Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-01-13

mendation that underground magazines
In mines be prohibited will scarcely find
opposition with this shocking accident
fresh in mind j give IL my unqualified
endorsement and emphatically urge, In
connection with the same subject, that
you give early consideration to all
other phases Of the matter Of protec-
ton TO men employed in the precarlous
occupation OF mining. We owe to hui
manity the duty of safeguarding by
every possible legislative means the
lives OF those engaged In this leading
industry OF our state There should be
ample provision for competent and
thorough inspection by the proper oiil-
cal not only Of coal mines, but Of all
kinds OF underground workings where
the health and safety Of men are in
VOWED, and we shall be lacking In the
fuldlment Of our responsibility II we
fail to prevent by every precaution In
our power, the recurrence OF these be-
reayements to our community and
these shocks to our civilization.
ELECTION OF SENATOR.
The vacancy which will occur In
Utah's representation In the upper
house Of Congress on the Nth OF March
next brings before you as one OF youf
first and most important duties, the
choosing Of one OF your fellow citizens
for the high office Of United States
senator The traditional quality and
caliber Of the men composing this
greatest OF all dellberatiye bodies In the
world, as every American Is proud TO
believe II, suggests the thought that no
state can afford to be, in that august
company unworthily represented. l am
sure YOU realize the grave responsible
ity which therefore rests upon you, and
have no doubt your selection will be
acceptable to your constituents and
creditable TO the state | venture the
hope that In the fulfllment OF this duty
there will be no unnecessary waste or
time, to the delay and the expense Of
the regular and important work OF the
session.
At this point, 1 am constrained TO re-
affirm the views expressed in my mes
sage two years ago as TO the desirable
ity Of electng United States senators
as We now elect United States represen-
tatives by direct vote of the people. IL
ought not to be possible for a egisla-
tive deadlock or the obstinacF or ma
chinations Of candidates and their sup
porters, to deprive any state Of its con-
stitutional representation In this
branch OF the national Congress. Yet
such deprivation has occurred in sever
al recent instances, our own state being
one of the sufferers, and the fact em-
phasi2es a defect in the present plan,
which calls for speedy correction. The
people may be depended upon TO pre-
vent any such anomaly n the power to
elect by direct vote We're placed In their
hands, Moreover questionable and i'm.
proper methods 10 elect one candidate
or defeat other candidates, would lose
their efficiency under the system pro-
posed. From every consideration, and
with a sincere conviction which the
lapse Of time serves but 10 strengthen,
| advocate the adoption OF measures
and the cultivation Of a sentiment look
ing to this essential change OF course
1t will involve an amendment to the
Constitution which all agree should not
be lightly tempered with. But the need
for the change Is as palpable, and the
demand for II is growing with such
rapdity, that II Is easy to foretell the
removal OF all obstacles at no distant
day, and the introduction Of the meth
cd In all respects conformable to the
spirit and genius Of American instltu-
lions.
FINANCIAL.
1t is difficult to summarize, or TO re-
view with much breyity, a report OF
such vital interest and significance as
that OF the state auditor which EN-
bodies a statement of conditions and a
series Of recommendations that will re-
qulre your most careful study and con-
sideration. ! shah therefore attempt
only passing allusiOn to some OF the
principal features OF the subject, COM
mending TO YOU the document In It's en-.
tirety with the single observation that
the views expressed and the amend
ments suggested are supported by the
teachings of experience and are found
necessary in simplifying and perfecting
the work OF this department Of govern
ment.
We are all 70 be congratulated upon
the excellent financial condition OF the
state. The assessed valuation of prop
erty for the purposes Of taxation has
undergone the extraordinary increase
OF over $4,000 900 since 1899, largely
due to improved business conditions
generally, and to Industrial growth and
activity This is exceedingly crafty
ing, as indicative OF stability and prog
ress. But with the Increase In wealth
and population comes also an Increased
demand upon our resources, especially
In meeting t. requirements OF the var
ious state institutions. eight OF which,
for instance. In their estimates Of need
ed funds for the ensuing two years. eX-
coed by over $500 900 the sum of their
requests two years ago. The total prob
able revenue from all sources. and ID
Guiding the balance in the treasury VIII
come nearly $4,000 short Of meeting
the estimates for the years 1904 which
important fact presents 10 you the
plain alternative OF either In
creaslng the revenue or reducing the
estimates. As 10 the latter, Il should be
understood that wherever In this mes
sage express approval Of estimates for
or directly recommend, appropriations.
have been guided by what seemed TO
mo the merit OF the case more than by
the asoertalned ability OF the treasury
10 meet the requirement To your wis
dom, with all the facts before you, must
be left the task Of determining in Which
particular instance the apparently nee
eSsary reduction can with the least In
jury be borne. We are not without the
prospect, however Of an increase in
available revenue. The tax upon lnher-
itances, legacies. etc, may have posi-
bilities in this respect, though It is still
being contested IN the courts. The
enormous Increase In the fees paid into
the treasury by the secretary OF state
offers promise Of stlll further Increase.
This important element OF revenue
comes mainly from the tax upon incor-
porations. the law providing for which
taken IN connection with the iecog-
nized friendly attitude OF our general
statutes-appears to operate without
other than entirely satisfactory results.
But n direction from which think sure
relief 20 the general fund should be ex-
p6cted Is the immediate amendment Of
the present law requiring the state 10
pay half the total cost of the expense
and collection OF all taxes, The injus-
tice Of this provision cannot be too
strongly urged unon your notice. II
seems 10 me wholly beyond argument