The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-01-04

I MINNEAPOLIS JOURNA
nent for his distinguished public SER
vices to the state and to the nation.
Each state Of the union ID 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 Ram
sey. Now that he has passed from Our
midst, it will be a most befitting tribute I
that the legislature, representing all our
people, honor his memory with this evil
dence of love and esteem.
GETTYSBURG COMMISSION.
At the last session Of the legislature
q measure was enacted authorizing the
placing of monuments upon the battle |
field Of Gettysburg to forever commem-
crate the valor of Minnesota's brave |
sons who were engaged in siege and
battles near that city. There was no
of funds to carry out the |
provisions Of the bill. ]. urge your
honorable body to place at the disposal
of the commission sufficient funds to |
fttingly place suitable monuments and |
tablets to mark the positions Of Min |
nesota's various commands.
GOOD ROADS.
T ask your careful consideration for
any measure which has for it's aim the
improvement of our highways. No sub
fully refer you to recommendations
made in former messages; 1 would
especially suggest the desirability Of
enacting law providing for state
highway commission. You have au-
thority under the constitutional amend
ment adopted in 1898 to do this. If
this were done and moneys appropri-
ated and all work done with the OBJ
ject Of inaugurating a perfected sys-
TEN of good roads, splendid results
would follow.
DRAINAGE.
In 1901, by act Of the legislature the
present drainage law became eHectlVe
and $50, 900 was appropriated to be
Again, in 1908, a similar amount was
appropriated and the policy inaugurated
by the board was continued. During
the four years, nineteen bitches were
dug, and in some instances the same
were heightened and otherwise. i'm
were constructed and 24l,OOO acres Of
land drained. It has been the purpose
at all times Of the drainage board to
locate the bitches where the most bene-
fit would accrue to the lands belonging
to the state. l would suggest an addi-
tional appropriation Of $4,000 to con-
tinue the drainage system as inaugu-
rated by the board. 80 .... . .
IRON MINES.
The state of Minnesota has fabulous
wealth in her iron mines, and as the
amount received for royalty from said
mines IS placed to the credit of the per-
| finn f,1r tlxy Il.
zens feel deep interest in anything
pertaining to them. There were rumors
and insinuations to the effect that the
state had been defrauded out of large
sums of money and that large quantl-
ty Of ore had been taken from the Mis-
ty had been paid. To ascertain wheth-
er there was any truth in these state
ments deemed it advisable to have an
investigation made. called into con-
ference S. G.. Iverson, our state au,
ditor and land commissioner, and found
he had already commenced an inves-
=. tigation and had secured competent
were any truth in. the reports. After a
most thoro investigation [ am satisfied
that the state has not been the loser.
You will find the whole subject thoroly
discussed in the report Of the state au'
for the able manner in which this whole
matter was handled and the satisfactory
results obtained. But the method in
the past of conducting the business OF
the state relative to its iron properties
should be changed. Is There should be as
much care exercised in e?n a!:a,gg th ne
concern would use in the management
of private affairs, and the state auditor
should have ample funds placed at hls
disposal to protect the interests OF tht
state in iron ore lands, which pay roy
alties.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC IN
sTRUCT1oN
: The work of the department of pub
: lie instruction has been cared for will
, great fidelity and wisdom. The impor
tance of this department increases witt
the growth Of our state. It is especial
ly gratifying to state that the perma
nent school fund now amounts to $40,
978, 477.66, guaranteeing free education
to our children for all time to come
: It is safe to predict that when. all ou
school lands are sold, our timber dis
, posed Of, and all the royalty from ou
mineral lands secured, this sum vii
=; amount to fifty million dollars, and i
: may even reach the seventy five million
mark.
Our state university speaks for itself
3 It, too, has permanent fund amount
t ing to $1,367 ,63S.97, and this will con
. tinue to augment by the sale of it
: lands. Its growth in the past has bee!
u phenomenal, and it is keeping pace wit
J. the older institutions Of the country
e I need not urge you to look att ter tn
g needs of our university and school o
f agriculture. You will do well to max
J. liberal appropriations for their ma11
I. tenance.
= Our educational system would not b
+ complete without the normal schools
- They are not only growing in popular
) ty but in efficiency. Their teachers ar
- found in every part of the state, an
. the demand is SO great that it cannc
. be satisfied. They, too, should recelv
y liberal appropriations at your hands.
IS GAME AND FISH COMMISSION
z, In calling attention to the state gam
" and fish department., desire to subm
for your consideration several recon
10 mendations. .. o.. l...,
l. The annual appropriation for the us
a of our commission has been but $50
e. OOO This is inadequate. In the stat
n, of Wisconsin almost 100000 was a
IS propriated last year for game and lis
$ protection. In scarcely any OF tt
IF States where game and fish abound
Is the appropriation for protection
E. small as in Minnesota. l therefore re
i'd ommend more generous appropriate
than heretofore. ~ ),
to Another matter of Importance is tt
tn regulation Of fishing in Interstate W
~ l~l- SNcI@, IN