The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-01-06


Boise, Ida. Jan. 5.-Governor Steu
nenberg, Idaho's new chief executive,
a Democrat, presented his first mes
sage 10 the legislature today. The
message is regarded as one of the most
business-like ever presented to a leg
islature in Idaho. The message gives
the total indebtedness, bonded and
warrants, at $685. 81, with deficiency
warrant claims in addition to the
amount of $442S959. which, in all
proper cases, the governor says, should
be promptly paid.
With reference TO deficiency warrants,
the governor makes this interesting
statement, outlining his policy:
1t is practically impossible for
legislature to anticipate all the neces-
stiles tor the maintenance of our state
government and provide for their pay
ment in advance by appropriation and
levy. but it does seem that where the
legislature has. after due cOnsidera-
ton, refused an appropriation for
specific purpose, that such refusal, eX-
cept in case of dire necessity, is final;
and any expense incurred in the face
of such refusal should not constitute
a valid account against the state and
payment should be withheld"
ECONOMY Is NEEDED.
Continuing, the governor says:
Economy in public affairs in Idaho is
no longer a catch phrase to beguile the
unwary or a subterfuge to mislead,
but it is an absolute necessity. Needed
reforms in the abstract are many, but
we have a practical present condition
to meet, in the handling Of which there
is no room for speculative theories. In
state affairs all appropriations should
be based upon actual needs, all super
ok al
ries carefully considered. In county
affairs, a thorough and intelligent re-
vision of the fees OF county officers,
mileage of sheriffs and others should
be made TO the end that expenditures
for these purposes harmonic with eX-
listing conditions, and to the nearest
possible degree conform to the tax
payers ability To pay. The trainers
OF our constitution were very liberal III
regard 30 the compensation of county
officers. and preceding legislatures have
adopted the same policy, till, in a ma
jority of the county offices. officers are
much better paid for their services
than the average state official. or the
financial condition of the people jus
titles The constitution provides that
county officials shall be paid by fees
and commissions, or both, the consti-
tutional as we'll as the most eXDedi-
tious method of economy in this par
ticular is to revise the fee bill. a re-
turn to the direct salary system would
require a constitutional amendment"
IRRIGATION.
Under the head of Irrigation the
governor. after speaking of the
adoption by this state Of the Wright
law. makes the following suggestions:
First. there should he a state board
of control. before whom all projected
districts and systems OF irrigation
7 he Il
Second - Condemnation provisions.
whereby existing irrigation systems
ran be acquired by the district.
clear provision of this kind is abso
luteiv necessary to fair trial of the
district system and IS required wherein
the interests of the canal and the land
owners clash. Third-The state should
be divided into the proper number OF
subdivisions as may ne necessary TO
conform to the natural supply of water
for irrigating purposes. Fourth-A
general provision for the adjudication
of water rights Many of our sources
OF supply. 50 far as the record is con-
cerned, have been located TO several
times their capacity, and in number
of cases il IS a matter of conjecture
as to whether a right really amounts
TO ANYTHING or not. If the district
system is to obtain in Idaho Cor any
other proper system. for that matter)
and new canals constructed. it is high
~ important TO all parties concerned |
that the water supply be available
The first session passed d bill en-
bodying a cheap but effective method
of adjudication that fail ID of executive !
approval. The attention of those hav-
ing this important subject in charge
is hereby called TO the same
TAXATION OF MINES.
The governor favors taxation of
n ont
county officers from holding back fees; |
congratulates the advocates of equal
suffrage on their recent victory; re- !
commends steps be taken looking to
eradication Of Russian thistle and
closes with a plea for bimetallism.
Nc business of Importance was !
transacted outside of presentation of /
the message
DUBOIS.
Populists are still very wrathy be
cause the Democrats, with the aid of /
the Silver Republicans, shut them out /
iii the organization of the two l
branches Of the legislature. and they
swear vengeance. One of the Populist |
leaders told your correspondent today |
that the POpulistS would Illustrate the /
plan of The Democrats TO elect DEM |
ocratic United States senator by voting |
in the air and preventing an election
Until 6liohS7AA 81 SAi-'' ''CNtAN
come over to elect a Republican. You I
need not be surprised" he said, If |
Dubois is elected on the first ballot.
There are several Populists who will !
vote for Dubois III preference TO any
Democrat on earth, since the Demo-
Gratis went IN with the common enemy
on the organization, throwing us over.
While il seems that Dubois could not
secure enough to elect on the first bal
lot, still every indication goes to verify
this statement. The Mckinley Repub
leans are waging a relentless war on
Dubois. and it is understood they gen
orally favor the election of r. u. john
son. Democrat. The PoDulists held
short caucus tonight, but it is believed
no important action was taken.
Cost of Armor Plate.
Washington, Jan. 5.-The secretary
Of the ,ox,,y +odav sent i'm his renort