The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-01-05

via HOW ADMINISTER the HOatn OF ONCE.
DO you, John A. Johnson, solemnly
swear to support the constitution of the
United States of America and the state
of Minnesota, and to faithfully dis
charge the duties of your Office as gov
ernor of the state to the best of your
ability, Sc help you God?" the Chief
Justice asked in solemn tones, while a
great hush hung over the assembly.
I do the young man who stood be-
fore him with hand appraised declared
with equal solemnity Then the ten
sion was relaxed and the whole cham
Der burst into applause.
The governor was for proceeding to
deliver his message, but Representa-
tive James r. Hickey, of Ramsey
claimed the attention of the chair and
four house employees came struggling.
down the aisle of the hall beneath a
great floral offering. 1t was a huge
and background, with a life size por-
trait of Gov. Johnson in the center.
The tribute was placed upright in
front of the speakers stand and Mr.
Hickey made a neat little speech in
presenting it to Gov. Johnson. The
spirit of the occasion was in the air
and the pleasing incident Of the
presentation was applauded, while
the real manifestations of approval
& were given when the new governor
rose to deliver his first message. The
handclapping, while decorous, contin-
ued for some minutes.
Gov. Johnson read rapidly, owing to
the lateness of the hour and the fact
that the members and spectators had
sat long in their seats. There was no
attempt at oratorical flights, but he
spoke with clearness and with deci-
sion. Gov. Johnson said:
of Gf the Senate and House
oath of Office as required by the
constitution, my. first. official duty is
me me communication by message to
information concerning the condition
OF the state as / have deemed expedient
Inc message of the incoming. governor,
having been prepared prior to his in
stallation in office, must necessarily deal
with state questions in general rather
than in a specific way.
AT the outset wish to discuss a cues
tion which during the. past few weeks
mas impressed me as being of much Inn
portance. | refer to the tenure of office
OF the governor A newly elected execu-5
tive is SO burdened with the duty of SCI
Letting his Official family. that he finds
little time for the study of the conditions
OF the several state institutions and mat
tiers of state concern generally Then
too, he goes into Office with the conven-
ing OF the legislature, SO that his admin
beginning of his term. For these and
other reasons believe that the tenure of
this office should be extended to four
years, with the provision that the execu-
tive should not be eligible for reelection
Under these conditions he would Ger
tainly be, enabled to give the state his
best possible service, unhampered by any
ofiieial duty which might be perform ed
Office.
The suggestion is not a new one. and
of afj,a
states in which the tenure of four years
has accomplished the best and most sat
1sfactory results.
If the suggestion meets with your ap-
prevail offer the added suggestion that
IN thus amending the constitution the
change be made effective at the conclu-
sion or the present term with the prOviS-
ION tnat the present executive would not
then be eligible to a term of four years.
=, In acknowledging my appreciation of
the honor conferred upon me in the cleo
ton to this high Office by the people of
the state, irrespective of political affilia-
tons, l wish to assure you that in the
administration of state affairs I shall be
guided by one and only one purpose that
OF serving the state as a whole, and to
that end Task the cooperation of the
legislature with the executive arm of the
state government 1t should be your pur-
pose and mine to place the state above
party or personal interest, and as chosen
servants OF all the people we should
strive to serve the state without regard
to any interest save the interest of the
whole state, and to this end I pledge you
al the support which the executive can
give.
STATE FINANCES
The state auditor has presented his re-
port OF the financial condition of the
state to which your earnest attention is
called. His total estimate of the revenue
fund for 1905 is 81, 500, 1853. 49, and the
estimated expenditures for the same year,
tiinated at $4.570,000. with expenditures
at s., 044, 900, and for 1907 the revenue is
estimated at s4745,000, with estimated
expenditure of S4,37s, 600.
The estimate fer 1906 is based on a tax
OF l MIL, yielding a revenue of $780, 900.
For 1906 and 1907 he has based his esti-
ing 100000 and s425.OOO per year, re-
spectively. In his estimate of revenues
for 1906 and 1907 he has calculated the
yielding revenue Of 500 900 pf for e 1893
and $500, 600 for 1907 In his estimated
expenditures for the latter two years no
allowance is made for buildings at the
state institutions You win observe that
this leaves a very close working margin
unless the tax levy is raised, condition
which should be met with a great deal of
i heartily concur in the suggestion of
the state auditor that the appropria lions
be Kept within the estimated receipts, be-
iieving that the tax levy should not be
increased. We are confronted with a new
situation which requires your attention.
s;d new capitol a, building being larger
old, requires a larger working force to
care for it. The old capitol building is
still the property of the state and some
provision should be made for its future
use and care.
According to the report of the auditor.
the permanent trust funds are in a most
gratifying condition and are rapidly in
creasing.
Since the publication of the auditors
r report-the state debt has been decreased
to the extent of 100000 there now re-
manning but 1855, 0e0 of the. unpaid re-
fundment bonds
TAXATION
The subject of taxation Is always of
vital interest, and of more direct iupor-
lance to the people than any with which
you have to deal. Our present system
Is in many respects very unsatisfactory.
large portion of property which is
properly theS subject of taxation escapes
this duty eisirely. The question of taxa
ton was very thoroughly discussed at the
extra session of the legislature in 1902,
and although nothing tangible resulted
from that investigation the public mind
was educated in some measure to a need
of change in our system Of taxation
Under our present cons titutional lrnita-
lions there is but little opportunity for a
change in the situation. All CLASSES of
property should certainly bear lust
proportion of the taxes for the raising
OF the public revenue. I would recon-
mend the passage of bill providing a
constitutional amendment giving greater
E latitude to the legislature in the regula-
ton OF our tax system. I believe a par
tial solution of this vexatious problem lies
IN an income tax, and especially in an in