The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-01-04

at Omaha, in the state of Nebraska, a
trans Mississippi and international ex-
position, designed especially to display
the resources of the states lying west
| OF the Mississippi river. The Fifth
legislative assembly of Montana appro-
| prlated $4,000 for the, purpose of max
ing display of the resources of Mon
I tana at that exposition. This sum was
subsequently augmented by a further
personal donation of $4,000 from the
| Hon. Marcus Daily of Anaconda, who,
| IN every way possible, gave to the ex-
| position not only his money, but every
! encoura cement and friendly act or adj
vice possible to make it complete sue
cess. w. H. Sutheriin of Meagher
county was designated by me as COM
missioner to take charge of the matter
| OF securing and installing the exhibit
and superintending it throughout the
| exposition. and it is but fair to say
| that in every respect Mr.. Sutherlin ex-
hibited the qualities necessary to make
a successful exhibit of our resources.
| With the money at his disposal he pro-
| cured all the space necessary for our
mineral exhibits and for a display of
| the works of our educational institu-
lions, and in each installed an exhibit
worthy of our state. In addition to this
he erected and furnished upon the
grounds a Montana building or home,
at cost of about $4,000, the building
| alone costing about $4,000. This was
sold at the close of the exposition for
$3.50, the largest sum obtained for any
state building upon the grounds, al
though ours was the cheapest building
erected. The furniture that was not
worn out and destroyed during the oc-
cupancy of the building has all been
returned to Montana, where 1t can and
will be used, or the most of 1T, in our
different state institutions. 1t is not
boasting to say that our mineral ex-
hibit was by far superior to any other
displayed at the exposition, and In our
horticultural exhibit we were second
only to the state of Idaho, ranking as
second and securing the silver medal
for our display. This was due in a
large measure to the perfection of our
fruit and it's freedom from insect pests,
SO destructive to horticultural inter-
ests, and if it is possible to enact laws
that will prevent the introduction of
any of the insects or pests that have
ruined the fruit trees of older commun-
tiles, it is my earnest advice that you
do so at once. This can be done by for
bidding the importation into our state
of any fruit or fruit cases not thorough
ly inspected and free from these blight
ing insects. Our agricultural exhibit,
in the matter of small grains and
grasses, was not inferior to any other
display; in fact, the whole exposition
was success SO far as advertising the
resources of our state is concerned.
Railroad Commission.
In my message to the Fifth legisla-
tive assembly I suggested the advisable
lty OF creating a railroad commission
for the state of Montana. That sug-
gestion I now reiterate and confirm.
The railroads traversing our state dur
ing the year have responded somewhat
to the popular demand and reduced the
cost of local passenger travel to cents
per mile This concession our people
doubtless appreciate, but in many re-
spects a commission with proper au-
thority can be of great benefit not
alone to the people of the state, but to
the railroad corporations as well, in
the management and control of the
traffic, as well as the cost charges for
the transportation of passengers and
freight. The enlightened legislation of
recent years demonstrates the practi-
cability and the necessity Of a railroad
commission. Almost every state in the
union has found it necessary to enact
laws creating railroad commissions,
and giving them powers for the neces-
sary discharge of the duties imposed
upon them by law. I commend to your
consideration the law with reference to
the railroad commission and it's powers
as passed by the legislature of Califor-
MIA. 1 do not believe that it is neces-
sary to impose additional burdens or
offices upon the people of the state in
order to create such a commission. The
state officers of Montana are perhaps
worked as hard as any similar officers
in any commonwealth in the union, but
I believe, as far as I can judge from
the temper of the people of this state,
that if we should impose upon any of
those officers the duties of railroad
commissioners and prescribe those du-
ties, they would cheerfully undertake
and faithfully discharge the trust, with
out additional cost or burden to the
people; but if, in your wisdom you
should see fit to make such offices sep
arate, either by appointment or cleo
ton, I am satisfied that your action
would meet with the approval of the
citizens of our commonwealth. Trust
ing that you will give to this question
such consideration as the Importance of
the subject demands, and that, if such
meets with your approval you will
pass such laws as will give protection
and equal and exact Justice to the cor
porations and to our people alike.
Investment of school Funds.
Our state treasurer now has some
thing over 100000 of the permanent
school fund of the state for Investment.
And although I know that the treasurer
has exercised all diligence possible to
secure its Investment under the pres
ent existing laws, a very large portion
of it still lies idle in his hands, for the
reason that he has been unable to find
such investments as the constitution
and the laws in force require.
I suggest to you the advisability of
providing for it's investment in the
bonds of our state institutions, such,
for instance, as the school of mines
and the deaf and dumb school and 9TH
er institutions under the guardianship
and control of the legislature of this
state. 1t seems to me that as to these
bonds we ought to be willing to risk
the investment of our own school funds
in bonds over the control Of which your
authority is absolute.
If. in your wisdom you see fit to pass
a resolution asking congress to submit
a constitutional amendment providing
for the election of United States sena-
tors by direct vote of the people, such
a course will have my most cordial in
dorsement and approval, for I am firm
ly convinced we cannot too soon resort
to this more democratic method of