The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-01-13

! pension 10 Strongly Approved by
i the Governor.
dress: ~
Gentlemen Of the senate and house of repre-.
l0entatives:
high Office of governor Of the state Of North
Dakota must be one Of citation, on accoant Of
' .o, gfe .h neaor conferred upon him. sober
the feeling of responsibility, on account of the
duties that must be discharged
Inc duties and responsibilities are OF equal
magnitude and weight with the Office. and he
VINO should attempt to appropriate the honor of
the latter. and slight in any way the former.
iterred upon him.
growing state like ours has growing needs:
news conditions must be met The legislation
OF community just entering upon statehood
may not he sufficient for fully dedged state.
In common with others voted US a member OF
the constitutional convention, for the present
debt limit CT the state; experience has shown it
was much too low.
/ The message Of my honcred predecessor, Gov.
IDevtne, is so complete, comprehensive, and elab-
lOrate in its discussion and recommendations in
regard to state affairs, that extended comment
on my part. would he superfuous I heartily
concur in the suggestions and recommendations
Ecrntained therein.
The death of Gov Frank A. Briggs in August
last. by that dread disease consumption. cast
ia pail Of gloom over the state. While in the
locttve discharge of the duties OF his high posi-
kion IN the very prime of life: simple. clear and
bold. honored by hts colleagues in Office; stand
ing high in the estimation Of his fellow citizens
LOT the state: surrounded by all that makes life
pheasant and desirable-the dread summons
lcane, and with courage and heroism rarely
tseen he yielded only to exhausted nature. and
went out to meet the future with a spirit as
brave and dauntless as the summer day is long.
/ Among the things have the honor Of sub
uniting for your consideration, l would first
Iao1 off tjnsH <1N roo< NoPkt ar,k
duties devolving upon you will be the election
Iof a United States senator to represent
state in the supreme council of the federal
government, the highest legislative body in the
world. We have many eligible candidates for
this high honor; in fact in this respect we have
IAN embarrassment of riches. This may lead
Ito some delay in naming the who shall
lbear eff the senatorial honors: but let me urge
1you to proceed with all due dispatch to his
selection that other matters awaiting your con-
lstdsration may not suffer from lack of time;
bearing in mind the requirements OF this high
toHice may the man possessing these require
mentS be speedily named by you.
j Hospital for the Insane.
The crowded condition Of the hospital for the
insane at Jamestown, the largest and most I'M
Eportant charitable institution Of the common
wealth, renders 1t impossible for the officers In
charge to the best results in the treat
nent of this most unfortunate class Of our fell
low citizens.
The necessity for additional ward buildings at
this hospital is known to every citizen OF the
Estate. Every available space has been utilized,
including the dormitories, in the present Build
Itngs, many beds are occupied by two insane per-
Isons, necessity at once detrimental to the
recovery Of the patients and hlghty dangerous.
The officers in charge have been compelled to
discharge many patients not fully recovered, IN
order to place others Of q more aggravated and
dangerous character. constantly pressing for ad-
mission. trust every member Of the legislature
Twill carefully read the report of the trustees Of
the hospital for the last biennial period. and
lgive serious consideration to the recommended
!tlons therein contained.
N{vpSn ptsn1 rH4A 0~~N SANA <Hre
When first became member Of the state
administration. Jan. Z, 1885, the general fund
of the state treasury overdrawn in the
Sum of $23, 481. II and there were unpaid bills
on the desk of State Auditor Briggs amounting
TO $110,195.O7. making q total deficiency OF
k133. 656.78. In addition to this the legislature
dollar in the treasury to pay their mileage or
any Of the expenses Of the session. amounting
to over SIS. 600. The bonding debt limit of the
state had been reached and In this somewhat
desperate condition of our financial affairs
Joint resolution was passed authorizing Gov.
lAllin. Treasurer Nichols and Auditor Briggs
TO issue funding warrants for $210,O 900 in antic-
tpation of the future revenue of the state The
auditor and treasurer borrowed money on these
warrants. paid the expenses Of the legislature.
paid the other floating Indebtedness, and
commenced business again on cash basis.
hut with this large amount of warrants out
standing. Since that time the current expenses
of the state have all been promptly met until
the last few months and all outstanding
rants have been paid ir full with interest. In
order to take up and Fay the last Of these war
rants the retiring state auditor and state treas
Furer have been compelled to delay the payment
Iof certain current expenses of the state for
several months. The amount required to meet
this indebtedness will be reported to You by the
auditor and treasurer and it should be given
first consideration by your committees APP
preparations in apportioning the revenue of the
state for the coming biennial period. 1t mas
been the practice of recent legislatures to ap-
Ipropriate sums in excess of the estimated rev.
erues Of the state-this practice should be dis
l1NvN nod ay,1 nj oy,na A Nnrvv a,1o
tcurate estimate of the revenue for the coming
two years can be procured from the proper OFF,
Icers, and I respectfully but earnestly urge
tyou to procure such estimate. and then instruct
your committees on appropriations to provide
flor the present Indebtedness. and then tc
fine their appropriations to an amour: strictly
within the limits Of such estimate. Jan. 5.
1893. there was surplus in the state treasury
Iof $3.50, 900. Jan. Z. 1895. there deficen-
cy Of $133 900. During the past four years this
deficiency has been reduced. The executive will
cooperate heartily with your honorable body
in wiping it out entirely in the next two years.
Contingent Fund.
In Gov. Briggs inaugural address two years
lago, find the following recommendation:
Z "A small fund should be placed at the dis
iposal Of the governor. out of which he could
lauthorize tile payment of small expenditures
THAT cannot be forseen by any legislative
Isenf5ly determined by any committee on ap-
preparations. There have been numerous times
when public interests have not been properly
cared for account OF there being no appro-
Ipration out of which expenses could be paid
THAT lid not properly come under the head OF
some of the various departments or belong to
some Of the purposes included in appropriation
bills. At times sums Of money have been ad-
;vanced. or payment guaranteed by the governor
and other state officers. a fund Of this char
[acter would largely obviate the necessity Of
Especial appropriation bills by each legislative
ASSEMBLY. It would also be Of much benefit to
1.-THE executive department. for there are many
times when, in order to do justice to public in
iterests expenses are to be incurred that are
not in the nature of expenses chargeable to the
executive Office"
This appropriation was not made by the last
Legislature. 1t should have been. Gov. Briggs
during his term OF office as governor. advanced
$50 in order that the rate case brought by
tho board Of railway commissioners against the
railroads might be prosecuted. Since his death
Gov. Devne and other state officers have adj
vanced $500 more. trust the Legislature will