Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-01-17

Acting Gov. Devine's message to the
legislature is a comprehensive and in
telligent review of the business of the
state covering the period since the last
legisla are. The affairs of tue different
state institutions are set forth in con-
else form, and the people of the state
are congratulated upon the excellent
condition in which they are found.
In opening his message, Gov. Devine
reminds the states lawmakers Ct the
grave responsibilities resting upon
them, and expresses the hope that the
varied interests of the commonwealth
committed to their care will re i've
careful consideration.
OF the state finances, the governor
says that the growth of the state along
all lines has been such that what it
needs and must have to carry on it's
normal demands is greater than the in
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 and
! 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 can be made"
The net Increase in the deficiency has
been $113,OO5.39
The governor says that for 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 an almost uni
versal expression of dissatisfaction
with our present mode of assessing
property for taxation.
That it is unequal, and, consequently,
unjust, no one familiar with it would
for a moment deny. The governor
says:
eff every piece of property in the
state We're assessed at it's 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 it is assessed unequally.
Thousands of dollars worth of proper
ty escape taxation entirely as a result
Of ignorance, ineffciency or willful dis
honesty on the part of the assessors"
After a careful and patient examina-
ton of the law, the governor says, he
is unable to see where it fails to pro-
vide for an honest, impartial assess
ment. The fault seems to be, rather, in
the administration of the law itself.
If the proper officer compiled 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 change in the manner of ex-
ecuting it.
Gov. Devine calls attention to the
lack of information in the records Of
the land department regarding the
lands under it's 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 humani-
tartan, and at the same time a good
business investment on the part of tho
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. 49,.
The governor recommends that the
appropriation for high schools be in
creased from $4,000 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 a 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 is pre-eminently adj
apted to agricultural pursuits, and 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 of California and Colorado
do not possess half the possibilities in
their output as do the prairie mines Of
North Dakota, which have the addi-
tional advantage over the former that,
with proper care, they will never be-
come exhausted. We should strive to
understand the character and capacity