The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1915-01-07
HAMMOND pL, Ans
DEYELIO LIOP IM|ENT
IDLE ST A ATE LAND
Governor Hammond in His First Neg
sage to Legislature Say, soil
Should Be Made Productive.
RECOMMENDS OPEN PRIMARY

Urges Action on Economy Commis-
sion's Report for Reorganization
Of State Government.
Winfield Scott Hammond, Of 81.
James, became Minnesota's eighteenth
governor at noon yesterday. when hes
took the oath of Office in the house
chamber. Chief Justice Calvin Il.
Brown administered the oath in the
presence of members Of the house and
senate, state officers, the judiciary,
and crowded galleries OF auditors.
e In his inaugural: address to the
legislature, Governor Hammond de-
voted himself chiefly to the report Of
the efficiency and economy commits
sion. the primary and non-partisan
election law, and made a strong ap-
peal for a constructive policy Of state
development by clearing and drain
ing the states idle lands and selling
them to actual settlers on easy terms.
Following are given the chief parts
of his inaugural address:
"a: Development Of Soil.
There is in the state great body
of land which ought to be produce
tive, but which is now little better
than waste. This land, fertile and
capable of producing crops and fur
nishing homes for settlers, needs i'm
provement. Some of it must be clear
ed; some of it must be drained;
some of it is inaccessible and roads
must be built so that it can be reach
ed. There are many settlers attract
ed by its fertility who would like to
purchase it and makes homes upon
it, but they are without the means
needed to- purchase and improve it
and to await it's development. They
must find land that will yield quick
returns. It seems to me the state
can we'll afford to develop this waste
land. and when it is; ready for set
tlement, that is, when settlers can
go upon it and by industry and good
Judgment secure an early return for
their effort, ssll sIiasiil =.
ON easy terms. This land ought t0.
be upon our tax rolls. It ought to
bear it's burden of state, county and
school district expenditures. It 10
economically wrong to let it remain
useless and idle, and this rich state
can we'll afford to begin it's develop
ment and encourage its early set
tlement. -. z"*'.ss -
Believe in Primaries. -. =. - : =
The people believe in: primaries:
They realize that there are defects
in the primary election system, but
they prefer that system as it is TO
a return to the old convention plan
Should the legislature see fit to-
amend the primary law SO as to per-;
NIT all electors to participate in each
primary, considerable criticism of
the system would be avoided, no.
harm would be done, and on; the
whole, probably better nominations
could be made. =.
But one constitutional amendment,
and that the most important should
be submitted to the people at the
next election. I recommend that
proposed constitutional amendment
empowering the legislature to enact
legislation establishing the. innitia-
tive and referendum be submitted.
- ~ No Backward Step.
There must be no backward step
in the construction and maintenance
of good roads throughout the com
monwealth, and the development of
q conservative forestry policy. The
|so-called Dunn law on. the; whole is
working, we'll ezezs I'D szss59 .ssz>ss:s5.E.s4.
The state can well afford to de-
|velop waste land and when it is
ready for settlement; sell it to actual
settlers on easy terms.
hope this question County op-
tion) may be taken up and disposed
Of at the earliest possible date. What,
ever, determination you may reach
on county option. I trust that you
may be able to place upon the statute
books some measures that make for
temperance. Z.
The Budget System.
The purpose Of recognising the.
civil administration of Minnesota is.
to secure economy through greater
efficiency. The establishment of a
buget system will encounter no SER
ious opposition. ssss.:EE. -,
# the merit system Is .establishe1, ).
the term Of those appointed should
not be indefinite but should be made.
for fixed periods, say for six years.
the efficient and worthy to be eligible,
for reappointment.
The proposed reorganization :plan.
must have your sanction or youralis-