The Monitor-register., 1896-01-24

plan OF providing overhead or undeToroIi,d
crossings where railroads interseot tho
streets OF populous cities should be devised
and enacted. The experience of other pro-
gressive states that have dealt efficiently
win The subject is available for our in
slfuctlon and guidance
we all know how the calendars of our
eourus are crowded with causes arising
i ,ioin acciaents from trolley cars. Doubt
I less many such accidents are due to the
carelessness of the injured party. Never
theless it is the duty of the legislature to
guard, II possible, even against the care.
lessness of people, because there are many,
including especially children, not endow-
Ell with the full measure of ordinary care
fulness. The existence of this new agency
of electrical propulsion, which, through
the most crowded of our streets, impels at
speed such dangerous vehicles, makes it OBJ
ligatory on the legislature to provide such
legal safeguards as are possible consist
emily with necessary public convenience,
in order to minimize the danger of acci-
dent. How far these lines should be per-
mitted further to be constructed upon the
streets and highways should be matter
of consideration for the legislature. In
some instances, especially in country dis
tricts, it would seem only right to require
that electric railroads should hereafter be
i constructed either ON the side of the road
| or entirely off the limits of the highway
| thus preserving the roads for the use of
| the public in the manner originally in
| tended.
| The pollution of the rivers of the state
| by cities and towns through sewers and
| otherwise, whereby public nuisance and
menace to health is created, is another
| subject that / am informed will be brought
| to your attention.
All these subjects are of the highest i'm
| portance and extremely difficult to deal
| with. They call for the exercise of the
| highest ability and judicial spirit in the
| empt to deal fairly with the rights of
Ia. concerned. Possibly upon some of
| these subjects you may not be able to ad-
| vance beyond the stage of investigation.
| If so, it would be wise to have the result
! of your inquiries embodied in such form
as to be available to the next legislature.
| l consider the result of the recent elec-
| ton in this state as declaration of the
/ people that they approve the policy of
| keeping our state charitable, educational
| and penal institutions free from political
control; that they desire the most rigid
| economy in the management of state af-
| fairs; that no useless offices shall be Great
| ed or continued; that officers who are re
| ceiying 1nordinate compensation through
fees shall be put upon the basis of fair
| salary and the fees be paid into the treas
| ury of the state for the be"efit of the pee
| pie; that public officials snai. be held to
| strict account, not t-.y for the discharge
| of their ordinary duties but also for the
public funds which they may handle; that
frauds upon the state shall be fittingly
punished, and moneys fraudulently got
ten shall be recovered, if possible.
| If 1 have learned anything of the senti-
| ments of our people, it is that they desire,
above all partisan considerations, the very
highest purest and best government that
| human wisdom can give them. The pros
perity, the peace, the honor of our state,
are dear to them ALL They want strict
economy, wise counsels, prudent and
| guarded legislation, absolute honesty, fear
| less and unswerying adherence to those
things that make for righteousness and
exalt people.
| To the attainment of these things I am
already pledged; but here, in this pres
| ence, with all the earnestness and solemni-
| ty that beflts this occasion, renew the
| pledge. To the service of the people, all
the people, of our loved and honored state,
devote whatever of wisdom, whatever of
| patience, whatever of ability it has pleased
| God to endow me with.
And for my assistance invoke the good
| will, the patience, the loyalty and the pa
triotism of my fellow citizens and the IA
| vor of Almighty God.