The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1895-01-10
GOVERNORS. Ct Y MESSAGE

hUvthhUn J MLOOhh[
IMPORTANT MATTERS PREFERRED TO
THE STATE LEGISLATURE
Rsv3sw Sf Pine Land Rrsuds, Dsttsr Laws
Nssssa For Regulating DaakA and
Trust Observation-Disclosures Of Arbitration
Favored - Another lssaas Hospital
Necessary, Near or in the Twin Cttiss.
ST.. PAUL, Jan. q, 1896.
In his message to the Legislature,
Governor Nelson reviews the forest fire
calamity Sept. last, and explains that
more than 400 lives were lost, 3, 600
people were left homeless and $1,000
600 worth of property destroyed. The
governor reports that voluntary con-
tributions to the relief fund amounted
to over &96, QUO, and in addition the re-
lief commission borrowed $4,000 on
their own account which the legisla.
ture will be asked to refund.
Under the country warehouse law Of
1898 all interior elevators have taken
out state licenses aud are operated AS
public elevators subject to the super
vision of the railroad and warehouse
commissioners
The governor asks for an annual appro'
priation of %. 600 to carry on the work
of destroying chinchbugs, grasshoppers
and other grain destroyers.
he explains that the state has 10, 900
acres Of land in the Itasca state park.
and recommends that the state buy
5000 acres more from pr yate parties in
order to control all the lands adjacent
to Itasca lake for park purposes.
More liberal game and fish laws are
recommended so that people may be
allowed to take white fish in nets and
other fish in proper manner at all
seasons of the year.
The worlds fair board is praised for
their ability and energy in represent
ing Minnesota at the Columbian expo
sition.
The governor reports that the state
capitol commits ion has purchased a
site for the new building in st. Paul,
four blocks west of the present build
ing, the ground costing 1855, 600. The
board will select a design for the new
building and the governor believes that
a new capitol is greatly needed.
The pine land investigation commit
tee is warmly praised for their work,
and the legislature is, called upon to
continue the investigation under ample
facilities and with liberal funds.
The legislature is called upon to re.
wise the law governing the sale Of pine
stumpage, and points out the great ne.
cessity of making it possible for the
governor, auditor and state treasurer to
find out the true condition of stumpage
in different parts of the state. The leg
islature is called upon to provide protec'
ton to forests against tires.
The dairy and food commissioner is
prosecuting his work energ etically and
Is constantly; seizing oleomargarine and
other adulterated products
The drainage work in the Red River
valley is reported upon, showing that
about 20 miles of ditching is completed,
draining large area of good land and
making it tillable. More money for
this purpose is needed, and the gov.
ernor recommends that an appropria-
ton be made for carrying on the work.
The state constitution provides for
taking the state census during this
year and the governor urges the legis.
lature to appoint competent persons to
take the census, not leaving the work
to local assessors. IL
A mine inspection law is needed
similar to the factory inspection law,
and a board of arbitration is recon-
mended to settle strikes and other
trouble between capital and labor.
The governor believes the state bank
examiner should have authority to close
up banks, loans and trust companies or
other financial institutions that are mis-
managed or insolvent
The school and university fund
amounts to so, ~, 49,
Nov. 20, 1894, the state treasury had
to the credit Of the several funds FL
1893. 544. IS. The funded and unfunded
debt of the state, less cash in the sink
ing redemption fund, amounted to
g., 692, 1873. 10. on Aug. l, 1894. Tho
governor recommends that the state
tax levy shall not exceed Ia mills. Tie
governor reports that binding Irvine
made at the state prison in Saltwater Is
giving satisfaction to farmers, and that
the price has been reduced to 3919 per
cent below the price formerly charged
bv the Irvine trust. All but 100 c1n-
victs are regularly employed The
governor recommends that all restric.
tons relating to leasing Of convicts be
removed, and that the warden be al
lowed to lease any number of convicts,
,v;%hnnt limit IF time nm tn fen voars