St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-01-03
AZ Recommendation for a Con-
4oiItinuation ofEeonomy and
'o' Prudence.
LEGISLATION is NEEDED
To Give Effect to the PrOvls-
ions Of the New COnsti-
sd
II tuition.

/ both the senate ana mouse. IL opens
with reference to the legislation made
| necessary by the revised constitution,
which, the message observes, demands
the closest care that no hasty. incom-
plete or ill-advised measures be enact
ed. The finances of the state are in
good condition. There is no state IN
debtedness whatever, while the perma-
nent funds, Including the United States
/ deposit sfund. aggregate S9,2l0, 394.3 of
principal. The amount realized from
the transfer tax otherwise known as
| the inheritance tax during the last
fiscal year was Sl,6SS, 954.24, and
from the corporation and Or
| ganization taxes, Sl.796,640. 81.
making a total of So, 4S4, 5S5. II. The in
pectation. 1t is estimated that the
| transfer tax will not for many years to
come yield more than two millions an
| nualiy.
The governor recommends the legis.
| lature to devise ways and means, II
| practicable, for the enlargement of some
of the state charitable institutions. EX
penditures are made before appropria-
| tons have been enacted to meet them
| is condition of affairs that requires
| remedy. The governor points out the
necessity for
A Treasury Surplus.
| He also calls attention to the need for
the most rigid economy IN the manage
ment of the different departments of the
tn
and especially during the past twelve
| or thirteen years, these expenses have
grown until becoming grevous and
unbearable. Indirect forms of levy
ing taxes have been resorted to with
the idea of relieving or Shift
| ing the burden of taxation. One great
extravaganza. he says, arises from the
| multiplicity Of commissions" which
| have increased so rapidly in number
and expense since about the year 1880.
| From All expenditure of the duties COW
cred by the session of 1880 of 900 we
have seen a growth from year TO year,
| until the cost of three commissions
| alone amounted last year to nearly
million and quarter of dollars. Some
of these commissions are unnecessary,
and should he abolished. Some Of them
should be consolidated with or made
bureaus of relative departments of the
state government. The governor notes
! that although about S21, 5000 has been
expended upon the new capitol, that
structure is not yet completed. The
people. he adds, are thoroughly tired of
! this seemingly endless drain upon the
treasury.
Gov. Morton reviews the new cODsti
tuition, and specifically
RecOmmemds Legislation
to give each provision effect AS to the
greater New York. it is suggested that
a commission be at once created. to be
composed of the most capable citizens
of the various localities interested, and
to be charged with the power and duty
of framing a charter to be reported to
! the present legislature for the govern
ment of the new city. In the meantime,
the governor says, the duty is incum-
| bent upon the legislature, under the eX-
press will of the people of the metropO-
| lis, to give to the mayor of New York
the requisite power of removal and ap.
| pontment without waiting for the full
| details Of the reform plan. The expert
ence of several years has made it clear
that the system of providing separate
| ballot for each group of nominations is
| cumbersome and unsatisfactory. The
'.lDanket" ballot. sO-called, which has
| been successfully used in many states,
| ShOuldin the Judgment of Gov. Morton,
Il tnI ,,t OF a a n,tf fin
| DELAY. 1t is, moreover, the opinion OF
| the governor that the use Of the blanket
| paster ballot should be at once prohibit
| ed: for through its inStrumentailty the
| purpose of the law has been to large
| extent defeated. In the interest of
| pure elections attention is called to the
| fact that while sworn statements of eX
perts are required of candidates for
| office, there is no provision for ascer-
Gaining the expenses OF political com
mittees. The Importance of legislation
authorizing the improvement of tire
! canals of the state. so that they may
regain the position they formerly held
as carriers, is urged upon the legisla
| ture.
1t is shown by statistics that what has
| been lost by the canals has not all been
gained by the railroads of the state,
| considerable proportion of the earnings
| from grain carriage having been Sc
| cured by the railroads of other states
| and of Canada The subject of good
roads is also CONNIE nded to the attene
ton of the legislature.
Chance for Convict Labor.
1t is suggested that convict labor
may find employment in this direction,
| particularly as Il constitutional amend
i,.h ta
forbids the state from employing con-
victs at the state and county prs-
| OBS, jalIS and reformatorieS in
any industrial art or useful oc.
cupation in competition with
the work or products of the people.
| Some further legislation is urged look
| ing towards perfection of the state
banking law, particularly in the matter
of paying in of capital stock. 1t Is also
urged thai the banking law be so
| amended that officers having physical
control of the funds of bank should
not he allowed 10 loan money to them
selves, but that their applications for
loans should be submitted to the board
| OF directors. 1t is recommended that
banks of discount and savings banks be
| forbidden to conduct business in The
| same office. The governor asserts that
| the expenditures for the maintenance
] of state hospital for the in
sane have been eXtravagant and
makes certain recommendations in the
interest Of economy. The preservation
of forests, game animals and birds are
subjects recommended 10 the considera.
ton OF the legislature. 1t is finally sug-
gested that attention be given 10 the
question of providing the state military
and naval forces with improved arms.
The Senate
ordered the printing of the Lexow COM
mittee testimony. 1t will make 5000
pages. MIR. Conkllng, of NewYork, in
troduced i'll The assembly resolution
authorizing the appointment of five
members of the assembly to act as a
special committee IN conjunction with