Mexico Missouri message., 1903-01-15
THE MESSAGE
Alexander N. DoCkery Ad-
dresses the AID Session
of the Missouri Gen.
eraI Assembly.

ANeNNsN+NAFNr
Accent my hearty congratulations
upon your assemblage under such Ia
yorabIe auspices Prosperity mas
showered its blessings lavishly upon
.our people during the twelve months
mast. Missourlans are not only pros
porous but proud Of their glorious
Commonwealth aud devoted to our
great Republic.
During the more than four score
years that have passed since Missouri
was admitted to the American Union,
she has steadily progressed in all the
essential elements which promote hap
piness and prosperity of the people
and contribute TO the grandeur and
glory OF this sovereign state.
We have made splendid progress
during the entire history of the State,
but the development of all our varied
resources during the past two years
has been phenomenal. And there are
grander triumphs yet to be won.
Missouri is now first among the
States in agricultural pre-eminence,
eighth in wealth and fifth in popula-
ton. Our agricultural, horticultural,
railway, manufacturing, mining and all
other Industries have greatly pros
pered. Our educational system is con-
stantly expanding in scope and In
.creasing in effectiveness. Our cities
are teeming with busy population,
engaged in profitable industries. On
every hand there is well directed en-
ergy, thrift and enterprise. The laws
have been impartially administered.
Crime has been punished. Life and
property have been fully protected.
The administration of the fiscal af-
fairs of the state has been wise, honest
and frugal. Missouri has the lowest
tax rate of any state of the Union.
The credit OF the state is unsurpassed
even by the National Government. I'm
migration is pressing into our State.
Churches and schools are multiplying.
In every arena of business life there
is activity and advancement. Already
our diversified and opulent resources
have attracted the most favorable at
tention of the people of this Republic
and of the world. Missouri is the in
dustrlal prodigy of the great valley Of
the Mississippi Carved out of that
magnificent domain which the states
manship Of Thomas Jefferson gave to
the American nation, our state is al
ready the focus of a vast and increas-
ing commerce. In our chief metro
pOlitan city, at the great Worlds Ex-
position, Missouri will marshal dis
play OF resources without a superior
and but few equals. Indeed, it is
almost beyond the ken of imagination
to fully grasp the mighty possibilities
OF this wonderful State.
FINANCES.
The condition of the State Treasury
is most satisfactory On the LIST Of
January, 1901, there was an available
cash balance in the treasury of SLOTS
931.53 belonging to the various funds
which total included $179,222.19 be-
longing to the State Revenue Fund,
and $217 ,323,45 to the State Sinking
Fund.
The total income of the Treasury,
from all sources, for the two years
ending January /. 1903, was $10,550,-
S59.76; the total disbursements for the
same period 6eing 1861, 9SS5S. The
balance to the credit of the various
funds on January /, 1903, was $685.
4O2.71, of which $568,741.O4 was credit.
ed to the State Revenue Fund and
$500, 204.38 to the State Sinking Fund
The receipts of the Treasury show a
steady growth, due in most part to
the income arising from the beer in
spection fees and the NATURAL growth
and increase in the taxable wealth OF
the State.
BEER INSPECTION FEES.
The fees collected under the modi
ned beer inspection law passed by
the last General Assembly, aggregate
$770,613.78, of which $2O1,341.S3 &C
,crued prior to the passage of the
amended law, and $569,271.95 since
that law became operative. The aver
age monthly receipts from inspection
fees is In excess of $25,O00.00. This
law has fully indicated the judgment
OF those who favored its enactment
and has proved to be a popular and
DeneuCeuI measure.
HWHISKEY TAX"
The "act to provide for a State II
eense tax on distilled liquors, including
Whiskey, brandy, rum, gin and dis
titled spirits of all kinds, wines and
all kinds Of yinous liquors" ETC., has
been declared unconstitutional by the
Supreme, court of Missouri.
able body, the Special License Com
missioner collected 2O.742,96, undel
this law. This money has been pale
into the State Treasury.
TAXATION OF FRANCHISES.
The franchise law, enacted by th'
last General Assembly, has great!
'simplified the assessment of public ser
vice corporations. While franchise
were in fact assessed prior to the pass
age OF this act, grave uncertainty ex