Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-01-21

era1 assembly and by the governor. No more
important duty can be imposed upon any body
OF men than that of making laws for the gov
ernment of great state. Laws should be en-
clothed with power to make laws should not be
Influenced in their action by prejudice b. fear
Theg Should an tRoiP doG GtSe
by standard of serupulous pro-
priety. They should gtrenuously refuse to
do any act or put themselves in any position
which would compromise their integrity, fetter
their independence or impair their usefulness
They should remember always that public
Offices were not established to become private
snaps but 20 subserve the public need ana to
promote the general welfare. They should
refrain with special care from becoming in any
wise obligated TO those who may have selfish
The man who is not absolutely free to do what
he thinks is right is unfit for public station.
There should Tot be too much legislative
Eankerlng. There is such thing as excess in
Legislation. More harm than good is done by
che mere accumulation Of statutes. New laws
should be enacted only when manifestly re-
11ulred 10 remedy some substantial defect in
S1LbtIng iaWs, 70 Ilent some undouoted wrong
90 correct some positive evil or TO meet the ex-
1gencies of new conditions as they arise in the
development OF great and progressive state.
viii approve, let US cooperate in earnest
effort 70 make the work OF this general assem-
Dly honorably conspicuous In the legislative
aistory OF the state
There is important work to do and hope It
will be done In a business way. My chief am
LItion is to make this administration dis
E1Ecttvely q business administration, and /
pray you to make this legislature in the strict
sesC sense a business legislature. Too great
expedition La not to be recommended, but we
must not forget that the session is limited to
~ days at per diem sufficient to pay the &C
cual expenses OF those in attendance We
should proceed judiciously and deliberate
~each given situation, and thorough understand
che force and effect Of what We propose to do
While all this is but the part of prudence. my
experience OF several years at the capital con-
vfnces me that IL Is too often the case that the
l2racticaliy wasted. It not unfreauentiy hap
pens that half the session expires before the
the work it has to DO. These delays, so fre r
QuentlV prolonged without apparent reason,
result In postponing the important work
che session, when members, having grown
weary and impatient, become anxious to re-
Legislature is then in poor condition to trans
act business with the intelligent and deliberate
care that should characterize the proceedings
Of such body. This condition results inevita-
sbly In great confusion, when not only are mis-
takes apt to be made and the most important
tunity for the scheming lobbyist to score his
triumphS
PGrtisanshlp should be moderated IL not sup-
pressed and unSeemly strife should be avoided.
Guided 10y patriotism and common sense we
should 40 forward with our work like practical
Enen moving with dignity, courage and conf
~deDce. Let us not strive to see how many laws
we can pass, but rather endeavor to prove how
good we can make our legislation. Let US first
take up those matters Of the greatest moment
and OF the most imposing import, and, by CO.
operation. labor to accomplish results as near
.1y satisfactory as possible.
You are already Informed By the message OF
Gov. Stone that at the very threshold OF the
ensuing biennial period we are confronted with
. FISCAL condition that NAV prove embarrass-
tng unless we proceed with the greatest care
sARd devise some remedy to relieve the situa-
zion. During the last two years the outgoing
administration has been hard pressed to make
tShe revenue collected meet the demands Gre
AAted by the last appropriations &c Is g subject
of INV connection with the treasury. and r. is
= SUFFICIENT for me to say that indOrse the
dissertations and Recommendations made
NJ Ia NNnr 70 ht-hr
must address ourselves at once and invite |
your earnest assistance IN solving the problem |
and Ia removing the difficulties in our path
The most rigid economy must be practiced |
oy ail departments, not only because Ii is right
rs governmental po.ics; put more especially
exigencteS confronting US It is my opinion |
that under the prevailing gold standard and
general business conditions will not |
materially or permanently improve.
but on the contrary. we can reason /
abiy anticipate q continuance of this expert |
ence which has so distressed the country In /
recent years. see nothing in the Immediate |
future to warrant 9 substantial hope for better /
ein1es- 1t is the part OF wisdom that the rep
Eesentatiyes Of the people should keep these
the public revenue and to make apUropria-
FGious; but no matter how economically we may |
-stantIy growing needs Of the public service
incident TO a large increase In population and
chat appropriations should be confined to the
present volume of business II that volume
remain STATIONARY 8S 1t WILL SuDSIdu-
tIallF in the absence Of further legislation
There is positive necessity for an increase |
In the treasury receipts. This believe can
be done In D measure, as in my judgment IL
should be. by such amendments aud condt-
<lSus TO the tax laws aswill decrease the burdens
OF farming and kindred Industries, and impose
- taxation on those who are enjoying public
franchises and special privileges granted TO
1heua by law and for which under existing con-
aisiEns they make no adeq ate returns. But, |
whatever you may deem it most wise to do the
situation Is one which presents Legislative
subject OF the first Importance and its consid-
= GRAFTON should not be delayed.
Passing from this. desire to suggest several
other subjects which regard plI amount
Importance and to which / invite your most
thoughtful attention recommend The tsIaI,-
Hshnient q q banking tUFeau, and that the |
oHAeer should be given charge of private banks
ant all banks organized under state laws. build
, sng aud loan associations and trust cotnDaUieS |
The compensation Of this officer should lie sum
She Importance OF tie work. and the ex-
yDease OF the bureau should be met b. o tax
1eVieti In some proper form on the institutions
committed 60 us manasement In nv 1udg-
: 1nent the law as IL now stands. scattering the
control OF these institutions throughout the
various departments OF the state government,
satisfactory IN practice. The duties and
responsibilities OF the officers and directors
- OF banking Institutions should be better de-
-naed and their liabilities TO depOSttcE and cred
. atorS should be more thoroughly understood.
In this connection 1 will say I believe the
saSaiute defining the powers OF trust companies
~ Questionable, oetauSe u eonters upon them
. multitude Of privileges Il authorizes them
80 engage in business as trustees. and 10 |
yeoFtrd ne trust funds By becoming snreties on /
all kinds OF ofnci<i ant. judicial bonds. and by /
Tho financial agents OF private individuals
Ia also authorizes them % bug aaA