GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE
%
TO THE FOURTH LEGISLATIVE
ASSEMBLY OF THE TERRI-
TORY OP OKLAHOMA.
(•orornor Renfrow Trent* the liD|Ntrtunt
topic* of Trrritorbtl Admiicrnifiii In *
Clear, €'rl*|  mid Manner It Is
an Able I>o<-uu>«iit.
Guthrie, O. T., Jan. 14.—Oowrnor R*n«
frow's message, delivered to the legisla-
ture yesterday, is as follows:
To the Fourth Legislative Assembly of
the Territory of Oklahoma:
In compliance with the provisions of
the statute of the territory directing the
governor art the commencement of each
«esslon of the legislature, to communi-
cate by message such information as he
may possess relative to the conditions of
the territory, and to recommend such
measures as he may deem expedient, tiis
following ts respectfully submitted:
Oklahoma is moat fortunately located;
tht soil is so fertile and diversified that
t?ie cotton of the southern and the ce-
TKRHITORIAL UNIVERSITY
hf eerts'jn mtlrges established for
payment in the order of registration.
This recommendation is certainly in ac-
cordance with all precedent in such mat-
ters and should be enacted into law.
Your attention Is called to the very
elaborate tables showing receipts and tory has thus early In Its history an «h1 >rin lu e ,    
balance* due from the counties cn ac- ueatlon Institution of such proportion!, i ^"n^-i Tn'th" ex's.Jn* laws are ma la
count uf territorial tax for 1895, alao being. aa It la .thoroughly equipped with I
tables showing the balances due from building* and labratorles and having a
The report from the board of regents the sole purpose of selling d.piomia.
if the territorial university la transmit- | HOARD OF DENTAL. EXAMINE III.
ted herewith, marked -Exhibit K." It l> The report of the board of dental ex-
\ .-tlv;; '
U g.ve i and «ev ral recomnii t dittons
the several counties on account of terri-
torial tax for the years 1891 to 1SS5, In-
clusive.
SCHOOL FUNDS.
Th  report of the l> ard for leasing
school lands la herewith transmitted,
marked "Exhibit C." Tills report give 
at length the transactions relating to
school lands for the two years last past,
and deals at some length with many at
the Intricate problems connected with
corps of able and learned professors.
The cause of higher education should
always be kept 'well to the front and the
university receive, as I feel assured It al-
ways will, the hearty support of the leg-
islature and the people.
TERRITORIAL NORMAN SCHOOL.
The report of the territorial normal
school may be found with tbe report o£
the superintendent of public Instruction,
ti whom by law, the president of the nor.
plete review of the various acts of con-
gress and rules and regulations of the
hoard is appended to the report, also de-
tailed tables of receipts and expedl-
turea, leased and vacant lands, and much
other useful Information.
During the two yean last past, the
work in this department has been very
heavy, requiring the services of from
three to five clerks. Every effort has
irals of the central states are produced peen niade to secure promptness and ac-
In equal sboundance. This happy loca , curaoy.
tion is in part, responsible for the slight I The" pr00ec(j.,, from basing the school
effect, her® felt, of the financial distress jan(j9 j^e territory for the two years
that now prevails in so many parts of j last past have been $i79,5;i.o, while the
the country. Many of the people are poor ne, (.agh ,,r cpe(ll of aI1 loaf,ts sl[10# lhe
and have had, and are now having, a
hard struggle against the conditions that
necessarily exist in the settlement of a
new commonwealth. However, an ex-
amination of the expenditures of the
poor fund, made in the various counties,
■hows that a remarkable small percent-
age of the Inhabitants are subjects of
public charity. The people of Oklahoma
are Intelligent, courageous, energetic
end grtigal. You gentlemen are to be
congratulated on being chosen to legis-
late on behalf of such a people. You
also, coming fresh from am tig the peo-
ple, are acquainted with their condition
and familiar with their needs. Still, It
will not be out of place for me to sug-
gest that much Is expected of the fourth
legislative assembly. Many abuses ex-
ist that can be remedied by proper legis-
lation.
The evil most apparent Is high taxes.
Complaint comcs from every county,
city and school district in the territory
that the exactions of the tax gatherer
• re not In keeping with the condition of
the people. This condition is not only
burdensome to the people, but It drives
capital from the territory and is a bar
•gainst others coming in.
You. gentlemen, doubtless recognize
the existence of this evil and will remedy
It by wholesome legislation. The short
period of sixty days limited for your sit-
ting is hardly sutliclent to perform the
labor expected at your hands, still I be-
lieve that each of you appreciates tho
responsible duties of your position, and
will enter upon the discharge of your
duties with an earnest desire and deter-
mination to accomplish the most pos-
sible good within the time given.
I trust that the relations between the
executive and legislature may be most
pleasant and friendly, as It Is my duty
to heartily co-operate with you in the
enactment of all legislation that promises
good to the territory.
Detailed information as to the condi-
tion of the territorial government an.l
the various departments thereof, as well
as the respective territorial institutions
is given in the several reports herewith
transmitted.
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
The report of the auditor for the two
years ending November 20, 18110, is here-
to attached, marked "Exhibit A." From
this report It will be seen that the re-
ceipts from the three-mill levy authoriz-
ed by statute, is sufficient to pay the
general expenses of the territorial gov-
ernment. Your careful consideration is
Invited to the remedies suggested in the
report for this condition, as well as the
recommendation for the separation ot
the office of auditor and superintendent
of public Instruction. It is a fact worthy
of public notice that the expenses ot the
territorial government in klahcma,
with the single exception of Alaska, are
not half so great as in any one of all the
other territories.
It will be seen that the Indebtedness
consists of $48,000 of bonded debt, creat-
ed for the university, normal school and
agricultural college; $103,073,98 of gen
■•ral fund warrant indebtedness, $3,653.40
normal school warrant Indebtedness and
$5,630.23 library fund warrant indebted-
ness outstanding. This indebtedness
Including tho bonds, draws interest at 6
per cent, and the bonds mature In 1903,
and the warrant Indebtedness is subject
to payment whenever the revenues of
the territory are sufficient for that pur-
pose. Under the rule adopted by the
treasurer, the warrants are paid In the
order of their registration. The receipts
derived from the use of school lands, to-
gether with the one mill levy for  896,
for the normal school and territorial uni-
versity will liquidate the debt of these
Institutions during 1897. The three mill
levy now being collected on the valua-
tion of 1896, $24,815,711, will yield a reve-
nue of about $75,000. About 80 per cent
the administration of that trust. A com-1 mul scm o: is required to report. The re-
' port shows the normal school to be in a
flourishing condition, well equipped, hav-
ing an excellent faculty and a large at-
tendance of young men and women pre-
paring fur work in the schools of the
territory. No ertork should be spared to
make the normal school the best In the
land and through it to ultimately sup-
ply a teacher, thoroughly trained, for
every school district In the territory
The colored students of the territory
have not attended the normal school, not
desiring to cause frlotlon by presenting
the mixed school question .and I deem
It not only Just and right but an imper-
ative duty Incumbent on the territory
to provide pr per facilities for educating
colored students and supplyng the col-
ored schools of the territory with well
trained and efficient teachers. I would,
therefore, earnestly recommend that a
branch normal school f r the educa-
tion be established at some convenient
point In the territory, and that an appro-
priation ample to put the same Into Im-
mediate operation be made.
AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL
COLLEGE.
T herewith transmit the report of the
b ard of regents of the Agricultural and
Mechanical college of Oklahoma, which
Is marked "Exhibit d," from which it
will appear that the institution has made
commendable progres in the two years
past and is serving a very useful pur-
pose, not only educating the son? of far
beginning, have been $:!19,538.86. Of
this, Jii74.714.4il has been received since
the beginning of this administration.
These (lgures are certainly very remark-
able and are, I believe, more than has
ever been realized by any other state or
territory out of the amount of lands for
the same period. It must not be Infer-
red that this has been obtained by op
pressing lessees, but has been realized
merely by ordinary business'methods, as
the llgltlmate commercial rental values
of the lands. The prices paid in the
past have been in the main those fixed
by applicants when the lands were of-
fered for lease to the highest bidder.
Pursuant to act of the last legislative
assembly authorizing a contract with D.
A. Harvey for securing indemnity lands
for the territory, lands have been select-
ed by Mr. Harvey in the former Kleka-
p o Indian reservation to the amount of
101,188 and 68-100 acres. These lands
were Immediately leased and are now
yielding a handsome revenue to the ter-
ritory.
Pursuant to an act of the last legisla-
tive assembly, all grazing lands In
Woodward county have been leased in
large bodies at $33 per section. This Is
now yielding from this county alone six
to lelght thousand dollars perannum.
Very few tracts In Heaver county have
been leased, though efforts have been
made to Induce stockmen to lease the
lands Included within their ranges and
pastures. An act giving authority to
collect rental from persons using lands
without leases and making such use a
mlsdemean r would probably have a
salutary effect.
I would respectfully noommend the
creation of the office of commissioner of
public lands, who should have the Im-
mediate supervision of the leasing of all
public lands of the territory and who
should be responsible in the llrst in-
stance for the proper conduct of the
business .and whose acts should be sub-
ject to review on appeal to a superior
board of commissioners.
I would also recommend that all lands
upon which leases at',* about to expire,
together with Improvements thereon, be
appraised by appraisers to be appointed
by the territorial officers having charge
of the leasing, and that all appraise-
ments be subject to review and revision,
and equalization by the territorial office;
that all lands be then officially offered
for lease for not less than the appraised
rental value, with privilege on the part
of lessees to take the land at the highest
rental offered by any responsible bidder
or, if the tenant so elect, he may re-
quire the party applying to lease, to pay
the tenant tho appraised value of th
improvements or the Ipfho** may remove
his Improvements, and that all lands for
which no applications are received be
leased to the highest bidder, without re-
servo at not less than two-thirds the ap-
praised rental value.
It would greatly facilitate the collection
of rents due on school land leases if
rents were made a lien on improvements
and growing crops, and the school land
commissioner authorized to Issue a rent
warrant to the sheriff of any county In
cases of delinquent payments.
I would respectfully recommend that
the proceeds from leasing the lands re-
served f r public school buildings be in-
vested in territorial or county bonds at
not greater than par value.
More detailed recommendations may
be lound in the report of the board for
leasing school lands, to which your at
tentlon is respectfull Invited.
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC IN-
STRUCTION.
The report of the territorial superin-
tendent of public Instruction Is hereto
attached and marked "Exhibit D." It
will be seen therefrom that the educa-
tional Interests of the territory for the
to which >our attention is re«pectfully
Invited.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
The report of the condition of the his-
torical society marked "Exhibit N." is
herewith transmitted. The report ehowi
many va-iuable c Ilecticms made In the
two years pant and much historical mat-
ter preserved, which would otherw.se
have been lost. The Territory Is to be
congratulated upon having thus early in
Its history begun the preservation of
matter. Phlch, in many States, was en-
tirely lost. Complete files of newspapers
have been kept and a very Interesting
snd valuable collection of Indian rtl.es,
tribal history and general Information as
to Indians has been made, which will
make an interesting chapter in the his-
tory of Oklahoma. A liberal appropria-
tion for the maintenance of this society
w.ll certainly commend Itself to the peo-
ple of the Territory.
THE INSANE.
The Third legislative assembly passed
an act. published as Chapter 30, session
laws of 1895, authorising the gov Trior to
contract with responsible Individuals
or a private corporation, for the care and
treatment of the Insane within the Terri-
tory, for a term of not exceeding three
years from the 15th day of June, 1895.
Under authority of this statue a contract
was entered Into with thp Oklahoma San-
itarium Company, a private corporation.
This company established an institution
at Norman, aad l'urnl.-hed a build.ng w.tb
eli the modern conveniences and has giv-
en the insane, I think, better treatment
than they r. .'"ived without th* Territory.
The patients, at that time conllned at
Jacksonville. Ills., were transferred to
Norman and have been cared for there
since that date. Under this contract
there has been a saving of the transport-
j atlon, which would have been a large
I Item In the two years past; besides, the
I large amount of money necessary for the
•support of these people* has been ex-
pended within the Territory. The present
I contract expir s June 15, 1S98. As that
is before the convening of the next leg
mers to a better knowledge of literature ia*Ure, It will be necessary to make pro-
but has been a great aid to the practical j visions for the care of the Insane after
of this amount will be paid promptly in- ! time covered by this report, has been a
to the territorial treasury and applied to continuous and gratifying progress. Tbe
the extinguishment of that amount, of
the floating debt, reducing the same
about $100,000. This is comparatively a
very small Indebtedness for a territory
wit hthe resources of Oklahoma, and,
compared with other territories, is mere-
ly a trifle. A calculation will show that
ihe entire Indebtedness will be about 54
cents per capita.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
school system of the territory ts shown
to be established on a sound basis and
with but slight alterations In law, will
be second to none in any of the states or
territories of the Union. The total schol
astic population of the territory for the
year 1895 is given at 85,636, an increase
over the preceding year of 7.S66, <r abou
10 per cent. For the year ending June
30, 1S96, the scholastic population Is re.
farmer. Every effcrt Is being made to
bring the institution Into closer relations
to the farmer and put the results of sci-
entific investigation In his hands for use
In his everyday work.
I desire to call the attention of the leg-
islature to the Important fact that the
United States has nto undertaken to sup-
ply all the funds which are needed in in-
vest Ration in agriculture, buildings, etc ;
and as the Institution now stands in
need of rooms for botanical, chemical
and zoological labratorles. a suitable
green house, and, possibly, a few other
buildings, and as the Hatch act provides
for the expenditure of only $750 per year
for tho building, which Is obviously in-
adequate for the needs of the growing
station, I would rccommc-nd that at least
$5,00 be appropriated for these purposes.
TERRITORIAL LIBRARIAN.
The report of the Territorial librar,an
. htch Is herewith transmitted, marked
•Exhibit H,"' makes a very careful show-
ing and is entitled to careful considera-
tion. The policy pursued on the library
fund is a matter which will need atten-
tion at your hands since the proceeds
rotn the sale of statutes and reports
have fallen far below what was anticipat-
ed, and the proceeds have proven inade-
quate to meet the necessary expenses of
this department. Your attention Is In-
vited to n Joint resolution now pending
In congress for the appropriation of $5,000
for the purchase of books for the Tent-
orial library. I trust that an appro-
priation adequate to pieet the growing
needs of the library and to provide rooms
the same, may be made by the legis-
lature.
MILITIA.
No report having been filed by the ad-
jutant general, I am not prepared to
ake as extended a report of our mll'tia
i I would like, and believe them entitled
to. We have one regiment, well equipped
and well drilled, as was fully demonstrat-
ed at the Territorial cncampment held
at Guthrie In October last. I feel as-
sured that, with their splendid organiza-
tion, they will prove equal to any emer-
gency which might arise at any time
within the Territory.
VETERINARY SITItGEON.
By act of the Third legislative assem-
bly, published as chapter r,0, of the session
laws of 1895. veterinary surg ry wis ma ie
a department of the agricultural and me-
chanical college, and an experienced per-
son was elected to fill that place. The
principal object of this enactment was to
provide for tho establishment of a quar-
antine line and to protect the stock-grow-
ing interests of Territory. This enact-
ment has In the main proved satisfactory
and great good has resulted therefrom,
still the law is imperfect and should be
that date, or authorize the making of a
new oontract.
The report of the superintendent, to-
gether with some recommendations as to
a change In the law, is herewith sub-
mitted and marked "Exhibit O." From
this report It w 11 be seen that there arc
at present 126 persons fcn this institution.
I recommend that each county be re-
quired to pay the expenses of transporta-
tion of their Insane to the* asylum. Instead
of the Territory
The act referred to also outhorizd the
governor to contract for the care of th
deaf and dumb, but no appropriation
was made to enable this authority to be
exercised. Nothing could be done under
it. Appropriation should be made to care
for this class of the unfortunate, as well
as the unfortunate blind.
PRISONERS.
The prisoners of tlw Territory are con
fined, under contract, in the Kansas State
penitentiary, located at Lansing. Th<
price paid by the Te-rrltory for the main
tennnce of each prisoner is 25 cents per
day. and tbe Territory pays for the trans-
portation of the prisoners to the peniten-
tiary, also furnishes the prisoner when
discharged a suit of cIothe*s valued at 520
and $5 In money. It appears from the
report of the warden, marked "Exhibit
P," that he has now In Ills charg. 113
prisoners from this Territory. I desire
to renew the recommendation made to
the first legislative assembly that some
provision be made for allowing prisoners
credit on their terms of sentence on ac-
count of good behavior. Such an enact-
ment is to be found in the statutes of al-
most every State in the Union. It encour-
ages good conduct, and I recommend that
you promptly pass an act of th>U char-
acter
REPRIEVES, COMMUTATIONS, AND
PARDONS.
As required by Section 5510, Chapter GO,
of the statute, there is transmitted here-
with, marked "Exhibit Q." a statement
of the reprieves, commutations and par-
dons granted during the two years last
past. In explanafon of the extent-of
this last is is proper to state that
nearly every instance the pardon was
granted near the expiration of the term,
and. In each ease wns made on the recom-
mendation of the warden of the prison
and on account of the good behavior of
the prisoner and at the time when th
term of sentence would have expired if
the law of Kansas, where the prisoners
are confined, allowing cr dlt on term for
pood conduct, had been In forco iin thia
Territory.
INCORRIGIBLE YOUTH
The act of March 3, 1895, authorized the
governor, until such time as a reform
school should be established In the Terri-
tory. to contract with the proper author-
remodled so as to provide adequate pun- , 1(]es ot gotne otf,er State or Territory for
ishment for Its violation. The report of
tho vererinary surgeon is herewith trans-
mitted, marked "Exhibit J."
COAL OIL INSPECTOR.
By act of the Third legislative assem-
bly the office ot coal oil Inspector was
created. 1 herewith transmit the first
bienniatl report of the Inspector appointed
under said act, marked "Exhibit K."
It seems" that the working of this law has
been beneficial in the main, still there is
serious defect in the statute, 'in that o.is
that have been Inspected and found be-
low the test prescribed by law. are per-
mitted to be sold, although they
the punishment and education of y uthful
offenders and incorrigible youths under
the age of 16 years. Quite an extensive
correspondence was carried on In the
deavor to make® contract as specified in
this law, but it was discovered that the
statutes of the several States prohibit the
authorities of several institutions con-
tracting for the keeping of any offender
from without the State. Some privat
institutions proposed to make a contract
but on such terms that I did not deen
It advisable, as the expense to the Terri-
tory would have been \ cry great in ful
filling the terms of the contract. If this
branded by the Inspector as rejected. It act was changed so a;; to author::-." the
I herewith submit the third biennial 1 ported at 88,507, an increase of 2,871, or
report of the territorial treasurer, mark- ! about 3 per cent over that for 1895. The
ed "Exhibit B." A perusal of this re- superintendent estimates that the in
port will disclose the fact that the total t crease from now on will average about
revenue of the territory fr m all sources, 5 per cent per annum.
for the biennial period ending Novem- j jn the matter of attendance on the
ber 30. 1896, was $373,757.08 which, added j public schools the data given indicates
to the balance on hand November 30, ( that much progress has been made. Dur-
1894, $7,585.95, makes a 1 total of $381,- tng the year 1895, 57,674 pupils were en-
342.02. The disbursements for the same rolled In the public free schools, this
period were $349,004.21, leaving a balance number representing about 68 per cent ot
on hand belonging to the various funds ,;he scholastic population. During the
of $32,337.71. The total am unt of gen- year ending June 30, 1896, 63.6S6 pupils
eral fund warrants redeemed was $105,-' entered the public se'hools, representing
381.79; Interest on same $9,368.87. The 71 per cent of the number of children of
amount of territorial common s<*hool school age in the territory. During tho
fund forwarded to county treasurers nits year 1893, 33 per cent were enrolled and
$120,783.92. The territorial treasurer during 1894, 65 per cent. These figures
recommends thait provision be made for speak for themselves and indicate very
is recommended that section 11 of the act
be amended so as to prohibit the sale of
rejected oils, and prescribe proper penal-
ties for Its violation.
TERRITORIAL BOARD OF HEALTH.
An elaborate report of tho Territorial
Board of Health ia herewith transmitted
and marked "Exhibit I.," and your
thoughtful consideration Is invited to the
making of a contract with some person
within the Territory It Is more than prob
able that satisfactory arrangements coul,
be made for the punishment and educa
tion of this class of offenders.
FREE HOME LEAGUE.
By act of the Third i gKativ asst rnbiy
$50 Owas appropriated to the Free Horn ••
League to aid In the work of that organi-
same. Your attention is called to the , zatlon, a report of the expenditure of
recommendation for the amendment of , which Is herewith transmitted, marked
section 352 of the Oklahoma statutes. As "Exhibit R." The object of this organJ-
thc laws now stand there are two ways ' zatlon Is familiar to ail and has the i-i.
of becoming registered In order to be en- i questioned support of the people of Ok-
titied to practice medicine in the Terr - , lahoma. The claim of the people is found-
tory. One Is to present a diploma from , d in Justice and support d by a hereto
a medical college, and the* other lis to sub-
mit to an examination before the boar l
of examiners. It seems to be desirable
that only competent persons should bo
permitted to practice medicine and in or-
der to accompl.sh this desire It is neces-
sary that "medlctl college," as defined
tn the abov. section, should be qualified
fore almost uniform practice of the g
ernment of the United States. No sub-
ject with which the people of Oklahoma
th* mmired of the Territory for  ■   }
year* to come will be sappsd to me*i
payments Into the trfa ury f the United
Btates. which will amount In the  *gr -
gat  to $16,044,342.39.
Very few farmtvs will be able to 'ay
aside a sum adequate to meet the pay-
ment required by the present laws anj
the Inevitable oon«equene*e* will 1,, thai
the farm of Oklahoma must be pUstere I
with mortgig s and th>* I t timate pr tin
of the husbandman paid Into the     -ts
of the money lender by way of Interest.
Anything the 1« g - auire may do by way
Of memorial to congr-is would be an u< -
ceptable service to the people of the Ter-
ritory rendered In a Just cause.
UNIFORMITY OF LEGISLATION.
Ry an act of the Third legislative as-
sembly, the governor was author!?.* d 10
appoint, by and with the conduit of the
council, thr * commissioners to be known
as "Comni'sulont rs for the proinot.**n of
uniformity of legislation In the l'i I
States." The laudable object of this
commission was to work In connection
with the rtmliar commissions In other
States and Territories. 1 beg to sub-
mit herewith, as one of the results of
the work of thl« eomm sslon, a general ar t
relative to negotiable Instrument. Th.*
legislatures of the various Statis a t
Territories In the United Stub s iv !l he
asked to enact this bill Into taw. Argu-
ment Is unnecessary to demonstrate 1 iat
It would be not only desirable but us ful
as we'll to have the same laws governing
negot able Instruments In the several
States and the passage of this act .« re-
spectfully recommended. In tills con-
nection I also desire to transmit li re-
wlth the resolution passed by the Ter-
ritorial Bar Associativa and Indor.-* I by
the supreme court of the Territory )mark-
ed "Exh bitT") asHng for c rtaln «|> c fla
changes n the statute law of the Terri-
tory looking to the better government of
the counties and subdivision thereof, an,I
a more econeimleal administration of pub-
lic affairs of the Territory. T.ies * re-
commendations, coming from the source
they do, and indorsed as they are, are
entitled to your thoughtful consideration.
It ,s estimated that .! enacted Into laws
the recommendations herein would re-
duce the expense of county government
at least one-half. The recommendations
meet my hi arty approval and 1 hope to
see the most, If not all, of them enacted
lrnto laws. Your attention Is particular-
ly United to the recommendation to abol-
ish Ihe office of township assessor and
township board of equal zatlon and melt-
ing the office of county assessor and tn-
larglng tho powers of the county board of
equalisation. It w 111 be readily «eoa that
If the resolution was enacted into law it
would be a gr. at saving of expense and
would Insure n mote adequate and Just
ass, s-ment of prop* rty throughout tin
Territory.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
It Is earnestly recommended that
Chapter 26 of the session laws be
am -nded ss to make the law ottmnive,
and to pro: t the game an.l fish within
the Territory. It Is suggested that pro-
\ sion for a -ame warden, w thout salary
except the p.-naltles that might be col-
lected from persons violating the law,
would be on easy soluti n of the qu ■■ :i n.
The statu!** authorizing th..* d.- f't
Judges to appoint attorneys to defend
pauper criminals und making the county
liable for the fees should be r-t  >' 'I, to
far as the liability uf the county .s con-
cerned.
Chapter 7, entitled "Bank Depositors,"
hould be so 1 mended as to require fr< :n
all private banking Institutions in the
Territory a sworn stat< *11 ct from tho
president or cashier sh oving the finan-
cial condition of tiie bank, at 1 1st twi<*«
:i year, on the cai'I of the* governor, and
proper penalties should be provided to
make the provision effective.
Section 2900 of Article 2, Chapter 36 of
the statute should lie amende! so a- to
require the payment into tiie Territorial
treasury, in addition to the f - s tht rein
prescribed, by every corporation gmnt-
d a churter by the secretary of the Ti r-
ritory, or a permit to do buslne n the
Territory, a minimum f- e of $25, the max
tmum to be determin d by the amount of
the capital stock of the company, except-
ing from payment of this f ■ charitable,
benevolent, educational, and religious
corporations.
That Chapter 41 be so amend 1 as to
compel Insurance companies to pay the
face value of police s In case of the total
loss without regard to the two-thirds va-
lue clause.
Section 3142, Chapter 47, prescribing
the amount of s iioo.n lie.-n.-e, should lie
amended so as to provide for th" payment
of the same license into the Territorial
treasury by every r al and wholesale li-
quor dealer in thp Territory.
That Chapter 54 lie so amended as to
limit number of notar es public In each
county and to provide fLie payne nt
into the Territorial treasury foi > wh no-
tary commission a fee of $2.
That county commissioner*: should be
prohibited from changing township lines,
or the lines of election precincts within
six months next prcc ling any g' neral
election.
The provisions of the election law of
the Territory are not well adapted to the
conditions existing here. Th  statute
should be so amended as to be simplified
and made less expensive and cumber-
some. if a voter should indicate his
choice of candidates on the ballot by an
indelible pencil in place of the rubber
stamp, there would be much less com-
plaint of mutilated ballots, it is hardly
necessary to suggest that the proviso in
Section 6. Chapter 2ii of the sess on laws
should be repealed.
The people ought to be protected
against the extorti*/ns of the express
conn anics doing bus r.ess ti the Terri-
tory. It is earnestly recommended that
.1 hi give early attention to proper legisla-
tion on this subject.
Y .ur attention Is call I to the Tenneesee
Centennial Exposition t be held m tas
City of Nashville from May to October
1t>ii7: uiso to the T:\ma-Missi slppi Expo-
* tion at Omaha, Neb., from June to
November, lSt'S. Money expended In ad-
vertising the resources of the Territory
at these expositions would, perhaps, be
wisely expended. It is suggested that
you make an h provision for that pur-
111 e as may be deemed expedient.
In cnnclusv.il, I desire to -ay that It
will be my pleasure to co-operate with
you in matt T.-i pertaining to legislation
I tind have reason to hope and believe
that the «*k of your aession will be well
and economically don * and the r suit of
vour labors will be satisfactory to your-
L-VTE NEWS NOTES.
A negro di'sjierailo was lynched in
Louisiana.
Two train wrecks occurred near
Wuutaiiira. Texas. Four ineu ivers
seriously hurt.
.Inwpli C W illlard, proprietor of tho
hotel of that name in Washington, la
dead.
Hut two Mongolians are loft in St.
Joseph. Mo. A lauiulry license drove
theui out.
Report of the ltehring Sea e-ominis*
on show that the seal industry is
thriving.
Mrs. staiil of Springfield. Mo.,
dTopped dead while visiting friends at
Eureka Springs, Ark.
Residents of Posey* UL. believe that
ti   Taylor is hiding in the Kat-
l.askia ri.-cr bottoms.
A train was derailed at Forest
Switch, Tex., and the locomotive foil
on the engineer, crushing him to
death.
< ik lahoma newspapers that supported
Rryau have switched to McKinlev to
secure land office advertising patron-
age.
In a speech in Now York Mrs. Lease
said sin* thanked Hod Kansas had not
become civilized enough for See ley
dinners.
11 is said that Kranee Is meditating
tho negotiation of a treaty of arbitra-
tion with the United States similar to
the Anglo-American.
A serious fire a* the Newcastle tin
mill, Newcastle, Pa., the largest in the
world, caused a lo.ss of S50.000 and will
throw .".on men out of employment.
\V. A. Hammond, the Chicago banker
. ho committed suicide by throwing
himself into the lake, left an estate
which is scheduled at only $10,1300.
Congressmen Simpson and Itell are
candidates for the Populist leadership
In the next House.
It is rumored in Washington that
Mr. Cleveland will veto the free homes
bill if it reaches liiin.
Representative S[iencer uf Missis-
sippi presented a « authorizing the
secretary of state to buy Cuba.
Nn.it .Sherman announces his ao*
ct ptar.ee of the state portfolio.
Fred Dubois snys that ti Populist
will succeed him us Senator from
Idaho.
Patrick Donahue is under arrest at
Philadelphia for strangling his wife of
one day to death.
Delaware's ' Itucr?' legislature is in
full lilnst. A "lump" Senator wl!l bo
chosen.
Secretary Herbert lias ordered that
the naval cadets participate in the In-
auguration ceremonies
\ bill providing for retirement of
those holding office under the civil
service at 65 years of age hus beeu
tires. 11 ted. - ... ,
The House committee on elections
decided that .Mr. Price, Democrat, of
the Third Louisiana district should re-
tain Iin- seat.
.Inhr. i*. Long of Massachusetts is
he lie vi i1 in Washington to Ik- slated
for secretary of the treasury.
Tic war department has authorized
the purchase of a site, consisting of
sixteen blocks, for a fort at tiulvestou,
Tev
Ailum llonlacher, a former banker ot
Rock l''alls. 111., was arrested at
Molierly, Mo., charged with cmliczzle-
mcnt.
Lexaiw is after the trusts. lie of-
fered a resolution asking for tin inves-
tigating committee in the New York
state senate.
Captain Edward Bernard, in charge
of the Sedalill corps of the Salvation
army, was accidentally shot aud killed
while hunting.
The Cherokecs will endeavor to havo
the names of 2.(I'M) persons stricken
from the census rolls of the tribe, who,
tlicy claim, secured their citizenship
through fraud.
<ieeirge N. Tillman lias abandoned
his contest for the governorship of
Tennessee.
I.\ liovcrnor John 1'. St. John ist.be
latest candidate for scuator from Kan-
It is r. ixirtcd that Perry S. Heath
will Lu appointed private secretary to
Mr. McKinley.
The    wliu killed Deputy United
States Marshal Hird are in jail at. Jack-
son. Vu. Lynching is threatened.
A medal of honor has been granted
to Samuel .I. Churchill of Lawrence,
Kan., for bravery at the battlu of
Nashville. IleeemVcr 15. 1804.
W. II. Harvey protested lieforc tlin
Senate committee against the passage
of tho Loud bill.
The Commission of the St. Joseph.
Mo., postmaster has expired. Five
men desire I lie place.
Iliinna Hint the Senator Hill [>.
Cji.vm.anp, Ohio. Jan. 1H.- -Chair-
man Hanna said yesterday that he had
authorized 110 one to state he would
soon come out as a candidate for
I nitcrt States Senator to succccd Sena-
tor Sherman. That was a matter
which he was not discussing with any-
boih. in* said. lie declared further-
more that lie had made no statement
such US had been given to tin- press to
anybody.
Penitentiary Shoo Company Fallt.
Jrrt 1 ttsoN City, Mo., Jan. 10. —This
afternoon the proprietors of the
Standard Shoe company, which man-
ufactures shoes in the penitentiary,
tiled a conveyance in trust to John W.
Kdwards for preferred creditors for
000. The total liabilities are $75,000
and the assets about 8100,000. The
company has been in business for tif-
te-o. years.
Winnipeg Opera IIouho Itnrued
WtNMi ic. Manitoba, Jan. 19. The
Grand Opera house here was totally
destroyed by fire, with contents. The
theater was opened only two month*
jigo. The luss is $*0,000.
Th ron KU1©<1 by <i *.
Boston, Jan. 18. Three, young lives
were destroyed by gas in a tenement
house at Roxbury last night. The
dead tire: Mary N. Reynolds, 7 yean
old; Margaret H. Reynolds, 1 year#
old: Annie Conneally. 10 } cars old
Carelessness or ignorance in 1 -ing tiie
fixt ures is the supposed cau -e of the
deaths.
have to deal Is of greater importance 1 selves and inei t tiie Juat approval < '
' than this, and, perhaps, upon no oth* r j an honest constituency. With this end
' does our future prosperity so much de- | In view, let us Invoke the aid and gu d-
pend. With the enormous burden !m- ance of Ilim who Is the source of all wis-
posed upon the people of the Territory do c.. W. C. RENFROW,
— ' Governor.
Seven Workmen Drowned.
London, Jan. 10.—A ferryboat laden
with workmen sank while crossing the
Uslt at Newport and seven out of lif-
teen persons 011 board were drowned.
the registration of all warrants and their olearly the progrc ts that lias heen made, so •* to shut out the bogus diplomas ■. • by tht prese-nt Jaws > the Ur. ted d.ates.