The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-01-11
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

Inc respective meSSag es of the incom-
Ing and outgoing governors furnish an
interesting study of the variance of the
point Of view from which different men
will regard the same situation. The
message of Mr. Lind, representing as It
does, the views Of an official whose term
of office has expired. is not as of tmme-
date public interest as that of his sue
cessor. That of Mr. Van SAINT outlining
the policy in state government which is
likely to be embodied in the legislation
of the coming session, is accordingly, of
the highest present Importance.
Gov. Van SAINTS message is a thought
full, exhaustive and entirely common
sense review of conditions as he finds
them in state administration, attended
by q series of recommended tons which
show how fully he has devoted himself in
the interval since his election to becom-
ing familiar with the operations of the
different departments of the state. His
recommendations are as a rule we'll con-
sidered, and entitled to the most care
branch of the government.
Gov. Van SAINTS recommendation in
favor of a tax commission will commend
itself to all who have given any consid-
cradle thought to the problem of taxa
Sion. Revision and reform of existing
methods of imposition and collection OF
taxes can only result in good; and while
the work of body may not in all re-
spects commend itself to the legislature
it will be of value in showing the direc-
tons in which other states whose sys-
TENS are more nearly answerable to their
purposes than is ours have proceeded in
the accomplishment of needed reform.
Another direction in which the gov
ernor's recommendation will receive
hearty approval relates to the expendi-
lures of the various public institutions.
Extravaganza and waste are inevita-
BILE under the present plan, no matter
how careful or conscientious the heads
of the several departments may be. \, 18th
a state board composed of men of known
rectitude who could devote their entire
time to the work outlined in the COVER
nors message the saving in every direc-
ton witch would result would no doubt
be great Under the present plan most
of those who serve on the boards of the
various institutions are gentlemen who
give of their time and labor without any
compensation Whatever; and it is hard
ly to be expected that they would or
could give such close supervision to the
work as it's Importance from the money
point of view alone to the people would
make desirable.
If the incoming legislature should pro-
coed to the adoption of legislation along
the lines laid down by Gov. Van SAINT
the expense of the session would be
saved hundred-fold to the people Such
undertakings as the general improve
ment of the roads of the state, the pres
ervation of our timber growths and tho
enactment of a primary law perfected on
the model adopted and now in operas zion
in the city of Minneapolis would rebound
to the gain of the people in so many
vital directions.
Notwithstanding our great develop
ment in other forms of productive ca
pacity Minnesota remains and will long
continue essentially an agricultural state.
The great mass of our people outside of
the cities are engaged in that industry.
Upon its profitable conduct depends the
maintenance of the prosperity of our
people, as eX-Gov. Lind so strikingly
points out. There is no other class which
will benefit in anything like the same
measure by the Improvement of the pub
lie highways as those engaged in agri-
culture. Indeed the Improvements which
are forcing themselves on public atten-
ton every day in the direction of the So
cial life of the farming population are
made practically impossible as long as
our public highways remain in the semi
barbarous condition in which they now
are.
So, too, with reference to the forests OF
the state. The material advancement OF
the past twenty-five years has resulted
in the destruction of vast areas Of oul
timber. One of the greatest sources O.
the general wealth is thus endangered
by the failure to make any rational pro
vision for renewals of our splendid area.
of woodland. What we have done has
been wholly inadequate; and nothing
short of the appointment of body o.
experts, charged with a thorough ex
animation of the entire subject can offel
any assurance such as we ought to have
that the improvident methods Of the pas
will find intelligent remedy.
Apart from the party political aspec
of the situation the Globe can urg,
upon the present legislature with all thu
force at its command, and with absolute
sincerity. the fullest compliance by tina
body with the recommendations made il
the various directions herein outlined by
Gov. Van SAINT.