The record-union., 1895-01-10


caIeiully considered. His honesty and
Intelligence in this respect have won my
respect and confidence and should win
| yours.
AS 10 the Commissioner of Public
WORKS, mentioned on same page. permit
me to say that the intention, as reported
W ?,e me at the time of the approval OF the
plll creating the commission, was that the
same should cease with this Legislature,
ana tnat Its objects would be fully at
talheo by being able TO lay before your
honorable bodies a feasi BILE scheme tor a
systematic plan of reclamation that
snotiid De uniforms III us effect, without
further expense to the >gGte at large.
Ihe request made Dy this department
lor additional facilities in the matter OF
ming away the documents, vouchers and
otnef papers constantly and continuous
~ accumulatlng. is one that Is impera-
lively needed. Every labor-saying de-
vice should be allowed all the officers,
especially the Controller. The reasons
given Tor this requirement are urgent,
ana earnestly recommend an aDpropria-
tlon su1nclently ample 10 answer this
| most urgent necessity.
cannot close my remarks without
puolcly acknowledging my thanks to
Controller Colgan, his worthy deputy,
and his efficient clerks for the prompt
ness ana readiness exhibited at all times
IN answering the calls OF my department.
am aware l have very often trespassed
on their patience, and tested their
knowledge on matters pertaining to their
respective positions, but | have never
Ionnd them wanting in either.
STATE TREASURER.
There is little that 1 can suggest to you
at this time, in reference to this office,
that did not say to the last Legislature.
treasurer Mcdonald has justly earned an
enViable reputation in the discharge o
his responsible duties. On pages t and
OF his last report will be found his recon-
mendations, and as they are concisely
| stated, l prefer that you read them
in his own language L respectfully ask
their careful consideration.
sURvEYoR-GENERAL.
The report of this department is chiefly
OF statistical character. But one recon-
! mendatlon is made, relating to foreclos-
ufe suits Tor delinquent interest on State
| lands. There is much force in the rea-
sons given, and concurrIng in the opin-
ion OF the Surveyor General, L thinks its
importance warrants your attention.
ATTORNEY-GENERAL.
This report evidences a great increase
| of business in this department. Both
civil and criminal dockets bear testimony
to the labor imposed upon this officer, but
be seems to have kept up with it. The
question OF the States Indebtedness for
the payment OF the payment of the In
dian war bonds OF lS5I-52 is worthy your
attention. Financially viewed, it is d
serious matter. His remarks on Fishing
IN State waters" page 2l) and those on
the loan associations page 23) demand
more than passing notice. l fully con-
cur IN his views regarding the necessity
tor the passage OF uniform fee bill. This
ls very important matter and demands
! legislation. Ihe report as whole evinces
careful examination into the subjects
treated.
L am of the opinion that this Office,
should be an appointed one. The legal
adviser OF the States officials, and one OF
greatest importance TO the Governor
should be filed by one in whom he could
have the utmost confidence and upon
| whose Judgment he could, with safety
rely. The best legal talent would then
De called into requlsltlOn, which should
be correspondingly remunerated. Tc
make this change would require a consti.
tutlonal amendment, which, If passed by
you and adopted by the people, would
not affect the tenure of the present in
cum bent.
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INsTRUC-
.aTION.
The report of this able officer is replete
with useful Information, which demands
consideration. No subject appeals more
| IDdD
does the progress of education. and our
people never complain of the tax levied
for It's promotion. California may Justly
be proud OF her public school system.
When we examine the statistics of other
/ and older States, with a population rem
dering ours insignificant in comparison,
we may we'll be astOnIshed at the infor-
nation that over S6,0O0,0O0 are annually
spent In the support OF our primary and
grammar schools. Words fail to express
any higher estimate OF the intelligence
and patriotism OF our people.
\ Notwithstanding the generosity of the
State IN this direction, the report shows
(see page ID that over $1,000 children
tailed TO take advantage OF its liberality.
Including this number are many under
the school age, and consequently cannot
accept Its advantages. Still there are
thousands who, growing up in ignorance
and ldIeness, are but aiding the increase
OF criminals. A compulsory education
law IS lmperatlvely needed. The States
of New York and Ohio have excellent
laws on this subject, and with some mod
Ihcatlons might be made available here.
Our present law has proven imperative.
therefore earnestly recommend atten-
tlon IN this direction. Other suggestions
are nTade in this report which | COM
mend for your deliberation.
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC PRINTING G.
This office is now an elective one.
doupteQ the wisdom OF making it such
Dut as no constitutional reasons existed
Tor veto, L gave my assent to the bill.
ne STATE was fortunate in the election OF
the honorable gentleman who will super
wise Its interests during the next four
years, he having already given ample
proof OF his ability to manage so import
ant ana costly department; He will now
be held personally responsible for its eco
nomIcal management. The report ofthe
superintendent gives in detail the eX-
penSes attached to this eSta DliShment.
ou will see that the cost Of printing for
the torty-tourth fiscal year amounted TO
Sl5O, ,4O9 is, the Legislature of the thir-
tleth session alone costing SCI, ,574 90. The
knowledge of this enormous expenditure
may probably lead to retrenchment at
your hands.
Another means of curtailnent might
be had were all the institutions which are
7 seif-supportlng required to pay, from
their incomes, the cost of printing their
own work. Each department, being
| then made directly responsible for its ex-
pendltures, would be more careful in its
demands and the saving TO the State
would be about Sl5, 900 per annum.
ADJUTANT-GENERAL.
From the Adjutant-GeneraPs report it
will be observed that there are on the
| rolls of the National Guard of California
$3.50 officers and men, which includes 325
officers and men of the Naval Battalion.
AS the report appears to have been pre-
pared with much care l would respect
fully call your attention to it for the de-
tails pertaining to that department..
cannot too highly commend General
Aliens faithful attention to his depart
ment, and especially for his watchful
care of the funds placed at his disposal.
AT my request, he, on assuming office,
took an inventory of all the State prop
erty as far as it was possible TO do So and