The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1911-01-06

In obedience to constitutional re-
quirements and in accordance with es.
tablished custom, it is again my duty
and my pleasure to bring to your at.
tention such matters of public import
. ] deem relevant and essential, and
communicate to you for your consider
alton such information as / have gain
cd through observation and experience
during the past two years of my incum-
bency In the Office of Chief Execu-
tive.
We capnct but note that the Twelfth
Legislative Session convenes under ex-
septionally suspicious conditions, which
fact is worthy of mention. We meet
In our splendid new State House for
the first time and our greetings to one
another may well seem to >be of un-
usual cheer and fellowship. The plain
and dignifed lines of our building, the
beauty Of its architecture, the harmony
Of its scheme of decoration and its
aoble proportions are all expressive OF
the sovereign position which South Da-
kota is fast assuming among her sister
states. If we but recall our last meet
ing held only two years ago, the change
In our buIiOuuulnSb IL hiOoO biAhAh
and impressive and we may congratu-
late ourselves that the construction of
the new Capitol proceeded with such
extraordinary rapidity that we now
have a building furnishing abundant
accommodation and ample facilities for
the exercise of the functions Of gov
eminent and for the performance of
the business of the state in its var
ious departments.
Since your last session South Dakota
has advanced in material prosperity to
a degree that must elicit the surprise
even Of those who had anticipated a
large and rapid growth. We find that
along all lines of industrial activity
there has been a steady and symmetri-
cal increase as q result of the enter.
prise and thrift of our people. 1t is
worthy of note that an unusual inter
est has been manifested along all lines
of education and that a decided ad-
vance has been made toward q higher
civilization. Growth in population Is
noticeable; in increased banking facili-
sizes; in the building Of new lines of
railroad; in the settlement Of a great
sxpanse of open country; in the de.
veiopment of our agricultural interests
along each and every one OF these
lines South Dakota has made a re-
markable record during the past two
years. Our resources are practically
unlimited and to their development our
people should bend their energies.
To you, the members of the legisla-
ture, as her lawmakers, and to me,
the Governor, as the executive of those
laws, South Dakota has entrusted her
interests for the ensuing two years.
Together, we are the servants of the
people, vested by law with a limited
authority to express and execute the
popular will. Further than this we
cannot 20. The making of laws for a
great state, with its various interests
and Its many,sided concerns, is a grave
duty and one that involves serious re-
possibilities, and in our legislation
II becomes us TO remember that for the
time being the state has placed her
honor and fair name within our keeping
and that we should have the interests
Of the State in general at heart.
IL Ia the duty Of each and every rep
Yssentative to express the needs OF his
constituency but it Is as much his duty
90 take counsel with all his fellow rep
r~esentatives and thereby bring about
the greatest good to the greg test num-.
Der Of the states people. This is i'm
perative. 1t is for the general good
that government is established, for the
preservation of our society, for the Sc
curity of the individual and for the
protection of property, and not for the
benefit of a select few.
Therefore, as has been said, let US in
cur state legislation labor to promote
all the interests Of the state SO far as
It lies within our power to accomplish
that end. The good which has been
done should be fostered and increased,
the mistakes, if there be any, should
be corrected and the new laws should
be, If possible, more simple, concise
and effective.
The reports Of the various state Of
heers and boards, required by law to
be made, will be presented to you in
fun; all of which have been compiled
with great care and abound with in
formation for your guidance and by
carefully examining the same you will
find that the affairs of the state have
been conducted wisely and well. l.
urge upon you the ACCESSIBILITY Of a
detailed study of these reports and as
sure you that it is the desire of the
heads of the several departments that
the present manner of conducting the
state business be carefully followed
and thoroughly understood.
In the matter Of appropriations /
feel that / would not be doing my full
duty did / not address to you a word
Of caution and advice. The will of the
legislature in regard to the enactment
Of appropriation bills INTO laws should
not receive the opposition of the Gov
srnor unless the aggregate amounts ap-
propriated exceed a reasonable limit.
\ efficiency and progress of N In
~stitutions should not be retarded by
lack of appropriation unless the neces-
sity Is absolute, but l know of no valid
reason why the affairs of a state should
not be conducted as carefully and as
sonscientiously as those of a private
business or concern, and q legislative
body which devotes its attention in
telligeptly to the scrutiny Of state af-
fairs will undoubtedly receive the just
eommendation Of the people throughout
the state.
However, due consideration should