Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1891-01-09

deayoring to place properly before the
| world the Inducements we have to offer.
During the course of your session you may
be called upon to render assistance to this
movement; and my impression is it would
be wise to give this subject favorable con-
ELECTION REFORMS. .
Several states have recently introduced
| reforms in the manner of conducting cleo
tions, and, l am led to believe, have OBJ
tanned much benefit therefrom. There
are sections of our state as yet but sparse
ly settled, and probably it would not be
which would materially affect these dis
tricts; yet I am satisfied that in our larger
towns and cities some alteration should be
made in the present system Of managing
elections. Our existing mode of atfOrding
protection to the elective franchise is
neither complete nor satisfactory. This is
not IN keeping with the principles OF a
republican form of government.
1t has been ascertained that at our last
election many of the legal voters of the
state we're "disfranchised because of the
peculiar provisions of the law now In
force. l am also satisfied, upon investiga-
ton, that what is known as the Australian
saytem will not alone meet our needs, but
IN addition, q law providing a complete
system of registration, with a severe PEN
atty for its violation, would be desirable
and effective.
call your attention to this matter with
a view Of having you take such action as
the demands OF the people require for a
pure and untrammeled expression of their
will at the ballot box, that we may MAIN
tain our position in the progress of the age,
and that our state, in its early history, may
throw around its elective franchise the
safeguards OF wise n precautionary leg
islatiOn.
UNIFORM STATE TEXT BOOKS.
1 am sure we are not presuming too
much When we point with great pride to
the wholesome condition of our educational
interests. The wise course heretofore pur.
sued by those in charge of this important
public department Is c~Ommendable. I am
an advocate Of all educational methods
which tend to raise the standard of public
instruction and to secure a higher prOfic-
iency in the student; hence l have deemed
it pertinent to call your attention to the
subject of a series of uniform text books
for our public shoots. Other states have
proved methods of education; and while l
am not now prepared to make a recon-
mendatiOn to you as to what is the best
course to be pursued in this direction, yet
| nm convinced, from investigation, that
the establishment of a uniform series
VI oSLOol oOOhS WOulu Uc llIkIlly Utllcll-
cial-now that we are building for perma-
nency, and have the opportunity of profit
ing by the experience of other states.
The constant changing of residence by
families. and the removal of public in
structors from n district to another,
make it all the more desirable to have a
uniform system OF books, so that teacher,
as we'll as pupil, wherever located, may be
equipped and familiar with the books in
use.
Whether it would be advisable for the
state to purchase the books and furnish
them without expense to the pupil, is a de-
batable question. However, 1 am of the
opinion that were the state given authority
to purchase the books and supply them at
actual cost, as is the practice elsewhere, a
great saving in theaggregate would result
to those who are now compelled to procure
educational supplies.
II WORLDS COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION.
call your attention to the fact that the
president of the United States has issued
his proclamation authorizing the holding
of a Worlds Columbian exposition at Chi
cago in 1893. This exposition IS for the
purpose of celebrating the four hundredth
university of the discovery OF this CONT
nent by Christopher Columbus.
The magnitude OF this affair will be
something stupendous in Its character,
consisting in part of a display Of the arts,
sciences and manufactures of the Worla, as
well as a comprehensive exhibit of the
products OF the soil, the mine and the sea.
A national commission has been created
by an act of congress, composed of two
representatives from each state and terri
tory III the unlOn, empowered with the
supervision of arrangements for this great
fair, the expenses OF which are to be paid
by the National government. Every for
eign country, as we'll as the several states
and territories pnmnNginr fhic Urpaf 11njnn
will be invited to participate.
Many OF our sister states have already
named commissioners, independent of
those provided by national legislation,
Il made necessary appropriations for the
display of their exhibits. l would, there
III the premises as in your judgment may
seem proper for the interests Of North Da-
kota.
APPROPRIATIONS.
l have called your attention to several
measures, which. if carried into execution,
will need financial assistance; and in doing
so l have not been unmindful of the ex-
IRENE limit of our legaliZed indebtedness,
which without for a moment assuming to
c%riticise the motives of the trainers of this
clause Of our constitutional law is. in my
opinion, inadequate to the proper develop
ment of our diversified resources and the
~sustenance of our already founded institu-
tions, as we'll as those which have been
located but not yet provided for.
While economy on your part will be
recognized as wise and judicious. yet pru-
dental liberality, where The welfare OF the
state demands, will, L have no doubt, re-
ceiye the sanction and appreciation OF the
people; for, be it remembered, we cannot
expect to exist and progress without incur.
ring responsibility.
In making your appropriations, be fair
and just. l believe the people will coun-
tenance and indOrse intelligent expendi-
ture when the dignity of the state is to he
considered and its prosperity promoted.
CONCLUSION.
And now, gentlemen, after having con-
scientiously made reference to more i'm
pOrtant measures which l deem should re-
ceive consideration at your hands, I wish
to dwell but a moment IN conclusion.
That our most sanguine anticipatlons for
continued prosperity have not always been
fully realized, there is no denying; yet we
are far from being in a state OF restitution.
Our soil is fertile, our climate invigOrating,
our people intelligent and industrious. The
sun shines with the same continuity and
brightness upon the prairies of North Da-
kota as upon any portion OF the universe;
and it is our duty to nurture and to be
grateful for thSSe auSpiciOuS conditions.