Evening journal., 1899-01-06
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Presented to the Legislature BY
Secretary Hughes.
MANY RECOMMENDATIONS MADE

DISCUSSES LIVING ISSUES AMI
GIVES THE LEGISLATORS sONIR
WHoLEONIE ADVICE FOR THE1H
GUIDANCE FULL TEXT OF THE
PAPER.
Special to Evening Journal.
Dover, Jan. 6.-To-day Secretary Of
State James H. Hughes presented to
the Senate and HLuse of Representa-.
tiyes the biennial message Of Cover
mol Tunnel. the text Of which is as
follows:
State o, Delaware,
Executive Department.
Gentlemen OF the Senate and HOUSE
CT Representatives.
Ycu have the distinction OF beins
the first Legislature elected under tns
New CsnsN tution Of this State ana
consequently the first eiected from
Senatorial and Representative Dls'
tricts. AS representatives OF districts
your individual responsibility TO youl
constituency is confined 20 smaller
territory; but, while this is the cast
there is no such limit to your duty as
the lawmakers CT the State, Tor youi
duty cannot be circumscribed by such
narrow limits, but il co-extensiye with
the needs and general welfare OF al
parts OF the State. Your increased
numbers should bring TO the body a
more diversified and complete informa
tion of the needs and requirements OF
All interests cf the State and should
give you a more efficient membership
Under the New Constitution your pow
ers and duties differ from those on
legislatures under our former Constr
tuition. Among these essential diff
6erences are the restrictions upon spe-
ciai legislation, aud consequently the
taking away OF the power TO legislare
on divorces, special corporations,
roads, disehes, and kindred subjects
which heretofore took so much OF the
time OF legislatave sessions. and de-
prived the State of that careful ana
undivided attention to the genera.
needs which is the proper and legfti
mate function OF legislative bodies.
In view Of these changes you are lim
ited to a session Of sixty days. unless
the public interest so demands you1
attention as to induce you to remain
longer without compensation. You
will, therefore. readily appreciate the
necessity OF immediate and prompt
attention to the work which shah
come before you. Your session musl
necessarily be a busy one II you are
TO give to the subjects on which you
will be called to act that careful con-
sideration which the public interest
demands. Every interest to be affect
ed by proposed legislation and the pub
lie generally. who are Interested in all
legislation. should be given ample OPP
pOrtunity TO be heard. The COnstitu
tiOn guarantees TO an citizens tht
right Cf petition. remOnstTance or ad-
dress to persons entrIs'nd with the
powers Of government. and there is nc
surer way to avoid has,v snd HAD.
vlsed legislation than fufl and free
hearings in committee. You viii find
this impossible to do during your daily
sessions. when your duties call you tc
the body. You can greatly expedite
your business and more satisfactorily
perform your duties bv remaining al
The Capitol at niGht. whore committed
hearings can be held and information
obtained which is eo necessary foi
your intelligent action. As the Exc
cttive. whose duty it Is to pass Ipor
prCncsed laws. l assure '~ou that
shall endeavor TO act as promptly as (
cRrefui and conscientious performanc,
of my duties viii permit. Whatever
may be our affiliations we represent
the same people. and our acts. whethei
good or bad. affect all aNke. The peo
pie have delegated to us certain pow
er.s and have set us to perform certain
duties. II we act WISELY we not Onll
deserve their commentator but rende,
a lasting benefit to the State and L
mankind. The welfare of the Stat
and CT its citizens should stand frs
in our thoughts and the coromon goo,
should auDeal to us above al1 othe
consideration. The Duties Of legislh
tors are not confined mercy to tn
enactment into laws Of the desires AMI
demands cf constituents. for You an
SOMETIMES confronted with unreason
able reouests and demands of dissatis
fed and restless citizens. who woul
slibveTt the general good to serve thei
fanatfcal and selfish purposes. Tn
advancement Of the general welfar
sfpu.h be your aim. and that whic
will improve the condition of tn
masses or our people ~ather tina
carry Crt the theories and desires c
a few. II Is your dutv to study care
fully every interest Of the State an
the needs and necessities Of her citl
N'iAH. as a WtlRANs LtEloNdllDn EIlOu
be the cryktalizatiOn into law Of th
known will and desires Of the govern
ell. and no more seriOus error ha
Tepi into legislative hodies than tn
impreeFpn that the ne pie are be.
served by abundance of laws Let IN
weldon Ct your actions speak for tn
tsithtu.ness Of YOUR lahOTe rather tina
the vo'ume Of statutes passed
welcome YOU to voUr new,v flirr
ished and comfortable chambers an
stand ready to enter with you upo
the work CT your session
FINANCES.
I can vCur attention to the gratif,
ing condition Of the finances of III
state. The able and careful manag,
ment CT the past has horne fruit in
small public debt and reasonable take
While tho report of the State Trea,
urer which viii come ~ vour hanf
later will give YOU flilF informatio
on this subject 7 deem 81 advisable
cdl ycur attention briefly 20 the col
dition Of the Treasury and the mo-
Ir.4ar. 49, -T.Na