The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-01-09
THE BEST IN THE NORTHWEST.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9. 1895.
The Governors rIessage.


wise administration of the affairs of
the state receive attention in the mes
sage of Governor Richards which was
presented yesterday before the two
houses at Helena. The message is
carefully prepared and is in every way
a highly creditable paper. 1t advo-
Gates prudence in dealing with the
business of the state, its recommends
tons are conservative, and it includes
several suggestions to which the men,
bers of the legislature will do well If
they take heed.
In its finances, it is hard work for
the state government to try to keep
even. Montana has not suffered ma
terially through a depreciation in
values, but the extent of business has
been somewhat contracted and, in pro-
portion to population, the cost of car
ing for so large a domain is necessarily
great The message indicates that the
state at large assumes obligations in
the way of expenses which, in the
opinion of the governor, are more
properly a county or local charge. His
suggestions involve relief to the state
treasury in the sum of many thousands
of dollars.
Governor Richards favors legislation
which will provide against the corrupt
use of money at elections, and he
writes a cogent paragraph on that
topic; he also urges that the election
law be so changed as to bring about
additional safeguards in the way of
hallnf rafnrpa ITa io 81,
pie style Of ballot, one that would place
the names of party ca ndidates in sep
arate columns so that, if the voter
pleases, he may express his preference
by making a cross once for all
In territorial days it became neces-
sary to call the Legislature in extra
session in order to save Montana from
bankruptcy under the operation of the
bounty law. Two years ago, Governor
Richards vetoed a bounty bill, on the
ground that the state could no: COM
mand the money that would be needed
for executing the law. However, the
message recommends a stock bounty
law and suggests the sources from
which the money could be obtained.
1t proposes a bounty that would es-
pecially stimulate the destruction of
wolves, as they are the worst enemy
of stock in the state.
Several months ago, the leading ply
sicians of the state warmly recon-
mended the creation of state board
of health. Such board ought surely
to be in existence. The message rec
ommends that it be created, and it is
earnestly to be hoped that the legisla-
ture will take favorable action. 1t is
the governors opinion that the state
government should stay in temporary
quarters for time TO come, but he
proposes the appointment of a COM
mission empowered to select site for
capitol.
Montana was represented at the fair
in san Francisco through the courtesy
of four gentlemen who advanced the
money which was needed by Mr. Mer-
rill TO gather the materials and display
them. This state made an excellent
showing at san Francisco on an ex-
tremely modest sum of money-about
four thousand dollars was the amount
spent The arrangement was that the
SS'NAhoA NOulu ID NAt ldClS before
the legislature and propose an appro-
priation wherewith to make good the
sums advanced. The message does
this, and there can be no doubt that
the Legislature will cheerfully make
the appropriation.
The message places the estimates
for the year 1895 at S5lISSO and for
the year 1896 at Sis 920; there will be
no session of the leg stature next year.
1t is the governors judgment that the
number of justices of the supreme
court ought 10 be increased That
matter was discussed at the session of
two years ago. The state institutions
receive consideration in the message.
and many matters of minor import
ance are brought to the attention of
the legislature OF necessity, a COVER
nor's message is long, but the one sub
mitted yesterday by Governor Rick
ards should be read by all citizens
whom the affairs of the state interest
II is an excellent message and will
undoubtedly find general approval
The II VA Apr, r,riufe in, full