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

NJ Ot4atths III tIt rldlt Oh NtDTatka. a
s-Mississippi and International ex-
position. designed especially to display
the of the states lying west
or Mississippi river. The Fifth
legislative assembly of Montana appro-
priated $4,000 for the purpose of maxi
ing a display OF the resources OF Mon
ana at that exposition. This sum was
subsequent. augmented by a further
personal donation of SIS, 900 from the
Hon. Marcus DAILY of Anaconda, who.
IN every way possible. gave to the ex-
position not only his money, but every
announcement and friendly act or ad-
vice possible to make II a complete sue
cess. w. II. Sutherlin of Meagher
county was designated by me as COM
missioner to take charge of the matter
OF securing and installing the exhibit
n experimenting IL throughout the
exposition. and 1t Is but fair to "a
that In every respect Mr.. Sutherlin ex-
hibited the qualities necessary to make
a successful exhibit of our our
With the money at his disposal he pro-
cured all the a necessary for our
mineral exhibits and for a display of
the works of our educational institu-
tions. and in each Installed an exhibit
worthy OF our state. In addition to this
he erected n furnished upon the
grounds a Montana building or home.
at a cost OF about 5000. 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 II can and
will be used. or the most Of IL, in our
different state institutions. 1t Is not
Boosting to say that our mineral ex-
hibit was by far superior to any other
aEl a.vAl ~ T.
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 its freedom from insect pests,
SO destructive to horticultural inter-
ests, and IL IL Is possible to enact laws
that will prevent the introduction of
any of the insects or pests hat have
ruined the fruit trees of older commun-
tiles, Ii is my earnest advice that you
do so at once. This be done by for
bidding he Importation into our state
OF any fruit or fruit cases not thorough
ly inspected and free from these blight
ing insects. Dur agricultural exhibit,
in the matter OF small grains and
grasses, was not Inferior to any other
display; in fact, the whole exposition
was a success SO far as advertising the
resources of our state is concerned.
Railroad Commission.
In my message to- the Fifth legisla-
tive assembly / suggested the advisable
ity of creating a railroad commission
for the state of Montana. That sug-
gestion i now reiterate n 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 4 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 il 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 its powers
as passed by the Legislature of Califor-
mia. / do not believe that IL is neces-
sary to impose additional burdens or
offices upon the people of the state in
order to create such a commission. The
Sldlt OIlCtIS VI AlOIlldHd dIt Perhaps
worked as hard as any similar officers
in any commonwealth in the union, but
1 believe. as far as l can judge from
the temper of the people OF this state,
that IL 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 IL, in your wisdom you
should see fit to make such offices sep
arate. either by appointment or cleo
ton. / am satisfied that our 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 1emands, and that. IL 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 5000. 900 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 II 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.
/ suggest to you the advisability of
providing for its investment in the
bonds of our state institutions, such,
for instance. as the school of mines
and the leaf md dumb school and 9TH
err institutions under the guardianship
and control OF the legislature OF his
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.
II, in you 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
70 this more democratic method of