The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-01-06

| enterprises.
1t will not be the policy to enact tn,
role of the reformer, who is usually
spasmodic in initiative and listless II
performance.
The governor, to the extent of max
ing recommendation and suggesting
| legislation, Is a member of the legis.
lative department. Further than the
| performance of these duties 1t will be
my policy not to interfere with or at.
| tempt to influence your actions.
| l shall be pleased, upon invitation, tc
: discuss at any time with members OF
committees any proposed legislation.
BUSINESS AFFAIRS
ON A SOUND BASIS
No people as a whole, can be truly
prosperous unless industrial and busi-
| ness affairs are in progressive and
| reasonably satisfactory condition. 1t
| Is my pleasure to report that such
conditions now exist.
The products of the mines, ranges,
farms and other industries are large
and fairly profitable. Immigrants in
! large numbers are coming within our
homes, becoming permanent and use
full settlers and adding to our good
citizenship.
All business interests are progress
sive and financial affairs are on q safe
and conservative basis. 1t should be
our special care to aid and promote
those interests in every possible way
Business men seldom interest them
selves in affairs of state, nor do they
often ask for legislation. Requests In
aid of commercial interests should re-
ceiVe your careful consideration and
such action as in your best Judgment
may seem advisable.
STRICT OBSERVANCE
OF THE LAW URGED
Laws are enacted to be enforced,
The civilization of a people cannot be
the best without a genuine respect for
and an assured execution of the law.
Respect and obedience are surest OBJ
tanned by the prompt, fair and thor
ough execution Of the law
For such execution, resquest of all
officers clothed with executive func-
tions, thorough discharge of their
duties. I appeal to all citizens to abide
by the law, and to assist their officers
in every way possible. An incompe-
tent officer Is a useless expense, and
corrupt officer is a positive menace.
More stringent and more easily exc
cuted laws for the removal of incom-
petent and derelict officers, and for
the removal from office and punish
ment Of corrupt off GERS are urgent
necessities
Most Resretable.
The frequency Of homicides and
homicidal assaults Is most regrettable
indeed alarming. The ever-ready
knife or gun Is potent factor in COM
mitting these crimes. The carrying of
concealed weapons is as useless as it
Is dangerous. A law providing that
any one convicted Of that offense must
serve Jail sentence and not merely
pay a fine, would, in my judgment,
the practice.
There are many laws upon the
statute books more honored in the
breach than in the observance.
A grand jury has often proved eff
fective in dealing with the less seri-
Gus crimes, and your attention is
called to the advisability of requiring
its more frequent use. Whether the
calling of grand jury is made man.
datory or is left optional as now, 1t is
to provide for the selection
of the grand jurors by the judge of
the court, rather than drawing the
names of from the jury box, as at
present. By the method now in force
the judge has no opportunity to pass
upon the suitableness of the grand
jurors for the services required of
them.
MONTANA MUST FACE i
A SERIOUS PROBLEM
During the year 1908, by order of the |
state board Of education, there was
transferred from the income funds of |
several of the educational institutions
to the general fund of the state the
sum of s10S.000. The sum so trans
erred has been used to redeem illegal |
educational bonds. A further redemp- |
ion OF such illegal bonds, to the
amount of $133,000, has been made |
rom the general fund.
Under the authority conferred upon
ne state board of examiners by the
'oters at the last election, bonds of
he state to the amount of s414,0o0
lave been issued with which to re-
ieem the remaining illegal educational
ponds and make the educational and |
school funds intact. 1t is gratifying
nat the state has been enabled to re-
leem all of the illegal bonds and thus
preserve its credit from the least
question.
Bonded Debt.
The bonded Indebtedness of the state
s $4,000; all warrants and other
financial obligations arc paid and
here is small balance of cash in
he general fund
During the fiscal year 1910, there will
'e a very serious financial problem to
leal with. Section 9 of article 70 OF
CONTINUED on Page 6even.)