The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-01-05
LEGISLATORS LISTEN TO GOV. JOHNSON'S MESSAGE /

VVHI NV
be expected The report of the Soldiers
nome board shows that notwithstanding
the loss of lis by death and discharge,
there is an increase In its membership
This Is sure to continue, and provision.
must be made for their care and main.
tenance. 80 Z. - q
In the report of the soldiers home board
you VIII find many recommendations that
there is one to which desire to oc call your
especial attention. namely, to have the law
amenaed so as to admit to the Minnesota
soldiers SOL home the mothers, wives and
WIDOWS OF old veterans. 1t is not only
unnatural but cruel to separate an old
soldier and his wife. Our state is rich
and our nation prosperous. Both state
and nation owe these men debt of graf
ftude, and our people should not only
hold them. in grateful remembrance, but
IN their helpless condition should care for
them, their mothers, widows and wives a 6
we'll.
STATUE OF ALEXANDER RAMSEY
This state owes much to the labors,
wisdom and patriotism of our pioneers
and founders, among whom Alexander
Ramsey, our first territorial governor,
may be justly named as the most eminent
for his distinguished public services to the
state and nation
Each state of the union is privileged to
place two statues of the citizens whom
the state most delights to honor In the
national capitol. Let one of them be the
statue of Alexander Ramsey.
vtcksBuRG COMMISSION
At the last session Of the legislature a
measure was enacted authorizing the plac-7
ing Of monuments upon the battlefield of
Gettysburg to forever commemorate the
vaior of Minnesota's brave sons who were
engaged in siege and battles near that
city A commission was selected as fol-
lows: Gen. John. B. Sanborn, Gen L. F.
Hubbard. Gen. c. c. Andrews After the
death of Gen. Sanborn Maj. Thomas F.
Wilson was appointed in his stead.
There was no appropriation of funds
to carry out the provisions of the bill. I
urge your honorable body to place at the
disposal of the commission sufficient funds
to httingiy place suitable monuments and
tablets to mark the positions of Mime.
sofas various commands.
GOOD ROADS
ask your careful consideration for any
measure Which has for its aim the inn
provement of our highways. No subject
IS more important. would especially
providing for a state highway commission
You have authority under the constitu-
this.
IRON MINES
The state of Minnesota has fabulous
wealth in her iron mines. and as the
amount received in royalty from said
mines is placed to the credit of the per-
manent school fund, naturally our citizens
feel q deep interest in anything pertaining
to them. There were rumors and insin5 :
nations to the effect that the state had
neem, defrauded out of large sums, of
money and that large quantity of ore
mad been taken from the Missabe Noun
tam mine on which no royalty had been
paid. .Iscalled into conference Hon. S. G.
lverson, our state auditor and land COM
missioner; After a most thorough inves-
tlgation am satisfied that the state has
nc. been the loser. You will find the
report OF the state auditor.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRuc-
TIoN ~,
!! The work of the department of public
INSTRUCTION has been cared for with great
| ndelity and wisdom. The Importance of
this department increases with the growth
or our state, 1t Is especially gratifying
TO state that the permanent school fund
now amounts to SIS, 97S, 417.6 Sc. guarantee
Ing free education to our children for all
when all our school lands are sold orr
timber disposed of and all 5 the ROYALTY
rem ire, our mineral lands secured, this sum
Will amount to $4,000, 600, and 1t NAV
even reach the s75, 900, 900 mark. '''As
GAME AND FISH COMMISSION
In calling your attention to the state
game and fish department / desire to sub
init Tor your consideration several recon-
mendations 1t is essential that stringent
laws should be enacted and enforced for
the protection of our fish and game
against ruthless destruction and also for
the purpose of stocking our lakes and
streams SO that they may not become
depleted.
PRIMARY ELECTIONS
The Australian ballot adopted some
years ago in our. state was the result of
righteous endeavor on the part of the
people to free themselves from the domi-
nation of the professional politician the
boss, the ward heller and caucus
manipulation. have thus adverted to
the Australian ballot system for the pur-
pose of suggesting that logical and
| necessary supplement to such system is
Inc primary election law. BY the adop-
tlon OF the primary system the people are
renewed from the domination of the same
influences in the selection of candidates
which, brought about the passage of the
Australian law. 80
Why should not the people have the
privilege of selecting by their direct votes
the candidates to be voted for at the gen
eral election? Every citizen should have
an equal voice in selecting the candida tie
Tor office. The people have an absolute
right to say who their candidates should
pc. Ihey can best exercise this right by
the direct primary. The merits of our
primary law have been demonstrated. The
law meets with the approval of the peo-
pie and the press, and will be maintained
1t Is in my Judgment wise to so amend ON.
present primary law as to require by this
method the nomination of candidates for
all state offices. And / would further
recommend that nominations for Tinted
states senators be made in the same man
ner; 80.