Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-01-26


naming TO provide for any considSra b,s
part Of the repairs absolutely irdispe nsa-
BE- for the maintenance of the institution.
1t ives, moreover, clearly q matter of econ.
c,ny for steps to be taken to preserve the
yet standing walls which il was believed
could be utilized in rebuilding. The execu-
tive council, feeling that an occasion had
arisen for which adequate provision had
not been made unanimously determined
to take the responsibility OF authorizing
the expenditure of $4,000 and afterwards
OF $4,000 more. in the work of rebuilding:
the same being thought to be imperatively
necessary for the maintenance of the in
stitntion and the preservation of the
states property. For this action on the
part OF the executive council ask the ap-
prevail of the general assembly. A special
report of the trustees of said institution
and DR.. Powell. it's superintendent, is here
with submitted
Fortunately, none Of the calamities re-
cited were attended with loss of life or
even personal injury. This will be re-
garded as the more remarkable when IL Is
f@sen into consideration that the kind OF
unfortunates that are being cared for in
the institution at Glenwood.
State Should Insure.
The state long since ceased paying pre-
miums OF insurance upon its property
Ineed, II never did pay out much for such
purpose. But, the need of some sort of
provision for meeting the contingencies of
fire and other elemental disasters becom-
ing manifest, the general assembly began
several years ago the practice of making
an appropriation for "providential contin-
gencies." find that the amount thus APP
propriated. down to the present time, ag-
gregates $134,OO0, while there Is a total of
drafts on these appropriations amounting
to S6S,67S19, making the excess in amount
appropriated over the expenditures $780,
32lSl Had the appropriations been cum
ulative as the first ones We're, the unex-
pended balance of each appropriation be-
ing good for succeeding terms, there
would have been as appears above sum
ample for making all the repairs at Glen
wood that could not wait for the meeting
of the general assembly. In view of the
experience Of last year, / submit that pru-
Dental considerations require that the
state should purchase insurance for its
property, or else that provision be made
either for the establishment of an insur-
ance fund, or for the adoption OF other
adequate provision to meet extraordinary
emergencies.
l would also recommend a consideration
OF the propriety of making all state edi-
fees hereafter constructed substantially
fire proof. This while lessening the risk
would obviate the danger of horrors such
as have befallen public institutions. none
OF them fortunately in our own state.
The States Finances.
A report made to me by the auditor OF
state, which is herewith submitted. makes
an unpleasant showing of the finances. 1t
appears that. owing to drafts. amounting
to s569, 259.1S on the special appropriations
made at the regular session of the present
general assembly, there was a net float
ing indebtedness on the second day Of the
present month of 1897 ,075,70, there being
1898, $40 OF warrants outstanding, with
$l96, $685. 40 of cash in the treasury. The au-
ditor estimates that the receipts for the
current year will be 81. .445.6S, and that
the ordinary expenditures will be $1,723,-
0S634. while there may be drawn during
the year $519, 96SN of the remaining spe-
cia al ions made the last
sion. Should they all be drawn, which,
however, is not probable the Indebtedness
at the close OF the present year will be in
the neighborhood of 100000.
In view of this showing, ! recommend
that all of last sessions special appropria-
lions, any part of which Is yet undrawn.
wherever the same can be done without
injury, the expenditure be deferred until
the year 1898 And similar examination
into all public expenditures might he
made, with view to reduction wherever
practicable. Thus may be effectively in
augurated a movement which shall lead
eventually to the cancellation of al in
dorsed warrants, and. let me express the
hope, to an abandonment of the practice
of indorsing warrants mot paid prac-
tice not in conformity with sound bust
ness PRINCIPLES. even in the matter Of run
ntn-= into debt
On the 10Th day OF June last. I received
the res gnat,on OF Hon A. II. Meservey as
a MEMBER of the board of trustees OF the
AGRICULTURAL college, Tor the EleNentn con-
gressional district. Upon being advised
that that board had elected as Mr. Mes
ervey's successor the Hon. Hiram c.
Wheeler. Of the county OF Sac. issued a
commission to that gentleman to hold, as
provided by the statute. until the then
next meeting of the general assembly. 1t
is now incum bent upon you to elect trus-
tee for the remainder of the unexpired
term.
IT is unnecessary for me to remind the
general assembly that the people Of the
state are expecting the session to be OF
brief duration. and doubt not that you
are as their representatives. in full SYM
pathy with that feeling. Permit me to
express the hope that your deliberations
will eventuate in code of laws that will
give satisfaction to the people. while II
great commonwealth to approval beyond
our borders. +. M. Drake.
January 10. 1897.