Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1899-01-12
The Governors Message.

The message of Gov. Steunenberg
to the joint session of the
fifth state legislature is an able doc
ument and contains in addition to
important statistical matter many
valuable suggestions. In his open
ing paragraph the Governor says;
"Never in our history have more
problems of purely legislative ma
ture been presented than at the
present time, and never have the
people at large regarded the delib-
erations of the branch Of the gov
eminent you represent with more
concern, or awaited the result with
greater interest. That you will
solve successfully and speedily all
of the problems presented there can
be no doubt"
The Governor refers to the plan
for re-enacting all the laws passed
since statehood already referred to
at length in our columns.
The taxable property has in
creased over 100000 within the
past two years; our state warrants
have been at par for the past 20
months, and in some instances
they command premium.
AS to appropriations the Cover
nor says: 81 believe the appropria-
tons for the next two years need
not in the aggregate materially ex-
coed the appropriations for similar
purposes for the past two years,
Notwithstanding the fact that the
rapid increase in our population
adds to the wants of our public in
situations and multiplies the duties
of officials"
The warrant Indebtedness Of the
state on Dec. 81, 1898, amounted
to 1904 1864.
There are unexpended balances
in all departments amounting to
$31, S54.17.
In only one department, the land
board, has any material expense in
excess of the appropriation occur
red, and that was rendered neces-
sary in order to protect the interests
of the state in the timber districts
of Latah and Shoshone counties.
The condition OF our state insti'
3 tutions, educational, charitable and
r penal, as indicated by the reports
+ and by common consent, is mos
favorable and satisfying. Nearly
r $4,000 of the peoples money has
been expended in their care anc
maintenance during the biennia
period Just closed, and viewed from
the financial standpoint alone thu
! subject is fraught with importance
( and concern.
+ Gov. Steunenberg speaks favor
: ably upon the proposition to estab
d lish a bureau Of immigration, labo
=. and statistics.
, He points out that notwithstand
ing we have a constitutional pro
vision for the fixing of water rates
> we have no law on the subject. Tn
s message adds on this feature: I"
J am satisfied after a very careful
: consideration of this subject, tina
the best remedy is for the legisla
d ture to provide by law that th
/ county commissioners of each coun
+ ty shall meet at some stated perio'
OF each year and hear the evidenc
both of ditch owners and the con
. sumers of water, and upon sue
j evidence fix the rate to be charge
for the use of water"
It In mining over 100000 hav
o been expended in constructor
d dredges to work placer ground.
e Much attention is given in tn
!. message to Idaho's part in the lat
war with Spain. In this connec
ton the Governor says: "Late Of
fficial advices from the war depart
e ment at Washington say that tn
i" Idaho volunteers will be mustere
If out as soon as regular troops ca
e relieve them"
n The message is valuable cor
: tribution to the statistics Of Idah'
. Boise Capital.