Durango semi-weekly herald., 1907-01-07

surrectlOnS In THIS state. In case an
other such emergency should arise
which we all sincerely hope viii no
be the case. it would simply be i'm
possible for the state TO get credit.
| The rapid development of our Goa
.areas in the past few years has added
lgreatly to the responsibilities of oui
coal mine inspector. who is operating
NOW under law passed twenty years
lago. which provided for only one dep
lty. At that time one was sufficient
but 1t has now become an absolute
physical impossibility for two men to
do the work required under the law
In making inspections OF coal mining
property. He should be provided with
two more deputies by this session Of
the legislature.
One of the most important depart
ments of the state government is the
board of health. Very little is heard
concerning IT. but ii Is constantly
working in the interests of the pub
ilic health and is able TO accomplish
much good, bu, with an appropriation
OF only 5000 per annum you can
Jeadily see that 1t Is compelled to
permit many opportunities to pass by.
state with the wealth and popula-
lion of Colorado should certainly see
10 1t that a proper provision is made
Tor guarding the health OF It's citi-
sens.
There has been considerable aeita-
ton in the past concerning the enact.
ment of pure food law. Legislation
Of this character is imperative.
helieve law similar to the one enact
ed by the congress of the United
States would be entirely satisfactory
and would prove beneficial However,
the state board OF health. in my opin-
lon. should be charged with the en-
fprcement of the law, and suitable
appropriation should be made for that
purpose.
4One of the urgent measures for
Passage by this body is state bank
Ing law, creating the office of state
hank examiner, who shall have power
afd authority to examine all state and
savings banks. building and loan as
sociations and kindred associations,
soliciting the deposits of the people.
This law should be a strict one.
The present legislature should pro
vide for public examiner In addition
.tssths Office of bank examiner. whose
duty II shall be to check up the dif-
ferent state institutions and depart
ments, and to include cities and coun-
ties OF the second class. The state
already has made provision for the
semi-annual examination of books and
accounts of the state treasurer and
state board of land commissioners.
but 1t should go farther and provide
for the examination of all Offices
and departments under the state gov
ernment which have the handling of
public funds at their disposal
believe the grand jury system
should be rehabilitated In Colorado.
While 1t is TRUE that a judge can call
a grand jury together when he deems
necessary. still 1t seems to be equally
true that whenever grand jury is
called 1t is for political purposes only
and not for the purpose OF getting at
the real truth of existing conditions.
The grand jury should meet at the
convening Of each term Of the district
court. The re-enactment of this law
would be wise.
A law should also be enacted pre-
venting a district attorney from dis
missing criminal case without the
consent Of the trial Judge.
There has always existed. and
presume always will. class of people
who are endeavorlng to get rich by
nefarious methods The exploitation
OF mining companies has been a rich
field for their operations. Many
poor man or woman, struggling to lay
up a competence for their old age,
has been filched by these unscrupu-
lous people.
You will doubtless have presented
to you for your consideration a bill
looking towards the punishment of
people who are trying to promulgate
companies of this kind.
II such a law is enacted you should
display great care and judgment in its
provisions. All mining people are not
dishonest; in fact, dare say that the
vast majority of people exploiting fic.
titious mining companies would not
know mine or even prospect were
they 10 see one, So that in passing a
bill OF this kind great care should be
taken to distinguish between leglti-
mate and illegitimate mining propo-
sitions.
There is probably no legislation
that would meet with the approval oi
the ordinary, everyday man more
than that OF antitrust legislation.