The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1905-01-13


upon the idea of education and develop
ment rather than persecution.
FORESTRY
The subject of forestry while receiving
considerable attention by a number of
our people, is entitled to more consider
alton than has been given it at previous
sessions of the legislature. The general
laws of 1873 provided compensation for
land and along highways. The paying
Of compensation in the form of bounties
Tor planting trees on highways lat
tree piantnF on pPare smd assr rer
eating $4,000 year have since been
paid. A tax for this purpose of one
tenth Of one mill was provided for in 1881,
but as 1t was found to yield more than
5000 per year, it was abolished by the
general laws Of 1895, when an annual
appropriation of $4,000 was substituted
in its place. The question has been raised
as to whether this system of tree plant
ing bounties has not served its purpose,
and could now be discontinued. The mem
bers of the legislature from prairie coun-
ties should best be able to determine this
matter The Forest Preservation Act Of
1898 made town supervisors in the vicin-
dens, and made it their duty to take nee
essary precaution for the prevention as
well as the extinguishment Of fires.
The lack of proper compensation has
resulted in very inefficient service on the
part of wardens thus selected. The Unit
ed States Forestry Bureau after careful
consideration. has drawn a bill for the
state of California which provides for the
appointment Of competent persons to
serve as fire wardens, the expense to be
paid by the state which is to collect half
the expense occurred. Our present system
should be strengthened so that it will
meet the dangers which might arise
through an exceptional drought.
The State Forestry Board, created in
1899, is endeavoring to reforest the 1000
acre reserve in Cass county, donated to
the state by the late Honorable John S.
Pillsbury. and desires to make a careful
examination and working plan for the
10000 acres of forestry lands in st. Louis
county which We're generously granted
sion. Liberal provision for these pur-
poses should be made; also for the future
care Of these forestry lands.
EXAMINATION OF CITY ACCOUNTS.
In view of the vast sums of public
revenue collected and disbursed by cities
of the first class. such as Minneapolis,
81. raul and Duluth, there is a senti-
ment among the taxpayers of those cities,
mat the city finances should be subject
to the seme state supervision by the pub
nc examiner, as that now given to coun-
~ finances; In Minneapolis, for example,
the annual tax levy and expenditure
no examination and audit of the accounts
OF the city comptroller and treasurer, ex-
cept that Of a committee Of aldermen VINO
90 not claim to be accountants or TO
make an expert examination. The need
OF such examination in the case OF Min
neapolls is apparent In the published re-
ports OF the city council, wherein II Is
shown that large sums are unaccounteo
for. Loose accounting is premium on
loose business methods and a fertlle cause
Of increasing debt and taxes. On tne
other hand, strict accounting is the first
essential to public economy ana rerenSh-
ment. The legislature of 1881 passed
special act now in force; giving St saf PAM M
and an eXtention OF the same or similar
provisions to all cities. would appear to
be a right step in the direction or munich
pal credit economy and retrenchment
REVIEW OF ELECTION RETURNS.
Governor Lind in his last message to
the legislature called the attention of
that body to the fact that the statutes
provided no method for reviewing the
election returns for state office. Under
the present election laws, a candidate
has no right to contest an election.
candidate might be deprived Of his cleo
prived, has no remedy. would recon-
mend the enactment ena OF OF law, law when n1son
ton returns upon state offices.
STATE MONUMENT.
In 1851 the national government. eff
fscted n saty WITH the ssi5clS- q
whereby there was opened for settlement
what is now the most densely populated
portion of our state. The treaty was one
of the most important ever made by the
national government with the Indians, as
1t involved a tract IF land so great as
to be an empire in extent. 1t would be
proper for the state to mark the spot
where thfs treaty occurred, and as there
are but few survivors Of that scene, action
appropriation would provide for a suitable
monument for that purpose.
NON-PARTISAN JUDICIARY.
IN framing our form of government
IN tae IN maj guarantee of the preservation
m thu he judiciary; it was deemed that
In independent, judiciary was sufficient
protection against oppression and
unconstitutional legislation III ts felt
ing judges. through partisan conventions.
these objects are not fully attained There
If a general demand for some change in
accomplish a change from our present
system two methods have been suggested.
one being founded upon the national ideas
Of appointment and life tenure, the other
by a Separate election held in the snrine
Of the year at the time of the annual
town and village elections. OF the two
cradle. Under a primary election law il
is impossible to nominate non partisan
judiciary and I would, therefore, recon-
mend that this law be so amended as to
visions and that a law be enacted which
will provide for separate judicial cleo
ton. 1 realize that no radical innova-
ton would be adopted by the legislature
but the question being of such transcend
emit Importance, 1 recommend it to you
for your serious consideration.
CONCLUSION.
We are assembled today In the new
capitol of the state. This splendid edifice
is a monument to the energy, prosperity
and culture of our people. Whatever
opposition may have existed to its erec--
ton in the past, the people are now proud
that it's glittering dome overlooks the
capitol city of our beloved state. This
building is the property of the state, and
was provided as place in which should
be transacted the business OF the people.
AS their servants, you and are commits
stoned to perform the duties of our sew
eral offices in their interest. We should
here dedicate ourselves to that service,
pledging our zeal, our fidelity and our
honest purpose in an endeavor to do our
duty to the people who have reposed in
US their confidence and their trust. We
should build not for today alone, but that
future generations might reap the reward
of honest patriotic effort. If there must
be sacrifice, let it not be at the expense
of the state. If we must regard political
considerations, let us also remember that
political parties are but the vehicles of
good government, and that you and will
best serve the parties of our choice by
conscientious effort to serve but one mas
ter and that master the sovereign people
of the state of Minnesota.
STOMACH Is ELECTRICAL