Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-01-03
MESSAGE OF THE GOVERNOR.


tered through several statutes difficult
to find and SO full OF Inconsistencies as
to be hard to understand. Owing to
such misunderstanding and the lack Of
enforcement, many statutes are dead
letters and go unenfotoed. The fish In
our streams ard bays are a means OF
livelihood to many Of our citizens and
q delicious food supply to all. Yet the
very people who depend on fishing for
support, by carelessness and foolish
waste of the young and unmarketabls
fish. destroy the source OF their supply.
/ recommend that the laws relating
to fish and fishing be carefully revised
and the most stringent provisions be
enacted for the protection OF orr tish.
/ also recommend that the Fish Com.
missioner be provided with reason
able contingent fund for defraying ex-
penses of enforcement OF the laws. lis
present salary is not sufficient to Justify
him In travelling over the State and
sending men to ferrit out violations of
the laws.
STATE PRINTING AND SUPPLIES.
called the attention OF the last
Legislature to this subject but no
action was taken. l deem it Of 30
much importance that ! quote from my
message to the last Legislature the
part referring to this subject.
''Section 8 of Article 10 Of the Con-
stitution provides: ii stationary.
printing. paper and fuel used in the
legislative and other departments OF
government shall be furnished, and
th printing, binding and distribution
OF the laws, journals, Official reports,
al Ill ztl x.rtk htp1sny
and the repairing and furnishing the
halls and rooms used for the meetings
of, the General Assembly and it's COM
rnittees, shall be perfor med under con-
tract to be given TO the lowest re-
sponsihle bidder below such maximum
price and under such regulations as
shall bo prescribed by Law. Such bids
shall be opened in the presence OF the
persons making the bids or their repre-
sentatiyes.
"iNo member or officer OF any depart
ment OF the government shall he In
any way interested in any such con
tract when awarded to or by any such
member. officer or Department.
"You will readily see the motive that
dictated this provision of the Consti-
tutioE. The public printing aud sup
| plies Of the different departments oil
the government are important items In
the expenditure OF the public funds.
| A law under which the benefits OF o
healthy competition may be secured
would not only afford the State better
service and greater economy, but would
prove generally more satisfactory to
the several departments and to those
who stand ready to render the service.
sThe State, Librarian has compiled
with the spirit Of this provision Of the
Constitution in purchasing the coal tt
heat the State House and some Other
officers have felt bound to do the samt
with printing, but until proper law il
enacted the State cannot derive tht
benefits that the makers Of the Consti
tuition intended.
',The State has been imposed upor
not only 10 excessive charges for print
log and supplies. but In the quality o
the material used and the execution o
the work
~ recommend that you provide tina
all printing to be done and supplies
furnished, be done and furnished b,
contracts awarded on bids made oil
specifications duly advertised, and tina
board, composed Of persons who hav,
no printing to award or supplies to b.
furnished, be created for that purpose
In this connection suggest for you
confederation that IL would he In tn
interest OF economy and better worl
and material II member of sucl
board should be practical printer
whose knowledge woull prevent i'm
position and secure n better grade o
work. Such member could b
designated a Public Printer or other
wise, as you think best. and should b
compensated with moderate salary
His duties would not be arduous IN,
his salary noed not be largs. Sucl
mombers should be prohibited from
bidding for contracts or being TO no.
J. manner interested III their award. III
, money thus snved to the State would
| am sure, much more than pay th
expenses Of such a system.
You should also provide for the lrn
mediate payment for such supplies
. The bills for coal now furnished IN
heating the State House and the light
ing are not provided for, but wait th
biennial session of the Legislature
Bids would be lower If immediate pay
ment could be made. urge you
! take the necessary action Oh thi
matter. N '
BOARD OF HEALTH.
I call your attention to the elevent
biennial report Of the Stats Board {
Health which is herewith submitted
!. This report contains valuable infofma
, tion carefully and ably compiled no
, presented. Wo can scarcely oyei
estimate the Importance Of the wof
, of this board. The seven prominen
! physicians Of The State who comros
I the board and who perform their dutit
: without compensation are entitled
! the gratitude and COMMUNICATION {
! every citizen.
The board requests that instead q
2 printing 600 copies OF this report, Q
!, heretofore, you authorize the printin
OF half that number and cause th
= same to be bound In durable cloth.
Appended to the report is the frs
report of the meteorological an
Pathological Laboratory at .Delawai
0 College, established. under the az
approved March 23d, 1899. This repol
d is most interesting and satisiactor,
b demonstrating the great importance
d she wise action Of the Legislature J
establishing such Laboratory. III
Board OF Health suggests and recon
mend that provision be made for large