The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1893-01-14

Total.
INCREASED VALUATIONS.


In discussing the quo ton OF the re luction of
taxation. attention IL callel to the increased
taxable valuation within four years from SS0?,
Isl, 100 to S9ll, 7gl. I'D. To meet tho expenses Of
the government in view Of ths present state
levy. which IL at present but p cents OIL the
Sl0o. or 31ia par cent. lower than 1t was in lSsS,
an increase Of 10 rer cent. on assessed vslua-
tons. VIGOROUSLY not now in excess of 40 per
cent. of trus valuations is sugyested- Increas,
of tax on Injuries, meaning dramshops, from
s25 to $50 for six months is also suggested.
EDUCATIONAL
Comparative statistics in relation to the pub
lie schools are given. showing 4 gratifying in
crease IN tie enumeration, enrolment and
average attendance in the past four yasrs. and
the school fund is shown to be in a healthy con-
dition:
Concerning the state university, the governor
gives q history OF the founding of the ins,itu-
tion, and refers TO the manual training school
as n new feature. Attention Is called TO the
needs OF this college and the disaster that came
upon it by the fire Of January 3, last year. Con-
Siderable space is devoted to the school Of
mines and normal schools. Concerning the
boari Of agriculture, the messnge says reports
to the assembly will be submitted. Other rs-
polis from this >tats veterinarian will ba sub.
mfftcd on thu destructive disease which ap-
peared last. year among the brood mares Of
Montana
~ ELEENosySARY INSTITUTIONS.
The condition OF tho three asylptns b
praised; the recommendation OF the bohr1 Of
rs chat the St. Louis site OF tho school
1Cl u blHu bc cou Il hIpToNFu- ~ u q 81
RECOMMENDED that the counties DO required to
nay FOR the maintenance of. INDECENT pupils in
the school for the deaf snd dumb. as they do
Th{otber stats charities are referred to at
sons length in the message-reform school for
boys at Bounville and the Industrial HON, for
girls at C1iliic1ths. AMI thu lsZisls.ur, il rs-
fcrred TO the reports of the managers OF thoss
institutions for Information concerning their
condition
PESIrESTIARY.
TIE management of this Institution Is in
dorsed in compiim sntary terms as never hay-
ing been equ7led The penitentiary has bean
self. sustaining for eleven mol,hs-
Ire maintenance exceeded the earnings by
cember 81, 1855. and by about sll2,OO during
tho last four years. The total amounts drawn
from tho treasury for tho penitsntiary during
the past eight years are as follows:
Period from January i, 1885, to De-
cember 81, lsss.-.-..-..... ......S37s .25s 46
Per cd from January l, 1859, to De-
cember 81, ses.-..---------... ..-- 1875 ,932 Sc
$50. 1871 %
Tie Institution has to that extent bsen n
burden Oh the taxpayers for the past eight
years. The excess OF money drawn. ov r The
difference between the earnings and the main
tenanc,. which amounts to about sIi7.0O. was
us ID FOR the extension OF walls and erection Of
buildings, etc.
CONDITION.
The panitent:ary has been kept in good re-
pair, and its cleanliness has been n subject Of
remark by al visiting it. The discipline has
beea good ard the treatment of prisoners hu-
name. They, have been well provided with
food and clothing.
At present l 1873 c~onvicts are employed by the
prison contractors at al average compensation
to the state of 50 cents per day; S27 ~convicts are
employed by the state in doing the work of the
institution, AZ are in the hospital. 10 ara in soil
tary confinement; the remainder, about l23, are
idle.
The existing contracts, when entered into,
may have been tho best tbs state could make.
but 1t is now feasible TO make the penitentiary
abso utely self sustaining, and at tina same
time minin;z, the competition OF convict labor
with free labor, Wills encouraging the prison
ers to perform their tasks cheerfully and thor
oughly.
The governor goes into an exhau.ting revisw
of the convict labor question and the methods
adopted in the various states. He advises
4 statutory miaimum Of at least sixty cents
per day for the labor Of convicts, and this let
ting Of that labor 70 the highes. and best bid,
right to the state TO- rejsct any and all bids.
The contractors should also pay the cost Of this
power furnished. and SUFFICIENT in addition to
keep engines and boilers in good working con-
dition.
Br-wEEKLy AYMEN LAW.
Attention is directed to the efforts Of the ad-
niuistration in the enforcement OF the bi.
weekly payment law. which ths governor ssys
has been sub<tant ally observed for the past
twelve months. He, however, advises the
amendment OF the law so As to make Its viola
ton q misder,canor.
RAILROAD SWITCHES, FROGS ETC.
In regard to thu law req-<,ng all railroad
switches. frogs and guard rails to be blocked,
the governor says that in every instance with
in the knowledge Of the board of railroad COM
missioners tbs law has been complied with.
LABOR BUREAU.
The absence Of strikes and disorder Is felicit-
ousiy comnsnted upon. Thu recommenda-
tioas OF the commissioner Of labor for the es-
Enlistment % 4 free employment bureau by
the state at Ct. Louis and Kfuss City are ap-
proFingly snhsnitt-d-
TIE Insurance p~KPaRrAEST.
This depsrtu sat has been well msnagsd and