Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1903-04-02
THE WEEKLY TRIBUNE.
THE GOVERNOR AND THE ExPE
RiMENT STATION.

THE GOVERNOR AND THE ExPE-
RiMENT STATION.
In connection with the governors
veto of the appropriation OF $50, 900
for the biennial period for additional
experimental work at the agricultural
college at Fargo, criticisms have been
passed that the governor was attacking
the agricultural interests of the state,
that the interests of the farmers who
pay the bulk of the taxes we're not
considered. and. naturally enough,
some of the farming element of the
criticisms were founded on fact. The
people of the state who are familiar
with conditions know that the govern
ment makes an appropriation for ex-
perimental work at the station at
Fargo, and that to this. the state adds
an appropriation estimated at So, 900
for the ensuing biennial period for the
carrying on of the work of the col.
lege, aside from the interest and in
come from the lands of the institution,
aggregating $4,000 for the ensuing bi-
ennial period. The injustice of the
criticisms that have been passed lies
principally in the fact that. to one not
informed as to the standing %appropria-
tiOns made by the state for educational
purposes, the recent statements made
by President Worst and others might
convey the impression that the gov
ernor had vetoed absolutely the state
appropriation for the college and sta
ton. when. as a matter of fact, there
is a standing appropriation of two
tenths OF a mill on the taxable prop
erty of the state for the college. and
the appropriation that was vetoed was
another direct appropriation, in ad-
dition to this mill tax.
In a recent issue of the Forum, Gov
ernor White replies to the criticisms
passed by President Worst and others.
regarding the executive veto. The
governor calls attention to the follow
ing facts:
The contention of President Worst
that no part Of the funds appropriated
by the state for the college can be
used for agricultural experiment work
is not well founded. in view of the
opinion of the attorney general that
the board Of trustees have authority
to use any of the money appropriated
for the college for the support of the
station. Especially is this true. the
governor says. in view of the fact that
the board of trustees have used col
lege funds to establish a school of
pharmacy and a training department
for teachers, subjects not nearly so
close to the science of agriculture as
field experiment work.
The income of the college at the
present time is derived from four
sources, the government, the mill tax
OF the state. the interest and income
OF state lands and the appropriation
OF $4,000 annually for the Edgely sub
station. The total estimated reye-
nues OF the station and college for the
ensuing W years will be 1852. 900.
against the following for the past ten
years: 1912. SOS, 900: 1894, $79, 900;
1885, $50 $50; 1878. s99. 900: 1899
1900, $1o5, 700: 1902. 1927, 900: 1904.
Sl52,0OO. The governor thinks that a
study of these figures will convince
the fair minded man that the increased
income of the college is amply suf-
hcient for its increased needs and
mat II the work of the experiment sta
ton suffers it will be the fault of the
management and not of the state.
Governor White says in closing:
Il regret that Mr.. Worst. an officer
OF the state, felt it necessary to rush
into print with his complaint. with the
evident purpose of censuring this de-
partment for an action that was not
taken without mature consideration
and which | still consider was nec-
essary and just for which he is in no
way responsible. regret that he
should assume to speak for his board
OF trustees who are charged with the
management of this institution as To