The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-01-04
GOVERNOR SMITHS MESSAGE
TO THE SIXTH ASSEMBLY
Momanas Executive Reviews the Affairs of the State for the Last Two Years More
Revenue Is Needed to Meet Increased Expenditure = Suggested That
Franchises Be Taxed : Retrenchment of Expenses.
Special Dispatch to the standard.

hCheAos Sah- 81 ne nOQSt met al ~
'cloc this morning and transacted a
little routine business. Adjournment
wac taken at 1880 to the Auditorium,
where the session was resumed at IL
O'Clock. At a few minutes past that
hour Sergeant-at-arms Wegner an
nounce the arrival of the senate and
the joint assembly was Immediately
called to order by Lieutenant Cover
nor Spriggs. Upon motion Of Stanton
a joint committee OF three from each
u was appointed to wait upon the
governor and escort him to the hall.
Senator's Stanton. Cullen and Anderson
and Representatives Hutchinson. Black
mad Galway composed this committee,
which escorted Governoe Smith to the
platform. There was not much inspira-
ton in the hall for his excellency. the
governor. The Auditorium was x-
tremely cold and the audience was not
large. In marked contrast to the crowd
that packed the big audience room
two years ago. there were not more
than a hundred auditors. aside from
the members of the legislature. These
sat n shiveree, and one by one the
members of the escort committee left
the platform to get their overcoats.
The lieutenant governor and Speaker
Stiff sat muffied in their coats and list
ened to the message as attentlvely as
possible. Despite the discomforts. the
members and visitors listened attent-
lively to the governor and followed
@I---l. A. "
There was no interruption to the read
ing. which occupied about an hour. but
there was a cherry round Of applause
at the conclusion.
After the withdrawal OF the senate.
the mousse adjourned till 10 o'clock to-
morrow morning.
This afternoon Speaker Stiff has been
at work upon his committees and the
senate special committee has been in
conference with Lieutenant Governor
Spriggs on the same subject.
The senate met at 10 o'clock this
morning, pursuant to adjournment Of
yesterday. and got through with a lit
tie routine business. When this had
been disposed of, a resolution ~as
passed that the senate go into joint as
III u az us u ~
adjournment was taken to tomorrow
morning.
The governors message follows:
To the Sixth Legislative Assembly of
the State of Montana:
1t becomes my duty, under the con-
stitution and the law of the state. ct
this time to present to you the condi-
tion of our commonwealth. especially
as to what has transpired during the
past two years. and what will be need
ed to meet the emands Of the state
fo- the ensuing two years. Before
proceeding with this undertaking. /
desire to congratulate you upon the
suspicious condition in which we find
the general tone of the state as a body
polite, and the improved condition of
our people individually. Notwithstand-
ing the fact hat our country, within
the last IL months. was compelled to
engage in a foreign war. which las
been successfully terminated and SON
Guided, we find that the condition OF
our people and the state at large has
not been injured on such account.
Neither has the prediction, made by
many, that the commonwealth was
destined to destruction by reason of the
fact that the political control had pass
ed from the republican party, proven
true. In many respects we can truth
fully say that the tone of confidence
displayed toward the state two years
ago has greatly improved since that
time. and by wise legislation at your
hands the condition of our state may
yet be further improved. and with its
general improvement will be an i'm
provement of each individual compos-
ing the state.
The one thing absolutely necessary
to maintain the good credit and stand
ing of our commonwealth before the
world is to be } to meet our obi
cations. and pay them with cash as
they are incurred. In order to do this,
times, be adequate to meet its imper-
alive demands.
Finances of the state.
During the last two years we have
been able to meet all demands with
the revenue at our command. But this
result Is due. in part, to certain legis-
lation nacted by the Fifth legislative
assembly. and. in part. to the econ
omical methods pursued by the state
board OF examiners. But under the
increased burdens imposed upon the
state. this condition OF affairs cannot
longer be maintained with the present
legislation.
At the close of the fiscal year in 1896
there was outstanding warrants
amounting to 1886. 9s4.57, and defcien-
cies. not represented by warrants.
Indebtedness. was the revenue for
1896, yet uncollected, amounting TO
sssG, zoe. &c. and cash in the treasury on.
the first day of December. 1896.
amounting to $2l.2Ss.ss.
IL thus became necessary for the
present administration to pay OF and
discharge the large deficiency of s51.-
237.l5, in addition to running the ex-
penses of the state for the next two
years. During 1897 there was collected
from all sources s516. 1881, which. sd-
ded to the cash on hand Dec. !. 1896.
gave a grand total of ss37, 95s.1e.
The warrants drawn during 1897
moun to $525. 520.07. During 1883,
the warrants drawn aggregate 49,
65s.40 and the total revenue for .Sss
amounted to $50. 49,; and during 1898
there has been paid out. on warrants
and interest. SEQ. 4s4.76, leaving the
casn balance on hand, Dec. /, 1898.