Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-01-12
The following is Gov Fancher's inaugural ad-

The following is Gov. Fanchers inaugural ad-
Gentlemen of the senate and house of repre-.
sentatives:
While the first feeling Of one elected to the
high office of governor Of the state of North
Dakota must be one of elation on account of
the great honor conferred uv3n him; sober
second thought leaves uppermnst in the mind,
the feeling of responsibility, account of the
duties that must be discharged.
The duties and responsibilities are OF equal
magnitude and weight with the office. and he
who should attempt to appropriate the honor OF
the latter, and slight in any way the former,
ferred upon him.
A growing state like ours has growing needs;
news conditions must be met. The legislation
of a community just entering upon statehood
may not be sufficient for a fully 1edged state.
In common with others voted as member OF
the constitutional convention, for the present
debt limit CT the state; experience has shown 1t
was much too low.
The message OF my honored predecessor, Gov.
Devne, is SO complete, comprehensive, and eiap-
crate in it's discussion and recommendations IN
regard to state affairs, that extended comment
on my part, would be superftuous. l heartily
concur in the suggestions and recommendations
contained therein. -
The death of Gov Frank A. Briggs in August
last, by that dread disease consumption, cast
a pail of gloom over the state. While in the
active discharge Of the duties Of his hlsh l'osl,
ton, in the very prime OF lie; simple clear ana
bold, honored by his cGi!oast es in Office; Sahu-
ing high in the estimation CT his fellow citizens
of the state; surrounded by all that makes lie
pleasant and desirahic-the dread summons
came and with a courage and q herolsm rarely
seen, he yielded only to exhausted nature, and
went out to meet the future with spirit as
brave and dauntless as the summer day IS long.
Among the things 1 have the honor OF sub
hitting for your consideration, I would first
call attention to the fact that one OF the lrst
duties devolving upon you will be the election
of United States senator to represent our
state in the supreme council Of the federal
government the highest legislative body in the
world We have many eligible candidates Tor
this high honor; in fact in this respect we nave
an embarrassment of riches. This may lead
to some delay in naming the man who shall
bear off the senatorial honors; but let me urge
you to proceed with all due dispatch to his
selection that other matters awaiting your con-
sideration may not suffer from lack of time;
bearing in mind the requirements of this high
office, may the man possessing these require
ulents be speedily named by you.
Hospital for the Insane.
The crowded condition of the hospital for the
insane at jamestown, the larges. and most i'm
portant charitable institution Of the common
wealth, renders it impossible for the officers IN
charge to secure the best results in the treat
ment of this most unfortunate class of our TEL
low citizens.
The necessity for additional ward buildings at
this hospital is known to every citizen of the
state. Every available space has been utilized,
including the dornt tories, in the present build
1ngs, many beds are occupied by two insane per-
sons, necessity at once detrimental to the
recovery of the patients and highly dangerous
The officers in charge have been compelled to
discharge many patients not fully recovered, in
order to place others of a more aggravated and
dangerous character, constantly pressing for ad-
mission. trust every member Of the legislature
will carefully read the report Of the trustees OF
the hospital for the last biennial period. and
give serious consideration to the recommended
lions therein contained
ne is,fn
When I first became sl member of the state
administration, Jan. I, 1895, the general fund
Of the state treasury was overdrawn in the
Sum of S23, 461.71 and there We're unpaid bills
to S11O. 105.O7, making total deficiency of
1913 656.79. In addition to this the legislature
was converting in session and there was not
dollar in the treasury to pay their mileage or
any of the expenses OF the session, amounting
to over $5S. 000 The bonding debt limit of the
state had been reached, and in this somewhat
desperate condition of our financial affairs a
Joint resolution was passed authorizing GOV.
Allin. Treasurer Nichols and Auditor Briggs
TO issue funding warrants for $4,000 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 we
commenced business again on a cash basis
but 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 war
rants have been paid ir full with interest. In
order to take up and Pay the last Of these war
rants the retiring state auditor and state treas
urer have been compelled to delay the payment
Of 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 on APP
preparations in apportioning the revenue OF the
state for the coming biennial period. 1t mas
been the practice of recent legislatures to APP
propriate sums in excess of the estimated rev.
enues Of the state-this practice should be dis
continued and at once. A very correct and ac-
curate estimate Of the revenue for the coming
two years can be procured from the proper Off
GERS. and I respectfully but earnestly urge
you to procure such estimate, and then instruct
your committees appropriations to provide
for the present indebtedness. and then to con-
fine their appropriations to an amount strictly
within the limits of such estimate Jan ..
1893. there was surplus in the state treasury
of $159OOO Jan. Z. 1895. there deticien-
cy of $133 900. During the past four years this
deficiency has been reduced. The executive will
cooperate heartily with yonr honorable body
in wiping it ont entirely in the next two years.
Contingent Fund.
In Gov. Briggs inaugural address two years
ago. find the following recommendation:
"a small fund should be placed at the dis
posal Of the governor, out Of which he could
authorize the payment of small expenditures
that cannot be forseen by any legislative as
sem5y or determined by any committee on APP
preparations. There have been numerous times
cared Tor account of there beiCg NO appro-
priation out of which expenses CO Id be paid
that did not property cn:Ee under the head of
some of the various departments or belong to
some Of the purposes inLluded in appropriation
bills. At times sums Of money have bean adj
vanced, or payment guaranteed by the governor
and other state officers. a fund of this char.
acter would largely obriate the necessity Of
special appropriation bills by each legislative
assembly. 1t would also be of much benefit to
the executive department. for there many
times when, in order TO do justice to public in
terests, 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 governor. advanced
81 $50 in order that the rate case brought by
the board of railway commissioners against the
railroads might be prosecuted. Since his death
Gov Devine and other state officers have adj
yanced $500 more. I trust the legislature will
promptly pass ball reimbursng the family Of
Gov. Briggs, and also the state officers for this
expenditure. 1t was expended in the public In
terests / also wish to renew the recommended
ton and $4,000 be placed at the disposal OF the
nature that may arise from time to time.
Primary Election Law.
North Dakota early in its history adopted the
ballot system known as the Australian ballot
law and no state in the union enjoys the re-
putation of fairer or more honestly conducted
elections. Experience, has however, demon
Btrated the necessity of slight changes In the
laws from time to time and the people at the
last election endorsed the educational test rs a
requisite to the right of franchise. The con-