, 1890-12-11
IDAHO AFFAIRS
Gov. Shoup's Message to
the Legislature.
MORMON QUESTION.
The Financial Affairs Of the
New State.
OTHER MATTERS OF INTEREST
appointment of the Senate Com
mittees--A Bill Passed I'M
dor Suspension.

BorsE CRY, Dec. i0.-Tho house met
at II o'clock. on roll call every men,
Der was found to be present.
Prayer was ohered by Rev. J. ii.
Skidmore.
The journal was read and approved.
Mr.. Jones introduced q resolution that
the members of the last legislature,
Judges Of the supreme court, and mem-
bers OF the press he granted seats on the
floor OF the house. The message OF
Governor Shoup was then read.
After thanking the people Of Idaho for
the honor conferred upon him by elect.
Ing him to the position OF executive of
Idaho, congratulatiDg the people on tho
auspicious opening of the era OF state
hood and complimenting the consutu-
tion, which challenged the respect OF all,
Governor Shoup pointed out that tho
people expected of the legislature that
they carry into practice the principles OF
the constitution so as to remodel the
laws harmonious with tho statutes and
constitution. The constitution lays
down explicit principles concerning
water rights, disposition Of school ana
other lands, taxation and revenue. The
proper Interpretation of the sections OF
the constitution relating to these topics
was found by careful study and debates
of the constitutional convention.
The suffrage item of the message Is
peculiarly significant "The guarantee
of absolute secret ballot, contained In
d. section 1, article q. of the constitution
may require additional legislation, af-
fording further safeguards. Section 3,
nf na arfirla n ahAif N tha
disfrancbsemept clause. contained in
most constitutions II. minute detail,
describes u class ~f citizens who either
themselves openly violate the marriage
laws or incite others to do so. The
polygamis's andibigamists associated in
the Mormon church form an organized
conspiracy against the state, and they
exercise such an influence over one
another as practically amounts TO de-
nial of personal freedom and eliminates
from the ballot its central idea of indi-
vidual choice. There appears to havo
been u general acquiescence In the terms
of suffrage laws at the late election, and
Il is believed that few illegal votes were
cast. At the same time the leaders OF
the Mormon body have publicly pro-
nounced against continuance of the |
polygamous system. While rejoicing In !
the declara ton of law-abiding spirit, l |
can not advise at present any modifca.
tion of the existing statutes. The way
to return TO the privileges of the ballot |
is plainly pointed out In AN act to
amend section sol, revised statutes of
Idaho, passed at the Fifteenth session
of the territorial legislature"
Tho total Indebtedness OF the state, as |
shown by the books of the comptroller |
on November t5 is nearly $40, 900.
Nearly SITS is estimated will be |
required co .neet the expenses of tho |
state government for the first year,
which viii probably be greater than for |
any succeeding year for quite q period. |
A tax of 72 cents on 800 Of assessed |
property Is suggested to meet the ex-
penses.
As the courts are now in a chaotic
condition, II Is recon amended that the |
legislature provide ut once tor the ap- |
pointment of district clerks in each
county to serve until the clerks-elect !
assume charge in January; to empower
the supreme and district courts to fix a |
time to hold court, the sheriff of each !
county when the supreme court is held |
to act rs executive officer of the court; |
also to make provision to pay the su-
preme court
A bureau of immigration should be |
established under the charge of the |
commissioner of immigration, who
should prepare a map of the state. dis
tribute information. etc.
Prompt attention should be paid TO |
the matter of public lands. Joint me-
MORALS should be presented to congress
urging a large appropriation for the |
surveys of public lands. Care should |
be taken in condemning private prop |
erty to public use that none shall be |
taken without proper compensation. !
Special emphasis Is laid on the matter |
OF water rights. We have suffi Client
water IL properly used to irrigate all |
the arid lands. A liberal appropriation
is recommended for the Columbian ex-
position.
As the penitentiary has been turned
over TO the state, a state board Of prison
commissioners should be appointed ut
once. IL recommends that the prisoners
build wall around the ground and
quarry and dress the stone for O main
building, to be erected soon. The salary
Of the warden, physician and all other
officers of the prison should be provided
for by law.
As to an agricultural college. he had
corresponded with the secretary of the
interior and acquired in congressional
provisions for such college an appropri-
alton of $25, 900 yearly, to be used only
for endowment and maintenance, not
for buildings or grounds, which latter
are to be furnished by the state. and the
ne cessary legislation is recommended.
The report showed over q, 900 children
OF school age In the state and over $780,
900 for school purposes. As to the
university of Idaho, the board of regents
met at Boise City in April, 1889, and or.
ganized by electing Willis Sweet,
president; II. b. Blake, secretary.
An executive committee was
elected, who advertised for plans
and specifications, as provided
by said act. The board again convened
at Boise City July, 1889, and adopted
plans and specifications. A site consist
fenced ard partly graded. The stone
and accepted by tho archi-
tect. He wirhholds any recommends
lion until the receipt OF the report of the
president of the board of regents, which
Is promised at an early day. The afore-
,aid act provides for levy and collec-
lion of taxation Of Il mill for each
II of taxable property, to be appro-
Driated to the university building fund,
provided said tax shall not be levied and
collected for . longer period than ten