Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-01-14
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF IOWA PRO-
POSES THE STATE c.IALL
BENEFIT
ROAD BUILDING SHOULD
BE GIVEN STATE AID
Shows How the Money Can Be Secured
BY Higher MuIct Rate-Urges
Better School Laws-Praises
Educational Work

To the Senate and House of Rep
resentatives of the Thirty-third Cen
eraI Assembly: I congratulate you
on the favorable conditions under
which you assemble. Peace and tran
guilty in both state and national life
bring about a condition encouraging
to the best possible work on the part
of legislative body. Our state is
particularly fortunate in the fertility
of her soil and the abundance of
crops, in the health and strength of
the people and their enjoyment of all
those blessings which come to an in
dustrious and progressive people.
Your labors will not be disturbed by
contentious that might thwart the
purpose for which you are assem-
bled.
The financial transactions of the
state are shown in the printed re-
ports of the state treasurer and aud
itor OF state. These reports will show
that the actual receipts of the state
for the fiscal period ended June 80
last amounted to s7,247,07S, of which
$4,054,S76 was derived from the state
levy. The treasurer reports balance
on hand of $644,189. I am convinced
that the accounts and funds of our
state are admirably kept and that
warrants have been drawn and money
paid out strictly in accordance with
the appropriations made. Our state
is free Of debt, taxation is not bur-
densome and we pay our way as
we go.
Financial Statement
The estimated receipts of the state
as computed by the state auditor, for
details of which I refer you to his
report, will be for the biennial period
ending June so, 1911, about $685.
400. BY off-setting this with the reg
ular continuing appropriations and all
appropriations made and not yet ex-
pended, he estimates that you will
have available for extraordinary ap-
preparations about $1,50O,0OO. Further
on in what I have to say to you, ]
shall make recommendations that will
materially increase the revenues of the
state, and if you adopt these meas
ures you will be entitled to take into
account, in making UP your appropri-
atoms, these additional revenues
Rebuilding Our Institutions
Iowa has today fifteen institutions
under the board of control that will
compare favorably in equipment and
management with those Of any com.
munity of similar population in the
world AT the three state educational
institutions there has been laid al
least the foundation for enduring
greatness. At these IS institutions
there is being expended annually for
support about s1,900,OOO. More than
$500 young people are receiving in
structions at the educational institu-
tons and more than $500 persons are
cared for at the other institutions.
1t is proper to digress here and to
state that which is more or less famil-
lar to all Of us that these institutions
are Of comparatively recent develop
ment. The state Of Iowa is now g.
years old. In the first fifty years OF
statehood there was expended for per.
manent improvements on these insti.
tut1ons less than six million dollars
In the IL years last past the eXpendi.
lures aggregated more than nine mil.
lion dollars-or in other words, on,
state has invested so per cent more ir
IL years than it did in it's first hall
century. There is being invested nov
in land, buildings and equipment ar
annual average of about $500, 600
at least a part of which represents un
wise investments of the past.
State Capitol Improvement
1 would recommend, therefore, {
commission authorized to purchas,
land adjacent to the capitol grounds
with the right of condemnation wher,
necessary, and with funds sufficient t,
secure such land as may be deemed
necessary to provide a beautiful bou
levard of approach and surroundings
An appropriation of $15O,000 woult
probably suffice.
Agricultural and Military Hall
We should therefore take at least
first step looking to the creation O
an agricultural, industrial and mill
tary hall. This might properly b
similar in design to the historical hal
and library. There should be ampl
offices for the department of agrcul
ture, with its allied bureaus dealin
with dairying, horticulture, stock breed
ing, veterinary, pure food and Gro
service: the commissioner of labo
mine'inspectors and geological survey
the board of health. dental board an
pharmacy board; the headquarters G
the Iowa National Guard and com
modious armory. There should be
hall suitable for a drill room, for eS
animation classes and for publ
meetings
School Laws and Education
A commission was appointed unde
authority Of the Thirty-second genera
assembly to investigate and report t
you upon the need of changes in tn