The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1890-12-20
Governor shoup's Message.

Governor Shoup's Message.
The Governors message to the
legislature reached us last Saturday.
After being compelled but few days
ago to wade, neck deep, through
the dreary platitudes and vacant
non-committalisms sent out by the
President of the United States, it
is refreshing to read SO able, manly
and straightforward a document as
the one before us. It could have
been abbreviated without disadvant-
age, but it is difficult to see wherein
| it's contents could have been i'm
proved, except that his Excellency
might, and indeed should, have
alluded to the great mining inter-
ests of our state. In every other
respect the message is good, and
will have a good effect upon the
legislation of the body to which it
was addressed.
The Indebtedness of the state is
reckoned by the Governor at 1885,
40, but this will be reduced in
January by settlements of the sew
eral county treasurers with the state
treasurer to $169,556.
The expenses during our first
year of statehood are stated, for all
departments, at SIT ,535. Value of
property in the state, $28,OOO,0OO,
on which levy of IS cents on the
500 is recommended for general
fund purposes, which will give an
income, including $4,000 from poll
taxes and $4,000 insurance, and fees
from the secretary of state and
treasurer S office, of $4,000. In
addition to this, cents on the 800
is reckoned for State University at
Moscow, and 2 cents for wagon
road purposes, making the total
state tax 70 cents on the 800.
A refunding of the outstanding
bonds, amounting to 46,715.O6, is
recommended.
In the admission act the governor
says Congress donated to Idaho
land aggregating 61S, OoO acres. The
constitution requires that the legis-
lature shall provide by law that
this land be judiciously located and
carefully preserved and held in
trust, subject to disposal at public
auction, for the use and benefit of
the objects for which it was granted.
A joint memorial to Congress urg-
ing large appropriations for the
survey of public lands in Idaho is
urged upon the Legislature. Water
rights are also referred to, but not
in a very satisfactory manner. An
appropriation for the Columbian
Exposition, the Board of Pardons,
Penitentiary an Agricultural Col
lege, the Insane Asylum and many
other subjects are discussed. and
all with clearness and ability. But
we will mention none of these sub
jects except the public schools.
i ueSc dIC SdJu W NC III u pI ptI
Gus condition. We have 40 school
districts, gain Of 70 since 1888;
315 school houses and 497 schools.
We also have 25,421 children of
school age in the state. The amount
received for school purposes is
stated at 1902, 1860 for the last
fiscal year. On the whole the show
ing made by the Governor is most
fattering to our young state. Her
finances are easy, her prosperity on
a sound basis, and there is no ap-
parent reason why the legislature
should not make liberal appropria-
tons for any and all purposes of a
public nature that will promote the
speedier development of our vast
and varied resources. Such as the
maintenance of schools, the estab-
lishment and support of mining
bureau, the erection of public build
ings and the like. Millions to pub
lie improvements, but not one cent
to private enterprise, is the proper
spirit.