The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-01-05

GUS Local Matters Demanding
Action Called to the Attention of
the Two Houses sitting In Joint
Standardization by the Out-
going Governor.
BISMARCK, n. D., Jan. 4-(SpecialO
Before the house and senate sitting
today in joint session the messages of
the incoming and outgoing governors
were read. No other business was
transacted by either body.
The first recommendatio ton in the mes
sage of Gov. Fancher relates to insane
hospitals. He says:
The crowded condition of the hospital for
the insane al Jamestown, the largest and
most important charitable institution of the
commonwealth renders 1t Impossible for the
officers in charge TO secure the best results
in the treatment of this most unfortunate
class Ct our fellow citizens. The necessity
for additional ward buildings at this hospital
is known TO every citizen of the state. l
trust every member of the legislature will
carefully read the report OF the trustees OF
the hospital FIR the last biennial period, and
give serious consideration to the recommended
tons therein contained.
Reviewing the financial history of
the state the message says:
Jan. I, 1885, the general fund of the state
treasury was overdrawn in the sum of $2S,-
461 and there were unpaid bills amounting
to S110, 1856 making total deficiency of $133,-
$50 The bonding debt limit of the state had
been reached, and in the somewhat desper-
ate condition of our financial affairs joint
resolution was passed authorizing Gov. Al in.
Treasurer Nichols and Auditor Briggs TO is
sue funding warrants for $40, 0G0 in anticipa-
ton of the future revenue of the state. The
auditor and treasurer borrowed money on
these warrants, paid the expenses of the leg
islature paid the other floating Indebtedness.
and We commenced business again a cash
basis, but with this large amount of Warrants
outstanding. Since that time the current ex-
peHses of the state have all been promptly
met until the last few months, and all out
standing warrants have been paid in full
with interest. In order TO take up ard pay
the last of these warrants the retiring state
auditor and treasurer have been compelled TO
delay the payment of certain current ex-
penSeS 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 con-
SdeTation by your committee on appropria-
lions in apportoning the revenue of the sta
for the coming biennial period. 1t has be- n
the practice OF recent legislatures 10 appro-
pirate sums in excess of the estimated reye-
nues of the state. This practice should be
discontinued and at once A very correct
and accurate estimate of the revenue fer the
coming two years can be procured from the
proper officers, and l respectfully but earnest
ly urge y Il TO procure such estimate, and
then instruct your committees on appropria-
tons to provide for the present Indebtedness
and then to confine their appropriations to
an amount strictly within the limits of such
estimate
The governor then calls attention to
the need of a contingent fund, at the
disposal of the executive, and points
out the fact that Gov. briggs, during
his term Of office as governor. advanced
$3.50 in order that the rate case
brought by the board of railway COM
missioners against the railroads might
be prosecuted. He adds: "Since his
death Gov. Devine and other state Of
ficers have advanced $500 more. l trust
the legislature will promptly pass bill
reimbursing the family of Gov. Briggs,
and also the state officers for this eX-
penditure. It was expended in the pub
lie interests. l also wish to renew the
recommendation that $1,000 be placed
at the disposal of the governor to meet
future contingencies of this nature that
may arise from time to time
On the subject of the states militia
system Gov. F'ancher says:
AS the future will see the national guard
OF the different STATES the volunteer army of
the nation. l would respectfully recommend
that our laws governing the militia be re-
vised or so amended as to comply as fully
as IS possible with those to be adopted by
congress governing the United Stateas regu-
lar ana volunteer army, especially as TO
organization and equipment
Second-That all arms uniform and equip
ment be furnished by the state, and that no
yearly cash allowance be made companies for
that purpose.
Third-'rhat a system of medical examna-
ton be adopted for the purpose of placing our
militia in more efficient condition for the
held in time of emergency.
Fourth-That the appropriation made for
the purpose of carrying out the provisions of
the military code be wise and conservative
but ample.
And would further recommend as a matter
appreciation fairness nat ha
passed allowing those companies now in the
services of the government the annual armory
rent for the year ending June so 1899 the
same as those companies remaining in the
state, as many of the companies own their
own armories, but still owe a small debt on
them.
Among the recommendations embrac-
ed in the message is one for primary
election law.
The message Of retiring Gov Devine
urges the closest economy en- the part
of the legislature in order that the
state may be saved from further debt.
Figures are quoted to show that all
legislative assemblies have made APP
preparations far in excess of the state
revenue, and that the legislature must
retrench or face heavy deficit. The
governor summarizes the condition
OF state institutions, recommends an
appropriation for an addition to build
1ngs at the insane hospital and makes
various other recommendations. among
them that the present divorce law be
repealed.
The senatorial situation is unchang-
ed Judge Lauder, OF Richland coun-
ty, was among the arrivals this morn
ing, and is understood to be seeking
friends for Johnson, in the Fourth dis
trict among the supporters of McCum-
Der and Marshall
Spaulding. the congressman-e elect. ar
rived this morning. He says he's TAX
ing no part. but it is reported that he
sympathizes with the Mckenzie people
No caucus is likely TO be held until
next week at the earliest.