The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1905-01-13
COZ SAlR|ll,GS Is IIAQCuRAIBD.
Incoming and Outgoing Governors Deliver
Messages 70 the legislature Percy
Is Speaker.

we have reached the point where the
live stock interests and the agricul.
tural college work will both be bene-
fited by the change suggested.
{aa't lrrigation..ss
Irrigation in the past year and since
the passage of the national reclama-
ton act has been subject of great in
terest In the state. There are large
tracts of land where irrigation would
constitute desirable form of crop in.
surance by providing moisture when
and where needed. The notable con-
tributions of this state to the national
reclamation fund-nearly four millions
of dollars-have led us to believe the
state was entitled to consideration
where feasible projects for irrigation
were discovered. The work of the
state irrigation congress and the CO..
operation of the states delegation in
congress has been productive of re-
suits. In the past year it seemed wise
to my predecessor to appoint a state
irrigation engineer, to work with the
government engineers and discover
places where irrigation would be prac-
ticable and Of beneficial effect. His
report will be laid before you. The
moneys necessary to defray the salary
and expenses of the irrigation engi.
neer were advanced by philosophical
citizens, and suggest that they be re-
1mbursed from the, state treasury. and
that the mO..eys advanced by counties
be also returned.
would recommend also that you
consider the wisdom of creating the
office OF state irrigation engineer as
permanent officer of the state govern
ment, with proper provision for the
payment Of salary and expenses,
which. like the preceding recon-
mfnaation, was Endorsed by both Re-
publican and Democratic state plat
forms adopted last year.
Permanent School Fund.
The rapid increase in the common
school and state institution permanent
fund is matter that should engage
your attention. This fund has now in
vested approximately s2,7OO,OOO. 1t is
increasing at rapid rate, and the in.
creased values of land in the state and
the liberal endowment of the common
schools and state educational and 9TH
or institutions with land means a fund
vaster than, perhaps, the pioneers of
our statehood realized or foresaw
This fund is the sacred charge of the
state to be perpetuated and safely in.
vested for the benefit of the schools
and institutions. The legislature of
two years ago proposed a constitution
al amendment increasing the class of
securities in which this fund could be
Invested, and which will be referred
to you. Itshould be your care to make
prQvision for other safe and secure
investments permitted under the laws
which gave those lands to the state in
trust for the schools, so that the states
trust be kept, the greatest revenue be
returned to the schools and institu-
tons. and eventually large share Of
the debts Of. the state. it's municipal
subdivisions, and of the farmers them
selves, through loans on their land,
shall be held by the state, in it's per-
manent school funds. Thus the inter-
est charges paid by the state and it's
people would accrue to the benefit of
the schools and institutions, and they
be largely supported by sort Of indi-
rect tax. To simplify the matter of
farm loans, and TO provide from time
to time such additional securities for
investment as will be safe and wise,
is your duty. The reports of the state
land commissioner and of the state
treasurer will provide you with such
detailed information regarding this
fund and its probable growth as will.
enable you intelligently to deal with
this question.