Evening journal., 1897-01-05
THE GOVERNOR's MESSAGE.

The message of Acting Governor
William r. Watson to the General AS
sembly. which we print in full to-day.
Is not as lengthy as that OF some of
his predecessors in the Office which he
is soon 20 yacate, but IL treats of many
subjects in the review OF current events
coming beneath the notice of the exec
utive. and contains many valuable and
timely suggestions to the legislators
who have just assembled.
After few predatory remarks to the
assemblymen upon their responsible
duties, he passes to the financial con-
dition of our state, making an exhibit
OF the liabilities and assets and recon-
mending that the bonded debt of the
state now bearing per cent. interest,
and redeemable at the option of the
state, be refunded at a lower rate of
interest, and that the $195,OO bearing
such rate and being so redeemable, be
retired at as early date as practicable,
and that future sales OF bonds be made
at a lower rate OF interest. We have no
doubt that our state bonds could be
AAttAAl9 nOlh at a. AOnNA AAA'f ARl An'9
are gilt-edge securities and investors
are at all times eager to get them No
state in the nation has higher stand
ing in financial circles. Its obligations
are always promptly met, and its
bonds are as good as cash in hand,
when we consider that the amount of
its investment assets is SSO4,7O2 in ex-
cess of its liabilities, bonded and other
wise.
His recommendation that the
amount OF dividend received by
school district be made dependent upon
the number of days the schools are
kept open, by making a per diem dis
trbution OF the school fund according
TO the number of teachers employed,
while equitable, and creating, as he
says, "a greater incentive to improved
school facilities will undoubtedly be
antagonized by the representatives of
many of the rural districts which now
do not make full and proper use of the
dividends they receive, and it goes
without saying that the in
corporated Boards of Education
will make a determined fight if the
General Assembly shows any inclina-
ton to follow his suggestion relative
to the placing of such incorporate
schools under the supervision of the
county superintendents. These boards
are not only jealous of their authority
and privileges possessed under the
present law. but we doubt if they will
admit that "the schools controlled by
the incorporated Boards of Education
have not kept pace with those over
which the superintendents have juris-
diction. They will undoubtedly feel
that their own "invigorating influence
is more potent than that possessed and
impaired by the average county super
intendent. We believe that his recon-
mendations favoring additional finan-
cial aid and a state normal school for
the several Teachers institutes will
meet with favor among all advocates OF
advancement along educational lines
His reference to Delaware College Is
more general than suggestive, but il
that part of the message treating o
the work of the Experimental Station
at Newark, he makes several valuable
suggestions relative to the extermina
tion of peach yellows, San Jose scale
anthrax and bovine tuberculosis.
His reference to prison reform vii
be gratifying to those who are so ear
nestly endeavoring to secure stat
workhouse.
Ii will be cheering news to the pub
lie that those persons residing alon
the boundary line between Kent an
Sussex counties west of fork in Mis-
pillion creek and at the junction o
Tan-trough branch and Beaver Dan
branch at last know where they ar
at" Beaver Dam usually bobs up sc
renely at some stage OF the legislativ
proceedings and it will be a relief
know that the dam branch has ha
its day We cannot conceive that theI
will be any objection to paying tn
commissioners and surveyor.
The inadequacy of the rooms used b
the various officers having quarters
the State House is a matter of publ
notoriety, and the suggestion that the
be enlarged, in such manner as to uti
ize the space formerly occupied by II
State Library is a good one.
Our National Guardsmen will no
with pleasure that the governor al
ticipates their demand for increase
financial aid and recommends that it
granted. The officers of the state mi
itia already have a bill in course
preparation for presentation at th
session. Even those who have in Il
past been opposed TO an increased a
lowance to the guard have acknow
edged its nesd Of more money, al
their sole ground for refusing to gra
the increase was tSat the condition
the State Treasury would not justify
The governor is known 20 be a caref
and considerate man AID his de
laratiOn in favor of the state malit