The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-01-19


come derived. He says:
zone Of the most important problems
you will have before you during this
session, and one requiring the most
careful study, will be the ways n
means involved to meet the needs OF
the state and at the same time keep
solvent the state treasury. I would
suggest, however, that the outstanding
Indebtedness and prospective receipts
should indicate the limitations within
which appropriations a be made"
The net Increase in the deficiency has
been $113, 005. 80. "
The governor a that for a proper
understanding Of the financial manage
ment of our public institutions, a sys-
tematic and uniform method of keeping
accounts is absolutely necessary.
On the subject Of taxation, the gov
ernor says that there is IN almost uni
versal expression of dissatisfaction
with our present mode of assessing
property for taxation.
That it is unequal, and, consequently.
unjust, no n familiar with it would
for a moment deny. The governor
says: .e.
IF every piece of property in the
state were assessed at its actual cash
value, there would be absolute equality
in the payment of taxes. The inequali-
ty arises, not from the fact that the
property of the state is assessed too
low, but that 1t is assessed %unequally.
Thousands of dollars worth of proper
ty escape taxation entirely as a result
Of ignorance, ineft1ciency or willful dis
A--nrk, ~ <H4 ~0~A ~ Tho oCCnccnro ~
After a careful and patient examina-
ton Of the law. the governor says, he
is unable to see where 1t fails to pro.
| vide for an honest. impartial assess
ment. The fault seems to %be,-rather, ! IN
| the administration of the law itself.
II the proper officer complied strictly
with every provision Of the law relating
to assessment and taxation, there
would be little cause for complaint. In
concluding this subject the governor
suggests. not a change in the existing
law, but a change in the name OF ex-
ecuting it.
Gov. Devine calls attention to the
lack Of information in the records OF
the land department regarding the
lands under its control. He recon-
mends that there be attached to that
department an officer whose duty 1t
shall be, under the supervision of the
commissioner, to inquire into the
| character of all lands under the con-
| troll of the department.; appraise lands
for rental purposes; look after the col
lections Of interest and payments on
/ contracts and rentals On. term leases:
prosecute cases Of trespass. and gen.
orally to take charge Of all matters
which require personal attention out
side the Office.
The governor speaks in terms Of the
warmest praise Of the management OF
the penitentiary. He says the extens-
i've improvements made during the past
two years admirably meet the require
ments for which they were intended.
The governor expresses great faith In
the possibilities Of the Irvine plant.
for the reason that it gives employment
to the inmates, and hence is humans
tartan, and at the same time a good
business investment on the part of the
state. He suggests that an appropria-
ton be made to enable the plant to
operate at its fullest. capacity, of about
10000 pounds per day. In five years.
the governor thinks, this plant will be
self-supporting.
The governor recommends that the
appropriation for high schools be n
creased from $1,000 to $4,000. The gov
ernor finds cause for congratulation in
the splendid growth of the common
schools during the past two years.
All; the departments Of the UNIVERSE
ty are In q most thriving condition.
The reports Of the two normal
schools. according to the governor.
show the excellent condition which
they are in. The school for the deaf
and dumb continues to do excellent
work. The reports Of the industrial
school and agricultural college show
excellent success in those institutions.
and the governor recommends that
they be given. careful consideration.
on the subject of agriculture, the
governor says:
North Dakota IL pre-erninently q
apted to agricultural pursuits. "a the
true source Of her wealth lies in her
healthy climate and the capacity OF her
soil to produce those staples most ne
cessary for the ~sustenance Of mankind.
The mines sof California and Colorado
do not possess half the. possibilities in
their output as do the prairie mines Of
North Dakota, which have the addi-
tionasl, advantage over the former that.
With proper care, they win never be-
come exhausted. We should strive to
understand the character and capacity
e the soiis and engage In that kind OF
farming that AZ Sbest adapted to the
producctiouniS5 81; the greatest wealth. II
would 4be much I j advantages Il We