Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1915-01-14


ing into that fund may be used, If
necessary. in securing the moneys the
federal government may wish to give,
meet expenses of convicts when work
ing on or building public roads. OF
used to meet other important and
necessary contingencies which might
arise in road construction.
Agriculture.
Aside from handling the official
business Of my department and exer-
cising a general supervision and cons
troll over state matters and in the Sc
curing of needed progressive legisla-
ton, l have labored earnestly for bet
ter roads, better schools, better agri-
culture and a better community life.
These four things are the achieve
ments which make a state or nation
great in its citizenship, great in its
agriculture, great in its finances and
great in its commerce. Through these
things the dome of Missouri's great
ness will be lifted still higher in the
skies. We know during this period
we have secured better roads and bet
ter schools, and at the same time have
bettered our agricultural interests,
and these things of necessity give us
a better community life.
A new message has been carried to
the 10000 farmers of the common
wealth through the labors of the state
board of agriculture, and through the
agricultural college. The agricultural
college Of Missouri is recognized
throughout the Union as being the
best in the republic. 1t has grown
year by year until it now stands at
the head of all agricultural colleges.
Missouri is a great commonwealth,
and is destined to be the foremost
among the sisterhood, occupying, as
it does, so splendid a position in the
great Mississippi Valley in this new
commercial day, when the traffic
through the Panama canal will
the commerce from the farm and in
dustries to find its way through new
paths, upon land and sea. Missouri
is blest with two large financial cen
ters-Kansas City and st. Louisiana
a score of other cities prosperous and
progressive, in all of which are found
large manufacturing and industrial
plants. Missouri is blest with her
great live stock, poultry, horticulture,
mining and agricultural interests, Ger
tain parts of the state are peculiarly
adapted to dairy, fruit and berry in
dustries, and to the production of cot
ton, tobacco and other products. Mis-
souri, can come nearer producing all
that is necessary to supply her wants
than any of the states. Her rank and
importance has been recognized by
the federal government in giving to the
commonwealth two of her regional
banks. This legislature should be as
liberal as it can in appropriating mon
eys to carry on the splendid work of
bringing about a better agriculture.
The soil of the commonwealth has not
been called upon to really discharge
its duty to mankind. The acres now
titled can be made to produce tive
and three times as much as it now pro-
duces by intensive farming, and by
giving proper attention to crop rota-
tion and soil treatment. The great
ness occupied by the commonwealth
in the commercial and financial world
rests upon our strong and certain agri-
cultural interests.
Smith-Lever Act.
The legislature should pass an1act
accepting and meeting the terms Of
the Smith-Lever congressional act SO
the state may receive the moneys
given by the federal government to
aid in bringing about a better agri-
culture in the states.
Immigration.
By reason of the European war,
bringing about the destruction Of vast
properties in agricultural, commercial
and manufacturing lines, a large i'm
migration will set it's face toward the
United States. The class Of immi-
grants will be far above the average
and many will seek homes in Amer
lea. Among them will be a larger
number than ever before wishing to
engage in agriculture and live stock
pursuits. The door of opportunity in
these countries engaged in war along
these lines has been practically closed
and the future uncertain. Missouri,
through its immigration department
and in other channels, should secure
a great number of the desirable home
seekers and settle them in various
sections of the state.
Unconstitutional Statutes.
Realizing there are many laws upon
our statutes which have been declared
unconstitutional, and realizing further
We have many statutes that are dupli
Gates or act in conflict, one with the
other, l deemed 1t advisable to appoint
a commission to go through the stat
utes and prepare bills to repeal un.
constitutional and duplicate acts, and
to remove conflicting provisions. This
commission is composed Of Senator
John F. Morton, Robert M. Lamar
former congressman from the Six
teenth district, and e. L. Afford, Of
Perry, Mo. This commission has la
bored diligently, and will have many
bills prpared so the legislature may
fully carry forward this work.
Public Service Commission.
The public service commission act
abolished the railroad and warehouse
commission, and the public service
commission has been no o ex'
pense to the state than it cost to
maintain the railroad and warehouse
commission. The law creating this
commission is one of the most impor
tant acts Of the Legislature in many
years. A number OF other states have
since followed the example of Mis-,