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


Hlotest interest. When the retir;,o 80
ernor reached the subdivision of hi.
MESSAGE relating to railroad legislation
.ne senators and representatives were
unable TO restrain their amusement
covert smiles soon gave way to broaS
iaushter and then to vigorous hand
said: s-l ms SoFernor
gentlemen of the Senate and Honsa 30
Representatives: Pursuant to the consti.
luton and laws of our state, you are as
and anact t1r me purpose of considering
GU , endctlng such measures as wisdom
prudence and necessity suggest -i'
You are to be congratulated ,,non tba
tira til l you nave the distinction of sit
ing as members of the first leeislafiva
pody permitted to assemble in this bealItio
Iui and commodious state house. If is ana
sl,oula De The pride of every citizen of our
toliioaWeaith. IL IS especially gratifying
TO reject upon the fact that to erect this
h inaslnlicent structure not one dollar Of
o opioeo aindebtedness has been incurred.
Great credit is due the capitol commits
sloners, and they are to be ratuIated
+ t5a;, 1a s.t and honestly performing
TAXATION
It is of the highest Importance to the
welfare of our state that its revenue svs
tenn be wisely founded One of the most
important subjects confronting you is tax
a iatinr ne primary purpose of tax legis-
idtIon Is TO compel all property to bear IFS
JUST burden of revenue, except. of coIIrse
such as public policy suggests should he
fhe ii,t mere is no better way to secure
ne ihlerests of the people than by Leg
islation which does equal and exact ms
tee to ALL There should be no discrimina
t t,1h, no one VIII attempt to defend dis
!. ioutloH OF taxes when such diStribu-
ton is confesedly unjust
BOARD OF CONTROL
In my message of two years ago. speak
ing or the board of control of state insti-
.u.s sS Is SAID among other things:
:, nrmly believe that the institutions
IN charge OF the board of control have
never been in higher state of efficiency,
Inc second biennial report of this board.
Inc itS showing ns. therein made. the results OF
It's work at the institutions under its
control together with my own observa-
lions and information otherwise obtained
from Tune to time, not only confirms me
IN the belief entertained at that time but
JustlneS me IN repeating it here with an
emphasis that another two years of trial
entities it to. t
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND
BOARD OF CONTROL
I desire to call your attention to the
conflict between the boards having charge
or our educational institutions and the
BOARD of control. Two years ago / urged
thelr separation, and time has confirmed
my pellef that it should be DONE The uni
VerSity and normal schools should be-
wholly under the management respective
~ OF the board of regents and the normal
school board. Their affairs would be safe
and well managed by their respective
boards. most earnestly recommend the
enactment of law removing the universia
control.
THE STATE PRISON
me discipline of the prison is unsur-
passed, and the reforming measures in
the best thought on penal reform. We
have reason to be proud of our prison
because OF it's practical humanitarian and
reformative administration. 1t Is regarded
throughout the United States as one of the
best managed prisons in the country
There are now nearly 700 prisoners con-
nned IN the state prison, which already
taxes the capacity of the old buildings
The prison buildings are old and having
been poorly planned and constructed. it is
impossible to get good sanitary conditions
Under the circumstances it would seem
the part of wisdom and in the direction
OF wise economy to select site for a new
PRISON with ample grounds as near as
practicable to the old prison, upon which
new buildings may be erected only as fast .
as required to relieve the oyercrowded
condition of the old prison.
PUBLIC EXAMINERS DEPARTMENT.
commend for your careful perllsaI the
report OF the public examiner whichscalls
attention to many matters of grave i'm
portance to the state.
Under the law the examiner is clothed
WIN autnor1ty to examine the books and
records OF corporations who pay to the
state percentage of their gross earnings
In In lieu of direct taxes. BY arduous exam-
that millions of dollars of the earnings
of some of these corporations had not
been reported, and consequently, the state
was being deprived of hundreds of thou
sands of dollars to which it was Justly
enItled. am advised that there are
sui unpaid large amounts, and the sit
of the greatest energy and watchfulness
on the part of the examiner. Any addi-
t1onal legislation which seems to be neces-
Safy to assist the examiner in his work
should be readily enacted
desire to call your specific attention
to the fact that at the last session of
your body committee was appointed
1or the purpose of examining the man
ner of conducting the public business in
various state departments. Such COM
mittee selected an expert accountant
whose time was chiefly consumed in an
examination of methods pursued in the
once OF the state auditor 1t being i'm
possible to complete the investigation be-
fore adjournment, your body approved the
recommendation of your committee which
was to the effect that the examination
should sIe1 De carried on to completion by the
from time to time by that officer show
that reforms in the manner of handling
state timber lands and trespasses thereon
are demanded.
DAIRY AND FOOD DEPARTMENT
Because of our vast production of flour
and the unexcelled and, might say. un-
equaled quality of our butter, our state
mas been designated the Bread and But
union. Our farmers are turning from the
one crop idea, and diversified farming is
the result-especially in the older portions
OF the state. 1t is source of gratifica-
ton to know that much has been accom-
plished by the dairy and food department.
In the upbuilding Of our dairy interests.
COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE
Insurance has never been on sounder
basis in Minnesota than at the present
time. / doubt whether any state has bet
ter laws Emphatically this is true of the
law covering stock fire insurance com
panles and legal reserve life companies.
An examination of the biennial report of
the insurance commissioner discloses that
companies of this character are making
large sums of money. and it would seem
that the claim that insurance rates should
be lowered in Minnesota is well founded.
The general mutual fire insurance COM
panies have also shared equally with the
stock companies in profits; in fact their
loss ratio has been slightly lower during
the past few years
Township mutual companies have been
doing constantly Increasing business
I commend the care of the insurance