Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1907-01-10
GOV. FOLKS BIENNIAL MESSAGE
TO THE
FORTY-FOURTR
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF MISSOURI
MESSAGE.

of Missouri:
The making OF laws for a great COM
monwealth is a great undertaking. You
have come to the scenes Of your labors
under most favorable conditions. Mis-
souri, is prospecting in wealth, in popula-
ton, and in morals is second to none.
Every city, county. township and town Is
advancing in material resources and in
population. You ia come at a time
when much is needed to be done, n
much will be expected OF you. Your re-
sponsibility is large, for you meet in the
beginning of the great era of government
by the people, and the measures to carry
into effect this idea in this commonwealth
must come from you: 1t Il for you to
forcement into effective statutes. II Is
my province to suggest measures for
your consideration, to adopt or not, as
in your judgment may seem best for the
could, substitute my Judgment for your
own. My views may not always be your
views, but the opinions shall give you
will be the honest sentiments of one
man sincerely expressed with the welfare
of the people alone in mind
Finances.
The finances of the state were never in
better condition. On the first day of jan
uary, 1906, there was an available cash
balance in the treasury belonging to all
funds of 81, $50, 45O.75, including 1914, $685. IS
in the revenue fund, and on the Gath day
of December, 1906, there was an available
cash balance in the state treasury of
1929, SIv.l0, belonging to the various
funds, including 1854, OS9.2 in the rev.
enue fund. The total income from all
sources for the biennial reriod ending De-
cember Gath, 1906, was 81, 10S, 1866 IS, the
total disbursements being $11, 003, 040. 80.
There Is a balance of 81. 222, 31V.10 now
on hand. The receipts Of the treasury
show a healthy growth, due TO increased
population and wealth Of the state. While
this balance is large, the demands for
appropriations will probably be greater
than before, and caution should be eXer-
cised, and economy practiced in making
appropriations as heretofore. A surplus
is better than q deficit. While liberality
should be shown all of the state institu-
TONS. extravaganza should be constantly
guarded against.
Estimated Income.
The state auditor estimates the total
receipts into the state revenue fund for
the ensuing biennial period will be about
81, 165. 900. 90. The appropriations should
be kept within the limits of the estimated
revenues, the surplus, of course, being
taken into consideration.
Collateral inheritance Tax.
During the past two years the collatt-
S51S, 1866, OF. This is for the benefit of the
State University, and Is made available
by legislative appropriation. The income
from this tax varies greatly from year to
year, and as a consequence the Univer-
stty cannot count definitely on any fixed
sum from 1t. 1t would be a better plan
to ave this tax diverted into the revenue
FUND and a regular appropriation made
Tor the University from the revenue fund.
Departments.
The departments of Labor, Building and
Loan, Mines and Mining, Factory, Beer
Inspection, Dairy Commissioner, Insur-
,ance, Game Warden n Aujutant Cen
'eral nave been well managed by capable
officials, who have faithfully performed
their duties. Each of these departments
will submit for YOU consideration a de-
tailed report of its work for the past two
years, so that 1t will be unnecessary to
review each one now.
The Building and Loan Department re-
ports that there are 1874 building and loan
associations in Missouri, with an increase
of assets in 1906 of $452, 399. Is. For the
11rSt time in the past decade there was
mot a failure in 1905 or 1906. Such assoc
Citations in this state are now entirely
on the local basis. the national plan hav-
ing been disastrous. On September list,
1906, the total assets of such associations
IN Missouri were So, 1856, 9t0. 06.
The insurance department has grown
to be of great Importance to the people.
Ghe work of that department during the
two years in protecting policy-hold-
"ers n in expelling undesirable COM
i. pantes from the state has been most COM
me1dable. The two per cent tax col
Iected from the insurance companies for
the year 1906 amounts to $494, 066. 06,
which sum has been turned over to the
state treasurer, as required by law. Be
sides this, the fees collected by this de-
Jpartment from the various companies for
the year 1906 up to December LIST,
placed to the credit of the insurance de-
partment fund in the treasury of the
state. The question of insurance is one
vital concern to the people. For all
forums of insurance the people of Missouri
paid during the year 1905 $50, 536, 1902. For
Life insurance premiums alone there was
paid to companies domiciled in other
states 81, 656, 4S6. OF; the amount paid
that period was $4,577, 772.65. The invesc
legations of the conduct of some of the
great insurance companies during the
past twG years developed many abuses
of trust on the part of the officers II
abuses, it is claimed, are being corrected.
Through the action of the various state
insurance commissioner of the United
States, certain avs LAY been recon-
mended that l commend to your consld-
Grafton:
A standard policy act, for use of all life
insurance companies,
An annual apportionment act, to re-
rquire life insurance companies either to
pay annual dividends, or credit the
amount earned to the different policy
holders. This act would limit the amount
of surplus which the companies are per-
mitted to retain in their treasures.
An act prohibiting discrimination and
~frebating between agents and policy-hold-
serS.
An act prohibiting corporations from
acting as agents of life insurance com
panies.
An act regulating the election of the di-
vectors of mutual life insurance com
panies.
An act prohibiting the publishing OF
estimates and Illustrations which mis-.
represent the terms of n Dolicy. or the
lbcnehts or advantages promised thereby
An act prohibiting life insurance com
nanIng from making anV Kind nf a nnIitf.
'cal contribution.
Al act forbidding insurance companies
from ~expendine more than SIS, 900 for any
specified purpose without the consent Of
the board of directors.
An act prohibiting life insurance com
panies from paying my officer a salary
In excess of $50. 900 annually.
An act making the policy the entire
contract between the interested partie,
and defining the status of the person.
who solicit life insurance.
An act regulating the disbursements o.
Hife insurance companies.
An act requiring nonresident or for
eign life insurance companies to keep a
least 10 per cent Of premiums received
from Missouri policy holders invested
within this state.
Penal Institutions.
THE penitentiary at Jefferson City is tn,
largest single prison in the world and il
practically self-sustaininp There wer,
ION December 5th 1906, 2,051 prisoners, a
compared 10 E,loi january ISL, l90b. I'm
average daily per capita cost for the tw,
years 1905-6 was 37.1S cents. This pc
capita is calculated by includino all item
yof expense. except repairs and new build
ings. During the past year the new fe
male department has been completed an,
a hospital on the most improved and mod
eru plan is now in course of construction
1The total earnings for the last biennia
period up to November 80, 1906, wer
$542, 092. 49,, the estimated total for tn
period being S564, 092. SO. The dlsburse
ments, including repairs and amount
paid out for new buildings, aggregat
$3.50, SIG. so.
The Missouri Training School for Boy
at Boonville has 46t inmates, with a
average per capita cost Of As cents pc
day. There was an appropriation ia
this institution in 1905 Of $75,050 includ
ing $1,000 for new buildings. Here boy
fined and educated under a military ais