| OCR Text |
Show THE MESSAGE. ' At the outset of hU message the governor congratulates the people of Utah on "the numerous nu-merous evidences of prosperity with which they are surrounded, and calls attention to the unprecedented output of the precious metals for the year, the estimated value of which is iKi.277.M3, or more than $1,0u-j,wj in excess of the year previous. Tho patriotic response of the people of the state in furnishim: volunteers for the war with Spain, is enthusiastically commended, and a warm tribute paid to the gallantry of Utah men on the battleneld. They are, he says, in his opinion, entitled to "a public expression from the representatives of the commonwealth." As to the codp which became effective a year atro. he says that while there has not beensuf-ticient beensuf-ticient time in which to test it fully, yet it is .satisfactory in the main and superior'to anything any-thing previously published. Some amendments amend-ments are necessary, but general instead of special legislation is recommended. The action of the state board of loan commissioners com-missioners last year in the issuance of SloO.OoO, twenty-year Blper cent bonds, has made a saying to the state that will aggregate 82.350 per annum. An appropriation to defray the expenses of printing and engraving is suggested. sug-gested. The onerous and important work of handling and disposing of state lands, is reported as progressing satisfactorily: the various funds are being added to and are earning interest. It is estimated that 475, Oiu to smo.doo will be available the next two years for the support of the schools and various other institutions. A radical change is recommended with reference to the present provision requiring that payments pay-ments for all bonds shall be made to the treasurer treas-urer of the county in which the sale occurs. On this point the governor says: "I am unable un-able to see any good reason why those payments pay-ments should not be made direct'to the secretary secre-tary of the state land hoard and have the certificates certi-ficates of sale issued directly from his office to the purchaser, and in the interest of economy and systematise I recommend that the change be made." The necessity of a congressional act authorizing author-izing the state to select indemnity lands, or lands in lieu of those school sections previously previ-ously sold by the government, is elaborated upon. It also sets forth, "that if the state board of land commissioners were authorized to sell mineral lands they could be disposed of at a reasonable ligure and the state would get the benefit of the proceeds, whereas, under the present policy, the lands will be lost to the state." The schools of the state are reported as having hav-ing made excellent progress during the past two years. Their present high standard should be maintained, but without an increase of taxation. tax-ation. The sale of the University campus is advocated, the proceeds to be expended in improvements im-provements on the proposed site for the New State University on the Fort Douglas reservation, reserva-tion, The sacrifices of the people of Cedar City in erecting the State Normal school is commended com-mended and their reimbursement urged. The attendance at the Agricultural College at Logan has increased thirty-six per cent during the past two years and is in excellent condition. Appropriations for it and the State School for the deaf, dumb and blind and the State Industrial Indus-trial school are asked. Commenting on the greatexpense of the latter institution the governor gov-ernor says: "If one were to sit down and figure the cost for caring for the present inmates upon the basis of the appropriations asked for the next two years, he would say it represented a cost of over $800 per annum for each child. If each of these was certain of reformation, the taxpayer might be satisfied, even with the large expense per capita, hut the results are and have ever been far from satisfactory." The state pi-ison is shown to have "lived within its income" during the last two years. It has 171 inmates and appropriations are asked aggregating $65,847. Unmistakable progress is said to have characterized the work of the state engineer's department; legislation as recommended recom-mended in that official's report is urged; forest protection is strongly advised ana the suggestion sugges-tion made that the legislature memoralize congress con-gress on that question. The course In Colorado is commended in requiring her fish and game wardens to serve gratuitously as members of :the forestry commission and the deputy wardens war-dens as deputy commissioners. The State Board of Health is congratulated, its recommendations recom-mendations endorsed and an . appropriation of $5,100 for the next two years asked; the request of the adjutant general of the National Guard for an armory, ammunition magazine and encampment en-campment grounds, is, says the governor, "moderate aud should be supplied." The governor also recommends that the functions of exercising parole clemency be conferred con-ferred by statute upon the state board of pardons; par-dons; as to tho outlawry of the Robbers' Roost and other frontier gangs, ho says he is convinced con-vinced that conditions exist in several of the counties that call for immediate correction. Offering of rewards has mitigated conditions somewhat, but has not been altogether effectual; effect-ual; horticulture is encouraged, the diminution diminu-tion of fish and game is shown to be on the increase in-crease and a request is made for more stringent laws on the question ; the enacting of a measure meas-ure fixing the maximum of railroad rates Is pointed out as necessary; the opening of the Uncompaligre Indian reservation is reviewed. Further legislation by congress governing the disposal of the mineral k'nts therein is recommended. recom-mended. The leasing of the elaterite lands of the Uintah reservation is regarded as being so conspicuously inexpedient as to require sxecial action on the part of the legislature. The incursions of roaming bands of Indians, who cross the state border into San Juan county and vicinity, with large herds of stock, destroying the ranges of the settlers, he says, should' be stopped and the proper authorities be memorialized on the subject. The creation of a state bureau of statistics is suggested; a state fair for October, 1S99, is portrayed por-trayed as a urooer return to an "honored insti- tution in Utah;'' theallt-ged irregularities of the Fourth district juclship are briefly mentioned. The law library, he ures, should be increased. The salaries of the state officers are regarded as "entirely too low" and a reasonable increase is recommended. "A suitable appropriation" for the purpose of making a Utah display at the Paris exposition in UiUO, he believed, "will amply compensate for a reasonable expenditure expendi-ture in this direction." og-nized and the fact shown that they are reasonably prosperous, but not so much so as they -will be when '-our nation discovers that it is strong enough, to have a money system of Its own without asking any other nation's consent, con-sent, and when silver shall be restored to coinage." coin-age." "If you deem it wisdom." soys the governor, gov-ernor, "to remind congress that our faith remains re-mains unshaken in the beneficent effects to follow fol-low readoption of the money of the constitution, constitu-tion, I sha 11 be pleased to subscribe to such a memorial." The Utah Semi-Centennial commission and ita Splendid accomplishments in the work of the fiftieth fif-tieth anniversary of the pioneers are eulogized. In reward for the services of the members the recommendation is made that the state present each of them with a gold medal, "The fostering foster-ing care" of legislation is asked for the silk, Iron and other industries of Utah. On the question of the election of a United States senator the executive says ho has no doubt that the choice of the legislature will reflect credit upon the people of tho state. He likewise recommends the appropriation of $500 for a hospital in Tooele county for the unfortunate unfor-tunate victims of leprosy in the Skull Valley Hawaiian colony. The affairs of the insane asylum are said to have been economically administered. ad-ministered. An appropriation of &U,UU0 is ask ed for it. On the subject of finance the message contains this paragraph : "The state's finances are in excellent condition and it will be our joint aim to keep them so. Its credit both at home and abroad is hrst-class; a recent financial finan-cial periodical of standing having staled that Utah's credit stands first in the list of Rocky Mountain states." The reports of all state oiilcers, says the governor, have been received except those of the pharmacy, auditor, treasurer treas-urer and dairy and food commissioner. Regarding memorials to congress the chief executive makes this surest ion: "I shall be pleased to join you in properly constructed memorials on the following subjects: Asking that certain residnus of Utah be reimbursed for services rendered, money expended and property lost in the Indian wars within tho territorV of Utah, during the years from IStM to 1S70; asking an appropriation for the enlargement enlarge-ment and improvement of Fort Douglas military post; asking that all the public lands within the state, except mineral lands, be coded to the state; oskiiur that government buildings be erected in .Salt Lake and Ogden cities." Iu conclusion the hope i.- expressed that, "In oil our deliberations may reason prevail over passion ami prejudice, and in the discharge of our duties mav we be truly representative of the best thought and the highest aspiration of an intelligent, patriotic and progressive people, to the end that our o::'orts may perpetuate the honor and fame of our grand yung commonwealth." |
