Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-09

governing the IuIlerlHCn OF taxes De mtNH
more stringent and enscrre. / furtEer
recommend that The dat.-s ~ he state
Board OF EqaHiizatlou lie rrbAdeheG SO
lower essessmsnts FOR state uarcoses Ia har-
mony with the full valuation p.an. and that
county boards be given sucn additional pu-
thorlty as may be needed In arssr TO Gerry
oft thc same Idea. II Is importpEt that
these matters receive your immediate -
operative for the {. ming assessment.
Experimental Farm.
Nebraska is disanctiveiy an Agricultural
and live stock producins state. These
two industries, with horticulture, are the
basis OF the major part of the prosperity
enjoyed BY our people. Whatever tends to
promote these interests Increases the gen
eral veal IN the same ratio. In wise recog-
milton OF. these facts the state has long
since established an experimental farm near
versity, where careful and elaborate tests
are made in the production Of grains.
grasses and forage plants under varying
conditions, where the several kinds Of live
stock which add wealth to the farm are
kept. for purposes of experimentation, where
from which II disseminated from time to
time facts and data relative to the work
accomplished. At this farm, too, during
the winter months, young men and women
who desire to acquire accurate knowledge
concerning agriculture and animal hus-
bandry are given short, practical courses In
those subjects under the supervision OF the
director Of the station and his assistants.
Such instruction Is separate and distinct
from the regular agricultural course as
pursued at the university. The good results
derived from this experimental farm are
obvious to all who keep pace with the
trend OF events. As has been stated. the
experimental farm is located near Lincoln,
climatic conditions are very different from
those which prevail father wet In the arid
wealth. The conditions. there, in my judg-
ment. demand the establishment of, an ex-
perimentnl farm, also In connection with
agement OF rhe Board of Regents. which
shall give special attention to tests In agri-
under The pecunarities Of Soil and climate
there prevailing. Such an institution would
give an impetus to the rural Interests OF
Important factor in the more thorough
development Of a section which is some
times regarded as being Handicapped by
nature, but which is rich in natural re-
sources If agricultural energy is directed
along proper ines our oongresslonai deie-
general government that 1t will gladly CO.
operate in the work, In connection With It's
irrigation and reclamation plans and n
Nebraska takes the initiative IL is probable
that our station will become the seat OF
cnG IN bebslf ~ the other states in
this same region. ! therefore
that the Legislature make an appropriation
for the purchase, equipment and main
tenance OF a farm at some suitable point In
the western part Of he state. to De under
known as an adjunct of the same, for the
purposes mentioned.
Supreme Court Commission
Your attention is urgently called to the
necessity Of providing for the continuation
Of the supreme. court commission. The
present commission has performed COM
mendable service and reduced the volume
Of litigation for years pending in the SUI
prcme court. While the number of COM
mlssloners might be decreased, / am firmly
OF the opinion that the number should not
be less than SLx' considering the rdgnts or
people that every case should receive fair
and full consideration.
The good name of our judiciary and the
value of its opinions depend very largely
on the care and elaboration given each
decision. The constitution guarantees TO
supreme court; the right TO appeal i'm
plies a guaranty that the court OF last
land the merits Of the controversy thor
\ oughly. The three justices of the supreme
Of the constitution In this respect. not be
cause of their liabilities as just and dill
gent judges, but because OF the. present
court. The Supreme court as now Con-
stituted is an able and efficient tribunal
IL must be conceded there lie a limit to
the capacity Of a conscientGus 9Sdge "a
the consideratloh ana o1S nronerties az
I therefore recommend the enactment Of
"a law similar TO the one passed by theuhast
legislature, creating the present commits
sion, so modified as TO provide" for SIX inr
| stead OF nine COrnInisbi0neIb- 's
Advisory Board of Pardons.
While 1 have no disposition to shrink
sponsibiIity Imposed on the chief execu-
tive in the matter Of exercising clemency
bboeiieeyee that the public good would be
greatly enhanced 6y the creation OF an
advisory board of pardons, to which should
be referred all applications for relief from
punishment for penal ofenses and matters
pertaining thereto. Such board should be
ON Which the application FOR pardon is
predicated and within a reasonable time
to report its findings 10 the governor with
else OF executive clemency, as each In
dividual case may seem to, require,
pardons be created, the, details to be ar
ranged BY your honorable BODY.
Educational institutions,
The people of Nebraska are justly proud
Of their educational institutions. The
foundations of these interests nave been
laid broad and deep and may be properly
regarded as the cornerstones of that degree
of eminence and distinction which the state
try is blessed with so small a : cent Of
Mhteracy- or has so much 10 show, IN pro-
portion to R99RIlstio1; In sae was Gi s S9d
specially fitted instructors. At the head
Of these interests stands the state uni
closely seconded by the state normal. The
institutions have done, and are doing Tor
the state a Work greater Indn Cau De eSii-
mated, the influence of which Will be felt
throughout all time. These interests should
; receive the careful attention Of your body
and such appropriations should be made
as will insure the continuance of their
benefcent work on a scale commensurate
with the states development.
constitutional Amendments.
During recent years a number OF attempts
a have been made TO secure needed changes
i in the organic law OF the state by submis-
: sion to the voters OF proposed amendments
. to the constitution. Under the c%onstitu-
tional provisions all propose amendments
must be submitted at the general election
at which members OF the Legislature are
. voted for BY the present law such pro-
: posed amendments, In abridged form, are
made a part of the regular ballot, and a
= majority OF all votes cast must be recorded
: afnrmatively for each proposition before
! II can be adopted, In the greater interest
: attaching to the election of candidates the
! voters lose sight of the Importance of con.
q stitutional changes and a majority OF them
fail 10 vote on the propositions submitted
AS each failure ito vote Is, in enectsa mega.
= becomes practically impossible to amend
3 the constitution by such means, even ir
2 cases where the people, are generally agreed
Z that the change should be made. As a cor
rection OF this difficulty and a means Of
acquiring the needed constitutional modth'
= cations, ] that your body pro
J pose an amendment TO section, 1 of article
y XIV OF the constitution which will provid,
Z that amendments 20 the consultation may
; be submitted to the electors for approVa
y or rejection at a general or special election