The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-01-16

their care. The results of its labors have
been enlinently satisfactory. The book
published under its supervision has been
largely circulated in accordance with the
enactment. desire to embrace this oppor-
tunity to express the obligations of our
citizens for the faithfulness and diligence
shoyp by the members of the commission
in the fuIfliHent of work of such interest
to the people of our state.
swamp Land Grants.
respectfully urge upon this body the
desirabiiity of disposing of several unset
tied swamp land grants. The state has
granted from time to time, during the last
twenty-five years, quite an amount of
swamp lands to aid in the construction of
various railroads. Some of the roads have
selected nearly or quite the number of
acres to which they are entitled. Others
have preferred to delay, for one cause or
another, until large amount of unfinished
business has accumulated ia the land
office, necessitating the employment of ex-
ira clerks, and causing more or less ex-
pense. Some of the grants have been for
feited by non-performance of contract,
while others await further legislation to
determine rights. A sufficient number of
acres have been decided to the state by the
general government to fill the grants to
railroads Saving possibly one road and
state institutions whose rights have been
fully determined The time has now come
for the lands to be decided to the proper
parties, and the state relieved of any fur
Their annoyance and care To that end /
suggest that a law be enacted directing
the parties entitled to land to select the
same within a reasonable time say three
or five years, and after the expiration of
that time to provide that all grants, of
every kind and nature, be declared abso-
lutely forfeited.
Kandiyohi County Public Lands.
Permit me for the second time to call
the attention of the legislature to the ne
cessity of making some disposition of the
lands in Kandiyohi county, amounting to
some {, 400 acres, held for capitol site
These lands should be sold and the pro-
ceeds turned over to the treasurer for the
purpose of defraying the expenses of the
state. There can be no possible advantage
in retaining the lands longer, and much
benefit will result to the citizens of Kandi-
yohi county if these acres are made subject
to taxation. Several attempts have been
made to dispose of this matter, but all
have been futile. The sum of s75,0 900 would
be realized it is estimated, from this source.
The Bank Examiner. EH
The report of the public examiner gives
in detail the result of the work accom-
plished in his department. Under the pro-
visions of an act passed by the last legisla-
ture a large amount of work has been en-
tailed upon the bank examiner in connec-
ton with the building and loan associa-
tiOns. | doubt very much the desirability
of placing the various loan and building socie-
ties under state management, unless the laws
under which they are ora lied and regulated
are uniform and more ST. let. 1t is an impossi-
bility for state officers to properly look after
institutions formed upon business basis so
insecure and be officially responsible to those
who invest their awnings Many of the associ-
ations guarantee profits that are not obtain
a lie if ordinary business methods are pur-
sued and proper care exercised in the way
! of prudent investments and economy in
management Building societies. founded
| upon right principles and conducted upon a
| safe and prudent basis have proved remuner-
alive investment and in many instances
! have been of advantag to the community.
! but institutions Organized for the purpose OF
| providing large salaries for officers and direc-
! tors and conducted upon plans utterly for.
eign to well-know commercial rules Re suit
! in final disaster and loss to unsuspecting
! stockholders. If the state is to assume the
! guard anship of institutions of this kind lei
! the law be so amended as to give the fullest
! opportunity to protect the public by means OF
| ordinary safe yards. The work entailed upon
this depar iment is increasing so rapidly thai
! some means must be devised to defray the ex-
! pense of further clerical help. In order t.
| meet this additional sum it would be well to
| collect of every bank, trust company, or build
| ing and loan as 5ociation, a fee commensurate
With the capital invested, to be paid into the
| state trea ury. Quite an amount would be
| thus obtained to defray he expens' of main
tainin the Office OF the examiner.
State Finances.
| 1t is estimated that the ex es of receipts
over disburseI % ents for the years lS92-l893 will
! approximate $1,000 O. This sum will be await
! able for purposes Of enlarging and improving
! state institutions and for other and necessary
| objects The various boards and commissions
have sugges ed expenditures that, il made
| would involve an outlay of about j, D 900. II
will be impossible, under existing circum
| stan s. in my Judgment TO provide so large g
sum of money. We are forbi den by law t,
create any further bonde / debt, and it would
! be extremely unwise to increase the tax levy
! at this tine. Tue times are not propitious fol
any additional burden in the way of direc1
j taxes. / venture to suggest for your consider
! alton the deS1rablllty OF cOn1nlng al appro
| priations for building purposes or extraOrdi
nary expenses to the sum above noted.-S700,
600, 90. Attached to this paper is q full! state
ment of revenues to be derived from al
sources for the next two years, as well a:
! probably ordinary expenses After careful
| consi ieration of all the demands made by the
| authorized boards rep esenting the different
penal charitab and edu ational institutions
| / have indicated the direction, to the best o.
| my judgment, all things taken under advise
ment, in which inc money should be expended
l need hardly refer, in conclusion, to you
responsibility as the representatives of tn,
people. You have accented from the citizen
of great commonwealth no ordinary trust
and are charged with duties of the highest or
der. Not as individuals, but as chosen serv
ants of the people, you are to devise anC
formulate laws that viii adequately protec
the vast interests of the state. Permit me t,
express the hope that the results of your la
bors will prove of permanent value to the cit
liens of Minnesota.
WILLIAM r. MERRIAM.
Executive Office, st. Paul. Mimi