The Dickinson press., 1891-01-17

Interesting Advice Given for Stimulating
Agriculture and Immigration-I.aws for
the Enforcement of Prohibition Asked
DEMONSTRATION Ballot Recommended.
An extended review of Governor
Burke's message is herewith given:
Among the first duties to be performed
by you will he the selection of IL repre-
sentative for North Dakota to the high
est council of the nation. In the dis.
charge of this responsibility l have no
doubt you will act with that clear per-
ception which may be expected to char
acterizc I'LL your other deliberations.
We cannot close eyes to the fact
that our people have, by constitutional
enactment, de ignated il method for the
control of the o traffic within onr
state. This is Ii A,tter of great import
ance. 1t must bcl United by those who
have given the subj, st serious c%onsidera-
ton. that each of TN different methods
in every section of the state: and while
1 do not propose todiscuss the respective
methods of these systems. yet let lis not
forget that, by the voice of the people,
prohibition has been adopted us Il settled
policy in North Dakota.
The last legislature passed an enact
ment prescribing regulations for the
enforcement of this provision of the or
ganic law. The circumstances by which
that enactment is 10 practically mop
erative are we'll known to all. We there
fore find ourselves in the embarrassing
position OF having no control whatever
of the sale of liquors as a beverage
within our state.
l am credibly informed that the su-
preme court Of this state will be- called
upon some time during the present
month to render IL decision as to the le-
gality OF this penalty enactment.
After such decision has been rendered
should it he avcrse. it would appear to
me as our immediate duty to take such
action i'll the premises as may be war
ranted for the full enforcement of the
constitutional provision, in order that a
fair test may be given this method of
controlling the disposition of intoxicat-
ing liquors in North Dakota. While. on
the other hand, should the supreme
court decide this law as operative, then
there is but II course for your eNecu-
tive and every other official i'll the state
to pursue, and that is to enforce the law.
Probably the most important of the
subjects which should receive the atten-
ton at this session is that of revenue
and taxation. That equitable and Just
laws should exist there can be no Iues-
tion-such as shall fully protect the in
terests of the people and at the same
time deal fairly with all persons and cor
porations doing business within our bor-
ders.
Our finances should be based upon
sound business principles. The state
should know, approximately, in advance
what its income is to be, thus enabling
it to determine upon the certain liquida-
ton of its obligations and the preserva-
ton of its financial integrity.
Th%e'foregoing remarks with reference
to the revenue laws apply also to the
warehouse laws. There are several of
these, and the railroad commissioners,
in a circular issued by them last August,
recognized the fact that these enact
ments are conflicting i'll their provisions,
equitable i'll their application.
The crops of the past year speaking
of the state generally have been album
dant and successfully harvested. This,
in connection with the comparatively
good prices obtained, has had IL tend
ency to place I'LL farming interests in Il
more satisfactory condition than for
some years past. This is gratifying to
lie, and, doubtless, equally so to Oh.
In the way of stimulating a diversiti-
cation of our agricultural pursuits, the
introduction of sheep raising us an addi-
ton to the resources of our farmers, I
look upon as worthy of attention and
study. These sheep, as a rule, are held
in small iocks. and the establishment of
this industry appears to me as Il step in
the direction of making every section of
our state wealth producing.
l trust there will be no h%esituncy in
the passage Of any legislation which has
for its object the fostering and forward
ing of all our agricultural interests.
immigration is Il subject entitled to
consideration. Other statc; have de-
rived great benefit from persistent effort
in the way of inducing immigration 20
their territory. and it is conceded that
no section of the Union possesses better
lands, more healthful climate or more
encouraging prospects than North Da-
kota.
Certain sections of our state are now
e~ndeavoring to place properly before the
world the inducements we have to offer.
During the course of our session Won
may he called upon to render assistance
to this movement: and my impression is
it would be wise to give this subject
favorable consideration.
Several states have recently intro
duced reforms i'll the manner of conduct-
ing elections, and ] am led to believe
have obtained much benefit therefrom.
There are sections of our state as vet
but sparsely settled, and probably it
would not be wise, at this time, to in.
augurate a change which would materi-
ally effect these districts: yet I am salts
fed that in our larger towns and cities
some alteration should be made i'll the
present system of managing elections.
Our existing mode Of affording protec.
ton to the elective franchise is neither
complete nor satisfactory. This is moi
in keeping with the principles of a re
publican form of government. It ha.
been ascertained that at our last election
many of the legal voters We're disfran
chised because of the peculiar provision.
OF the law now in force.
l am also satisfied, upon investigation
that what is known as the Australian
system will not alone meet IL needs
but in addition a law providing Il com
plete system of registration, with u sc
we're penalty for its violation, would b.
desirable and effective.
l call your attention to the fact thai
the president of the United states ha,
issued his proclamation authorizing TIL,
holding of a worlds Columbian exposi
ton at Chicago in 1893. This expositio,
is for the purpose of celebrating til,
400th anniversary of the discovery O
this continent by Christopher Columbus
Every foreign country, as well as til,
several states and territories composin,
this great union, will be invited to par
ticipate. Many Of our sister states hav
already named commissioners, indie
pendent of those provided by nationa
legislation, and made necessary appro
pr;ations for the display of their exhib
its. ! would, therefore, recc ~,
that you take such action in th.S prem
ises as in your judgment may seer
proper for the interests of Mort
Dakota.
That O most sanguine anticipation
for continued prosperity have not a
ways been fully realized, there is no d