The state herald., 1903-01-16

| am glad to say, however. that n
brighter dawn is before us, the clouds
of difficulty have rolled away, and we
now stand in the clear sunlight Of
prosperity.
"There is one matter Of great i'm
portance to which desire to call your
attention, and which should be at
tended to at the earliest possible mo-
ment, and that is the payment of the
deficiency vouchers issued by the
former administration, as follows;
For the asylum for the insane..S 25,OO0
The penitentiary. ........... 25,0OO
Soldiers and Sailors Home... 10000
The university. ............ 10000
A total OIL ............... ....'.'S Siio,oVo
"This money was advanced by the
Clearing House Association and by
private individuals at time when the
state was in great need and financial
distress. While 1t may be contended
that the last Legislature made an ap-
preparation fer the payment of this in
debtedness, | am compelled to say 1t
was done in such manner as to make
the payment illegal.
"a great deal has been said during
the past few years as to outstanding
warrants of prior years, and the mat
ter has even been submitted to the
people for the purpose of issuing bonds
for their payment, but was defeated,
principally, believe, from the fact
that the question was not well under
stood. The work represented by these
warrants was actually performed. !
believe the time has arrived when the
state can begin to provide for their
payment out of the excess revenues.
The incoming administration should
have, from a conservative estimate, at
least 100000 excess revenue, which
could be applied TO the redemption OF
these warrants. The fair name and
credit of the state has been impaired,
and every legal and moral means
should be used to regain that which We
have lost.
But one matter of paramount i'm
portance is the restitution to the
school fund OF SASS ,G33.ii and accrued
| interest, making the total amount now
due over 100000. This sum is tied up
In the so-called excess warrants OF the
years 1887. 1883 and 1889. The duty Of
the state In this regard is clear and
explicit. The constitution provides
that the school fund OF the state shall
forever remain inviolate and intact,
and that the state shall supply all
losses thoreo. that may In any manner
occur.
"Our higher educational institutions
have shown marked progress in all
directions. and will by reason of such
growth. require larger expenditures in
the future. II the present efficiency IL
10 be maintained. We should never go
backward, but always forward.
'At no time In the history of Colo
RADIO has It's agricultural interests been
so pronounced as at present, Those
engaged in this pursuit have been gem
| orally prosperous, and while there was
n shortage OF water during the past
season In some sections of the state,
as a rule prices for the products of the
farm have ranged high.
Another thing that has awakened
great interest In agriculture in this
state. is the attitude taken by the gen
eral government In the matter OF gov
ernment aid for the building Of reser-
yoirs for the storage of water.
The report OF the state engineer
shows that there are now. In round
numbers. 100000 acres of land under
ditch. He also furnishes some inter
ostlng figures ON the matter Of irriga-
ton. There are now In Colorado $500
bitches. fifty-one canals over twenty
miles long, and ten canals over nifty
miles long. besides several hundred
reservoirs.
'"The capitol building was practical
Iy completed during the administra-
ton OF Governor Thomas who prose-
cuted the work with great ylgor. How
ever. there still remained consider
able work to be done IN the way of in-
tshlng touches, This building now rep
rcscnts n cost Of 1888, ,7GS.i3.
The State Board Of Land Commls-
aioners Is by far the most important
board under the administration OF the
state government. II has under It's
control that vast acreage granted by
the United States government TO the
state OF Colorado. for the purpose OF
promoting general education and for
public school purposes.
This board has under Its control
nih At 100000 acres Of land. con
stam'y increasing In value. Of which
acreage there In now approximately L.
7st.9Tt ncres under lease. the present
bohfu HhNlnE Ffhnt'u l"hH'h fDf Dbd,-
300 acres Of land. II has also sold o.
CSC acres. The total Income from hll
sources during the biennial period was
t372 .37asS. nn Increase OF ti7OC6.gi
over tho preceding period.
For many years the facilities for
IN. proper care OF the insane in this
state have been entirely too limited"
A remedy for the oycrcrowdcd
condition and confinement Of insane
persons In Jnila. county hospitals. etc,
tho message recommends the erection
of n new state building 20 be located
remote from tho noise Of city or rail-
road. There only durable cascn should
be committed.
Tho population OF the state poniton-
,iary on November 30. 1909. was G2i.
an increase Of i0i over the number 70.
ported two years ago, There have been
discharged by expiration of sentence
1876. pardonod 20 inp TO November 50l,
paroled 1913. died ~. escaped %. trans.
ferrcd to insane asylum I. tbr r-fofmn-
tory =. discharged by order of court ~.
The earnings of the institution for the
flHcai period was iio.biisp
"The National Guard ~ Colorado IA
nj the present time In high state Of
proficiency.
"rhn report of the commissioner Of