Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1893-01-19

"a
10000 acres OF land for the nstitutions,
the erection Of the buildings. He
said that until the leading members of
congress- had been guaranteed that there
would be two republican senators from
North Dakota, admission was impossible.
He guaranteed this, and although he had
not received one of the short terms IN
the senate himself, he felt proud that his
word had been made good. Gov. Ord.
way stated he was we'll and hearty again
after two years Of serious illness, and that
he intended to again visit the places
in the Dakotas where he had been inter-
ested in the past, so that he could see the
progress made in IL years. He repudi-
ated the statements that be had ever re-
ceived a penny from the sale of official
influence or patronage, and pointed to
the complete vindlcalion from these
charges by a commission appointed to in.
vestigate them. Gov. Ordway referred
to Cleveland in a complimentary way,
and said that another great hero OF the
nation, Blaine, lay dying with broken
heart. He closed his speech with hand
some tribute to North Dakota, the
brighter star Of the two Dakotas.
THE FINANCES.
State Auditor Porter submitted an
estimate of the state revenues and ex-
penses for the next two years, upon the
request Of the house.
The available resources on
Jan. l, 1893, were. ... .$1O4 $50 80
Estimated state tax ..... $4,000 90
Estimated collection of state
officers fees .............. 25,OO. w
Estimated gross earnings tax $4,000. 90
Estimated insurance CON-
panies' tax. 28, 8,OOO. 90
Total available resources $757 ,OSO. 80
Estimated cost of the legislature,
salaries, clerk hire, courts. maintenance
of capital building and offices, hospital
for the insane (sl5S,OOO). the peniteni-
tary, two normal schools, soldiers home,
agricultural college, printing, militia,
ETC., was $76l, sou, or more than the
revenues. This was based On low figures.
and did not include new buildings or
improvements. The estimate of revenues
was based on the valuation of 1892,
which was million less than 1891, with
levy of q mill less. as, fixed by the
equalization board. This greatly re-
duces the revenues. Auditor Porter's
report will doubtless SCI the Legislature
to thinking. and bring the members to
the conclusion that some Of the state OK.
penses will have to be chopped of.
There Is talk that II any are to be
omitted, the militia. soldiers home, one
normal school, and portion Of the
state university will be selected on which
to begin the process of economy.
PROCEEDINGS.
house. A resolution came up IN the house,
which carried, referring the contest case
Of James Michaels vs. Representative
HavrevOld to the committee on elections.
The case will have hearing after all the
opposition to it. Ex-Secretary OF State
Flittie submitted aiiidavits showing that
his duties as secretary ended at noon on
the day the legislature met, and that
no notice Of contest had been received at
his Office up to that hour. Also that the
notice sent by Michaels had been re-
turned for proper correction. Mr..
Michaels will have his case heard, at any
rate.
A bill was introduced reducing ex-
emptions to $1,000, instead of 81, 800;
also to amend the law to provide for
school district system upon a vote Of the
people where the school township sys-
tenn prevails.
The house passed the bill that no per-
son should be employed by the state
who was not resident.
MOTIFS AND COMMENTS.
Speaking of record making, there is
much disgust among some OF the re-
elected members on account of the un
gratefulness Of constituents, and more on
the part of those who tried to make
records last trip and were left at home
largely on account of their pains. One
republican from an anti-license district,
who ls personally opposed to prohibition.
says he nearly "broke his neck" two
years ago working for prohibition, con-
trary to his own judgment. Last fall,
when he needed prohibition aid, he did
not get 1.-THE party to man nearly
working against him. Yet the same mem
ber is one of the best rustlers in the
house and did effective work for the pro-
hi5ition cause. This year he will vote
his convictions in the matter and proba-
bly, work in that line, too. The members
who think that North Dakota counties
are more grateful than republics, should
investigate the fate Of others who have
thought the same and got left. The
safest way is to stand by honest opinions
and defend them openly. A members
reputation at home will sustain severer
test of popularity if it is generally known
that he acts sincerely on his own convlc-
tiOns.
The state library at the capital is
getting to be hourishinR affair. There
are 1900 volumes now on the shelves,
mostly works OF standard authors in all