The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1897-01-09


riously jeopardized.
Many of The states contract the labor
Of their prisoners, and in my opinion
there Is no res son why the state of Idaho
should not, after the work which the
state needs has been accomplished, enter
into some agreement with a manufactur-
ing company or establish a factory of its
own which would relieve the taxpayers
of supporting that institution.
Mine Inspector.
The second session of the Idaho legis-
lature created the office of mine inspec-
tor The bill providing for this office
was amended by the third session, and
appointed, in conformity with the amend
ed act Hon. Ed Dewey of Silver City to
that position. After having served for
more than a year, he resigned, and 1 APP
pointed 1. T. Peterson to fill the vacancy
thus caused
Neither of the incumbents has made
any official report, and the law is defec-
tive in that particular, as there is no
penalty attached for failure to perform
this important duty.
Public Schools.
AS is shown by the report of the state
superintendent of public instruction,
which l herewith transmit to yau, some
amendments are needed to our school
laws. The moneys arising from the in
terest on school funds loaned on improv-
ed farm property, we have not, in
great many instances, been able to col
lect and it is to be feared that losses
will occur A great many men who boz
row money on their farm lands are but
poor managers, and in many cases are
compelled to borrow for the reason that
they cannot keep up their running OK
penses, and If they cannot do that in the
first place, they find 1t no easier to pay
in addition thereto the interest on the
loan. No appropriation has hitherto
been made for the purpose of enforcing
these collections. This matter should not
be overlooked.
State Wagon Road.
The second session of the Idaho legis-
lature authorized the construction of a
series of so-calied state wagon roads. The
several divisions have all been built ex-
cept the one in Kootenai and Shoshone
counties. This division, together with
some of the others, should never have
been authorized, as it is doubtful whether,
if completed by the state, the counties
would maintain them. The contractors,
however, failed to complete this division,
and a portion of the money which was
appropriated therefor lies idle in the
treasury, and in my Judgment should be
diverted to build the lower Salmon river
division, so that those who desire to
travel from the northern to the southern
part of the state, or vice versa, with
teams, could do so without going over
the mountains via Warrens and Florence.
Militia.
Relating to this very important organiz-
alton, l reiterate to you my language to
the third session:
when l assumed the duties OF gov
ernor and commander in chief of the Ida
no National Guard l found the organiza-
ton badly demoralized. More men had
been enlisted and companies mustered in
to service than the state was prepared to
properly equip The entire force as shown
by the adjutant's report, consisted of II
companies numbering $50 men, including
officers Several of the companies had
been called into active service the sum-
mer previous to assist in suppressing a
riot in Shoshone county. This necessity
demonstrated the inefficiency of the equip
ments of the troops and should have i'm
PEELED the last legislature to provide for
their needs in case they again be called
into the field. That no appropriation was
made for this purpose was due to false
idea of political loyalty. Although the
last Legislature made no appropriation to
support military organization, 1 have
managed by strenuous efforts-argely
through the patriotism of the members
and officers of the guard-to hold seven
companies together and add to our sup
ply of military equipage the regular APP
preparations of the general government.
l submit to you the report Of Colonel Cap
well; also a letter from Mr.. w. G. Bar
ney of Boise county, whose opinion on the
subject 1 heartily indorse. If we intend
to secure immigration and the invest
ment of capital, we must demonstrate to
the world that we need not only enact
laws for the protection of capital and la
Dor, but we must enforce them also, If
needs be, at the point of the bayonet Do
not let it be said again that we are I'M
able to prevent or punish red-handed
murder, but must plead the baby act''
and call on the president for troops to
save the lives and property of our citi-
zens. The people who inhabit our state,
live among its grand old mountains or in
its beautiful valleys are a hardy race,
imbued with the spirit of liberty and JUS
tice, love for their country and its flag,
and woe be to any set of men who come
among us to trample on our laws. 1t is
your duty to supply the means of organic
alton; your constituents will do the rest"
No provision. however, was made for
the continuance of the guard 1 was con-
fronted, as before, with the necessity of
losing the appropriation of the general
government, which has amounted in the
last two years to S5175.66 IN arms and mill
tary stores, or issue deficiency warrants
to meet the Office expenses. 1 chose the
latter course, under which the state is
gainer tho difference hetMeen that ex-