The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1905-01-04

era when high geared and dangerous
In the production of manufactured
articles. This fact has been recog-
nized in the matter of operating rail-
roads, the fellow servant" rule having
been abolished in this state as to them.
The true rule is that the industry
should bear the risk and not the un-
fortunate Workmen who are now daily
deprived of the means of earning a
livelihood by those appalling accidents
Which are occurring with more and
more frequency of late.
SWAMP LAND DRAINAGE.
Vast tracts of land, located largely
in the northern part of the state, are
at present a useless waste because
they are low, wet and untillable. This
land drained would reclaim to the
state countless acres rich in soil and
capable of profitable cultivation I
urge upon your consideration the en-
actment of a law having for it's pur-
pose the drainage of this land under
state supervision. To do this would
recommend the establishment of a re-
svolving fund from which the expense
providing for this improvement may
be met, the money thus expended to
be returned to this fund in deferred
payments, without interest, from taxes
levied upon and collected from the,
lands benefited. The present system:
is unsatisfactory.
deem it my duty also to call your
attention to the national swamp land
grant. by which thousands of acres Of
swamp land were decided to the state
with the understanding and consid-
GRAFTON that these lands were to be
drained by the state. The duties and
obligations thus imposed should be
met and the pledge made by the state
to carry out it's part of this agreement
should most certainly be redeemed.
INSURANCE DEPARTMENT..
There is need at this time for gem
eral revision Of our present insurance
laws. Under present conditions insur-
ance companies are permitted to so
transact their business that the inter-
est of the policyholder is not fully pro-.
tected. Such large amounts of the
peoples earnings are invested in vari-
Gus kinds of insurance that it is high
#ly necessary and proper that legisla-
tion should be had at this session
which will not only make the super
vision of the insurance department
fair and efficient but which will abso-s
5lutely safeguard every interest of the
poliryholder and which will compel
every company doing an insurance
business in the state to do that busi-.
ness llpos legitimate basis. The
present law permits the collection of
fees by the commissioner, the pro-
priety Of which there is much doubt.
The state oanEot afford to pursue any
uncertain policy in this or in any other
matter. AL fees collected by this de-
partment should be covered into the
state treasury.
The work of this department is of
great Importance and the best inter-
ests Of the policyholder and companies
doing a legitimate business demand
that the commissioner be placed upon
all exclusive salary basis. The COM
pensation should be such that men of
acknowledged ability and high char
acter could be secured for the posi-
tion
GOOD ROADS.
The subject of good roads is prcmi-
nent in the public mind and there has
been something done during recent
years looking to the improvement, of
our public highways. Suitable legis-
1ation is much desired and assume
that you are sufficiently familiar with
the s;lt,sfstii IN to 1ec no special COM
ment on the part OF the executive An
Increased tax for the road and bridge
fund would undoubtedly accomplish
good results and state aid in township
work would probably stimulate en-.
deavor along this line.
IMMIGRATION.
Throughout the northern part OF our.
commonwealth large tracts of land are
idle and unpfoductiVe because of the
lack OF people TO till the soil. Our
neighbcTs have been busy in the en-.
5coufagement OF settlers tc locate with
them and within a very few years
thousands OF honeseekers have passed
thl oush our own state to find an ahig-.
Ing place in the Dalxotas, N lcntana.
Washington and Canada. Minnesota
Offers every adyantage to the settler.
and BY well directed effort a large pro-
portion OF people seeking new homes
might be induced to locate in our own
state and materially aid in its growth
and development. A state immi igfa-
stion society has been organized, but,
lacking state assistance, the result of
their labor has natuI ally been limitei.s
The establishment of a permanent bu.
rean of immigration with suHieiest
funds to prosecute the work of urging
settlers to locate here would result in
great good.
MANAGEMENT OF. STATE INsTi-
TUTIONs.
The management Of our state insti-
tutions is properly matter for your,
earnest consideration. Two policies
have been pursued by our state in the
government Of the public institutions
OF the state. he resent system Of