The Red Cloud chief., 1897-01-15
GOVERNORS MESSAGE
a VERY LONG AND ABLE
DOCU MENT.
The Nebraska Executive Discusses State
Affairs Thoroughly and with Becoming
Dignity Defends THE state and Makes
Number " Recommendation.
SECTION ONE.

~ wv hA5N4'I St VI Ilt ODl-
CATION imposed on me az the chief execu-
tive OF the state to communicate TO You
suoh and recommendation as
may suggest themselves.I deem 1t not in
appropriate TO express my qualification
that this message Is presented to a legisla-
ave body. a majority Of he members OF
which j have reason to believe are in har-
mny and sympathy with the executive
department; and that we can hopefully
look for a hearty accord between the ex-
ecutive and legislative branches Of this
state government. In the respective capac-
fties to which we. the servants of the peo-
pie, have been chosen by their SURFACES
to act. respecting the plano to be adopted
and the policies we shall pursue. The ex-
istence OF such harmonious relations will.
/ am sure, enable US to accomplish much
good for our state. l feel confident that
every branch OF our state government 10
tmbued with an earnest desire to promote
the general welfare OF the people. advance
the prosperity Of the state; guard. protect
and encourage every interest which will
add to the development Of Its resources
and preserve the rights of Its citizens.
4 feel q deep sense of gratitude to my
fellow citizens for the confidence mani
Tested in me by my reelection. and de-
sire only in the future to profit by the ex-
perience OF the past and thus prove myself
worthy Of the high honor bestowed upon
me.
In administering the affairs OF the peo-
pie In q government such as ours, those
chosen for nat purpose are but instru-
ments TO ascertain and then carry out the
will OF the people. This should be done
with diligence and fidelity. The faithful
servant merits and receives the approval
of q sovereign people, and enjoys the sat-
isfacton Of mind which comes from the
knowledge Of q duty we'll performed In
the discharge OF weighty responsibilities.
That the members Of this legislature are
impressed with the grave responsibilities
resting upon each of them. and with the
Importance of the varied interests OF this
commonwealth which are for q time COM
United to their care. / believe and shall
assume to be true; that you are deter
mined to discharge your duties faithfully
and fearlessly for the bsst interests OF our
beloved state and the welfare OF our fellow
citizens, I doubt not in the least.
You will doubtless be called upon to
solve many dificult and perplexing prob
lens Of grave interest to the state, and /
feel sure you will give to each important
question, as It Is brought before you, that
mature dehberatlon and wise consideration
which should characterize all legislation
affecting the welfare Of a great common
wealth.
am not in ms Judgment. overstating
the case when / say that at no time In the
history of the state has there been more
urgent need for wise and intelligent ac-
tion on the part Of the l%awmaklng body;
nor q more opportune time for the enact
ment OF prudent legislation. Abuses and
imperfections in existing statutes, which
permit Of inequalities, wrongs and hard
ehips upon q part of our people. should
be corrected. bearing ever In mind that
the object Of all legislation Is to entirely
eradicate. or reduce to a minimum, these
various forms Of evil in the enforcement
Of law and order.
A. a nation We confidently assert that
our people are among the most enlightened
and progressive on the face Of the earth:
and you have the honor to represent the
people of a state having the smallest per-
centage Of ililteracy of m in the union.
land, in patriotism. intelligence. integrity
and love of equality. truth and justice In
the affairs Of mankind.
ATTACKS ON THE STATE.
Our public schools. our colleges and uni
v~ersities testify to the love of our people
tor education. Situated geographically In
the center of the United States. we are
afforded every opportunity for constant
and .mutually profitable intercourse with
all parts OF our common country. 1t In to
be regretted that partisan newspapers
having seemingly no regard for the pub
Nc welfare. and with a spirit OF intoler-
ance entirely out of place where free In
stitutions are admired. have attempted to
prejudice the minds Of men who arc unac-
oualntsd with our state and It's cluzens,
BY the publication Of mendacious and
slanderous articles rejecting on the intslli-
gence and integrity OF the people OF Ne
6raska. It has been intimated by men
high In the councils of our national gov
eminent. a. we'll as by some newspapers
Of general circulation throughout the
country, hat the present session OF the
legislature OF Nebraska would undertake
by vicious and hostile legislation to per
NIT the reputation Of the debts Of IL citi-
sens. to vitiats private contracts. ana 70
discriminate In favor of one party to q
contract 20 a. to demorahse the business
Of the people Of the state. These wanton
attacks upon the free and enlightened
people Of Nebraska would not be worthy
Of attention were they not calculated to
lncite the illwill Of q class Of citizens Of
older and more populous states whose
knowledge Of Nebaskans Is CLEANED from
newspaper comment and not from actual
contact with our people. 1t has been
threatened that the people OF eastern
states who have money invested In Me-
braska property would withdraw their in
vestments because the majority OF our
citizens have espoused q different politi-
cal policy from that having general In
dorsement In the eastern portion OF our
country.
REMEDIAL LEGISLATION MUST
COME.
These unmerited reflections on the intel
aigsncs and integrity Of our citizens will
not. I am sure, deter you from discharg-
ing your full duty to your constituents by
snacting any new avs or remedial legis-
iation upon which you may determine. BY
Wise and judicious action you will dispel
any doubts which may exist Of the deter
minauou Of our people to be strictly just
% all men: OF their capacity. through
,thslr, representatives. to enact legislation
for the protection Of all interests In the
intimate relations Of our citizens with each
Other, or with the citizens OF other states.
and for the conservation of al legitimate
business Interests Eos al. A
Nebraska Is not the child Of any other
state, or group Of states. She II 9 sover-
align state among the slsterhoodi OF states
Of the union. with equal priyileges. pre-
rogativea. duties. n responsibilities. Her
~citlsens are Intelligent, industrtous. honest
and patriotic. She has within her border
the natural and acquired resources and all
die elements of strength and grandeur
necessary to maintain her proud position
q one OF the foremost states OF the union.
Nebraskans demand only the right. and
that they will maintain, OF governing their
own affairs, without any desire TO infringe
- --. cha nAan1A