The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-01-05
MESSAGE TO THE LEGISLATURE
Governor Mcdonald Reviews tie Work Of the Last
Two Years. and Makes Many Imp-rta
Recomme ndations

stesardhhip, | fully realize that a
He ssage Of this character must, OF
necessity be muT- or less prosaic, and
l shall therefore endeayor to be- as
brief as | can consistent with the
many subjects which must at least be
touched upon. | also realize the fact
that IL is absolutely impossible to give
you 4 correct understanding of exist
Ing conditions without being somewhat
tiresoUe. Statistics are always weari-
some. and | shall ayod them so far as
possible
/ know that there are a number of
the members of this body who have
been members for many years, and
that they are thoroughly familiar with
the state Institutions and with the
needs of the state government. Others
have recently been elected and are
now serving their first term as legisla-
tors, and the new duties thus imposed
upon them Will at first seem some hat
strange, yet | am confident that every
member has diligently studied the
needs of our state and is prepared TO
render the best possible service, hon
esuy and feaIiessly.
The last two years have been
crowned with blessings for the people
Of Colorado. Never before in our his.
tory have We been so prosperous and
enjoyed such unbounded success in ev-
cry undertaking. We have enjoyed
continued and steady growth in wealth
and population. Those citizens desir,
Ing employment at profitable wages
have been employed. The farmers
have had unprecedented crops in fact.
such harrests that it has been almost
impossible to get them gathered. The
general health Of the people has been
good. no epidemics OF any magnitude
have been reported. AS a rule the peo-
pie are satisfied with their condition
and surroundings. One of the fuuda-
mental principles of our national GOV
ernmont as enunciated in the Declara-
ton OF Independence, namely, life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness"
have been enjoyed in a large measure
by the people of this state during the
Is. two years.
Never before have our state institu-
lions been in such prosperous condl-
t3on. With one OF two exceptions.
there are no deficits facing you, and in
some Instances there are sufficient
funds On hand to run the institutions
through the first quarter of the present
biennial period. You are to BE- con
Eratisa:ed on the financial condition
In which you find the state. OF course,
the needs are many. They could not
be otherwise in a rapidly growing state
like ours, and when We remember that
only few short years ago they were
SO hampered that 1t was a question as
to whether or not a great institution
ike the State University could be kept
running on account of the lack of
funds. you can readily realize the salts
faction with which we now contem-
plate our situation. Everything is
now changed and We are now in the
midst OF an era Of upbuilding and eN-
pansion. The people are not now de
apondent over the outlook; are not
c!amoring for great changes in our
laws. but are pcaceably and content
edly pursuing their way. rejoicing in
the opportunities presented to better
themse i've 5 and the condition OF their
families
1t is to be hoped that this satisfac-
tory condition is permanent. but states
and nations. like individuals. have
their orises in life, and while it wonld
seem we shall have plenty of money TOR
all our needs. yet it will require con
serNative management on the part OF
tho Legislature to make the money go
the farthcst. place it where it will do
the most good ana where most re
quired. Prodigality in the use of state
funds should never be tolerated. 1t is
far better To have a large surplus than
u small deficit. TO be successful i'll
any line requires that man live
within his income and save a little each
year The state should so regulate its
affairs that it will come out even at
the end Of the year. The Succ sg'ul
business man we all admire a. ".. .
does or he ceases to be a success.
Reports.
The state Institutions. the different
departments of the state government,
the bureaus and boards have all made
their reports covering the past bien-
nlaI period. and most Of them will b.
IN your hands within the next few
days. These reports are very full and
explicit, explaining in great detail the
needs and requirements of the various
departme nts. and |, therefore. com
mend them to your careful study and
consideration.
For me to give you the gist of what
these reports contain would be mere
repetition, and l could not without go
ing into the matter at great length,
give you sufficient information to en-
able you to act intelligently in provid-
ing for these institutions.
In making your appropriations 1t be
hooyes you to study these reports. and
IN SO far as possible. l would suggest
a personal visit to the institutions, as
by coming in personal contact with the
management and seeing the needs for
yourselves you are thereby enabled to
provide intelligently for them.
There is one thing to be taken into
consideration, and that Is. the revenues
of the state. On an assessed valuation
Of $3.50. .oo0, 900 the income will amount
to approximately $l,40o,0oo year on
the 4mill basis out of this amount
practically 100000 is appropriated as