The Ordway new era., 1907-01-04

be done. It has been done for some de-
partments; why not all?
Convict Labor.
A question OF grave moment Is the
employment of our convicts. This
question has been discussed and con-
sidered for several years, but no con-
clusion has been reached of n perma-
nent nature. The law enacted at the
last session. known as the Lewis
Road Law" has been of some effect.
but II Is not as far-reaching as 1t
should be. l wish It clearly understood.
however. that l am not in favor OF the
employment OF convicts In lines OF in.
dustry which will to any great extent
come in competition with the honest
man who Is honestly endeavoring to
make a livelihood for himself and fam
lily; no tnat whatever line of occupa
tion Is recommended must necessarily
be limited to very few things.
Road building is most commendablc.
! believe IN making appropriations
from the internal Improvement funds
for permanent improvements such as
road building: convicts could be used
very advantageously, appropriatine
prisoners while engaged on the road.
for the necessary guards. etc. In this
way great deal more road could be
built for the same money. and undoubt-
edly better roadways would be the re-
suit. or course only certain classes
of the prisoners could be utilized in
work of this kind. There is always "a
large number that 1t Is necessary to
conflne within the walls OF the institu-
ton believe with small outlay ma
chinery could be installed which would
admit OF the manufacture OF articles
that could be sold to other state insti-
tutions. Clothing and garments could
be manufactured at n nominal cost for
the use of the insane asylum and boys
school. which could be purchased at n
smaller cost than is now being paid
for goods OF perhaps inferior quality.
and at the same time leave a small
margin Of profit OF the penal instl-
tuition, which would eventually result
in lower taxation upon the people for
the maintenance OF such institutions.
II such suggestions meets with the
approval of the Legislature. the law
should be carefully framed so as not to
admit of the possibility OF such goods
being placed on the open market.
am unalterably opposed to the con-
tract system.
insurance Laws.
During the past two years the public
press has teemed with sensational re-
ports as to the conduct OF the great
life insurance companies with head
quarters in the East. am not pre-
pared to say to what extent these
charges may he true. but to n casual
observer 1t would appear that the pol
icy.holders were not as fully protected
no they should be. However. I am not
inclined to view the situation with
alarm or to run to the other extreme,
believing that there is a middle course
to pursue which will fully protect the
insured as well as the companies.
The insurance department has given
the matter Of insurance careful study
and investigation. ! am sure that
whatever suggestions II NAV make to
the Legislature will be given great
weight.
am Of the opinion that the depart
ment OF insurance should be placed I'M
der the direct control OF the governor
and that the insurance commissioner
should be appointed by that officer
with the consent OF the Senate. Under
the present law the auditor of state is
ex-ofiicio superintendent of insurance.
and he appoints the deputy who is
charged with the enforcement Of the
law. believe such change would
work in the interest of the policy
holders.
Certificate Of Indebtedness.
It Is to be hoped that the present
Legislature will provide for the pay
ment OF the certificates OF indebted
ness issued recently on account OF the
various instructions in this state. The
non-payment OF these certificates has
been a considerable source of embar-
rassment to the present administration
and steps should be taken for the liqui-
dation OF this indebtedness. In case
another such emergency should arise,
which we all sincerely hope will not be
the case. It would simply be impossible
for the state to get credit.
I believe this indebtedness can best
be taken care OF by bond issue. 1t
should be SO arranged that the in.
creased tax burden will fall us lightly
as possible upon the citizens of the
state.
State Board Of Health.
One of the most important depart
ments OF the state government Ia the
board of health. Very little is heard
working in the interests of the public
health and is able to accomplish much
good, but with an appropriation Of only
FIVE thousand dollars per annum you
can readily see that 1t is compelled to
permit many opportunities to pass by.
A state with the wealth and population
of Colorado should certainly see to 1t
that q proper provision Is made for
guarding the health of its citizens.