The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1914-02-26

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time approaches for considering the
qualifications Of candidates for NOM
nation at the coming primaries,
desire to announce that it is my in.
tention TO seek reorganization and re-
election on the Republican ticket as
chief executive Of this state.
In asking for renewal Of your
confidence, it is proper that out.
line my views concerning the accom-
plishments Of the present admins
tration and the problems Of the i'm
mediate future.
II shall stand fairly upon my rec
ord and expect to be judged thereby.
l invite attention to the fact that the
present administration has been
scrupulously clean and honest, that
high order of efficiency has char
acterized every office and depart
ment and that the standard Of ap-
pointive officers has never been ex-
celled in the history Of the state.
Some Good Things Done
"Of the legislative action recon-
mended by me the following was So
cured: Ratification of amendment to
constitution of the United States pro-
viding for direct election of SEN
ators; proposal Of an amendment to
our state constitution extending tho
term of state officers from two to
four years; amendment of direct pri-
mary law 50 as to more honestly
carry out the purposes of such law;
the non-partisan election of judges;
a state highway commission; state
board of control for educational in
situations, and joint public utilities
and tax commission
For Compensation Act
Legislative action was also rec.
commended by me on several other
important matters, some of which
failed to receive favorable consid
Grafton. Included within the latter
list are a Workman compensation
act and a provision for the more
rapid sale Of state lands. Both of
these matters will be taken care of by
the next legislature. The workmen's
compensation commission will recon-
mend bill satisfactory, and just to
both employers and employees, and the
people in the next campaign will be
convinced of the good business prin-
ciple involved in converting our dor
mant resources into income producing
capital.
considerable progress has been
made in Strengthening out some of
our Carey act problems, and COM
mission is investigating the question
of needed changes in our laws with a
view to improving our market for
Carey act securities while carefully
safeguarding the rights of the settler
on the lands. Every possible encour
agement has been given to the sugges-
ton that the federal government nigh
be induced to assist in these matters.
Stands Pat on Moral Issues
ION all moral questions l shall
continue to stand in the future, as in
the past, in favor of enforcing the
will of the majority of our people as
expressed by the acts OF the legisla'
ture.
in the coming campaign, as in
the past, the question Of taxation will
be one of great Importance, 1t has
been realized for some time that our
taxes must be reduced, but actual
reduction in rapidly growing and
developing state has been difficult
of accomplishment. The question is
one of limiting governmental activi
ties in certain directions, and of re
sisting popular demands for large ap
preparations for purposes of public
improvements.
Question Of Economy
Economy in public expenditures
was the dominant note in my mes
sage to the legislature. l have insist
ed upon this in every proper mannel
at all times. Each office and depart
ment has been required to submit
quarterly reports which show in man,
cases an actual reduction over thu
same quarters in 1911, and keeping
within appropriations in such man
ner as to practically eliminate def
ciencies. This last is matter thu
importance of which cannot well b.
exaggerated, and it is all the more re
markable because Of the fact tina
the estimates Of the department
were made before railroad passes haa
been abolished and in the belief tina
they would be available during thi
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