The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-01-06
THE GOVERNORS NJ EssA0E.

DG6C Ieller ev6r WuX.
TnE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
The first annual message of Gov.
Richards, an elaborate document cover
ing more than a page OF this paper,
shows careful preparation and M evil
dent desire OF tho chief executive to
commence the duties Of his office under
right conditions. The recommendations
with which necessary information is
given, except in a few unimportant in
stances, indicate that the new governor
has made a conscientious study Of the
states needs. These are told in plain
words leaving a clear understanding.
The range Of SUBJECTS is wide and we'll
covered and furnishes the legislature
with many suggestions of value; if these
are properly considered, even in part,
the results should be beneficial in a high
degree.
Many of the recommendations con-
Germ only the ordinary business affairs
OF the state, but there are others,
broader in scope and of more vital i'm
p%ortance to public interests. These
treat of state and mineral lands, immi-
grafton and irrigation and necessary
changes in the ballot and registration
laws. In several instances the governor
is not SO specific as we would wish, nota-
bly, SO in his references to irrigation. He
shows a thorough appreciation OF the
value Of irrigation, but recommends the
legislature to memorialize congress for
aid rather than furnish a we'll defined
plan for securing assistance from the
state itself. During the present session
a bill for this purpose will be introduced
and it is believed will prove comprehen-
sive and practical. If it should so ap-
pear, we have no doubt that it will re-
ceive encouragement from every quarter
and the governors approval, for, as he
says. "The potential possibilities of our
arid lands have been demonstrated. Il
& * 1t remains only for these lands to
be properly prepared for the pillow to as
sure to the state a vast agricultural
population?"
A subject very closely allied with this
is immigration, which the governor
wisely thinks should be encouraged.
The method of bringing this about he
leaves to our legislators, though he says
that the first important step to be taken
is to make the creation of new COM
munities possible by the irrigation of
our ard lands. In the last session Of
the legislature it was proposed to estab-
lish a state bureau of immigration,
which, indeed, would be a most valua-
bic agency in advertising the state, be-
cause the work would be under official
authority. 1t is by nc certain,
however, that the duties of such an Of
ficer would come within the scope OF a
bureau of agriculture, labor and indus
try, the establishment of which is per-
mitted by the constitution and recon-
mended by the governor. What Mon
tana needs just now is a state advertis-
ing bureau, n created not merely for
the gathering of statistics to be placed
in pamphlet reports, but to gather all
We i LII BUN III AAC
and development of the state and send
it broadcast in attractive form all over
the country. Then again, authority
should be given to originate and carry
on plans for increasing all desirable i'm
migration.
The governors recommendations CON
corning the ballot and registration laws
are stated with more detail. He has
evidently studied the subject along the
line of Judge Hunts articles and gives
his emphatic endorsement to certain
features which find favor among all cit
liens. He believes that a corrupt prac-
tees act should be passed which will re-
strict the pernicious influences of
bribery, a matter in which all good citi-
zens are interested. In the revision Of
our ballot laws which will undoubtedly
be made at this session, the corrupt
practices act should receive thorough
consideration.
We note with pleasure the governors
counsel concerning several subjects of
less moment, frequently discussed by
this paper, but nevertheless very i'm
portant to the welfare of the state. One
Of these refers to the necessity of better
protection for Jul fish and game. The
governor recommends more effective
laws, but fails to see how he can ask the
Legislature to furnish more officers for
their enforcement, owing to the many
demands upon the treasury. This fail
ure removes the force OF the recon
mendation to a great degree because il
has been often pointed out hat the diff
fculty lies in the inability to enforce the
present laws rather than in any other
direction. We beg to suggest to the
governor that the fish and game OF
Montana are like the sped arrow anC
the spoken word; once gone, they never
return. We will not have another legis
lat;ve session for two years and durin,
that interval the unlawful destruction
of fish and game in this state will worl
irreparab!e injury if something is no
done TO prevent it this winter.
We regret that the great length of tn
message, and unusual demands upol
/ our space make full publication impos
sible. All of the salient points are giyel
and only those Of minor Importance ar
: omitted. 1t will soon be printed in OF