, 1907-01-09

general interests of all the people Of
the state.
To introduce many bills or to place
many new laws ON the statute books
is not the highest duty of a legislator.
To amend or repeal bad or injurious
laws, and TO prevent the passage OF
unnecessary legislation is often the
best service, While our progress dur
ing the past two years has been sub
srantial and gratifying, and while
present Industrial conditions are fav-
orable beyond compare, Vet W. must
always remember that b%urdensome
taxation checks progress and retards
development. Our immense area.
small population and limited funds
make il absolutely necessary to guard
against all eX~travagances and I'M.
necessary appropriation OF every sort
and kind. Perhaps, during prosperous
times II is advisable for a state like
an individual, to make substantial i'm
provements hut ] earnestly caution
you against the creation of new de-
partments or new official positions,
whereby the fixed charges for mainte-
nance of the state government will be
materially increased.
Fish Hatcheries.
In my message to the Legislature
two years ago, ! stated that, while full
ly realizing the value and Importance
of keeping our streams and lakes well
stocked with game and food fish, still
IL would certainly seem that better
results should be obtained for less
money, and | recommended that the
Legislature investigate the methods of
fish culture pursued in other states.
with a view Of placing III Fish
HatcheTies on a more economical
basis. AT this time 1 wish to again
strongly renew that recommendation.
It seems to me that the tax payers do
not receive adequate return for the
amount of money spent on III Fish
Hatcheries.
We certainly can not afford to run
state institutions for political effect. |
call your attention to the reports of
the State Examiner, and ask You as
representatives of the people to give
the subject careful consideration and
thorough Investigation. With the eX.
tension of railroads and consequently
improved transportation facilities, it
is all nonsense for Wyoming to main
tain five Fish Hatcheries, when two
would do better.
The total expense. of our Fish
Hatcheries for the past two years has
been as follows:
Salaries and expenses, Fish
Hatchery at Laramie IS 7,324.IG
Salaries and expenses, Fish
Hatchery at Saratoga. -. 1870 6
Salaries and expenses, Fish
Hatchery at Lander ..... 1,999.90
Salaries and expenses. Fish
Hatchery at Sheridan g. 6,107.77
Salaries and expenses, Fish
Hatchery atSundance -. 1,435.5S
Total expenditures, two
years . ,SiS.42
University of Wyoming and Agricult-
ural Experiment Station.
The Fourteen and Fifteen Annual
reports from the University of Wyo-
ming are in printed form, making it
unnecessary for me to enter into de-
tails. | would, however, urge that
you give these printed reports your
earnest attention, as the facts, figures
and recommendations contained there
III u bpth iilIJol am INV us uiiiNVs
Our State University is in most ex-
cellent condition. showing marked inn.
~provements in all departments. The
number of students is steadily in
creasing in spite of the fact that the
Curses have been considerably
strengthened.
The Agricultural Experiment Sta
ton connected with the University is
doing splendid work, and If encourag.
ed as it should be, will materially aid
in developing III agricultural re-
sources. Unfortunately but few of its
experiments are witnessed, and only
a limited number of its bulletins are
read by the people of the state. In
fact only a limited number of persons
within the state really know of the
existence of such an institution, and
many of those who do know of it's eX-
istence have a very Indifferent idea as
to its purpose. We have recently had
an increased donation from the gen.
eral government for the purpose of
extending the benefits of agricultural
experiments, and If short courses in
agricultural and stock judging could
be held frequently in every county in
Wyoming, it would doubtless prove
highly beneficial. Our population be.
ing limited, we cannot hope to sue
cessfully maintain more than on in
stitution for the higher education of
the young people of the state for a
number of years; but this one institu-
ton should receive every encourage
ment, and the most desirable assist
ance that can come to it is the moral
and financial support of the people of
the state generally.
Charities and Reform.
The State Hospital for the Insane,
Wyoming State Penitentiary, Wyo.
ming Soldiers Home, Wyoming Gen.
eral Hospital, Branch of Wyoming
General Hospital and the Big Horn
Hot Springs Reserve are all under the
control of the State Board of Char.
tiles and Reform.
l desire to briefly call your atten.
ton to each institution separately.
State Penitentiary.
All state convicts are confined in
the State Penitentiary at Rawlins.
The total cost for the construction
and equipment of this institution up
to date amounts to s166, SOFIA. The
buildings are modern, sanitary condi.
tons are good, location healthy and