Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1909-01-15
GOVERNOR vESSEY'S
FIRST MESSAGE

FIRST MESSAGE
Governor r. S. Vessey, in h. hrst
message to the incoming legislature,
calls attention TO the continued pros
perity of the state, the growing lnstl-
tutions calling for larger attention from
the material OF the people'
notes the condition OF the states II
nances, urges economy along All mes
advocates a bank deposit law with uni
fern regulations for all banks IN the
state. and no banks outside the state
1 eligible to selection.
The prominent parts of his message
are:
the enactment OF a law
providing for the designation OF deposl-
tories of state funds and the payment 10
the state of interest on the daily balances
in such repositories. The regulations
| governing such repositories should DE UNI
form and open on equal terms of all the
banks of the state, and no bank outside or
the state shall be eligible TO selection.
The taxes, which are largely the source
of these funds, come from all parts or the
state and in selecting repositories Tor
them It should be made possible for every
part To benefit, as far as possible, by suci
deposits. They should be scattered among
as large a number of banks as is COM
patible with their safety and the efhcient
administration OF the treaSurerS ofhCe.
They should further be carefully safe
guarded so as to make it possible that
those deposits should be directed by per-
sonal influence or political favor. At the
| same time, provision should be made Tor
paying for the bond of the treasurer out
of the state funds.
Redistrict the Banks,
Our laws should be amended so that no
bank may be allowed TO incorporate, "'ith
less than 10000 capital. No bank. should
be allowed to invest in its building and
furniture more than 40 per cent of its
capital and surplus. The amount of
money a bank may loan its officers should
be reduced and carefully restricted; If, in
deed, such loans shouZ, ct be wholly
prohibited. Banks shC.t be compelled
to bond their active officers IN stated
amounts, the bonds to be approved by
the public examiner. When the deposits
of q bank exceed ten times it's ca pital and
| surplus. such bank should be compelled
to increase its capital or give bond to the
state for a proportions amount of such
excess. No bank should be permitted to
be a stockholder in another bank.
The primary election law, which had its
first test In the past year, has proved a
success and has the approval Of the peo-
pie. Experience, however, has shown the
possibility of some improvement in its
details. 1T should be revised with a view
of eliminating, as far as possible. what
ever unnecessary expense is connected
with il.
For immigration Department.
The office of immigration commissioner.
created by the last legislature, has done
good work and its creation has been
amply justified. This office, however, has
too much work placed upon it. 1t should
be a department by itself, and the work
of the secretary of the board of agricul-
ture should be separated from it. There
is a large field of usefulness for this Of
flee as yet unified, and every advantage
should be given to ii to enable it to fulfill
its appointed work.
One of the best forces for the advertise
ment OF our resources has been the State
Fair at Huron. This has grown by leaps
and pounds. Last year was the most sue
cessful in its history. The people are to
be congratulated upon its growing inn
p~ortance and the practical demonstration
which 1t affords of the excellence of our
resources Ample provision should be
made for it's support.
More Judges Wanted.
Our supreme court has for years been
burdened with work far beyond it's capac-
ity. It's work Is several years behind. 1t
is unnecessary for me TO point out to you
the injustice TO litigants which this con-
dition entails. When d case Is carried to
the supreme court, and then after two or
three years remanded o the lower court
for "A new trial, in many cases witnesses
may have removed from the state, or have
been taken away by death, so that the
labor and expense of the new trial is
multiplied. Under these conditions, the
wealthy mar is given an unjust advantage
over his poorer opponent who may have
more right, but a shorter purse, on his
side. To remedy this condition, ! recon-
mend the addition of two justices to the
supreme bench and a corresponding pro-
vision for their maintenance.
Restrictive Insurance Laws.
On account of the prosperity of our PEG.
| pie, their ability to invest, and the laxity
of our laws, this state has for years been
a favorite field for the exploitation of un-
sound life insurance and wildcat"
schemes purporting to have insurance
features. Concerns elected from other
states have here found welcome and pros
perity. Contracts prohibited in all the
states, where a careful regard for the
rights of the people obtains, are written
here without let or hindrance. This con-
dition has caused great injury to the
sound and reputable companies and
should be at once remedied.
/ an entire revision of our
insurance code and the enactment of a
new code, modelled, so far as our condi-
tions permit, upon the codes OF Massa-
chusetts. Colorado or Connecticut.
In order to protect our people from the
consequence of unwise rates in the var
ious organizations offering fraternai or
assessment life insurance. l recommend
that no such organization outside the
state be permitted to enter this state
whose rates are not at least equal to the
rates prescribed by the Fraternal con-
gress, and that such fraternal organiza-
lions now doing business In the state be
given a certain time TO adjust their rates.
Strict Social Laws.
our scattered population and the abb
sence OF large cities, has heretofore left
us free from a crime which has now be-
gun TO make its appearance. / allude to
the crime of procuring young girls for
immoral purposes. For this crime against
the foundation of society, / recommend
that you provide the most drastic penal
ties. The penalty should not be less than
rs years In the penitentiary. with corre-
spending penalties for all accessories. In
this connection, / would that
the penalties for keeping houses OF pros
titution should be greatly increased. and
when girls under the age OF legal consent
are found in such places, that the mini
mum sentence for this crime be 10 years in
the p~enitentiary.
We make it a criminal offense for a man
60 desert his family, but when the condi-
ton is changed and he becomes a HELPLESS
charge upo them. we offer no relief. Con-
frrned victims of the liquor habit lose not
only their capacity for supporting their
families, but their capacity for self-sup-
port as well. When they reach this sits 20.
IL becomes a matter for the state. This
condition is a disease and should be treat
cd as such. / recommend the establish
ment OF a hospital for inebriates, where
these u~nfortunates may have the care and
medical attention which their condition
| demands.
So long as the state permits the sale OF
intoxicating liquors. so long we stand
doubiy charged with the proper care of
these unfortunates. / believe the LIQUOR
traffic. which is the cause OF their down
fall, should be made to stand the expense
\ nf their n ara I racnynpnand +lox -