Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-01-17

I. lature That the People Demand an
Economical Administrations,
The following Is Coz. Allin's inaugural
aadress TO the legislatures:
Gentiemeal OF the senate and House of Rep
IeSentativcS:
I, AsreeaDly TO the constitution, the legis-
iaIlye assembly OF the State OF North ia
Kola has convened TO consider measures
confidence of Your constituents in choosing
YOU 10 exercise the functions OF the legis-
lative branch of our state government is
sacred trust.
Officials cnange, but the government con-
Lnues AS the mantle OF your predecessors
mas fallen upon you without blalne or
Dlemish, III like manner may you be enabled
by dishonOr.
The true basis of government is found in
the nature of the men themselves. They
nave nave desires, wills, ideas ana character, ana
have invested you with the authority co
speak for them. Your intercourse with your
constituents has made you familiar with
these characteristics. They may have I'M
ures, which. III their individual capacity,
they deem necessary to their best interests.
An honest effort to secure them is COM
me But it is your duty Go determine
of the state will be serveu by such meas
ures; should it be necessary to abandon the
effort for the general welfare, you do not
but rise to the dignity of broad-minded and
liberal legislators, which will secure for you
the plaudits Of an intelligent constituency.
A grave responsibility, therefore, rests upon
you; and in the discharge of that duty ill.,
woke the assistance Of Almighty God.
For your guidance you have the results OF
the four legislative assemblies Of the state
and those Of the territory. Many measures
then operative would to-day be inadequate
and unsatisfactory. In the march Of civil
cation legislative assemblies as we'll as in
diNduals are required to contribute. A con-
sentative policy has always characterized
the American people, giving our state and
federal governments strength at home and
securing respect abroad There are those
their ancient origin; others demand the en-
actment Of laws that will embody the most
advanced ideas; but the greatest number
golden medium between the two extremes,
possessing thai disposition of mind which
neither reveres what Is old or admireS what
Is new SIMPLY because II as = o 10 or ei
strict examination upon Its intrinsic merits.
It is to be hoped, gentlemen, that In your
intercourse with your constituents you nave
been impressed with the necessity. OF as
economical a session as is compatible with
public interests. Being compelled to prac..
tice Che most rigid economy, on account OF
the ana the plbGe
degree Of frugality on the part of their rep
resentatives.
I desire at this time to commend the peo-
pie of the state. through you, for the ad,
mirable manner in which they deported
themselves during the unfortunate disturb
ances Of the past year: Though lnconvenl-
Of: such disturbances, the people Of this
state have faithfully kept the compact en-
when admitted into the Union, They have
nroven themselves worthy OF all the rights
and DrivilepeS of statehood.
My honorable predecessor has submltt ed
q report Of the executive office during his
various state departments. 1t is not my
purpose to recommend numerous or radical
measures for your consideration, but to pur-
sue q conservative course. believing IL 10
be to the best interests of the state.
Appropriations.
Reference has previously been made to the
demands Of the people for an economical
administration. This is made imperative by
reason of the condition of the finances and
debtedmess. The negative vote of the peo-
pie upon the constitutional amendment in
creasing the debt limit must be accepted as
direct expression Of their wishes regard
You have not only to provide for the sup
port. of the state government and Its insu-
buttons, but for the liquidation of warrants
funds. We cannot ignore the fact that the
appropriations of the legislative assembly
were In excess Of the revenues of the state.
Those entrusted with the ane tor OF
embarrassed BY reason Of such. That ex-
perlence should be Of benefit to all con-
cerned in the matter Of appropriations;
seitial to it's prosperity; and the only way
0sdo 80 Is to keep the expenses within the
limits OF the revenues.
In making appropriations TOT tne support
ana maintenance Of the various institutions
OF the state, no one should be favored to
such an extent that the others will be neg
lentAd.s
full consideration and the test OF business
nrdnciples rather than sentiment. do not
desire to perplex you with an enumeration
which may Prove nm 1aaa aea con.
versant with the needs Of the state and ITS
institutions. I desire to coz perate with
you. in whatever will prove to be the most It,s
business-like proposition to obtain Satls-
factory solution Of the question.
Free and Uniform Textbooks.
Though the commonwealth Of North Da-
kota Is young, yet system OF pubic schools
has been established as abiding and pro-
not actuated solely by mercenary motives
In choosing homes for themselves and their
families. That which contributes to the de-
Of morals ana No Of Is the
public schools Of q state is an incentive no
less than its agricultural resources.
But few subjects receive the careIul con.
sideratfon and thorough investigation that
those that pertain to the public schools re-
ceive; for all regard this institution as the
nromotor of morality, patriotism and citi-
zenshin. That careful and prudent consid-
eration-often amounting to reluctance-on
the part of legislator when considering
measures pertaining to schools, Is rather to
be commended than condemned, for by ms
conservatism he protects the schools from
Liberal expenditures for the support Of
schools have characterized the people OF
this state. Now that the state is furnishing
no inconsiderable part Of the funds to
maintain the schools, thereby relieving the
people of a corresponding tax. 1t Is proper
to consider the question Of free and uni
form textbooks. The money, necessary nee to
provide these would be raised by taxation.
Nevertheless, 1t is a question OF economy.
If each patron Of the public school con-
tributed to textbook fund what he ex-
Dends for school books In one year, the
amount so contributed would furnish BOOKS
for the use Of an equal number OF pupils
for period of five years. and the cost
would be reduced in like ratio.
1t may be urged as an objection that many
would not contribute to the fund to provide
these books. am convinced chat the num-
Der TINS mentioned would not be greater
than the number annually furnished DOCKS
by the various school officers throuShout
the state. Such persons require books to pc
furnished yearly; the expenditure for this