The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-01-25

The message o. Gov. Dyer presented TO
the Legislature today, after alluding in
touching terms To the death OF Hon. sam
uel Clark, late general tnasurer, gives
certain figures showing the financial con-
dition of the state for the year ending
Dec. 81, last. The only reference made to
the matter of the revision OF the State
Constitution Is confined TO the formal no.
tice of tho decease of Hon. Nathan L.
Dixon of Westerly, and the appointment
of Hon. Elery ii. Wilson Of East Provi-
dence, To fill the vacancy. The governor
dismisses the subject 10 the effect that he
is Uniformed blythe chairman OF the com
mission that IL will report TO your honor
able body early In the session. j" The mes
sage is substantially as follows:
REVENUE OF The STATE.
In providing a sufficient revenue for
it's necessities this slate has not vet con-
formed TO the changed condition OF the
times ana practically assesses and levies
its taxes today as IL has done for the past
Ahrty or forty years. The result oi this
Is to place each year heavier burdens
upon the individual taxpayers, and per-
init a vast amount Of justly taxable prop
erty TO contribute nothing 10 the support
OF the state whose protection 10 has and
whose privileges IL enjoys. There IL
within our limits, II Ii can be reached as
IL is in other states, sufficient ratable
property to provide for al OF our ordi-
nary expenses, and have surplus an
nually 10 apply 20 sinking FUNDS or to
any extraordinary demands that may
arise. The Legislature mas not only the
power, but it is its duty TO remedy these
defects in the law.
NEW STATE HOUSE.
The construction of the state house has
so far progressed that the beauty of Its
design is apparent to all who view 1t.
When com pleted IL will he building of
which tie people may be justly proud, al
though most other states will have struc-
lures which exceed IL III COST ana size.
Its cost will be in excess OF the sum that
IL was first expected would be sufficient
TO complete IL ana purchase the site, but
ths original estimates OF the space re-
quired were inadequate. In size, the
building contracted for leaves none too
much uroccupled room for the future ad-
dition to and increase of s1ate depart
ments, aud if 10 IL To he criticised ut all
in this particular it should be because of
in nsufilcient, rather UhaD excessive size.
An examination OF the plans and specifi-
TO make the interior finish expensively
ornate hut that the work called for is OF
the character founc In the average Office
building.
In view of these facts and OF the press
ing need of increased accommodations
for the transaction of the business OF the
state, l am Of the opinion that economy
requires that seasonable action should
he taken TO provide funds sufficient in
amount to enable the board OF state house
comm issioners TO carry on the work al
ready contracted for, ard to do such
other work rs may be necessary to fit the
building for occupancy.
HIGHWAYS.
The question OF improved highways
has ceased 10 be one that can be disregard
ell. Every educational and material in
terest Of tho state requires It. Better
rural schools, increased value of farm
products, increased value Of property,
possible rural postal delivery, cheaper
transportation, all enter rs important
factors into tnis question. In short, the
welfare OF our people demands chat good
roads should be made and maintained
throughout the state. The presence heEs
of Mr.. T.. q. Harr isoD, governments road
engineer, and his WORK OF road building
at tho Rhode Island College of Agricul-
ture aud Mechanic Arts. has been most
helpful 10 the cause. During the fall and
early winter months. meetings tn consid-
or the subject nave been held in n great
many of the towns, and the greatest in
terest manifested.
lbe state Is indebted 10 the Rhode
Island division of the League Of Ameri-
can WI eelmen for most valuable finan-
cial assistance and earnest support in
bringing the matter before tho people.
Under tho provision Of Chapter 13 of the
4 tf.,Aa la I'm mi lac ~
mac cadamiZed road have been completed
during the past year. making a total of
twelve which have been built at "a cost OF
SSa. 1874 ana applications for seven more
have been made 10 the highway commits
sioner. The agitation OF the subject of
good roads has brought out the fact that
tho present law for the Improvement OF
highways is defective and expensive The
state wishes no moro sample half miles.
IL cannot afford to appropriate any
more money simply for object lessons.
RAILROADS.
The number Of railroad corporations.
steam and street is2l. Capital stock OF
steam roads, s8S, 409, 275; of street roads
$40. 5.2, coo. The total receipts OF the steam
roads were S35, 5S'i. 929 OIL; OF the street
roads, u, 0G2, yl7 The net earnings Of the
steam roads were IS. 5SG, l5i. 35 of the
street roads, s667. O0l.32. Ihe fetal IN
debtedness " t6e steam roads was ESQ. 3lO,
9ie.3 OF the street roads, 81, 125, Ug2 OS.
The total property and assets 81 the steam
roahs were sl7s. sc, 152 90; of tho street
road, eli, Ill, 7l0.13 The number OF pas.
tenaors carried by the steam ronds was
AZ e29 602. decrsnse from the previous year
03, 035, $50; nv the street roads, 80. 76g, 424.
Ce.Ielss of lG3 312
BOtn the steam and street roads show n
decrease in o earnings. There ure bO3
miles Of steam road In this state reckuned
a. single track, and i6i m los street track.
Inc business OF oil the roads has Suffered
largely from the DEPRESSION In business
but In the latter at ~ the yCar has
shown an advance.
STATE AGENT FOR DEPENDENT
AND MAYNARD CHILDREN.
In connection WITH the care which tho
state i~ sndsavoring % take ~ her wsv-
ward aud deItndent ch.ldren through the
State Home and school, the Reform