The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-11
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.


Governor Wells certainly covers the
ground in his first message to the leg
islature. 1t is a very long and some
what tedious recital Of events and por-
trayal Of conditions in the state. The
document would not have been weak
ened By the elimination of some top
les, by the grouping together Of the
state institutions. the needs or demands
Of which are covered in their several
reports, ana it would have been
strengthened, perhaps, by the abridge-
ment or emission of perfunctory discus
sions.
A clear, concise statement of the gen
eral condition of the state. its
finances, institutions and necessities.
with a few strong, reasonable recon-
mendations on taxation. retrenchment.
and the correction Of defects in the
statutes would have answered every
purpose and Impressed itself more sure
y upon the minds Of the legislators.
But this criticism applies only to the
length OF the message. in which partic-
ular. as in war history, our state ex-
ecutive seemed TO vie with the chief
executive Of the nation. In other re-
spects it is d very creditable document.
Contrary to expectations. his excel
lency makes no reference to the awful
conditions he recently predicted in the
event of certain contingencies which
have since arisen. but. instead. begins
his message with a reference To the
prosperity Of the commonwealth and
The promising outlook for the future.
The governor devotes considerable
space to q Tecapituladon Of the stirring
events Of the summer. and dwells with
Fashionable pride upon the response CT
Utah to the call 10 arms. but all that
is history. It may never nave been 50
well written before, but It has been re-
peated so often. and every member OF
the legislature is So well acquainted
with the facts and circumstances. that
d brief and statistical report OF the
matter would have sudiced.
He proposes an amendment to the
constitution providing for the conven- i
ing OF the legislature on the third Mon
day IN January, 10 give the auditor
ample time to make up his report for
fling in compliance with the law. This
is d good suggestion. and deserves IA |
vorable consides alton
Although the governor says that the
states fnaEces are in an excellent con- /
dirieH- it is a well known fact, which
he admits. that the treasury of the
state is not on q cash basis during a
portion OF the year. This the governor /
would remedy by borrowing small 4
amounts from time to time, as they are /
needed. The Herald is of the o9inion I
that the keeping Of the treasury on a
cash basis would save more than /
enough to pay the interest on borrowed ]
money in the better prices obtained /
from those who furnish supplies. These !
or bidders for the trade Of /
the various state institutions. as a rule. /
take care Of the discount on the war
rants in which they are paid. and after
wards cash their warrants without
much loss. But the better way 10 es-
tablish a cash basis. it seems, would
be to consolidate ali these obligations
and negotiate a sufficient loan to enable
the state to reach The proper footing.
The recommendation Of the land
beard TO amend the law so as to permit
the state TO dispose OF public lands at
private sales, is endorsed by the gov
eEao-.
He recommends a modification Of the
AMI laws, 10 enable the board to sell
mineral lands.
A liberal treatment of the public
schools Is advocated. and each of the
institutions Of the state re-
elves especial mention in the mes
age, which endorses the request Of
.ach for the full amount of appropria-
ion asked
The governor suggests a careful Pc
usaI Of the state engineers report and
which are really in
eresting and OF prime Importance. r.
igation must be controlled upon scien-
ifc principles 20 meet the requirements
{ an ever-increasing population. and
he engineers report is full Of valuable !
ints.
4 forest reserve should be set apart |
y congress in Utah. and to this end
ne governor asks the legislature to Pc
Ition the national body.
Health statistics and the state board
re discussed. Horticulture is men i
Toned, and an appropriation for the [
apartment asked for Jne ensuing year.
he report Of the seni-centennial COM $
lission is presented A state fair for f
ext. October is proposed. Indian at q
airs, outlawry, and the Fourth district c
ldiciaI investigation are laid before the g
ssern5ly. !
The free coinage of silver is touched
pom, and the legislature asked to
congress to legislate in the e
iterest OF bimetallism. And last. but ID
ot least, gentlemen of the Third state [
gislature, your attention is respect
Illy called to the tact that an cleo a
on of state officers VIII be held prior b
the he1t session of the legislature. t
nd If the salaries Of said officers pre- b
ribbed ~ the constitution are deemed b