The Delta independent., 1913-01-17

do. Ar of value in a single natural re-
source within the boundaries of this
state.
The gold had remained undiscovered
in the hills, and useless for untold
centuries, the inhabitants had no use
for coal, the forests were burned to
make way for berry patches and hunt
ing grounds. The streams ran use
lessly and undisturbed to the sea, and
all were worthless. 1t required the
venturesome pioneer, with his intrepid
zeal, to lay the foundation of a great
state. His laws and customs were
built on experience and justice. Upon
the foundation so well laiC Jy him. our
hardship and genius and industry have
measured every dollars worth of value
in our natural resources by a dollars
worth of human toll. We have a right
20 these resources with which to build
our state.
A sensible solution of the public do
main question is to turn the public
lands and resources over to the states
in which they lie. The citizens of
these states have a better understand
ing of their needs than outside people
possibly could have. They have a
greater interest thar anyone else in a
proper administration of these lands.
The General Assembly should me-
morialize President Wilson and Con
gress, setting forth in detail sugges-
tions OF changes in administration OF
the public domain to comply with the
best requirements for settlement, de-
velopment and local taxation.
Employees Compensation Commission.
The Employees Compensation Com
mic ion
General Assembly, | am told, has not
completed its investigations, and
should be continued either to report
at the next session of the General AS
sembly or to initiate law covering
the subject.
Fairs and Expositions.
II we are to make a creditable show
ing at the Panama Exposition in 1915,
the present General Assembly must
provide for ii. | am advised that all
the western states are making unusual
efforts TO advertise their products and
opportunities at this great fair The
people Of Colorado will not want to
b. left behind. Our financial condition
viii prevent our doing as much as We
would like to do. and the situation IS
complicated from the fact that the
exposition viii in reality be divided
into two parts-oue portion located at
San Francisco and the other at San
Diego. In addition to this. Colorado
intends to provide an attractive pa
geant to induce visitors to the big
shows on the coast to stop in this
state, view our mountain scenery. en-
JOY our unequaled climate, and inves-
tigate our splendid opportunities
Whatever funds the state can spare
for this great exposition should be
placed in the hands of most compe-
tent board. that they may be used to
the best possible advantage. To pro-
mote this work the several counties of
the state might be authorized to as
sist the general exhibits by financial
aid
Grand Jury.
When the present law relating to
criminal prosecutions was passed il
was not intended that district attor-
neys should be given so much power.
! am of the opinion that it should be
mandatory upon the District Courts
To call a grand jury at least once each
year in every county. and that district
attorneys should not be permitted to
dismiss prosecutions without the con-
sent of the courts.
Fee offices.
have always been opposed TO pub
lie offices being supported by fees. |
realize there are many offices, under
present conditions AT least, that can
have no support otherwise but | see
no reason why such officials should
not be required to collect fees with
out favor. turn them promptly into
the public treasury and draw such
salaries as may be allowed by law
in the same manner in which salaries
are usually paid.
Sisty-day Session.
| have never known a session of the
General Assembly at which the work
could not have been completed within
sixty days. and | see no reason why
the present assembly cannot finish its
business within that time. So long
as the Legislature is in session
changes in law constantly occur and
business conditions are more or less
disturbed. | therefore hope this as.
sembly will hasten its work to the ut
most. can conceive OF nothing that
would bring more credit to the mem.
bers than the accomplishment of
needed legislation and an adjournment
within siNtyd avs.
Economy.
With $4,000 of interest on the
state bonds in settlement of old debts.
with Sll5.000 to pay for advertising
the initiated and referred bills AT the
last election, with a demand for sl00
600 for the big eNpositions of 1918,
with added expense to keep pace with
the growth OF our educational and
other institutions and with The uecas-
sity of keeping taxes within reasonable
bounds. there is every obligation to
hold appropriations and expenditures
of all departments of the state at the
lowest possible point consistent with
The estimated state reve-
nues for the present period are no
srenfer than those of the lasf