The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-01-04
:Official City. State and County Newspaper
Governor SOrlie's Message

Citizens interested in the welfare of the state
should read Governor Sorle's message If for no
other reason than to catch the spirit of tolerance
and fair play that it obtains. 1t heralds an era OF
good feeling in state administration while de1nng
issues over which there necessarily will be honest
differences of opinion Governor Sorlie himself
anticipates such contingency when he declares
that only through honest effort fair debate and
constructive criticism any lasting or good legs-
lation be accomplished.
The entire message is printed elsewhere in these
columns so there is need for extended remarks
here to the contents 1t Isl in fact, brief report
Df the condition of the state to the residents who in
reality are stockholders CT the great p~bc service
corporation called North Dakota.
very important recommendation has to do with
the future of the good roads program in this state
Governor Scrlie is absolutely right when he urges
1egislation that will put within the control of the
state commission the major road projects of the
ztate. Divided authority, piccemeal construction
and many other factors obtaining now, mean IN
creased cost Of roads and poorly balanced system
of trunk highways.
Bismarck is especially interested in rccommen-
dations for new capitol buildings. The present
structure is wholly inadequate to the needs and to
the dignity of the state. 1t resembles more CO.
operative creamery county courthouse CT ancient
vintage, than the home of great state, rich enough
The details, however, best be worked out by the
creation of a capitol commission. 1t is high time
TO take the initial steps, Of building program, for
it will take four five years before the state gov
be housed properly in order to facilitate
public business.
: Simpfication of taxation laws is essential.
Disturbance of home rule, however, in matters of
@taxation always meets with protest and opposition
The county plan has worked out excellently
in Minnesota and there is reason why that sue
cess should rot be duplicated here. 1t centrazes
authority without removing the assessment function
too far from local control which properly is so
jealously and zealously guarded in cur American
scheme of government. ~
Strengthening the banking structure is neces-
sty. During the last eight ten years, many safe
guards have been removed and the process through
which the state has gone recently demonstrates the
fallacy of loose banking laws. 1t is most essential
first to tighten bank examination. The next step
is to prevent establishment of banks where volume
of business does not warrant such expansion. Gov
vernon Sorlie has hit the nail the head in this
respect and he should have the earnest cooperation
of the legislature in this wise recommendation.
I: There are many other recommendations of merit
which will be commented upon from time to time
the legislative grind proceeds. To the Tribune
the high spot of the message is the tolerance
pressed, the manner cf expression and the spirit
in which each and every thought is clothed. Gov
ernor Sorlie has worked hard and honestly to give
the state a careful administration and he has done
"A fine job in eliminating bitterness and foolish
division that should again get an upper hand
lin this fair state.