The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-01-06
GOVERNORS MBSSAGEI
Continued from Third Page.

Legislative assembly the soldiers HON,
Of Montana has been formally opened fol
the reception of inmates and at thu
present time I believe about fifty o.
the old soldiers of the state find in thi!
place h%ospitable cheer and welcome ant
protection III their infirmities. The
commandant, Captain Hillman, seem.
to be we'll suited for the position anG
everything that a be done to make
these unfortunate defenders of oul
country pleasant in their mature,
years, is being done. The report of the
board of managers is open for your in.
spection as to the appropriations and
the requirements of the institution, and
| ask that you give the same careful
consideration.
Insane Asylum.
In my message to the Fifth legisla.
tive assembly recommended that the
legislature take some action toward Sc
curing for the state a home for our in
sane and Predetermined. This recon-
mendation, through the congestion of
business, failed to become a law. I
have nothing but words Of praise for
the management of our present asylum,
and believe that the persons having the
same in charge are as we'll calculated
for the duties imposed upon them as
any who could possibly be selected.
Their treatment is undoubtedly humane
and kind and everything is done that
can be done toward giving relief or per-
fecting a cure in these unfortunate citi-
zens. But the policy Of this stated in
letting out by contract the keeping Of
our insane and feeble.minded is one at
which the mind will naturally rebel.
The number of inmates, according to
the last report Of the board of commits
sioners of the insane, is 45T. This has
been an increase Of forty-ive during the
past year. At the time I entered upon
the discharge of my duties as your ex-
ecutive, the cost Of keeping the insane
was 80 cents per capita per day. This
figure, according to my investigations,
is the highest figure paid by any state
west OF the Missouri river. I did not
make any investigation as to the insti-
buttons lying east of that stream. If
this legislature can devise a proper
scheme, either for the purchase Of the
present quarters, or for the erection of
llew quarters, to be under the control
and management Of the state. the same
will meet with my4most hearty ana
cordial approval.
The mainstay of our present asylum,
q man Of great integrity and kindly
character, DR.. A. H. Mitchell, has gone
from us and we must now look to new
men to manage this institution if left
to private contract.
Pe%nitentiary Il s
During the past two years a new
building at Deer, lodge has
been entirely completed and other i'm
provements in the way Of electric lights
have been added to the institution.
The management is now. as it has been
for a number of years past, under con-
tract to Messrs. Conley and McTague,
and their conduct and management de-
the highest enconium and praise
at my hands, because / believe no better
suited persons could be found to con.
oAoA IL AA0AdSO UuO 1uLldU6S VI UuI
state prison than these gentlemen.
This is evidenced by the very few com
that come to me and by the fact
there are, practically, no escapes
from the institution. The prison is
about as safe from fire or other disaster
as it is possible to be-. and the chances
opportunities Of escape are reduced
to a minimum. 1t is kept SO perfect
and clearly that we have little or no
complaint Of any kind coming from the
Omaha Exposition.
During the year 1898 there was held
At Omaha, in the state of Nebraska, a
Trans ississippi and International ex-
position, designed especially to display
resources of the states lying west of
the Mississippi river. The Fifth legis-
lative assembly Of Montana appropriat-
$4,000 for the purpose of making a
of the of Montana at
that exposition. This sum was subse-
augmented by a further per-
'onal donation Of $4,000. from the
Hon. Marcus Daily of Anaconda, who,
n every way possible, gave to the ex-
position not only his money. but every
Encouragement and friendly act or adj
7ice possible to make Of it a complete
success. W. "a. Sutherlin of Meagher
county was designated by me as COM
missioner to take charge Of the matter
# securing and installing the exhibit
md experimenting it throughout the
exposition, and it is but fair to say that
II every respect Mr.. Sutherlin exhibited
he qualities necessary to make a sue
'essful exhibit of our esources.
Railroad Commission.
In my message to the Fifth legisla-
i've assembly / suggested the advisa-
'ility OF creating a railroad commission
or the state OF Montana. That sugges-
l now reiterate and confirm. The
traversing our state, during