The Dickinson press., 1895-01-12

DAKOTA, SATURDAY,
tlce land political justice always pays That
those who are subject to law and contribute
taxes should have a voice In their enact
ment and in the distribution Of the taxes.
The elective franchise has been extended
and restrictions removed as men have dem-
onstrated their abiiiay to exercise 1t, and as
becomes apparent.
A partial recognition has been given by
granting women the right to participate III
school matters. In the exercise of this priv.
ilege women have demonstrated their ability
to discharge greater suffrage, conscientious
ly and to the best interests Of the body
polite and themselves.
would recommend to your favorable con.
Ederation the extension OF suffrage to
women. in municipal matters at least.
Good Roads.
The attention being paid to the subject Of
good rOaus In many Aates, agricultural AZ
pOrance. In the development Of a state the
proper building and Improvement Of high
ways is one OF the last questions to receive
c0nsidera1 ion, though they are Of great i'm.
pUrtancc TO all industries.
Streets and railroads are the arteries Of
commerce and public highways are the trib-
utaries. From the farm and the factory
come the articles to be transported. With
the low price that commodities often com:
mand 1t Is necessary that they be marketed
as cheaply and quickly as possible: Every
item of expense that can he saved In deliv.
ering to the lines of transportation will aug
ment the profit of the producer.
While the people Of this state may not
now feel the need Of judicious Improvements
of highways, l believe that the day ts not
fur distant when they will realize that the
subject should have received earlier and
more careful attention.
These improvements are often objected to
by farmers, who claim that they constitute
the class least benefited. This is erroneous.
Good roads enable the farmer to place his
products upon the market at time when
often prevent this Good roads enable him to
deliver them In much better condition than
they arc otherwise delivered, ;id With a
lieve tllere are few thinkil =. people who
Doubt that the farmers of Notn Dakota
will eventually have diversity OF Products
to market. When that time eomes..and We
shall have not long to wait-the advantages
to be derived from an early effort to cstab'
lish and improve our highways will he ap.
preciated. Good roads are the forerunnefs
Of other imprOvements-the erection of good
farm residences, planting of groves and IN
creased valuation Of land Moreover. when
we construct a good highway we build that
which those who come after us Will enjoy,
for they are permanent.
The system under which our roads are
built does not produce the best results at.
tainabe. There is work enough done and
which, II properly done and expended. would
construct roa,ls that would last for years.
We are OF the opinion that II roads were
built and kept in rerair by indicious sys
tenn of contract and convict labor, under
the direction of a competent road engineer,
in each county or township. mole desirable
would recommends: First. that the plan
of road work now authorized by law he
abolished, and that the work lie done by
contract and convict labor. the expense to
OF road Ovcrseer I've abolished and that the
work he performed under the direction OF
road engineer: third, that In order to secure
greater uniformity. joint committee he
appointed to whom ali road bills be re-
fcrred.
Primaries and Caucuscs.
Under tile election laws of this state
voters exercise the right Of suffrage with. ila:
few thinking men who would consent to
| their repeal ana the re-enactment of those
previously in force. After holding two gem
Caring Inconsistencies, whether in the
spirit or letter Of the law, have been made
| manifest.
If evils exist in the choice and selection
Of men to fill public offices they are to be
traced to the caucus and the primary; Muca
thought is being devoted to the problem Of
how to induce the voter to give them proper
HItenllOH. Inc IpFlIluEy SNOulu Uc ht:Ul VuiC
and lust. for evils there perpetrated are not
speedily re1ncdied
1t has long, been favorlte criticism OF
those opposed to popular government thar:
owing to lack OF interest on the part OF
the voter and the unscrupulous methods OF
professional caucus workers, free govern.
mcnt will fail; Such is possible but not not
man nature to believe that mon sooner or
later will Invariably assert their rights and
exercise their prcrogativcs In refusing ne'
may be attributed to defective primaries.
To guard against dangers from any source
ia MS much the duty. Of the representatives
of the people as 1t liz to provide for their
correction. If, in your opinion. the system
now in vogue ia or should become menace
to the liberties Of the people, 1t Is incumbent
npon Won to enact such measures as Will
avert It, for the decentralization of our poll
tics means the ruin Of our liberties.
Provision should be made by this legisla::
tive assembly for taking the enumeration OF
the inhabitants of the state as reluired ,i,!, 1y
be made as economically and speedily as ls
consistent with the nature and Importance
Of the undertaking.
Russian Cactus.
The attention of the legislative assembly
will, doubtless, be called to the r, ports Of
damages being done by the rapid *rread OF
what is commonly known as the Russian
cactus.
It is n question that demands thorough
Investigation to determine whether it Is ex-
pel.ent and constitutional for The state to
| undertake its eradication or to extend aid
to the districts overrun by It,
Encouragement Of Industries.
The results Of the last two years have not
been yarv encouraging to those enL"geu IN
agriculture, either in North Dakota or else
where. 1t has led many to doubt the pro-
prlcty of contining our agricultural products
tention to other branches Of farming. The
| cultivation of many plants heretofore sup
nosed to be Improbable has been carried
on successfully in various parts Of the state,
| of North Dakota will eventually furnish
| variety of products for the markets of other
states. Measures that will encourage the
farmer to raise n greater variety for home
markets. If for no other, should receive en-
cOurHgemcnt.
Industries are often benefited or injured
by indirect measures as much as by those
having an immediate design. Every section
of our state will eventually become wealth
producing. Having the interests Of the
whole state to consider, rather than that of
policy should be pursued In order that the
active cooperation Of men engaged in vari-
GUS enterprises. which are or may become
profitable be secured; no other policy will
result in full and satisfactory development
of our resources
Native Coal.
I.y previous legislative enactments the de-
velopillrnt of our coal fields las been stimu.
lated Its use has proven highly tatisfac-
tory: and If this legislative asst.inly can
further the same 1t should .'e lone. :te
ereatcst cxpense that our people have Is
the item of fuel. If this can b. reduced ~
the use of native coal the consumer Will he
much benefited and at the same lime tln..
DlOvmrnt will he furnished niany men and
capital find profitable invest ncnr. The ei6at
sums of money sent out Of he slat'. an
nually for coal. II kept here, wonll ma
terially benefit the state as we'll as tho
people.
reasonably certain Of hiding To ful The" de-
velOn our coal i; ids receives recognition by
your honorable body.
CDncluHiOn.
After acuuantins myself With the de-
tailed reports Of the various DEPARTING i,s Ct
state, 1t may be necessary 10 call your at
tention. by special message, to matters not
now presenting themselves.
An intelligent people watch the labors of
those chosen to serve them with unceasing
interest. AS their wishes are gratltied or
denied. 90 will they commend and condemn.
1t is not to be expected that all will receive
what they desire, but long as the best
interests OF the state and the whole people
are advanced and Inn0a tina r.