, trav-
ersing her domain in all directions, two
great transcontinental lines running through
her territory, making many OF our new cit
les and towns as favorable railroad centers
as some of the older cities of the East.
Nature has, indeed, been bounteous in her
gifts to our state. Our undevelOped re-
sources of wealth are beyond computation,
and far exceed the most sanguine hopes:
The judicious application Of that capital
which such resources must attract, intell-
gently and tremendously cooperating with
the tireless energi les of our people, cannot
fail to work out for the new State of North
Dakota grand destiny.
Owing to the fact that the reports Of the
outgoing territorial officers have not yet
been submitted, and owing further to the
1lIlltSO tlluC intervening UCCWCCI VIC III
stallation of the present state officers and
the meeting of the Legislature. and to the
delay consequent upon the division of the
assets and liabilities between the two states,
it is impossible to prepare as complete, de-
tailed and exhaustive statement OF the
financial condition Of the state as should
desire, but the reports of the territorial Of
fcers will be forthcoming later on, and will
probably be available before your session
closes.
The total bonded Indebtedness to date is
$3.50, SO7 As, being the amount assumed by
the State of North Dakota as provided by
section five of the report of the joint COM
North and South Dakota. Of the outstand-
ing bonds, 1921, 600 bear interest at per
cent per annum, and $1S2, 900 at Al per cent
and $40, 700 at 4 per cent and the $83, 5O7 As
refunding warrants per cent, making the
total amount paid annually as interest upon
our bonded debt $27, $685.. The bonds is
sued last April for the repairs of the uni
versity at Grand Forks were 4 per cent
bonds and were negotiated at premium of
81 per cent, which was very gratifying in
dication of the credit of our late territory.
1t is however, believed with wise and care
full legislation looking to the care of our
credit, that our state Will be able to nego-
tate her bonds even at lower rate.
Fifty thousand dollars of the 6 per cent
bonds are subject to the call of the state,
and 1858, 600 more will be subject to cali
April next. Provision for the calling in of
these bonds should be made as soon as pos
sible Owing to the short time elapsing
before the state will have the option of
calling in large share of the remainder of
will at once be called, by offering to ex
change therefor longtime bonds bearing
not to exceed per cent interest.
Iwould, therefore, suggest such legislation
as will authorize the state to refund all the
outstanding bonded Indebtedness possible
at rate not to exceed per cent. The &C
complishment of the refunding of our en-
tire bonded Indebtedness into 4 per cent
bonds negotiated at par, will save the state
an annual sum of s., 600.
The report of the state treasurer shows
S51, 51341 to be the amount received from
the outgoing territorial treasurer. 1t is APP
proximately estimated that North Dakota
torial Indebtedness, and in addition thereto
her share of the unaudited outstanding bills
against the territory not payable until final
adjustment and the amount of which we
have no means of ascertaining. The out
standing Indebtedness assumed by the state,
is payable out of the general fund, leaving
on hand available at present for paying the
current expenses of the state, So, 1855; esti-
mated receipts, S271, $3.50; estimated ex-
penses, $3.50, 1865, leaving a deficiency of
$10S, SIC. 50.
The legislative assembly, by the provis-
ions of section 10 Ofthe schedule of the con-
stitution, is required to make an appropri-
alton to delray the cost ofthe constitutional
convention in excess of $4,000, the
amount appropriated by the general gov
eminent Deducting therefore $50, 900 from
the estimated receipts and adding to the es
timated expenditures $4,000 for clerk hire
and 81 900 for constitutional convention we
have prospective deficiency Of $155, 5000.
make this full statement ofour financial
condition that we may fully understand the
imperative need and importance of the
strictest economy in all departments of the
new state While there is nothing in our
financial exhibit thus made that in any way
affects our credit, since with an indebted
ness of $4,000, the valuation of property
in the state based on fair money value is
more than S175, 600, 900, yet it is of the ut
most importance that good business meth
6yn,,c;ol offairs and that orr diSh11rsa-