Year: 1875

| crowded precincts would furnish the
| most efficient security possible against
| corrupt voting. Another and still more
| wholesome result might be anticipated
from this change, In the fact that it
would wholly remove, on the part of
| candidates for Office, all apology for cor
ruptly Offering money as a pretended
compensation to voters for valuable time
lost III going to and from the polls. Our
system of government contemplates and
requires full, free and inexpensive ex-
erclse of the right of suffrage by all
qualified electors, of whatever class, and
every act of legislation to that end is
sanctioned by every principle Of justice,
and must necessarily prove wholesome
III its influence.


CORRUPT use OF MONEY IN ELECTIONS.


/ feel confident that you will concur
with me in deprecating the increasing
evils, attendant upon our elections, es-
pecially manifest in efforts to influence
results by corrupt use of money.
That elector who measures the value Of
his vote or his POLITICAL influence
by dollars and cents, is unworthy the
respect OF honest men, or the privileges
OF a citizen. No legislation is too strin-
gent, and no penalty too severe for he
reventionand punishment of practices of
this class; and respectfully submitto you
the proprlety OF such adOltional legIsa-
ton as shall more effectually enforce the
spirit and purpose Of existing statutes.
The payment of money or property at
the polls or elsewhere in consideration
of political services or influence, and for
the purpose of unduly affecting the re-
suits of nomination or election, Is IN
offense against society, and should be
unhesitatingly condemned by law.


CANyAsSING VOTES.


The question is worthy of your con-
sideration, whether more Intelligent pro-
visions Of law should not be enacted for
the security of the people against any
fraudulent canvass of votes. The re-
strictions now imposed upon canvasslng
boards, by contining them rgidly to the
discharge OF simple ministerial duty,
cannot be too strongly commended.
Most assuredly no judicial discrimina-
ton should be permitted on the part OF
political officers, far removed from the
source of information, and likely to be
consciously or unconsciously governed
by partisan interest. But the power OF
revision and judicial determination
should somehow exist, to the end simply
that the popular will may never be do
feated through the error, Incompetence
or criminal purpose of any subordinate
officer of the law. I further r-more rec
ommend such an amendment OF existing
statutes on this subject as VIII remove
from any canvassing officer now desig-
mated by law, both the opportunity and
temptation for erroneouslY, canvassing
votes cast for or against himself.


INDEPENDENT MILITARY COMPANIES.


The expediency of encouraging the
organization of Independent military
companies is approved by continuous
legislation, from the foundation OF the
state government until the present time.
Under exigencies not unlikely to occur
under our form of government, these
organizations frequently furnish indis-
pensable aid IN the preservation OF order
and the administration of law. The
public spirit which inspires their for
nation, often at large personal sacrifice
on the part of both officers and men,
deserves the highest commentator, and
[ earnestly hope that you will deem it
wise for the state to contributed more lib
orally to the support of these organiza-
tions hereafter than heretofore, for the
reason that an efficient organization of
the militia cannot be maintained for the
mere pittance now devoted to that pur-
pose.


FISH CULTURE.


By an act of the Legislature III 1873,
there was appropriated the sum of $500,
to be expended under the direction OF
the United States Commissioner of
Fisheries, in promotion the arUIncLslI
propagation, and introduction into this
state, of the better kinds of fish. That
money has been expended as required
by law. By an act of 1874, the sum of
$3.50 was appropriated to be expended
for Like purpose, under the direction
of three commissioners, to be appointed
by the Governor. Such commissioners
were duly appointed, and / herewith
trasmit their report Recommendations
in respect to future operation. The
United States Government annually ap-
propriates considerable sums of money
In procuring spawns of fish, which are
gratuitously donated to states provided
with similar commissioners. Thirteen
states are 50 provided, and tnelr pee
tive reports exhibit the most gratifying
success in preserving and increasing the
supply of this most wholesome food.
The extent of waters adapted to fisheries
In this state is immense, and with a
trifing expenditure, the quantity and
value of this product can be very largely
increased. I accordingly recommend
suitable appropriation to enable the
commissioner to successfully carry out
the plans presented in their report.
PROTECTION OF RAILWAY EMPLOYEES.


] call your attention to the proprietv
of passing some proper statute which
shan enable employeo OF railroad Con-
| panies to recover from their employers
| damages for injuries sustained in the
line of their duty, caused by the negli-
gence of co-enployes and for which the
| parties injured are not In fault. Such a
statute would tend to secure the employ
ment of more cautious and reliable men,


and thus afford greater security to the


travelling public. And for liabilities
thus increased, the companies should


receive increased compensation.