The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1909-01-13
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

Inc
The message addressed to the elev.
enth legislative assembly by Governor
Norris is an exhaustive and interest
ing review of state affairs, and il
worthy of careful consideration by
Montana citizens generally, as well
as by members of the legislature.
Some of the subjects. presented by the
state executive will receive newspaper
discussion in due course, but at the
present time this summary Of the
document is submitted:
Referring to the financial situation,
which is made somewhat complicated
through the supreme court declaring
invalid bond issues of state educa-
tional institutions to the amount of
nearly half a million dollars, Gov
ernor Norris states that S241, 900 has
been transferred to the general fund
for their payment and that the fair
name of the state has been retained,
the legislature having provided for the
balance.
The governor recommends the pas.
sage of a direct primary law applica-
BILE to all elective offices, including
senator's, and urges the adoption of a
strict corrupt election practice act.
The executive urges legislation for
the betterment Of public highways and
also the adoption of a measure pro.
viding for the guarantee of bank de-
posts through the assessment of banks
based on the deposits.
The age next touches upon the
state timber question, and recon-
mends that the state repurch ase if
possible the Flathead county lands
which were sold to lumber companies
of that section. These amount to 5O,-
$50 acres and the transfer was the
subject of an official inquiry, charges
having been preferred against the
land board for the transfer. BY so
doing, the governor declares through
the adoption of the forest reserve
plan of selling only mature trees, that
the state would have a permanent
ource of income.
While praise is bestowed upon the
Alaska.Yukon-Paciic exposition, the
executive does not recommend q state
appreciation for economicireasons
An employers liability act for state
Is urged, as are laws for the
better sanitation and ventil alton of
quartz mines and likewise measures
for the protection of the lives of coal
miners. The governor would enlarge
the powers of the board of railroad
commissioners by making of it a pub
lie service commission, he being a
firm believer in the principle of regu.
lating by law The charges made by
public service corporations.
He would authorize the railroad
commission to fix telegraph rates; to
have full and explicit power to re-
quire railroads to furnish cars to
shippers promptly and without dis
Grimm alton; t determine the physical
valuation of railroad and telegraph
companies aud to provide for the in.
spection of railroad tracks and equip
ment under its supervision and to
enforce it's regulations. He urges a
law making it a criminal otfense to
give or accept, except in the cas- OF
actual employees, free transportation
passes by or from railroad, telegraph,
express or sleeping car companies.
The conservation of national re
sources Is dealt with at length and fol-
state timber lands, the general policy
of the forestry department is urged
Unappropria ted state waters should
be used in the reclamation of stat,
lands, and he would make a sligh
charge for their use by others.
He favors advertisement of tn
states resources.
He urges uniform assessment of al
property at cash value and recon
mends a graduated tax upon incomes
The message closes with a statemen
showing receipts of $69, 1854 from tn
government for the soldiers home
from forest reserves and from tn
percentum on public land sales.