Willmar tribune., 1900-09-12

of interest being fixed at 3 per cent,
hoping thereby to escape foreign COM
petition. But the credit of our state
was such that, Notwithstanding the
short time OF this paper, notwithstand-
ing its low rate of interest, New York
brokers bid premium of $135
on the issue, and this at time
when the consols of imperialistic
England, drawing the same rate
OF interest and heretofore recogniz-
ed as the best security in the world,
were selling at a discount in excess of
per cent.
THE LARGE SURPLUS.
The only difficulty with our finances
at the present time is the large surplus
IN the treasury. At the end of the fiscal
year, Aug. I, the state treasurer had in
his vault and on deposit in the various
banks 2,16o,337.52 This sum is large
ly IN excess of the amount actually
needed for the requirements of the
state. And l cannot help but express
my regret that the last legislature did
not cut down the tax levy, as l ad-
vlsed in my message, Notwithstanding
the fact that they refused the legislation
tor the increase of the states revenue
as recommended The next legisla-
ture, even though it remains obdurate
on the question of providing more reve-
nue for the state from the sources that I
have indicated, will be able to reduce
the tax levy by one-third if the appro-
priations are kept down to the real
wants and necessities of the state, eco
nomically administered.
During my administration not cent
OF the states fund has been lost or mis-
appropriated, so far as I am advised, or
have been able to ascertain. I mention
this fact, not for the purpose of claim
ing any personal credit. For the excel
lent management of Our state funds Mr..
Koerner, the retiring treasurer, is in a
large measure entitled to the credit, and
l accord it to him cheerfully This state
has never had more prudent, pains
taking or conscientious servant I am
equally certain that if the gentleman
whom you have this day nominated to
succeed him is elected, the same NAV be
truly said of him two years hence, as
say it OF the outgoing treasurer today.
FROM INSURANCE DEPART
MENTS.
A goodly portion of the surplus in the
treasury has been contributed by the
ethclent work OF the commissioner of
insurance. Instead of the $174,ooo in
taxes collected by the insurance depart
ment IN 1898, $2o8,o was collected last
year. These figures were in large
measure due to examinations made by
the department of companies writing in
land marine insurance and transacting
business with nonresident brokers and
operating through pools. AS result Of
these examinations So, 900 has been COL
lected in back taxes on premiums not
reported in former years i'm one in
stance as far back as 1901. In addition
to this that department has rendered
the people OF the state most excellent
service in wedding out the numerous
ke' and speculative insurance COM
pan1es that were preying upon the cred
ullty OF the people and robbing them
right and lett under various schemes of
hail, fire and life insurance.
EFFICIENT DAIRY DEPART
MENT.
The dairy department has rendered
most efficient service in executing the
laws now on the statute books against
the adulteration of food articles and in
prosecuting the illicit sale of oleomar-
garine, imitation butter and manufac-
tured lard, by the enforcement of the
laws in that behalf. Of the administra-
tion of the dairy and food department
feel justified in saying that never before
IN the history of the state were the dairy
and farming interests so efficiently de-
tended and aided as in the last two
years.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
The general progress of the state has
been nowhere more marked than in the
matter OF education. During the year
Just closed, our permanent school fund
grew nearly $1,ooo,ooo substantially all
of which has been carefully invested in
permanent securities of the highest
character. The permanent tund of the
university has also been increased near
ly 100000 bringing it up almost to the
million dollar mark. These matters,
while gratifying to us politically, are
more significant to us as citizens, and to
our children after us. With careful
administration of our wealth of swamp
land, on the lines that have indicated,
and by proper legislation to secure and
save the mineral rights, I hope to live
to see the day when the permanent
school fund of this state will reach the
magnificent sum of $3o,ooo,ooo.
Promising as is the financial situation
OF our school system, the progress on
the educational side has been even
greater. Our university continues to
advance both as to the number of its
students and in the quality and charac-
ter of its work. Its cultural influence
and power are being felt more and more
among the people of the state in every
relation of life Our normal schools are
doing good work. Their standard of
excellence is advancing. The same is
true of our high schools. But in no
department under the states care has
greater progress been made than in our
common schools and for no interest
committed in part to my charge have I
felt greater solicitude or keener interest
The common school divides with the
home the duty of building American
character. AS are our common schools
in this, so will our homes and institu-
tions be in the next generation. Pur-
suant to the recommendation of our ef-
fcient state superintendent, the last leg
islature amended our school law so as
to require all teachers certificates, ex-
cept temporary permits to teach under
special circumstances, to be issued by
the state superintendent upon examina-
tions held under his direction. I have
no hesitancy in characterizing this as
most important reform, certain to ad-
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