Durango semi-weekly herald., 1907-01-07
GOVERNOR M'DONALDS'
MESSAGE TO THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
0ltgong Executive Reviews The Needs or The Great
Centennial State In Way OF LegsIaion--An Able
Document From An Able Man

all made their reports covering the
past biennial period, and most of them
will be in your hands in the next few
days. These reports are very full
and explicit, explaining in great de.
tail the needs and requirements OF
the various departments, and
therefore commend them to your
careful study and consideration.
There is one thing to be taken in
10 careful consideration, and that is
the revenues of the state. On an as
sessed valuation of $350,0O0,000 the
income will amount to approximately
100000 year on the 4-mill basis 4;
out of this amount practically $780,
coo is appropriated as continuing ap-
preparations for the educational and
other institutions. The fees from the
different departments will give you
in addition about 100000 a year, SO
YOU can easily see for yourselves
about what amount OF money you
! win have at your disposal for the
maintenance of the state government
and the various institutions depend
ent upon the state for support.
You can find in the report of the
auditor of state some suggestions for
new laws and amendments to exist
ing laws, the enactment of which
+, would undoubtedly he of material
/ service to the state. You will note
from his report that the appropria-
tions made by the last legislature
have been paid in full and that there
will be surplus in the revenues of
practically 100000. which can be
used for the payment of deficiency
| Indebtedness.
Attention is again called to the out
standing warrants against the reve-
nues of 1887. 1883 and 1889, aggregat-
ing almost 100000, including inter
! est This has naturally increased
owed by the state more than equals
the principal
1t certainly seems wise to provide
for a bond issue carrying interest at
the rate of about 3 per cent. 1t would
lie business like proposition and
would enable the school fund to have
the benefit Of a large amount OF
money which is now tied up. The
state will eventually have to pay
this Indebtedness, and it is certainly
an unwise policy to allow the interest
10 accrue as 1t is at the present time.
Colorado has every reason in the
world to be proud of its educational
institutions and for young state 1t
is well equipped with the higher ed
ucational facilities, and all of them
are in excellent condition. The two
hfths mill levy recently granted the
state university seems to be ample for
the maintenance Of that college, but
additional buildings are needed.
The Normal school is we'll equipped
for the training of teachers and is do
ing an excellent work, the benefit OF
which the children of Colorado are
now enjoying. Provision should be
made for assisting the school very
materially.
The State School OF Mines has an
international reputation. During the
past few years 1t has been the recip
lent of some private gifts OF consider
able magnitude which have beer
very helpful in advancing the inter
ests OF the school and have also beer
a great saving to the state. Through
the means of these gifts II has beer
enabled to erect two handsome build
ings which might not otherwise have
been possible,
The State Agricultural college hal
, been very efficiently managed and 1,
looked upon as one of our leading in
stitutions. Provision should be mad'
to purchase more land for the use o
the experimental department and 70
: farming purposes, as at the presen
l time they are somewhat crowded 70
room. to enable them to properly con
duct their experiments.
The State Industrial school TO
:. girls has had varied and hard e,
! perience. largely due to the manner c
financing the Institution. 1t has bee
difficult to get board OF control t
: remain with the institution, prime
+ pally on account of this fact.
70 The present law provides that u