The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1903-01-16


sembly met in joint session Saturday
afternoon to listen to the reading OF
the message of James B. Orman, the
retiring governor. The following is
brief condensation of the message.
which in full occupies about seven
newspaper columns:
Il am gratified beyond measure to
say to you that since the last regular
session of the General Assembly. at
which many wise and effective laws
were enacted, great improvement has
been made in our financial condition,
which has placed all our state institu-
tions on a much better basis. For the
first time since Colorado was admit
ted into the Union, all legislative ap-
propriations have either been placed
to the credit of the recipient, or have
been actually paid, leaving surplus
Of about 100000 instead of large de-
fcita, as has been customary in the
past.
"A great many OF our institutions
have for years been oyercrowded; have
lacked the proper facilities for opera
ton, and have been unable to receive
sufficient funds for their maintenance.
am glad to say, however, that a
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 $1,000
The penitenuary. .....-. 25.0OO
Soldiers. and Sailors Home. 10000
The university. ............ iV,ooo
A total OF ..-....-............ 10000
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 II may be contended
that the last Legislature made an ap-
preparation for the payment OF this in
debtedness. | am compelled to say IT
was done in such a 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 n conservative estimate. at
least $500. 600 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 mater OF paramount i'm
portancc is the restitution TO the
school fund OF siss. .s33.ii and accrued
interest. making the total amount now
due over 5000 200. This sum is tied up
in the so-cailed excess warrants of the
years 1887. 1855 and 1889. The duty OF
the state In this rsgard is clear and
explicit. The constitution provides
that the school fund of the state shall
forever remain inyiolate and Intact,
nnd that the state shall supply all
losses thereof 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. IL the present efficiency is
TO 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. ia the attitude taken by the gen
erni government In the matter of gov
ernmcnt MD for the building OF reser-
voirs 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-
esting figures on the matter of irriga-
ton. There are now In Colorado 1890
bitches. fifty-one canals over twenty
miles long. and ten canals over fifty
miles long, besides several hundred
reservoirs.
"Thc capitol building was practical
ly completed during the administra-
ton OF Governor Thomas. who prose-
cuted the work with great vigor, How
ever, there still remained n consider
able work to bo done In the way of fin
ishing touches. This building now rep
rescnts a cost of $2.593.76S.13.
'Thc state Board OF Land Commits
sioncrs is by far the most important
board under the administration of the
state government. II has under Its
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
almost 100000 acres OF land. con-
stantly increasing In vnlue. of which
acreage there is now approximately L.
7S4,974 acres under lease. the present
AoarS ha,luy urp nj tnd 1pnsau for ran