The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-01-04
W ednesday E e11ir1g,

and having been poorly planned and con-
structed, 1t is impossible to get good
sanitary conditions. There is no more
room available on the old prison grounds
which has already reached an unhealth-
full and unsanitary condition. For this
reason, it would seem unwise and a
waste OF money to put up any more new
buildings on the old prison, grounds, as
1T is only question Of a few years at
doned. Under the circumstances it
would seem the part Of wisdom and in
the direction of wise economy to select
a site for new prison, with ample
grounds, AS near as practicable to the
old prison, upon which new buildings
to relieve the overcrowded condition Of
the old prison. Under such an arrange
ment the outlay would be small and
gradual, and, I believe, could be met
entirely by the surplus earnings of the
prison. without calling upon the state
take from ten to fifteen Years t to build
a, new prison under this plan. would
therefore recommend that the board of
control Of state institutions be author
lied by the enactment Of a suitable law
to select a site and build as fast only
construction to come from the surplus
earnings of the prison in such amounts
and at such times as the legislature in
its wisdom may see fit to allow.
PUBLIC EXAMINER DEPART
MENT.
| command for your careful perusal
the report Of the public examiner,
which calls attention to many matters
OF era craze Importance to the state.
Under the law the examiner is
! n h. L
books and records Of corporations
which pay to the state a percentage
OF their gross earnings in lieu of direct
taxes. By arduous examination and
research it was discovered that mil
lions of dollars Of the earnings of some
OF these companies had not been re-
ported, and, consequently, the state was
being deprived Of hundreds of thou
sands Of dollars to which it was justly
entitled. Thru the persistence Of the
examiner the companies in default were
persuaded to pay to the state, in adj
dition to amounts paid heretofore, the
sum of 1874, 067.5l. I am advised that
there are still unpaid large amounts,
and the situation, therefore, calls for
the exercise Of the greatest energy and
watchfulness on the part Of the exam
iner. Any additional legislation which
seems to be necessary to assist the ex-
aminer in his work should be readily
enacted. This official has power to in
vestigate the business methods Of state
banks, to determine their condition and
standing, to correct abuses and compel
compliance with the laval for the
purpose of preserving the rights of de-
positors and stockholders. He also has
authority to regulate the manner of
conducting the business of county and
state officers and to report any act
Of misfeasance or nonfeasance. The
result is the protection of the public
against unlawful acts and unbusi ness
like methods by those conducting banks
and those who serve the public in Of
fetal places.
EXAMINATION OF AUDITORS OF
FICE.
T desire to call your specific atten
ton to the fact that at the last ses
sion of your body committee was
appointed for the purpose of examin
ing the manner of conducting the pub
, lie business in various state depart
ments. Such committee selected an ex
pert accountant, whose time was chief
ly consumed in an examination Of
methods pursued in the office of tn
: state auditor. It being impossible tt
complete the investigation before ad
, Journment, your body approved the rec
concentration of your committee, which
was to the effect that the examination
should be carried on to completion BY
the state public examiner. The reports
) made from time to time by that office
show that reforms in the manner O.
7 handling state timber lands and tres
passes thereon are demanded. The Law
l provides that any one guilty of tress
, passing upon state timber lands,
!, Shall be liable to the state in trebl
l damages, if such trespass is adjudged t
G have been wilful; but double damag
: only In case the trespass is adjudged t
have been casual and involuntary.
L In no case can a settlement be mad
for less than double damages. Never
: theless, practice had grown up i
the auditors office Of making settle
ments for less than this minimum, an
I in many cases trespass settlement
/ were made for less than state STUMP
|. age was selling for at regular sale
s The reports call attention to many othe
n Irregularities which are dealt with
specific manner. Upon receiving thes
e reports, the same were transmitted
y the attorney general, with the reques
Q that he give the matters involved h
n earnest attention, and that, if nece
n sary, suits be brought to protect tt
@ state g interests. 1t may not be poss
q BILE to recover from the parties WI
q,
10 dividual trespasser may have move
" away or may be execution proof,
=. the statute Of limitations may proven
II but the most strenuous efforts shoul
20 be made to protect the states inte
20 ests and to save it from loss. The
~ reports are now, in the hands of tt
- attorney generals successor, and
~ doubt not will receive the vigorous a
al tention they deserve.
Our state timber should be Jealous
10 guarded. We must bear in mind tn
r the proceeds therefrom go to swell o.
magnificent school fund. We have Of
billion five hundred million feet
standing pine belonging to the state.
r carefully guarded, this means the a
ly dition of millions to the fund in wifi
j. every child Of this and future gener
C. tions is interested. With that obie
a in view, ! respectfully and earnest
ne suggest-and this is done with the co
he currence of the state auditor-that t
he law be so amended that in future
To trespass matters be acted upon sole
nc by the board Of timber commissions
or which is composed, under the law,
NJ the auditor, the treasurer and the &c
e ernor. [ also recommend that sui
10 cient appropriation be made to perm
~ the state auditor to properly qua
30 state lands and to protect the timl
thereon from trespassers. 1t seems
"a be an unsettled question whether
III, statute of limitations prevails agail
No the state and in favor Of the trespass
wv You should, by legislative enactme
an remove all doubt. Crimes perpetrat
Ide against the state upon timber and m
The eral lands should never be outlaWed