The state herald., 1891-01-23

therefore most respectfully and earn.
estly reiterate my former recommendation
! for do not believe that the general gov
, eminent will ever appropriate money To
construct reservoirs IN this or any other
J State, and II we ever receive any assis-
, lance from that source II will necessarily
be by donation Of public lands for that
purpose.
AUSTRALIAN BALLOT.
The people Of the State, without regard
to party predictions, are demanding Z
reform In tho conduct Of our elections
they have become thoroughly aroused by
the methods and abuses which are resorted
TO, especially In the large cities. So great
Ii tho dissatisfaction that many Of our
reputable citizens decline " take part in
them.
While this state OF feeling exists it is
evident that something is radically wrong
either the laws are defective or they are
not properly executed.
hope, therefore, that you will pass an
election law embracing the main features
OF the Australian system. Several OF our
sister States have adopted 1t with very
satisfactory results.
l have very carefully examined the
Wyoming law, based upon this system,
and believe that 1t embodies the essential
features necessary to effectually, guard
the registration and the manner Of voting
at the polls, thus securing TO each elector
the right to cast an unbiased vote In &C
cordance with the dictates OF his own
conscience.
! further recommend that the same rules
governing general elections also be made
applicable TO the primaries, In order to
prevent, II possible, the rascally methods
that arc continually beirg perpetratod at
such elections. As they havo been con-
Quoted tho honest voter has had but little
To say In the selection Of candidates to be
voted for ut the general elections.
There Ia no provision In tho Australian
system for numbering tho ballots, US Is
required by our constitution. However,
this can BIO easily remedied-
| RAILROAD LAW.
The Republican and Democratic parties,
In their last State conventions, by a unnn-
imous vote passed resolutions advocating
the enactment Of railroad law.
The unanimity with which these resolu-
tons were passed by the delegates repre-
| senting oil sections of the State, Is an
unerring indication Of tho sentiment Of the
people on the subject.
Similar resolutions have been adopted
by former conventions, but without result
and In order that you may have tho matter
properly before you will quote the reso-
buttons:
Reptibttcdn.-'Resolv That tho in
terests Of the people of the State require
OF the next Legislature tho passage of a
wise and iudicious railroad law, one In It's
terms that will be both just and fair to the
people and to the railroad corporations;
that we believe the public welfare will be
best promoted by the appointment Of u
railroad commission, composed OF three
| men thoroughly acquainted with the com
mcrcial and economic conditions Of the
State, and that TO the end that the rights
IpvN tnxzu h .t..I .
| interests Of tho State fostercd, we demand
that whatever law is passed shall invest
such commission with the power to revise
the rate OF the carriage Of either passen-
gers or freight"
DsmOcrdtic:-"We hold the railways of
the State are public highways, and US such
| amenable to regulation by the State, and
that railway companies should DO COM
PEELED to operate their lines for the benefit
| OF the public, for fair compensation and
without discrimination; and VIC demand
| such effective, but careful, fair and well
considered legislation us will hold them
10 their legal obligations"
] trust that you will carefully consider
these resolutions, ind evolve from them
an effective, wise and iudicious law, which
Will be Just and fair alike to the people and
to the railway companies, and providing
| for the creation OF commission consisting
OF three persons, empowering them to
fully enforce and execute the provisions
| Of the law.
fEEs AND SALARIES.
Owing TO the growth and rapid increase
| OF business in the more populous counties
| OF the State, the statutory fees which the
| county officers have been receiving are
| largely disproportioncd To the amount of
labor performed and responsibility in
| Cured In such Offices, and are much larger
than II was contemplated they should
, receive. when the present fec system was
| established:
You should, In my Judgment, substitute
system OF salaries, instead Of tho present
method ofpaymeut to such oficers, and,
In order to do this cquitably. II will be
necessary to reclassify the counties Of the
State. md TO grade the salaries TO be paid
10 such officers, upon the basis OF the pop
ulation Of the respective counties. As
| new federal census has Just been com.
pleted. this eau easily be done.
would recommend that bill be passed
on this subject, with provisions similar to
those In force ut present relating TO State
officers, and would suggest that the same
be made broad enough In its provisions to
cover all public Offices. including Justices
Of the peace.
Such bill should reaplaic all fees to DO
paid for the services OF ull such officers,
| und provide that every officer receiving
| ices from my source whatever should ut
II.
under oath, To the proper custodian OF
public funds, and upon tho allowance OF
the amount OF salary due TO such officer,
the balance should DO turned In the public
| treasury. The salaries TO be paid TO such
| officers shouli bo fixed NJ an amount that
Will Justify competent pt rsons iu dovoiing
their time and inbors To the duties thereof,
and such ms would DO fair compensation
| for tho responsibility assumed and actual
labor performed. Such u law would, la
| my Judgment, prevent many OF tho evils ut
present attending our elections and result
In the saving OF thousands OF dollars an.
nunily TO the public.
INTEREST oN PUBLIC FUNDS.
The practice OF loaning monoy by officers
who nre tho custodinns OF Pablo funds
| mud using the profits arising thcrcirom
| for their personal use and benefit has
given rise to much discussion aud has
been tho subject OF litigation la the courts
After u thorough investigation OF tue
matter l am unable 10 lind any authority.
either In tho constitution or In the law, Tor
| tho loaning OF public funds. On the con
trary, II Ia absolutely prohibited.
ind nothing, however. In tue coustitl-
ton preventing the state from receiving
interest on deposits of It's own money, los
It's own benefit, II law b; passed enabling
| II to do 80.
| l would fevor II law authorizing the
I
u NO of state iunus, ior tho LcHent OF the
State (whcn such funds aro not required
for immediate usel, and requiring such
| ef'iccr to make scnll-annuai statements
aud returns. under oath, showing In detail
the amount OF money 30 Used and the
profits arising iheroiron. for tho previous
half year.
| would also suggest that tho provisions
| Of the law bo made applicable To county,
city and other trcaauirrs who AFRO rcspon-
siblc for tho handling aud safe keeping Of
public funds, and that penalties DO pro-
vidcd for tho violation thereof.
| nrrsiiirrnou- Misks.
Tho last General Assembly passed an
net dividin. the State into three mining
districts, aad providing Tor tho appointment
OF an Inspector Of motallifrrous mines, To.
guther with an assistant for each district,
with certain powers aud duties la relation
10 tho inspection OF all such mines. I am
OF tho opinion that this act docs not con-