Tonopah bonanza. [volume] (Butler City [i.e. Butler], Nev.) 1901-1909, 1909-01-23
GOVERNOR
D~ICKERSON'S
MESSAGE

~ NNN
nor John Sparks, which occurred at
his home, the Alamo farm, neal
Reno, on the twenty-second day of
May, 1908. deprived this state of a
and true executive and the leg
i~slature of the benefit of the wise
counsels of a ripe and experienced
man of affairs. As the acting COVER
nor of this commonwealth, it is my
duty to report to you the condition Of
the state and to call your attention
to such matters as, in my Judgment,
the public interest demands should
receive attention.
| am pleased to announce that
Notwithstanding the whole country is
just emerging from a long period Of
business stagnation and financial de-
preston, reliable statistics demon
strate that Nevada has made wonder
full progress during the past year,
that every visible indication points to
renewed and continued prosperity;
and | congratulate you and through
you the citizens of the state upon the
splendid condition in which you find
the states finances.
STATE FINANCES.
The state controllers report re-
veals the gratifying fact that the
state treasury is in a satisfactory
condition, with a cash balance on
hand Of over 100000.
The wealth of the state, as indi-
Gated by the valuation of taxable
property has increased more than 10
per cent over last year, notwithstand-
ing the all pervading business de-
preston of the past eighteen months,
resulting in the depreciation of all
property values. The total valuation
of property in Nevada for 1908. as
returned by the various county as
SCISSORS, is $73.S56, 142.45, an in
crease oyer 1907 of $S,771,276.45.
The mineral output of the state is
steadily increasing and with numer-
Gus large mining properties in vari-
GUS sections of the state nearing the
productive stage, the future of Ne
vada is. indeed, bright with promise.
STATE PRISON.
OF all the state institutions the
penitentiary presents the most per
picking problems and more of them
! Conditions at that institution are de
plorable and must be ameliorated
The report of the warden goes fully
into the details and by informing
yourselves Of the facts you will rec
ognize the imperative necessity o
meeting the situation by prompt anC
comprehensive action.
MENTAL DISEASE HOSPITAL.
The Nevada hospital for mental di
seases is another institution suffer
ing from an overcrowded condition
Two hundred and ten patients ar
now under treatment, the vast ma
iority of whom are hopeless menta
wrecks. Every provision possibl
under the circumstances is made b
the management for the care an
comfort of these unfortunate ward
; of the state, but the number is S
much in excess of the present accom-
modations that three and four pa
tients are required to occupy room
intended for two and entirely to
, small for a greater number. The il
, crease in population of the hospits
! keeps ace with the increase in popt
, lation OF the state and to delay Ions
er in making necessary improvement
and extensions is neither good bus
] ness judgment nor justice to inmate
, and management. The recommend
q lions of the superintendent are,
O the main, logical n asonaDl an
9 should be accorded your hearty c,
operation.
Il STATE UNIVERSITY.
r The report of the board of regen
d of the state university shows the a
fairs of that institution to be in
e satisfactory condition. One of Il
pl~easantest and most profitable inc
dents in its history occurred durir
the past year, when the handsom
splendidly equipped school of min,
Q building was dedicated and the Ma
kay statue was unveiled, comprisfr
a portion of munificent donation
g from Mr.. Clarence II. Mackay,