The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-01-09
NORTH DAKOTA LEGISLATION
Gov. White Makes Recommendations
and Reviews the Past Year.


BISMARCK, N. D., Jan. S.-Gov.
White, in introducing his message to
the legislature, alludes to the pros
perity of the state and the abundance
OF crops the past year. He cOngratu-
lateS the people upon their welfare
and well being. He calls especial at
tention to the improved condition of
the states finances. On Jan. l. 1901,
there was less than $4,000 in the gen
eral fund. The accounts against the
state were six months past due, there
were upon the auditors desk $4,000
of funding warrants that had been
issued to pay current expenses and
there were $4,000 of vouchers await
ing payment During the past two
years 100000 of these funding war
rants were issued The governor re-
ports that all these warrants have been
paid off, that all other obligations
of the state have been met and the
biennial period has closed with prac-
fically all bills met and a small bal
ences in the general fund. During the
Eame time $133,000 of asylum bonds
have been paid off by a special tax and
the bonded debt reduced to that
amount.
Increased revenues the governor
says have worked this change The
assessed valuation and levy have been
materially increased. Figures are
quoted from the report of the state
board of equalization to show the in
crease in the states revenues and tax
levy.
Collections of taxes during the past
two years are reported to have been
good. Miscellaneous fees have been
large, amounting to over $150000.
The total receipts of the state treas
ury for general purposes for the en-
suing two years are estimated at
$1,127,275. This amount, the governor
says, should not be exceeded by the
legislative body in making appropria :
tfonS, If equaled in appropriations,
it will necessitate the issue of fund
ing warrants for the first year to pay
current expenses.
The governors estimate of expen-
ditures for the biennial period to come
is as follows:
Standing appropriations, officers sal
aries, ETC., $41S.200; standing appropri-
ations, unlimited fixed by some laws
$S0S,S50. Legislative appropriations
not estimated.
The pressing need of new buildings
at the hospital for the insane is dwelt
upon Ample provision is recommend
ed for the unfortunate under the care
of the state. The normal schools are
also stated to be in need of relief in
the way of additional room. Their
utility and Importance to the state
are alluded to, and legislative atten-
ton is called to the desires of these
institutions for additional buildings.
Land department of the state ana
the school fund is made the subject
of a portion of the message. The
amount in the permanent school fund
: to the credit of the different institu-
lions is set forth, a magnificent total
of over $6,000,O00, the interest of
which goes to the credit of the edu-
cationaI institutions of the state. The
total of cash on hand in this fund,
not invested, is 1851, S65 "a.
What to do with this fund is a seri-
Gus problem with the board of school
lands. The present law is inefficient
and cumbersome in the opinion of the
governor. Two or three months are
required to get a farm loan through.
The limit of $1,000 takes the loans
practically out of the best part of the
state. The governor recommends the
amendment of the law to provide for
the direct purchase of real estate mort
cages; that the limit of loans be mea-
sured by the value of the property; for
more expeditions manner of COM
pleting the loan; and an amendment of
the constitution authorizing the in
Vestment of school funds in county
township and municipal bonds within
the state.
The governor also recommends the