Morris tribune., 1895-01-16
THE MESSAGE.
Gov Nelson Presents Facts and
Figures to the Legislature.
A Resume OF State Affairs for the Past Two
Vaars-Special Attention to Pine
Lands and Red River
Drainage.

sure, Gov. Nelson read his message. 1t
us in substance as follows:
Gentlemen of the Senate and House of
Representatives Conformably to law and
custom, / communicate to you by this
message the following information and
suggestions relative to the affairs and con-
sdition of the state.
During the past year our state has had
its share in the industrial depression and
sstagnation prevailing throughout the ma
ton. A fairly good harvest has, however,
to large extent, measureably relieved the
situation. In those parts of the state not
devoted exclusively to wheat farming pros
perity prevails, credit Is ample and money
far from scarce, and even in the wheat
farming belt there is no actual restitution
or distress.
Grain Inspection.
Two years ago 1 called the attention of
the legislature to the fact that while due
provision was made by law for weighing,
grading and inspecting grain under state
supervision at the terminal markets OF
ST. Paul. Minneapolis and Duluth, there
was no law on this subject Affecting the
primary and interior markets of the state,
and I suggested the Importance of placing
the grading and inspection of grain at IN
terror as well as terminal points under
state supervision and state control. FUR
suant to this suggestion, the legislature
enacted chapter %, general laws OF 1893,
commonly known as the country ware
house law requiring all grain elevators,
other than at terminal points, to take out
a state license declaring them public ele-
vators and placing them under the juris-
diction and control of the board OF rail-
road and warehouse commissioners. Since
the enactment of this law all elevators
within it's purview have taken out license
and have been operated as public elevators.
subject to the supervision of the board of
railroad and warehouse commissioners.
That this law has been productive of good
results is evident from the fact that there
has never been so few complaints made nor
as little fault found about the grading of
grain as since the passage of this act.
The fact that country warehouses are now
subject to state regulation and state con-
troll makes the warehouseman more care
full and considerate and the farmer less
prone to complain and find fault. The
honest warehouseman finds nothing OPP
pressive in the law, and the honest farmer
finds in it reasonable safeguard and pro-
lection, and the demagogue is deprived of
his favorite text of complaint.
Special Injury to Crops.
In several counties of the state the wheat
crop was greatly injured by the ravages of
the chinch bug. The prevailing drought
binary havoc. DR.. Otto Lugger, entomolo-
gist of the state experimental station, made
great efforts to stay the destruction by in
fecting the bugs with the germs of fatal
disease, an experiment that had, in some
degree, been tried and found helpful in
other states. To some extent his efforts
gave relief, and he could have accomplish
ed much more had he been supplied with
ample funds and ample assistance for the
emergency. The only funds at his dis
posal to pay all expenses and all help was
$3.50 received by him from the governors
contingent fund The chinch bugs are Ii
able to continue with us for years to come
and we are likely in the future, as often in
the past, to have visitations from the grass
hoppers. In view of these facts, l take
the liberty of recommending that you make
an appropriation of not less than $4,000,
available for the purpose of exterminating
these and other grain destroying insects,
and for the protection of the farmers
against the ravages of the same. Such an
appropriation should be annual and contin-
uing, with a proviso that any surplus be-
yond $4,000 should at once lapse into the
general revenue fund, thus preventing any
undue accumulation of this fund. This ap-
preparation should be placed at the dispos-
al of the entomologist of the state expert
mental station, who should be ex oficio
state entomologist, and whose duty it
should be to assist farmers in exterminat-
ing all rop-destroying insects and in pro-
tecting the crops against the depredations
and ravages of the same.
The Game and Fish Laws.
The legislature of 1893 codified all our
game and fish laws into one act. Many of
the more. important provisions of the
act have been sustained in several
preme court, as appears from the
valuable report of the board of
game and fish commissioners, to which l
call your special attention. The hatchery
at Willow Brook, in the suburbs of st.
Paul, is on leased ground, for which con-
siderable rental is paid. The board sug-
gests and advisability of the state acqulr-
ing the title to this ground, and if it can
be obtained at reasonable figures I think
the suggestion is timely and judicious.
The board has been very successful under
the new law, in it's efforts to protect and
preserve the fish and game of the state
Non-residents and foreign corporations,
stationed within the borders of our state !
on the shores of Rainy Lake and Rainy |
river and the Lake of the Woods, are en- |
gagged on large scale in a lawless manner,
and out of season, in catching fish in those I
waters and shipping the same in large /
quantities to different points outside OF our |
state. On the Canadian side of these lakes
and this river these fishermen are required
to obtain license or permit, upon the pay
ment of fixed fee before being permitted
to engage in fishing. similar rule should
be established by proper legislation as
against such fishermen, on our side of the
ltae. While the act of 1893 is, in most re-
spects, model and very effective, yet in
two particulars it is very seriously at
fault. The period within which
ducks and other similar birds
may be killed is entirely err
roneous and out Of place. This error oe-
CURED through accident, but it is gross and
palpable, and should be promptly corrected.
Except as TO fishing in international waters,
all fishing il prohibited between the first
day of December and the 18th day of
April following. This provision is need
lessly harsh and unjust. The settlers in
our extensive lake region are men of linn
tied means, and rely, to large extent
upon the supply of fish for food for their
support. To debar them from this resource
during the most dreary and desolate part
of the year is uncalled for and really OPP
pressive. These people should be permit
ted to catch fish, in proper manner at all
seasons Of the year. for their own con-
sumption, but not for shipment. BY the
terms Of the act of 1893 whitefsh can be
caught with net only in international
waters. This variety of fish cannot be
caught with hook and line, but only with
a net In the so-called park region Of our