Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-01-15
GOVERNOR VESSEY's
FIRST MESSAGE

NV GFtNCh GSSC >
FIRST MESSAGE
Governor r. S. NcSSty. IN his lirSI
message to the incoming legislature,
calls attention to the continued pros
pc rity of the state, the grow ing inSti-
tutlonS calling for larger attention from
the material of the people,
notes the condition of the states fl
nances, urges along all lines.
advocates Il bank deposit law with Sni-
f rm regulations for all banks in the
state. and no banks outside the state
eligible to selection.
The prominent parts of his message
are:
| recommend the enactment OF n law
providing for the designation of depoSi-
tories of state funds and the payment TO
the state of interest on the daily balances
in such repositories. The regulations
governing such repositories should be uni
form and open on equal terms of all the
banks of the state, and no bank outside of
the state shall be eligible to selection.
The taxes, which are largely the source
of these funds, come from all parts of the
state and in selecting repositories tor
them 1t should be made possible for every
part to benefit, as far as possible. by such
deposits. They should be scattered among
as large a number of banks as Is com
patible with their safety and the efficient
administration Of the treasurer's office.
They should further be carefully safe
guarded SO as to make 1t possible that
those deposits should be directed by per
sonal influence or political favor. At the
same time, provision should be made for
paying for the bono 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. with
less than $40, 600 capital. No bank should
be allowed to invest in Its building and
furniture more than 40 per cent of its
apita and surplus. The amount OF
be reduced and carefully restricted; If, in
deed. such loans should not be wholly
prohibited; Banks should be COMPELLED
amounts, the bonds to be approved by
the public examiner. When the deposits
OF a bank exceed ten times its capital ana
to increase its capital or give bond to the
state for a proportional amount of such
excess. No bank should be permitted to
be a stakeholder 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-
possibility of some Improvement in It's
details. 1t should be revised with a view
of eliminating, as far as possible. what
ever unnecessary expense is connected
with it.
For immigration Department.
The office of immigration commissioner,
created by the last legislature, has lone
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
Va NAiN VI N'S 81 "a e5i i>'t
ture should be separated from 1t. There
is a large field of usefulness for this Of
Hce as yet untitled, and every advantage
should be given to it to enable 1t 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 bounds. Last year was the most sue
cessful in it's history. The people are to
%portance and the practical demonstration
which it 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 beer
burdened with work far beyond it's capac-
ity. Its work is several years behind. 1t
is unnecessary for me to point out to you
the injustice to ltigantS which this con-
dition entails. When a case is carried to
the supreme court, and then after two or
three years remanded to 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 man is given an unjust advantage
over his poorer opponent who may have
more right but a shdrter purse on his
mend the addition Of two justices to the
supreme bench and u corresponding pro-
vision for their maintenance.
Restrictive Insurance Laws.
On account of the prosperity of our peo-
Of our laws, this state has for years been
a %favorite field for the exploitation of un-
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-
sound and reputable companies and
should be at once remedied.
l recommend an entire revision Of our
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 fraternal or
assessment life insurance. I 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-
tons now doing business in the state be
given a certain time to adjust their rates.
Strict Social Laws.
our scattered population and the alb
us free from a crime which has now be-
gun to make its appearance. I allude to
the crime Of procuring young girls for
the foundation Of society. T recommend
that you provide the most drastic penal
ties. The penalty should not be less than
25 years in the penitentiary, with CORE
spending penalties for all accessories. In
this connection, 1 would recommend 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 penitentiary
We make it a criminal offense for a man
TO desert his family, but when the condi-
ton is changed and he becomes a helpless
charge upon them. we offer no relief. Con-
firmed victims Of the liquor habit lose not
only their capacity for supporting their
but their capacity for self-sup-
port as well. When they reach this stage,
it becomes a matter for the state. This
condition Is a disease and should be treat
ed as such. I recommend the establish
ment Of a hospital for inebriates. where
medical attention which their condition
So long as the state permits the sale of
doubly charged with the proper care OF
these unfortunates. I believe the liuuor
traffic, which is the cause of their down
fall. should be made to stand the expense
sion be made for the erection and main
tenance Of the proposed hospital by re-
quiring that 80 per cent Of all licenses paid
rect for that purpose.
There are three influences that always
work injury to the best interests Of the
gambling habit, and the use Of intoxi-
eating liquor.
I beg Of you. remember this: and when
that institution whose value on
earth far outweights all else, when the
sworn discharge of your duty brings YOU
face to face with the responsibility or
shallow sophistry or specious plea of ma
terial advantage overshadow your elear
sense and calm conviction of the eternal