The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1905-01-13

WIN AuAy AAApACSSAS0 SSAoaAAo'AAS's s'AS
Thirty;fourth legislature of Minnesota
gathered in general assembly at noon
the Ord.
It was the first session in the hand
some, new capitol and the solons
seemed duly impressed by the fact that
they were really dwelling in marble
halls
The sole business of the day was
that of organization. No other ousl-
ness was transacted and the tedious
preliminaries were disposed of in an
hour and half.
Wednesday, the 4th, the two bodies
assembled in the legislative chamber,
and after listening to the message OF
Retiring Governor Van SAINT, Governor
elect johnson was sworn in. He at
once delivered his first message, which
is rs follows:
Gentlemen Of the Senate and House OF
-. Representatives,:
quired BY the constitution, my first off,
cial duty is the communication by mes
sage to the legislature such suggestions
and information concerning the condielon
The message Of the incoming governor,
having been prepared prior to his instal!a-
ton in office. must necessarily deal WIN IN
state questions In general rather than IN
q specific way. At the outset. wish to
discuss a question which, during the past
few weeks, has impressed me as being OF
much Importance. refer to the tenure
executive is so burdened with the duty OF
selecting his official family that ne finds iat1s
of the several state Institutions and mat
tiers of state concern generally. Then too.
he goes into Office with the converting or
ton finds its greatest work at the begin
ming of his term. For these and other
reasons. believe that the tenure of this
oee should be t. foeF
should not be eligible for reelection: I'm
der these conditions he would certainly
be enabled to give the state MS n best a RGsi
view view c Of perpetaat,ns Himself in office:
The suggestion is not new one, and IS
in which the tenure Of four years has &C
complished the best and most satisfactory
results. If the suggestion meets with your
that in thus amending the constitution
the change be made effective at the con-
clusion Of the present term. with the pro,
noe Them mat be n elisoe to term Of four
years.
In acknowledging my appreciation OF
ton to this high office by the people, Of
the state, Irrespective of political afhlia-
lions. I wish to. assure you that In the
guided BY one and only one purpose: that
Of serving the state as a whole, and to
that end + ask the corporation OF the
: stste It should be Your pur
pose and mine to place the state above
party or personal interest. and as chosen
t TO serve the a. state ate Without regard to any
state. and d., to this. end I pledge you all
the support which the executive can give
STATE FINANCES.
port Of the financial condition Of the
state. to which your earnest attention Is
called His total estimate Of the revenue
na ed for e19endS4es oS the aee Ssa
mated at si,57o. 900, with expenditures at
and fcr 1927 the Is
expenditure Of $4.379, 900. The estimate for
1906 Is based on noa tax Of one MIL yeldl6ng
Of one-half mill. yielding. 100000 and
SAFE, 900 per year respectively: In his est1-
mate Of revenues for 1905 and 1907, he has
100000 tor 1905. and s., 200, 900 for 1867.
In his estimated expenditures for the lat
buildings at the state institutions. You
will observe that this leaves a very close
working margin unless the tax levy is
with a great deal Of care. I heartily con-
cur in the suggestion Of the state auditor,
that the appropriations be kept within the
levy should not be increased. we are
confronted with a new situation which
requires your attention. The new capitol
modious structure than the old, requires
Old Capitol building Is stiii the property
Of the state, and some provision should be
made for its future use and care.
According to the report of the auditor,
the permanent trust funds are in a most
gratifying condition. and are rapidly In
Since the publication Of the auditors
report, the state debt has been decreased
to the extent Of 100000. there now re-
fundment bonds.
TAXATION.
The subject Of taxation IS always Of
vital interest. and Of more direct import
ance to the people than any with which
IN 11 many any respects IS very Unsatisfactory x
erly the subject Of taxation escapes this
was very Thoroughly discussed at the ex.
ira session Of the legislature of 1902, and
although nothing tangible resulted from
CnaC lOVeStlSatlON, inc puUlAC IHAHu was
educated in some measure to a need Of a
change in our system Of taxation.
Under our present constitutional limi-
tations there Is but little opportunity for
q change in the situation. All classes OF
property should certainly bear just pro-
portion OF the taxes for the raising Of
the public revenue. I would recommend
the passage Of a bill providing consti-
tutional amendment giving greater lati-
tude to the legislature in the regulation
of our tax system. believe q partial So
luton of this vexatious problem lies in
an income tax and especially In an in
come tax upon credits. To secure this
there must be an amendment to our con-
stitution. 49,,
The taxatfea Of inheritance Is q matter |
which should be considered at this ses-
sion. Efforts have been made along this !
line by preceding legislatures, but in every |
instance such legislation has been found !
The defects having been |
pointed out by the supreme court. 1t IS !
possible to pass a law which Will be ap- |
proved by that court. An inheritance tax |
law which Is proper and just would In
crease our revenue fund, and would not /
be a serious burden to the class Of prop
erty coming under the provisions Of such |
q law. ~ /
EDUCATOIN.
Minnesota has just reason to be proud |
NJ her snleudfd school Systan and eaailv |