The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1892-02-25
GOVERNORS MESSAGE
To the General Assembly in Extra
Session.
He Recommends Liberal Appropriation
for tho State University, and Tells
the Solons How to Do It
Other Work.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo-, Feb. l7.--The
following is Gov. Francis message to
the general assembly on convening in
eXtra session.

the general assembly on convening in
extra session:
STATE OF Missouri,
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT., Feb. II, 1902.
To THE THIRTY Sixth GENERAL Assembly,
The objects Of this special session have been set
iofth IN the proclamation calling you together.
In my special message to you of February IS,
1871, was fnclosed copy Of the apportionment
bill OF the congress, approved February 7, 1891,
giving to Missouri fifteen members in the house
OF representatives after March Q, 1893. That
message recommended that the Thirty sixth
general assembly redistrict the state into fifteen
congressional districts. am informed that the
late date at which details Of the eleventh census
We're promulgated prevented you from perform.
mg Iegg, THIS & work durins your regular session ef
issi. Ihe secretary OF state is now in possessi3h
OF authentic information giving the population
OF esch county in the state, and has prepared for
your use maps that will greatly facilitate the
work of redistricting.
AT the regular session of 1891 you failed TO
nivide the state into legislative or representa-
tive districts under section 3, article 4, of the
the general assembly by section 7, article /, of
tine constitution.
JUDICIAL CIRCUITS.
have also thought advisable, in obedience to
eh almost universal demand, to submit to y
the reforming of the judicial circuits of the
state and the adjusting of the salaries of the
state Judiciary. There are. in addition to Grim
inal courts, thirty judicial circuits one of which
has five, one four and one two judges, the re.
mninder one judge each. Litigation in circuits
having but one Judge is very unequal, as is the
labor performed by the judges therein. The
terms of all these judges will expire January l.
1913, and their successors, for term of six
years, will be elected in November of the pres
ent year. / forward You herewith an official
statement OF the number of days circuit courts
were in session during the year 1891 You will
observe that the time varies from ca to 235
nxed by statute and in the twenty seven cir
cuts are but 5000 per annum. In my opinion
mat is not sufficient compensation for judges
VINO hold court more than 200 days per year,
whose circuits extend over several counties, and
who are required to pay their own travelling ex-
penses. nor Is it equal to salaries paid by other
ida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska Missis.
slppi and Texas pay $3.50 per annum Califor-
NJ ma: ,o Connecticut, Kentucky and Oregon paw
5000 per annum: Illinois, Minnesota and South
SadUiina sadsb pay $500 per annum; Wisconsin pays
s3,GO per annum; Colorado, Ohio and Pennsyl-
vania pay $500 per annum and Massachu.
our state Is composed Of men OF ability, expert
ence and character. They occupy positions of
Responsibility, dignity and Importance, and
Ineir services should command better returns.
The inequality between the circuits, as at pres
ent constituted, should be corrected, the num-
t Der OF circuits diminished, If practicable. and
tine salaries Of Judges incIe eased. The wording
3f the call permits you. to adjust, within the
limits or this constitution, the salaries of all
s.ate i judiciary. You are hereby, authorized to
state and tho courts of common pleas, and to fix
tne time FOR holding courts in order that your
judicial enactments may be systematic and com
plete and result in no incongruities.
uTATE UNIVERSITY.
The main bui ding of the state university was
destroyed by FIRE the night of January O.
1892. The institution never was in so flourish,
Ing condition as when overtaken by this
calamity. Reassured and strengthened by the
endowment of s647,OOO received through your
and capable curators ana faculty Of able and
experienced professors, it has just entered upon
career Of unprecedented prosperity and use
June, 1901, and the scholastic wear had
opened in the following ing september with
bia the day after the fire and found students
and professors resolute in their devotion and
determined to stand by the university in It's
promptly provided and there was not cessa.
tion OF one day in the recitations or lectures
At this time there is an enrolment of 6l2 stu
dents, twenty five moro than when the fire oc
Cured. The curators, who live In different sec.
tions Of the state, and who serve without com
pensation, ,cheerfully responded to my summons
to meet me at tho scene OF the confiagTation
They have ever been assiduous. at personal sac
rifce in their attention to the affairs OF the
university.
There was an insurance on the building de.
stroyed of S22,s2 on the library of S1l 600, or
the museum of 5000, on scientific apparatus ot
$40 on elsctric,l light plant Of g s35 on eeva
insurance on the buildings and contents of sl47,.
0O0 The amounts in the policies of insurance
were made payable. in case of loss. to the board
will soon be paid in full Such fidelity on the
part of the students. professors and curators is
deserving of recognition and encouragement by
the state,
AN AcKNowLEDGED OBLIGATION.
BY the act of admission OF the federal con.
gress, rendering to Missouri the right of state
hood, and by the ordinance of her people accept
ing the provisions thereof, we are enjoined and
in honor bound to establish and foster sem.
mary of learning, BY the act of the general as
semby, approved February 8, 1859 the univer.
sity was established and our present constitu
tion adopted by the vote Of the people in 1876
vested its government in board of curators
obligation to laid and maintain the state uni
versity now established with its present depart
ments. " There can be no question therefore, but
for this ward of the Statue stnte, whetRer Se
consider it from the standpoint Of an honorable
pledge or an accepted and acknowledged obi.
cation to the interests of the youth Of the com
monwealth. The resources, wealth, popula.
tion and dignity Of Missouri impel us to erect
such structures as will meet the uses to which
they are adapted, comport with the advance
ment and growth Of the state, and be source
Of pride to her people. Liberal and superior
educational Advantages are not only great
boon to the youth Of a state and contribute ma
terially toward its development, but is often
the standard by which commonwealth Is
classed or estimated by the outside world. Nc
act of the Thirty. sixth general assembly hasat
tracted moro widespread attention or received
more favorable comment and none will endur,
longer that that by which you devoted to tht
| promotion of higher education in Missouri tn,
| direct tax of s847,O refunded to the state b,
the federal government. 1t stands as monu
ment to your sagacity and progressive publi
| The alumni of the State university, repre-
sentative leading citizens OF their respective 10
| calities, prominent in the professions, in com
merce and agriculture, have organized withou
| the state, and with one voice asking tina
their Alma Mater be not ignored or neglected j.
| do hn nf hnT A
record of more than half century, attended a
1t has been by struggles and vicissitudes th
voted years of effort to the interest OF the uni
versity, cry out against any policy that vii
sacrifice or jeopardize what has cost SO much
would shake if not DESTROY that confidence il
the stability and future Of the institution witt
which your generosity has inspired the people
| PLANS OF THE cURAToRs.
The board of curators. aided by the sus,ges
tions of the president and faculty, have formu
lated plan for the construction of buildinl
that win meet the requirements Of the universi
ty III that line for ten years to come. Tn
scheme is elaborate, but not unduly expensive
II contemplates the expenditure of about 500,
900, which sum win be sufficient to complete,
dimensions, to erect five department buildings
and to furnish and equip all with library an
to
desired, the board will receive about Sli7 90
from insurance, The state will owe to the uni
twenty one months interest on the certificai
of Indebtedness for s6i6 s,35, bearing 8 pc
April l, 1891, and Issued in favor of the stat
seminary fund, In accordance with the hi
passed by your honorable body, and approve
March %. 1891. Said sum can, with piopriet
and safety, be appropriated from the interes
fund. On that Interest one fifth, or 20 pc
% sos; piaeS the REMAINDER "a @ 's siS ss7o q s' cam
used for buildings and equipments, ! ca
500 mo objection TO your appropiistli5p l5 2