The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1903-01-15
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Recommendation Sent to the Missouri
legislators This Afternoon.

legislators This Afternoon.
Jefferson City, Jan. S,-The follow
ing is the message OF Governor Dock
cry delivered to the Forty-second
general assembly Of Missouri this al
ternoon
Gentlemen OF the Senate and House
Representatives; Accept my hearty
congratulations upon your Assem-.
blage under such favorable auspices.
Prosperity has showered its blessings
lavishly upon our people during the
twelve months past. Missourians
are not only prosperous, but proud
OF their glorious commonwealth and
devoted to our great republic. Dur.
ing the more than four score years
that have passed since Missouri was
admitted to the American Union she
has steadily progressed in all the es-
sential elements Which promote the
happiness and prosperity of the peo-
pile and contribute to the grandeur
and glory OF this sovereign state.
Wehave made splendid progress dur
ing 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, horticultur
al, railway, manufacturing, mining
and all other industries have greatly
prospered. Our educational system
is constantly expanding in scope and
increasing in effectiveness. Our cities
are teeming with a busy population,
engaged in profitable Industries On
every hand there is we'll directed en-.
ergy, thrift and enterprise. The
laws have been impartially admins
tered. Crime has been punished.
Life and property have been fully
prote ted. The administration OF
the fiscal affairs Of the state has been
wise, honest and ffuEal.--Missouri
has the lowest tax rate OF any state
in the Union. The credit Of the estate
is unsurpassed even by the national
government. Immigration. is press
ing 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 atten-
tian OF the people OF this republic and
of the world. Missouri is the indus
trial 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
already the focus of a vast and in
creasing commerce. In our chiei
metropolitan city, at the great
Worlds exposition, Missouri will
marshal a display of resources with
out 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.
Thecondition of the state treasury
is most satisfactory. On the list o.
January, 1901, there was an avail
able cash balance in the treasury o
$1,07S,93I 53 belonging to th,
various funds which total include,
S1T9,222 10 belonging to the state
revenue tG7'. aat 53t ,:,2.5 II u
the state shaking fund. The tota
income Of the treasury. from al
sources, t9r the twu years ending
January 1,;1903, was Sl0,550, $50.
76; the total disbursements for tb,
same period being s9,63l,3SS.5s
The balance to the credit of the vari
Gus funds on January /, 1903, wal
S1,99S, 402.71, of which $56S, 741.0 OK
was credited to the state revenu,
fund and $500, 204.3s to the stat