The Delta independent., 1907-01-11
MESSAGE TO THE LEGISLATURE
Governor Mcdonald Reviews the Work Of the Last
Two Years. and Makes Many Imp urtant
Recommendations.

4 auditor u Sldlt SOIlle SuSStSllOllS loi
new laws and amendments to exist
ing laws. the enactment of which
would undoubtedly be of material ser
vice to the state. You will note from
his report that the appropriations
made by the last Legislature have been
paid in full and that there will be a
s"r"l"s in the revenue of practically
100000 which can be used for the pay
n,nt oi uvuc,ency Indebtedness.
Attention Is again called to the out
standing warrants against the reve'
nues of 1887, 1883 and 1889, aggregat.
ing almost $2,GOO,00O including inter.
est A great deal has been said by for.
meT governors on this question, but so
far no action has been taken BY the
Legislature looking towrd the redemp'
ton of these warrants. which bear six
per cent. interest. This has naturally
increased year by year until now the
equals the principal.
The state treasurer in his biennial
report recommends plan for the re-
demption OF this Indebtedness. which
plan seems to me 10 be feasible and is
at least worthy of consideration and in
vestigation. Such a plan, if adopted,
would prevent the possibility of outside
parties taking advantage of the situa,
tion to reap great profits for them
selves.
1t certainly seems wise to provide for
bond issue carrying interest at the
rate of about three per cent. 1t would
be 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 indebted
ness. and 1t is certainly an unwise
policy to allow the interest to accrue
as it Is at the present time.
Educational Institutions.
Colorado has every reason in the
world to be proud of its educational in
sritutions and for young state it is
well equipped with the higher educa-
tional facilities and all of them are
in excellent condition. The two-tifths
mill levy recently granted the State
University seems to be ample for the
maintenance of that college, but addi-
tiOnal buildings are needed.
The Normal school is well 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 mate
rally.
The State School of Mines has an
international reputation. During the
past few years it has been the reci-
pient of some private gifts of consider
able magnitude which have been very
helpful in advancing the interests Of
the school, and have also been a great
saving to the state. Through the
means of these gifts 1t has been en-
abled to erect two handsome buildings
which might not otherwise have been
possible.
The State Agricultural College has
been very efficiently managed and Is
looked upon as one of our leading in
stitutions. Provision should be made
10 purchase more land for the use OF
the experimental department and for
farming purposes, as at the pres mt
time they are somewhat crowded for
room. to enable them to properly con-
duct their experiments.
Improvement, both in method and
equipment, has been the watchword Of
all these institutions, and ! am sure
you will be more than gratified with
the work accomplished.
Fiscal Year.
Great distress is often entailed upon
some of our state institutions. particu-
larry these which are not provided with
a definite mill levy or continuing ap-
propriatiOn. on account Of the biennial
period ending on November both, and
leaving them without funds until the
next Legislature can make appropria-
ri
period. This works a great hardship
upcn these institutions. and I believe
IL be avoided The last Legislature
very prompt in coming to their as
ierarce, but there have been times
yncu they were without funds for prac-
tically four months.
It also leaves a large number OF the
emnoyes oS the state government
without compensation until the short
appropriation bill is passed. I believe
this could be remedled to a large ex-
tent by making the appropriations
continuing by statutory enactment.
The state Is now on a sound finan-
cial basis, tho needs of the state insti-
tutions for maintenance can be pretty
accurately determined upon and any
changes that seem necessary can be
made bv the LEGISLATURE when in SOS
son This would do away with the
necessity OF leaving some of our most
important institutions in n bankrupt
condition for time every two years.
The departments of the state govern
ment could all be very easily placed
on this basis, and I believe 1t should
be done. 1t has been done for some de-
partments; why not all?
State Industrial School for Girls.
The State Industrial School for
Girls has had varied and hard expe.
rence, largely due to the manner OF
financing the institution. 1t has been
difficult to get board OF control to
remain with the institution. principally y
on account of this fact. The present
law provides that the counties shall
pay so cents per day for each in