Evening journal., 1903-01-07
THE MESSAGE


The Governors message, like most
State papers, is comparatively an unin-
teresting document There are numer-
Gus recommendations which the mem
bers Of the Legislature will glance at
and then proceed to forget Others
may come up in the form of bills, and
il they are a part OF the routine work
which must be considered at every ses-
sion they will undoubtedly pass. In
several instances the Executive urges
the passage of measures which are Of
a non-rartisan character. but the wis
Wom of which is yet open to debate,
and. finally, he recommends legislation
on matters which win be regarded from
the partisan standpoint
Passing over the statement of our
Afnancial standing and the general
recommendations as to education. we
home to the topic under the heading Of
Co Education" The Governor very
properly calls attention to the lack Of
any provision for the higher education
Of women and the absence OF any nor
NAL course in the State for the eduoa-
tion Of those intending to teach. He
opposes the project of building a nor
map school but urges that normal
|Qourse shall be provided for at Della
Avare College. We think his recon-
Pmendations under this head are wise
and sound.
The next subject of vital Importance
Is that Of Elections" The objection
to this recommendation lies in its
Aomissions. The Governor does not re-
Fsard the Australian ballot law as a
success. and certainly it has not proved
sucn in this State Then he recon-
mends that the Constitution shall be
amended by striking out the provision
requiring the payment OF a fee as a
qualification for registration. In this
he is backed by popular sentiment.
and probably will not be opposed. But
about the worst crime under our sys-
teykie1is silent He has seen an elec.
held Uqder the Voters Assistant
which Id signed, and he must be
that IT. hes been used solely to
lin. and t0>shield and protect
We must think that the Gov
efhor conveniently forgot this matter,
and the omission is fatal to that full
respect which we should like to have
for our Governor.
The next topic Of peculiar interest is
that Of "Salaried Officers" We can
not help admiring the skillful wording
of the concluding paragraph, which
suggests that the Governor was no
without the assistance Of one used {,
skillful phrasing He recommend
that all officers shall be placed upon
salaried basis las rapidly as can b
done in accordance with the restric
titons of the Constitution" In othe
words. there would be no objection L
a law Of this nature which should TAX
effect after the term of the present in
cumbents shall expire. Did one phras
that recommendation who is himsel
an officer who is the recipient Of man
luscious fees? We fear so. But W
need not take for granted that la
providing for salaries, to take effect q
once. would be declared unconsttr
tional
We are glad to see the Governor ur.
ing a State workhouse, since it is in
peratively needed He thinks that II
New Castle institution should he take
by the State if proper terms can I
agreed upon. This recommendatic
is proper and should have full attei
ton. Then comes the recommendatic
for good roads which all expected, al
h. which We seRe- will meet with little o
position. It is a message which, {
the whole is conservative, but which v
wish had been more frank in certa
particulars where politics Is involve
VALUABLE COMMODITY